40 Things Movies Just Keep Getting Wrong About Real Life

Aside from the popcorn, there’s one thing that most people head to the movies for, and that’s to escape. It’s true – no one wants to see their daily commute up on the big screen. But the glaring mistakes that just won't quit suggest it’s about time directors paid a little more attention to the real world. So next time you’re settling in to watch that box-office sellout, just count how many of these ridiculous inaccuracies you can tick off.

40. Gun silencers aren’t quiet

In John Wick 2, Keanu Reeves’ eponymous hero and Common’s baddie are able to exchange gunfire in a crowded New York station without anyone noticing. Yes, in this strikingly quiet action scene, the characters’ firearms are fitted with silencers that make them quieter than a mouse. Such weaponry doesn’t actually exist in the real world, though. A gun with a silencer will still make a considerable noise and certainly one that’d be heard by even the loudest commuters.

39. Grenade explosions aren’t that spectacular

Here’s another movie cliché that few cinemagoers will know is based on complete fabrication. When a grenade goes off in real life it doesn’t result in a spectacular fireball like you see in countless action movies. In truth, visually they can be something of an anti-climax.

38. Parking in big cities isn’t easy

Remember the finale of rom-com The Five-Year Engagement when the two lovebirds are able to park right in front of Alamo Square? And on a glorious day, too. If only finding a space in a real-life big city was that straightforward. It usually takes pretty much five years to find somewhere to leave your car in San Francisco.

37. TV reporters can’t get that close to a story

Courteney Cox’s Gale Weathers spends most of her time in the first Scream movie getting a little too close to Ghostface for comfort. The nosey newscaster somehow manages to park herself right in the middle of the action whenever another murder has taken place. In real life, though, she’d be escorted away from the scene by police within seconds.

36. Sharks’ sense of smell has been exaggerated

Jaws may have scarred you so much that you never go into the sea beyond ankle height. But have all of those wasted beach trips been for nothing? Well, maybe. Sharks can’t actually pick up on a single cell of blood when they’re miles away, as claimed in the Steven Spielberg classic. According to studies, their sense of smell is confined to around 50 meters.

35. Gunshots can’t send you flying

If you’ve watched the film Martyrs, you’ll remember the scene when a man almost goes flying through the air after being shot at close range. It looks pretty cool on camera, for sure. But if you’re familiar with Isaac Newton’s third law of motion – and who isn’t? – you’ll know that in reality being hit by a bullet is much less of a spectacle.

34. Social workers take pride in their appearance

Mariah Carey received critical acclaim for appearing much dowdier than her usual glamorous self in the hard-hitting drama Precious. But it’s fair to say that many social workers didn’t appreciate her dressing down for the role. Carey’s disheveled look only played into the stereotype that no one in the profession owns a hairbrush or iron.

33. Accountants aren’t socially inept

Remember playing Ghostbusters as a kid? Remember anyone volunteering to be Rick Moranis’ character Louis, though? Well, that’s because like every other movie accountant, he was a bumbling and socially awkward buffoon. In reality, though, those in the profession are usually much better communicators. After all, they regularly have to convey information that might not be to their clients’ liking.

32. You don’t get a guaranteed phone call when arrested

As shown in the likes of Kingsman: The Secret Service, cinema’s criminals are always allowed a phone call of their choosing when arrested. But you might not know that this is purely a movie invention. Though you’re allowed to contact your lawyer when in trouble with the law, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get to speak to your nearest and dearest, too.

31. Hair never stays in place that easily

Yes, Hollywood stars are supposed to always look more glamorous than us mere mortals. But when they spend their screen-time single-handedly fighting off an army of villains, it wouldn’t hurt for them to have at least one hair out of place. Look no further than Scarlett Johansson in Black Widow, who always looks like she’s just stepped out of a salon after her latest battle.

30. Chloroform can’t knock you out in seconds

Ah, the good old chloroform method. In the likes of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, all any aspiring kidnapper has to do is place a cloth filled with the toxin over their victim’s face and they’re instantly putty in their hands. But there’s a reason why medics don’t use the drug to knock patients out. Rendering someone unconscious with chloroform is a much longer process than Hollywood suggests.

29. You can’t enhance every bit of footage

In movies like Enemy of the State even the grainiest bit of CCTV footage can magically be made crystal clear by forensic experts. And within a matter of seconds, too. Sadly for real-life crime-fighters, though, even the most advanced digital enhancing technology can’t make a dot look that much less of a dot.

28. You need to use more force while doing CPR

It seems as though most Hollywood actors could do with taking a CPR training course. Because whenever a character tries to resuscitate someone, they don’t use the necessary force. If you only see them making light compressions, as Bethany does to Alex in Jumanji for example, then in real life the victim would be a goner.

27. Car tires don’t screech that much

Sure, if you’re competing in a Fast & Furious-esque street race, then your car tires might screech a little when the flag waves. But according to Hollywood, almost every journey, no matter what speed or surface, can produce the same noise. Take Dr. No, for example, in which the tires of James Bond’s Aston Martin somehow manage to screech even when they’re moving on gravel. In real life, of course, that just wouldn’t be possible!

26. Crimes scenes shouldn’t be contaminated

You’d expect a forensics expert to know that the last thing you do is tamper with anything at a crime scene. But this doesn’t seem to stop even the most experienced investigator from doing so on the big screen. Take Angelina Jolie’s Amelia in The Bone Collector, for example. The character may have spent years in the field. But she thinks nothing of getting trigger-happy with a nearby rat while inspecting a murder site – and ultimately adding some more DNA into the mix.

25. Working in fashion isn’t always glamorous

In films like The Devil Wears Prada the fashion industry’s presented as a glamorous dreamland where everyone’s dolled up to the nines at all times. But the reality is that you’re more likely to see somebody working in sweatpants than in the latest Donna Karan. An insider told BuzzFeed, “The glam part probably makes up to two percent of the job.”

24. Corsets don’t hinder your breathing

Watch any period drama such as Gone with the Wind and you’ll no doubt see a woman struggling to breathe while being fitted with a corset. Yet this old-fashioned item of clothing is very rarely tied as tightly as portrayed. And it wouldn’t hurt your back, either, as corsets aren’t worn on skin that’s bare.

23. Lifeguards aren’t lazy

According to films like The Sandlot, lifeguarding’s the cushiest job around. All you have to do is sit on a chair, top up your tan and occasionally glance at the pool to check nobody’s drowning. In real life, though, lifeguards are constantly on their feet. And even worse, they have to deal with a whole lot of bodily fluids, too.

22. Hacking isn’t easy

Judging by films like 1990s cult favorite Hackers, most computer hacks can be carried out quicker than you can say “triple encryption.” Yes, forget hours of painstakingly cracking digital codes. In the movies, you can break through the most secure firewall in a matter of seconds by simply bashing a few buttons.

21. You can’t climb through ductwork

We can’t get too annoyed about this movie cliché. After all, Die Hard probably wouldn’t be half the action movie it is if Bruce Willis didn’t save the day by climbing through ductwork. In real life, though, John McClane would have fallen through the ceiling in no time as air ducts aren’t designed to take an adult’s weight.

20. You can’t hear a conversation in a noisy room

Anyone who’s ever been to a busy bar or club knows that it’s impossible to have a conversation there without screaming “what” at least half a dozen times. Not in the likes of The Social Network’s opening scene, though, in which Mark Zuckerberg finds out that he’s been dumped amid a bustling crowd. Yes, no matter how high the decibel level is, movie characters can always hear the other person word perfectly.

19. Meteors are ice cold

Whenever you see a meteor hurtling towards our planet in a disaster movie such as Deep Impact, it’s always as a blazing fireball. But if you know your astronomy, then you’ll already be aware that only the trail behind the apocalypse-causing body of matter is burning. The meteor itself would enter the Earth’s atmosphere in the same state it hurtled through space in: freezing cold!

18. Cutting your own hair is hard

Ever tried cutting your own hair armed with nothing but a pair of kitchen scissors? Then you’ll know that the result usually has you running to the nearest salon incognito to get it fixed. But not in movies such as Yentl, in which characters without any professional hairdressing experience can miraculously put Vidal Sassoon’s finest to shame.

17. Cops don’t need to read you your Miranda rights

Movie cops always make a habit of reading out a Miranda warning whenever they’re making an arrest. Even when they’re simultaneously throwing the suspect around, as Murphy does to The Dragon in RoboCop. While Miranda rights do need to be read at some point during the process, this usually occurs at the police station and not at the point when the cuffs come out.

16. Bridal store employees can actually be nice

Okay, so the bridal shop scene in Bridesmaids wouldn’t have been as hilarious if the consultant had been less hoity-toity. But still, you can understand why those in the business feel aggrieved at their snooty on-screen reputation. One such worker insisted to website BuzzFeed that bridal stores are far more interested in making their clients happy than encouraging them to fork out for the costliest outfit.

15. Stalking isn’t romantic

Remember that scene in Love Actually when Andrew Lincoln’s character doorsteps his best pal’s girlfriend with a series of giant cue cards? It’s presented as highly romantic in the festive favorite. But is there anything more inappropriate than declaring your undying love for someone when their partner’s just yards away? And let’s not even get started on the creepy job he does as a wedding videographer.

14. Traveling through stars would actually be much darker

One of the most magical moments in Star Wars occurs when the Millennium Falcon whizzes through a tunnel of stars. But in reality, Chewbacca and co. wouldn’t have experienced such spectacularly bright visuals. NASA once staged a physics presentation to show that when traveling at the speed of light your surroundings are completely drained of light. All you’d be able to see is a tiny dot converging in the direction you’re heading.

13. Heart attacks aren’t always that dramatic

In a 2005 poll a significant number of people admitted that they didn’t instantly seek medical attention after witnessing or experiencing a cardiac arrest. And that’s because they hadn’t even been aware that the problem was a cardiac arrest! Watch the likes of Jack Nicholson’s character in Something’s Gotta Give, though, and you’d think that the main giveaway was dramatically clutching your chest. But its symptoms can often be a lot less obvious.

12. Guns can’t open locked doors

As shown in the climactic scene in Ghost, doors bolted shut are no problem for anyone carrying a gun in the world of Hollywood. Simply fire your weaponry at the pesky lock and you’re free to go on your merry way. Of course, the MythBusters team have proven that only a high-powered kind will do the necessary damage. And SWAT teams who use this method need to wear complete face and body protection to avoid getting struck by shrapnel.

11. Hailing a cab is never that easy

In 13 Going on 30 Jennifer Garner’s Jenna manages to stop a cab in a bustling Midtown simply by whistling. That’s almost as far-fetched as a teen suddenly waking up in a fully-grown woman’s body. As anyone who’s needed to call a taxi in a busy city will already know, the sound of a whistle would be drowned out immediately.

10. People say goodbye on the phone

Hollywood’s screenwriters don’t appear to be the most polite bunch. You’d consider it highly rude if someone finished a phone conversation without bidding farewell first. But in the likes of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Armageddon and pretty much every other movie to feature a call, no one offers a goodbye, au revoir or cheerio before hanging up.

9. You can’t go through a broken window unscathed

In the 1980s classic Beverly Hills Cop, Eddie Murphy’s Alex Foley is literally thrown through a glass door by some burly heavies. And yet the wisecracker manages to get up with barely a scratch on him. It’s the same story with most Hollywood window smashes, during which injuries, blood and screams are very rarely witnessed.

8. Courtrooms aren’t the place for big emotional speeches

Who can forget the “You can’t handle the truth” scene in A Few Good Men? It made for great cinema, of course. But anyone who’s sat through even the juiciest of cases will know that the courtroom isn’t a place for big dramatic outbursts. Yes, it’s fair to say that most judges don’t take kindly to grandstanding speeches or raised voices.

7. Therapists can’t get involved with clients

The Prince of Tides may have picked up seven Oscar nominations. But it didn’t exactly portray the therapy profession in the most ethical light. In real life, Barbra Streisand’s psychiatrist may have been struck off for forging a relationship – and ultimately a marriage – with the brother of one of her most troubled patients.

6. People usually finish their meals

One of the most common pet peeves about movies is the fact that no one ever finishes a meal. In fact, in films such as Wedding Crashers entire banquets go completely untouched as characters slowly push food round their plates while never actually taking a bite. Hollywood’s waste budget must be through the roof!

5. People don’t just watch TV for the news

The binge-watch doesn’t appear to be a thing in movie-land. The only time you’ll see a television on is for a news report. And it’s always one that conveniently aligns with the film’s plotline the moment the remote is pressed. See, for example, in Watchmen when President Nixon’s important speech commences as soon as Ozymandias’ stack of TVs are all switched on.

4. Most car chases would have to deal with traffic

It’s funny how most Hollywood car chases take place outside of rush hour. You never see the likes of Matt Damon having to deal with a queue of vehicles when trying to evade his pursuers in the Bourne franchise, for instance. Of course, we’re impressed with how the character manages to deal with oncoming traffic, steep stairs and underground car parks. But we’d like to see how he tackles being boxed in by three lanes of stationary cars, too.

3. Body armor is supposed to work

In the movies, someone wearing body armor somehow seems even more likely to meet their maker than someone who’s entirely unprotected. Yes, the likes of helmets and bulletproof jackets are essentially rendered useless, particularly in action films. Take The Fifth Element, for example, where the police force kitted out in bulky protective gear are dispatched with ease.

2. No one makes a full breakfast everyday

For most of us, it’s hard to summon up the motivation to pour some cereal and milk into a bowl before work. But in the movies, characters think nothing of getting up at an ungodly hour to create a breakfast feast of juices, pastries and every type of egg imaginable. Take the protagonist’s sister in Love, Simon, who can somehow put Guy Fieri to shame before starting the school day.

1. Coffee doesn’t instantly sober you up

No matter how drunk a character may be, all it takes for them to get sober on-screen is a cup of strong black coffee. Remember the drunk Santa scene in Miracle on 34th Street, for example. If only it was that simple in real life – caffeine doesn’t actually affect the level of blood alcohol in your system in the slightest.

Some actors really do go the extra mile

So what about the times when what’s happening on screen seems just a little too realistic. Even when Santa really shouldn’t be driving his sleigh, there’s still a little part of you that wonders, “How the heck did they do that?!” Often your favorite stars will forgo special effects and tackle a staggering stunt or scene for real. Famous faces have battled tigers, leaped between speeding cars, and even acquired a hickey (or two). Yup, some of the best movie moments of all time actually happened IRL!

Gladiator: those were real tigers

Real-life gladiators by all accounts fought tigers, so Russell Crowe also had to fight some for the epic movie Gladiator. Yep… real ones. Luckily though, neither man nor beast was injured during the scene. Screen Rant notes that all five of the acting tigers were kept away from the stars and a veterinarian was on hand.

Spider-Man: Tobey Maguire really caught that tray

One of the most memorable moments in the original Spider-Man comes when Peter Parker catches Mary Jane, her lunch tray and lunch flawlessly in the school cafeteria. It looks like it must’ve been done with CGI, but the scene was real. Tobey Maguire actually did that using no special effects other than glue, and it took him 156 takes, according to Screen Rant.

The 40-Year-Old Virgin: Steve Carell really did get waxed

There’s suffering for your art, and then there is… this. As per Screen Rant, when Steve Carell had his chest waxed in The 40-Year-Old Virgin, the hair was removed for real, and at the hands of an inexperienced waxer no less. Carell was actually literally bleeding during the scene, but he and his co-stars stayed in character regardless.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom: Chadwick Boseman is really playing the trumpet

The late, great Chadwick Boseman was a man of incredible talent. In 2020’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – his last film – he learned how to play the trumpet for real. In a featurette released online to promote the movie, his co-star Glynn Turman remembered how Boseman always made him think, “Hey, I don’t want to practice right now, but I better get to start practicing.”

V for Vendetta: Natalie Portman really shaved her head

Many actresses would never in a million years shave off their beautiful locks. Natalie Portman was not one of these, though. When her character’s head is forcibly shaved in 2006’s V for Vendetta, Portman’s hair was cut off for real. The star obviously had only one take to get all the emotions right, and she nailed it.

Independence Day: Will Smith really did smell something horrible

There’s one little scene in the 1996 blockbuster Independence Day where Will Smith demands to know “what the hell is that smell?” Well, according to WhatCulture, there was a real odor – the movie was filming near a brine shrimp lake which ponged to high heaven – and Smith’s line arrived completely unscripted. Yep, even if you’re the biggest movie star in the world, sometimes you just have to put up with the smell.

I, Tonya: Margot Robbie’s skating is real

It would be perfectly understandable if Margot Robbie didn’t learn to ice skate for her role as Tonya Harding, because it’s a very difficult discipline. But she did! According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actress practiced for five months and even spent the day before her wedding on the ice! And Robbie managed to get through it with only one major injury: a herniated disk.

Apollo 13: filming happened in the real ‘vomit comet’

It wasn’t movie magic that gave us the weightless scenes in Apollo 13, it was actually NASA science! Some of the film was recorded in the real “vomit comet,” which the space agency uses to train astronauts. The experience proved to be weird and difficult for both cast and crew – but it paid off.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Pippin’s scream was real

Pippin actor Billy Boyd wasn’t expecting a firework to actually go off in his face during one early scene of Fellowship of the Ring. When it did, the star screamed and wet his pants, so says the man himself on the DVD commentary. Of course, his fellow castmates teased him mercilessly about that.

Freaky Friday: Jamie Lee Curtis really learned the guitar

That’s really Jamie Lee Curtis playing guitar in the 2003 Freaky Friday remake, and the actress loved doing it. She told the New York Times newspaper that year, “I’m not sure most 40-year-old women get to play a rippin’ guitar solo,” and Curtis added that her then-15-year-old daughter helped out tremendously.

The Dark Knight: Michael Caine really was horrified by the Joker

Veteran actor Michael Caine hadn’t seen Heath Ledger in full Joker makeup until they did a scene together, he told Empire. And when Ledger popped up on a screen in full torturing mode, Caine was so taken aback he actually forgot his lines! That’s the horror-drenched take which director Christopher Nolan kept in.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith: Anakin’s child victim really was scared

Spoiler alert: Anakin Skywalker crosses the point of no return when he murders a little Jedi child in Revenge of the Sith. The actor who played that unlucky victim gave an AMA on Reddit on 2020, and he revealed that his flinch upon seeing Anakin was real, because Hayden Christensen shouted “boo!” and scared him.

Rain Man: Dustin Hoffman really farted

Remember that scene when Charlie and Ray are in the phone booth and the latter farts? No sound effects needed; Dustin Hoffman really did pass gas, according to WhatCulture. And everything Charlie does afterwards, that was Tom Cruise improvising upon suddenly finding himself in a contained space with a bad smell. Gross!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two: Draco’s discomfort is real

One of the most hilarious-but-dark scenes in the whole Harry Potter franchise happens in the last movie. The Dark Lord Voldemort wins a begrudging Draco Malfoy over to his side, and he then gives him a super awkward hug. As per Screen Rant, that moment was improvised by Ralph Fiennes, and poor Tom Felton didn’t have any idea how to react to a noseless snake-man suddenly embracing him.

Mary Poppins Returns: Dick van Dyke really danced

Surely that can’t really be Dick van Dyke dancing in Mary Poppins Returns? He was 91 years old at the time! Maybe they used CGI? Nope… it was genuinely all him. His co-star Emily Blunt told USA Today in 2018, “He sort of waves us away and it was a big lunge onto a chair and onto the desk. And he just hoofed away on that desk like there was no tomorrow. [Director] Rob [Marshall] was so touched, he couldn’t even say cut.”

Thor: Anthony Hopkins really did freak out Tom Hiddleston

There’s one interesting scene between two gods in the first Thor movie. Tom Hiddleston’s Loki attempts to speak out against his father Odin – played by legendary actor Anthony Hopkins – and is silenced by a sort of roar-snarl-growl from him. Hopkins reportedly went off script to make that unholy noise, and Hiddleston’s look of shock is genuine.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: the kids really were awed by Wonka

Gene Wilder knew exactly how to win over the audience when he played Willy Wonka. For his grand entrance he approached the child actors as a hobbled old man, bent over and walking slowly… but then he fell into a somersault and popped back up again. The kids hadn’t expected that, and they were delighted!

Ricki and the Flash: Meryl Streep’s really playing the guitar

Three-time Oscar recipient Meryl Streep – who’s very accomplished at method acting – went all out when she was cast as a rocker in Ricki and the Flash. Director Jonathan Demme told Entertainment Weekly magazine in 2015 that Streep shredded so hard on her guitar that she actually made her fingers bleed!

Les Miserables: Hugh Jackman really was that emaciated

Please: don’t try anything like this at home. When cast as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, Hugh Jackman decided that for the early scenes he really would look like a half-starved prisoner. According to IMDb, he embarked on a weight-loss diet and at one point even deprived himself of water. It was method acting taken to the extreme, and luckily the actor didn’t do it for very long.

Kingpin: Bill Murray really did score three strikes

To portray a winning streak at bowling, most movie directors would just chop up the footage to make it look like the actor scored a strike every time. But for the film Kingpin this wasn’t needed, according to WhatCulture, because Bill Murray really did get three strikes in a row. The directors were awestruck and so was the crowd. Apparently, all that cheering is completely real!

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: Aragorn’s scream of anguish was real

In The Two Towers, Aragorn comes across what he believes are the burned bodies of his friends Merry and Pippin. He kicks an Orc helmet away, lets out an enraged scream and falls to his knees. And that scream was real, because he’d just broken two toes kicking the helmet! A few other takes of that scene exist on the DVD of the film and the broken-toes one was undoubtedly the best.

Grease: Rizzo’s hickeys are real

The hickeys on Rizzo’s neck in Grease weren’t done with makeup. They were 100 percent real and uh, “applied” by Kenickie actor Jeff Conaway himself, according to Entertainment Weekly. Stockard Channing told the story for a 20th anniversary Grease documentary. There was apparently a lot of naughty behavior that went on behind the scenes of that movie…

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol: Tom Cruise really climbed the Burj Kalifa

Tom Cruise’s willingness to do wild stunts is one of the reasons he remains a massive movie star. For the movie Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol he decided, why not climb up the world’s tallest building: the Burj Khalifa? Unsurprisingly, the insurance team for the movie balked at this… so Cruise fired them. That’s really him on the skyscraper and it’s all totally real.

A Quiet Place: all the sign language is real

John Krasinski was determined that all the sign language in A Quiet Place would be accurate. He told website TheWrap in 2018, “We did all learn [it]. We had the most incredible actress [Millicent Simmonds] who happens to be deaf in real life, which was sort of a non-negotiable thing for me.” The latter, he said, was a “guide through what it’s like to experience the world without hearing it.”

Star Wars: A New Hope: Han Solo really didn’t know what to say

In the very first Star Wars movie, Harrison Ford’s Han Solo gets flustered when his cover is nearly blown. A Stormtrooper questions him via radio and all he can think of to say is awkward statements such as, “We're all fine here, now, thank you. How are you?” But those lines weren’t in the script, according to the Geek Twins. Ford purposely didn’t learn the written lines so he’d sound as hesitant as his character was.

The Notebook: Ryan Gosling really made that furniture

Ryan Gosling really went all out for The Notebook. He learned to make furniture just like his character did. And then he let a hilariously awkward detail slip to People magazine in 2004, saying, “We shot a scene where Rachel [McAdams] and I [consummated] our relationship on a table I made. But I couldn’t keep it. We used a special wood, and the deal was [that the cabinetmaker would get] the table. But he doesn’t know what happened on it.”

Carrie: Miss Collins’ death scene really was terrifying

Betty Buckley played Miss Collins in Carrie, and she still remembered her death scene years later. The actress had to get into a specific contraption that would stop just before anything hit her… if it worked. Buckley told the Vulture website in 2014, “What you’re seeing on film is not acting at all. I [was] absolutely terrified because they had not tested out the machine.”

The Wrestler: Those were real deli orders

There was a lot of improvisation going on in The Wrestler. If you remember the scene where Mickey Rourke’s character is working behind a deli counter – that was a real store and customers kept approaching it! As per IMDb, director Darren Aronofsky told Rourke to simply take their orders and remain in character.

Batman Returns: Michelle Pfeiffer really did the mannequin whipping scene

In February 2021 a behind-the-scenes clip of Batman Returns resurfaced. It shows Michelle Pfeiffer in character as Catwoman expertly whipping the heads off mannequins in one take. Pfeiffer got to discuss the viral clip in February 2021, telling IndieWire, “I worked really hard on it, but it was a lot of rehearsal and getting the timing right. I especially liked the jump roping at the end. I had forgotten about that!”

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe: Lucy really was that amazed

Little Georgie Henley played Lucy in the first Chronicles of Narnia movie, and the crew of the film ensured her reactions would be as full of childlike wonder as possible. So, when Lucy is awestruck by the world of Narnia and James McAvoy’s Mr. Tumnus, that’s Henley’s real emotions. That’s because she hadn’t seen any of it until the cameras were rolling!

Jungle Fever: Halle Berry really was that disheveled

Halle Berry tried some method acting when cast as a drug addict in 1991’s Jungle Fever. She decided to get herself as disheveled as possible, which included not washing… for several weeks. By the end, the actress apparently smelled awful. Berry told Wendy Williams in 2012, “Ask Sam Jackson! He had to get a whiff of it.”

Police Story: the shopping mall crash was all real

Jackie Chan is always willing to fling himself into dangerous situations for the sake of art. In 1985’s Police Story the talent from Hong Kong performs a spectacular action sequence where he crashes through the glass roof of a shopping mall, and it was all real. Chan suffered multiple injuries – including a dislocated pelvis – but he was soon back on his feet.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World: Russell Crowe was really playing the violin

Mastering the violin isn’t easy, Russell Crowe just made it look that way. He learned to play the instrument for the period drama movie Master and Commander, using a 128-year-old violin that he later sold at a film memorabilia auction. And he might have to go get it back if that second instalment for the franchise ever happens!

Die Hard: Hans Gruber’s look of shock is real

The Hans Gruber death scene is one of the most iconic things Alan Rickman ever filmed. But the look of horror on the villain’s face is completely real. According to Cheat Sheet, the crew told Rickman they would drop him at the count of three – but dropped him at one instead. A great movie shot and an angry actor was the result.

Mad Max: Fury Road: the vehicle vaulting was real

Mad Max: Fury Road gave audiences some unbelievably high-octane spectacles. People leapt between speeding cars using vault poles and it looked so real. But that’s because it was! Insider notes that director George Miller wanted the movie to be as devoid of CGI as possible, and you can’t argue with the results.

Django Unchained: Leonardo DiCaprio really cut his hand

While filming the dinner scene in Django Unchained, Leonardo DiCaprio slammed his hand on the table and accidentally sliced his hand open with a glass. Ever the professional, he just kept on going in character. And once he’d been bandaged up, DiCaprio and the filmmakers were inspired to try a scene where he rubs blood on Kerry Washington’s face. Though this time, thankfully, it was fake.

Titanic: the ship was as realistic as possible

James Cameron filmed the real wreck of the Titanic for his famous eponymous film. But obviously, a version of the ship in its prime had to be built, too. A highly accurate replica of the original ship’s starboard side was thus created, and every detail was considered. As per TheThings, the same company which made the carpets for the original Titanic were even hired for the film! And one scene – the boy playing with his spinning top on deck – even flawlessly recreates a famous photo from the boat.

Alien: the actors were really horrified by the chestburster

The cast of Alien weren’t told exactly what the most famous scene in the movie entailed. They knew something was going to happen, but they never could have guessed it would be an alien bursting out of John Hurt’s chest. No acting was needed when it happened: Veronica Cartwright was apparently so shocked by the blood and guts she actually fainted!

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest: the psychiatric hospital is real

In 1975 some members of the One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest cast and crew moved themselves into a real psychiatric ward to film scenes. And worse, patients were living there at the time. As per The New York Times, one alleged incident did take place: a crew member left a screen open and a patient jumped out – suffering injuries. Thankfully, none of it would ever happen today.

Live and Let Die: those were real, hungry crocodiles

Stuntman Ross Kananga – nicknamed “Jamaica’s Crocodile Dundee” – was the stand-in for James Bond when he runs across the lake of crocodiles. But those weren’t fake crocs, they were very real and more than willing to eat anyone who crossed them. According to Bold Entrance, Kananga – who had seen his own father killed by a crocodile as a boy – managed the stunt on the fifth take and received a mere $60,000 for his efforts. This one won’t be repeated anytime soon.