Moviefone logo
Trending
'Wicked: For Good' Trailer
'Zootopia 2' Teaser Trailer
'Superman' Trailer
'Ironheart' Trailer
Buy TicketsHighlightsNew MoviesTV ShowsStreamingMovie ChartsVideosWhat to WatchIn TheatersMovie TheatersComing SoonMovie ReviewsMoviefone TVMade In HollywoodNewsCelebritiesNetflixPrime Video
SinnersSinnersA Hard PlaceA Hard PlaceHeads of StateHeads of StateA Knight's WarA Knight's War28 Days Later28 Days LaterBallardBallardThe BearThe BearStickStickDept. QDept. QCountdownCountdown
Elio - Communiverse Clip
Elio
The Friend - Bill Murray Exclusive Interview
The Friend
Squid Game: Season 3 - Final Round Teaser Clip
Squid Game
The Running Man - Glen Powell as Ben Richards
The Running Man
Lilo and Stitch - Spaceship Escape Clip
Lilo & Stitch
The Long Walk - Cooper Hoffman Character Poster
The Long Walk
Elio - Freeze Frame Clip
Elio
My Life with the Walter Boys Season 2 - Ashby Gentry as Alex
My Life with the Walter Boys
Lilo & Stitch - Car Ride Scene
Lilo & Stitch
Xeno - Official Poster
Xeno
Murderbot Season 1 - Teaser Clip
Murderbot
Relay -Sam Worthington Scene
Relay
Murderbot - Now Streaming Clip
Murderbot
The Smashing Machine - Dwayne Johnson at UFC Hall of Fame
The Smashing Machine
Ironheart - Official Trailer
Ironheart
My Life with the Walter Boys Season 2 - Noah LaLonde as Cole
My Life with the Walter Boys
  1. News

29 Mistakes You Never Noticed in Huge Sci-fi Movies

Tim Hayne
March 23, 2017 - 1 min read

A big budget doesn't always guarantee a perfect movie -- especially when special effects are involved. Some of the biggest sci-fi movies, including this weekend's thriller "Life," can't escape the occasional plot hole, continuity error, and, in some cases, blatant gaffe. For all you purists out there, here's a roundup of some of the sci-fi genre's most noticeable movie mistakes. All images courtesy of MovieMistakes.com.

‘Blade Runner’ (1982)

Near the beginning of the Ridley Scott classic, when Deckard (Harrison Ford) and the other officer take off to go to the police station, you can see the cables lifting them up in the air. Clearly, this wasn't the work of a replicant.

​‘Alien’ (1979)

In space, no one can hear you scream -- but we can watch you make mistakes. When the search party aboard the Nostromo goes into the boneship, they are all wearing full space suits with hoods under their helmets. However, when Kane's (John Hurt) helmet is cut off, he is no longer wearing the hood.

‘Back to the Future’ (1985)

A mistake in "Back to the Future"? Great scot! (Sorry). In one shot where Einstein is strapped in the DeLorean, the yellow time circuits for the date label the month of October as "10.” In other shots the yellow time circuits read “Oct.” Get it together, Doc!

'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' (2015)

During Rey's BB-8 rescue, the top of her outfit goes from crisscrossed with the right side over the left, to the left side over the right, then back again.

​ ‘Inception’ (2010)

BRAAAAAHHHHMMMM. When the van the team is driving goes off a bridge, Arthur's (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) headphones disappear and then reappear between various shots. Without headphones, Arthur wouldn’t have heard the kick music, which means he wouldn't have known when to synchronize the kick, meaning Arthur would still be in Limbo (did you get all that?).

​‘Star Wars’ (1977)

We guess Darth Vader's uniform is always messed up. When Vader (David Prowse) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) are fighting in the original 1977 "Star Wars," Vader's chest plate and belt buckle are on backwards. However, that was due to the entire shot being reversed -- a technique often used in movies -- as the light grates and walls in the background are also switched around.

'Beneath the Planet of the Apes' (1970)

When the Apes are attempting to break into the church, Mendez is wearing a purple sash on top of his jumpsuit. Later in the scene, however, the sash has disappeared.

'Star Trek Into Darkness' (2013)

Admiral Marcus's ship appears in front of the Enterprise after coming out of warp, and a set of doors begins to close over the main deflector dish. In the next shot, however, the deflector dish is fully visible!

​‘The Fifth Element’ (1997)

In the shot before Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) jumps from the ledge, we see an elevator track running down the right side of the building. In the next shot, the elevator is gone and the buildings around her have changed completely.

'Independence Day' (1996)

If you're lucky enough to own a VHS or fullscreen DVD copy of "Independence Day," you'll be privy to a cavalcade or continuity and filming errors. In the scene in which Connie walks toward a window of the White Hour, a crew member can be spotted on the floor -- complete with water bottle -- before he scurries out of the shot.

​‘E.T.’ (1982)

When Mary (Dee Wallace) first sees E.T. lying on the bathroom floor, she panics and hurries everyone downstairs, leaving E.T. behind. Moments later, when one of the astronauts finds E.T., a bright pink bath towel that wasn’t there before is now draped over the bathtub's edge.

​‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)

Stanley Kubrick was known for his attention to detail, but that doesn't mean his movies were mistake-free. In this scene, when the astronauts are approaching the monolith on the moon, you can see the cameraman in the reflection of the first astronaut's visor. (Fun fact: This shot was personally filmed by Kubrick, therefore the reflection is of him.)

'Aliens' (1986)

When Bishop reaches out to save Newt, you can see he's standing in a hole. The hole is suppose to give you the effect that he's cut in half, but, unfortunately, the hole is pretty much entirely visible.

​‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ (1951)

In this 1951 sci-fi film, Gort (Lock Martin) picks up Helen (Patricia Neal) next to the flying saucer. However, if you look closely you can see the cables that are hoisting her up. 

​‘Godzilla’ (1998)

In Roland Emmerich's "Godzilla" remake, the first monster footprint we see has a wide center with three short toes. However, in later shots the other footprints look completely different and have only long, narrow toes. Of course, if you take into account the critical reception this movie received, this mistake was the least of Emmerich's worries. 

'World War Z' (2013)

Right before the ambulance is about to hit Gerry (Brad Pitt) and his family's car, you can see that nobody is in the car and the ambulance driver -- clearly a stuntman -- is wearing a helmet.

​‘Jurassic Park’ (1993)

Just before the Tyrannosaurus Rex escapes from its pen, it drops a goat's leg on Lex (Ariana Richards) and Timmy's (Joseph Mazzello) car. When the T-Rex comes back to attack them the bloody leg is gone (and there's no blood on the glass). I guess the folks on Isla Nublar were dealing with escaped dinosaurs and ghosts?

​‘Minority Report’ (2002)

Anderton's (Tom Cruise) wristwatch is an Omega Speedmaster X-33, but when he looks at it for the countdown to the murder he is about to commit, it shows a Bvlgari display. In other scenes, like when one of the spyders is peeling off his eye bandage, the watch switches back to an Omega display. Might as well maximize your product placement where you can, right?

‘The Planet of the Apes’ (2001)

When Thade (Tim Roth) takes Leo's (Mark Wahlberg's) weapon away in Tim Burton's update on "Planet of the Apes," it is shown as a futuristic laser gun. Later, when Thade is firing the same weapon after being locked in the command center, the gun is a stainless steel Beretta brigadier model.

​‘Robocop’ (1987)

“Robocop” takes place in Detroit, but it was clearly filmed in Dallas. In this shot, where Murphy (Peter Weller) chases Boddicker's (Kurtwood Smith) gang on the highway, Reunion Tower, one of Dallas's most famous landmarks, is visible in the background. Much of Dallas's skyline is also visible in the final scene where Robocop confronts Dick Jones (Ronny Cox) in the OCP boardroom.

'X-Men' (2000)

As young Magneto struggles with guards at the internment camp, his father's star switches from one side of his chest to the other.

​‘Star Trek’ (2009)

When Nero (Eric Bana) is waiting for Spock (Zachary Quinto) in J.J. Abrams's first "Star Trek" movie, a very faint tattoo can be seen beneath Nero’s lower lip. However, in a later shot, the tattoo is much darker and extends up onto his lower lip.

​‘Star Wars: Episode III’ (2005)

When Anakin (Hayden Christensen) is being transformed into Darth Vader, you can see the main part of his mask being lowered into place. However, in the first shot Anakin is not wearing the neck section that connects to his mask. In the next shot, the neck section is in place. Blame George Lucas?

​‘Terminator 2: Judgement Day’ (1992)

In a scene where the Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is stabbed in the chest by a biker, he grabs the knife from the biker with his left hand and twists his arm around with his right. But in the next shot, when the Terminator stabs the biker, he does it holding the knife in his right hand and the biker's arm in his left.

​‘The Matrix Reloaded’ (2003)

A glitch in the Matrix? At the beginning of this freeway chase scene, a "Maximum Speed 65" sign can be seen along the wall. However, the sign is facing in the opposite direction of the flow of traffic, therefore drivers would only be able to see it in their rear-view mirrors. Of course, it's not like anyone was following the speed limit in this scene anyway...

'X-Men: First Class' (2011)

When the young mutants are showing off their talents, they each have a glass of cola spread out around the table. When Banshee demonstrates what he can do, however, the glasses are suddenly all lined up.

​‘The Thing’ (1982)

When Mac (Kurt Russell) is locked out of the complex, Childs (Keith David) uses an axe to chop open one of the doors, leaving a large hole in it. Later Childs returns to the same door and the hole is significantly smaller and in a completely different place.

'Men in Black' (1997)

When J (Will Smith) chases the farmer inside the jewelry store, the boots next to the wall are standing up in one frame and lying down in the next.

'A.I. Artificial Intelligence' (2001)

Chef Mecha wears a chef hat, and it is also a permanent part of his head. However, when the chef is searching for an eye among the pile of stuff earlier in the movie, he is not wearing his hat.

sci fimovie mistakessci fi moviesmovies
Tim Hayne
Article by Tim Hayne
Freelance Writer

Tim Hayne is former Executive Editor of Moviefone.

Related News

TV Review: ‘Foundation’ Season 3
TV Review: ‘Foundation’ Season 3
Doug Liman to Direct ‘The Stand’ Adaptation
Doug Liman to Direct ‘The Stand’ Adaptation
'Code 8: Part II' Interview: Robbie Amell and Stephen Amell
'Code 8: Part II' Interview: Robbie Amell and Stephen Amell
Sissy Spacek and J.K. Simmons Talk ‘Night Sky’
Sissy Spacek and J.K. Simmons Talk ‘Night Sky’
New Trailer for Sci-Fi Drama ‘Night Sky’
New Trailer for Sci-Fi Drama ‘Night Sky’
Best Oscar Isaac Movies to Watch
Best Oscar Isaac Movies to Watch

More News on Moviefone

TV Review: ‘Foundation’ Season 3
TV Review: ‘Foundation’ Season 3
Every Live Action Superman Movie and TV Show Ranked
Every Live Action Superman Movie and TV Show Ranked
'Very Young Frankenstein’ TV Series in the Works
'Very Young Frankenstein’ TV Series in the Works
Chris Pratt Returning for Sequel to ‘The Garfield Movie’
Chris Pratt Returning for Sequel to ‘The Garfield Movie’
David Dastmalchian to Play M. Bison in ‘Street Fighter’
David Dastmalchian to Play M. Bison in ‘Street Fighter’
‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ TV Spin-Off in Development
‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ TV Spin-Off in Development
  • New Movies
  • Movies In Theaters
  • Movies Coming Soon
  • Movies Streaming Now
  • TV Shows
  • Best Movies
  • Best TV Shows

Follow Moviefone

FacebookXInstagramYouTubeLinkedInTikTokRSS

Movie and TV Reviews

Superman poster
Superman
Movie Review
90
Ballard poster
Ballard
Season 1
TV Show Review
55
The Sandman poster
The Sandman
Season 2
TV Show Review
70

Top Movies

Sinners poster
Sinners
Dance with the devil.
76
A Hard Place poster
A Hard Place
Heads of State poster
Heads of State
Two heads are better than one.
70

Top Series

Ballard poster
Ballard
She's the last chance for lost hopes.
69
The Bear poster
The Bear
Back for seconds.
82
Stick poster
Stick
Take a big swing.
70

Latest Trailers

'Chief of War' Trailer3:01'Chief of War' Trailer
'The Morning Show' Season 4 Teaser Trailer1:16'The Morning Show' Season 4 Teaser Trailer
'The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants' Teaser Trailer1:01'The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants' Teaser Trailer
'Acapulco' Season 4 Trailer2:14'Acapulco' Season 4 Trailer
'Alice in Borderland' Season 3 Teaser Trailer1:34'Alice in Borderland' Season 3 Teaser Trailer
'Miss Governor' Trailer1:56'Miss Governor' Trailer
Moviefone logo

Join our Newsletter

Movies
Best Movies to WatchTop Movies Right NowWhat to Watch TodayMovies in Theaters This WeekUpcoming Movie Releases2025 Movie Release CalendarBrowse Movies by Keywords
TV Shows
Best TV Shows to BingeTop TV Shows Right NowNew TV Shows This WeekTrending TV ShowsTV Shows by KeywordsLatest TV Show TrailersExclusive TV Show Clips
Streaming
Streaming Now & UpcomingWhat's New on NetflixTop Picks on Prime VideoNew Releases on Disney+Popular Movies on HuluWhat to Watch on MaxStreaming Now on Apple TV+
Showtimes
Showtimes & TicketsMovie Showtimes in LAMovie Showtimes in DallasMovie Showtimes in New YorkAll U.S. Movie TheatersAMC Theatres ListingsCinemark Theatres Listings
Videos
Movie & TV Show VideosLatest Movie TrailersMoviefone TV EpisodesMade in Hollywood InterviewsExclusive Movie ClipsCelebrity InterviewsMade In Hollywood Teen
Movie GenresSummer MoviesHoliday MoviesDocumentary MoviesMusic MoviesMystery MoviesFamily Movies
TV GenresScience Fiction TV ShowsDocumentary TV ShowsAction TV ShowsHistory TV ShowsFamily TV ShowsHorror TV Shows
NewsMovie NewsTV NewsMovie PhotosBehind the ScenesBest Movies EverMarvel Cinematic Universe
CelebritiesEmily BluntRyan ReynoldsJason MomoaTimothée ChalametDaniel RadcliffeBrie Larson
Movie ReviewsWickedRed OneGladiator IIWallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most FowlHereticWe Live in Time
FacebookXInstagramYouTubeLinkedInTikTokRSS
AboutContact UsSitemapTerms of ServicePrivacy Policy
Copyright © 2025 Moviefone Media LLC
Asset 1This product uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb.