Movies are one of the most popular ways to tell a story – and they can be a nice escape from reality. But with millions of dollars set aside for budget, how are there so many obvious goofs in them? From costume catastrophes to background blunders, here are some movie mess-ups you might have missed. We get the ‘artistic license” but some of these are unforgivable… and now you’ll never un-see!
Dirty Dancing: Not So Dirty by Today’s Standards
We all know and love Dirty Dancing. It’s a movie staple but denim cut-offs weren’t really popular until the late 80s. This dance move is relatively mild compared to today’s standards. Where were Britney, Miley and Beyonce back then?
Legends of the Fall: Brad Pitt’s Locks are TOO Lovely
We get the star needs to look good, but this is a cowboy movie with lots of dirt, dust and sweat. He looks a lot more like Fabio in this flick than John Wayne.
Troy: Gave the Trojans a Modern Day Convenience
If you can get past Orlando Bloom’s good looks you might notice something behind that handsome face – a fancy umbrella. It doesn’t look out of place unless you know that umbrellas were not invented until long after the Battle of Troy. And now that you know, you will notice it every time too!
Pride and Prejudice: Did Elizabeth Bennet Invent Wellies?
Everybody loves a good, sturdy pair of Wellington boots to wear on a rainy day – even Pride and Prejudice protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet. Unfortunately Wellington boots were not invented until the 19th century.
Raiders of the Lost Ark: I Spy with My Little Eye, a Pair of Levis?
We are being a little picky on this one, while the other background actors are dressed in the traditional Islamic garb in this 1930s Egypt scene, denims and tee’s probably would not have been here.
Captain America: The Rules Don’t Apply to Peggy
The beautiful wavy hairdo Peggy is sporting in Captain America was the go-to ‘do for women in the WWII era. However, women serving in the army were required to have their hair pinned up all the way. But like the lovely Brad Pitt above…it just wouldn’t be sexy to be realistic.
The Ten Commandments: Thou Shalt Not Dress in Boring Clothes
Queen Nefertiti’s wardrobe was certainly more bland in real life, but in The Ten Commandments the wardrobe people thought she should rock this bright blue gown – and she certainly does! Too bad the dyes used back in Nefertiti’s era were not available, even for Queen’s.
Gladiator: Making Spandex Happen… Before it Actually Did
If you pay close attention, you will notice that under his gladiator garb, Russell Crowe is wearing spandex shorts even though Lycra was not created until 1959.
Baywatch: Barely Avoided a Wardrobe Malfunction
The hit series Baywatch was pretty racy for the time. It almost got a whole lot racier when actress Gena Lee Nolin discovered her famous red one-piece became quite transparent after being in the water. Fortunately for her (but unfortunately for all of the young teen boys at the time), the mishap was noticed before the cameras were rolling.
The Mummy Returns: Modern Undergarments Are Better for Battle
There is a battle scene The Mummy Returns where Anck Su and Nefertiti are wearing clothes that were not quite Ancient Egyptian Warrior. The actresses’ very modern undergarments show. In another scene a servant’s gray Calvin Klein boxers can be seen, pretty sporty for the time.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: How did they Nazi this mistake?
There are actually a few mistakes regarding medals and other Nazi uniforms and symbols in this movie. The most blatant is that the Nazis had so many medals on their uniforms. Medals were not used very often in the Nazi army until the end of the war. Since this movie is set in 1938, before the war had even really gotten started, the medals are inaccurate.
The King’s Speech: The Design that Kilt the Authenticity
Colin Firth’s acting was beyond impressive as King George in The King’s Speech. However, kilt experts were not impressed with the king’s kilt. Not only is the pattern from the wrong era, but the tartan was not even Scottish – it was Irish. Someone didn’t do their research.
Glory: Accidental Time Traveler
A Civil War soldier wearing a digital watch? This error is front and center. We can’t believe this wasn’t washed out in editing.
Captain America: An Upper Hand from the Future
Bulky hand-held field radios from WWII wouldn’t work in this scene, so we are giving a pass on this error. The headset he is wearing was not created until 2000.
Public Enemies: Wrong Fabric – guilty as Charged, Your Honor
This one is a little nitpicky, but in this excellent film, Judge Murray is wearing a robe that is light and has modern day sheen to it. In reality, a judge’s robe in the 1930s would have been much more thick, and probably a little itchy. There are also many characters smoking filtered cigarettes in the film. These weren’t created until about three decades later.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves:
Morgan Freeman’s voice is so mesmerizing; most people who viewed this movie probably failed realize that the telescope wasn’t invented until 1608 in the Netherlands. Robin Hood was out stealing from the rich and giving to the poor two centuries earlier in the 1400s.
Almost Famous: Almost Got it Right
This movie probably makes just about anybody feel nostalgic. It is an amazing portrayal of the life of a naïve, young music journalist in the seventies. There is one not so obvious oops, though. Any serious Black Sabbath fans would know that the shirt one of the cast members is wearing was created for a 1997 Black Sabbath tour. If you didn’t notice, you’re a total poser.
Pearl Harbor: No Stockings? Scandalous!
In the 1940s women did not show their bare legs. Pantyhose were basically mandatory. We miss those fishnets with the thick seam down the back of the leg!
Braveheart: How is There Another Wrong Kilt on Here?
Hollywood needs to hire some kiltologists STAT. In fact, Mel Gibson should not even be wearing a kilt at all! And not because he doesn’t have the hips for it – because Scots didn’t even start wearing kilts until three centuries later. Oops!
Django Unchained: Gotta have the Shades
This movie is excellent. So excellent that they sell sunglasses modeled after these that Django wore in the movie. Even though sunglasses weren’t invented until the 1900s and this film is set in 1858-59, regular glass wouldn’t look anywhere as cool.
The Untouchables: Another Film that Took Fashion Too Far… Into the Future
In this incredible movie based on Al Capone, there is phenomenal acting, a gripping storyline, and a VERY blatant fashion mistake! (Okay, I refuse to believe anybody other than established haberdashers noticed this). But the truth is, lapels were not invented until after the prohibition era. Not very gangster.
The Other Boleyn Girl: Missed it by a hair
The costumes in this movie were gorgeous. Everything appears to be era-appropriate except for one small detail. These super cool hoods Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman are wearing should be worn with a veil covering their hair. Again we are being ticky-tac…
Saving Private Ryan: Put the Boot to Him
Matt Damon sported black combat boots throughout the film. Seemed right to me, but as it turns out, airborne members didn’t wear black boots until a decade later. And that is totally why I cried during this whole movie.
Catch Me if You Can: Brace Yourself for Disappointment
This movie is great, but braces did not exist in the 60s – the decade the film is set in. However, a young Amy Adams is seen wearing them a decade before they existed. If you focus on her smile you probably don’t notice.
The Tudors: Racy Ruffs
Apparently in the 1500s, a woman wearing a ruff without an undershirt was no lady. In fact most women were expected to be covered from head to toe. Who knew that out of all of the risqué scenes in this show, it was the ruffs we were supposed to be offended by all along.
Good Night and Good Luck: Premature Nametags
This classic movie made a tiny mistake. History buffs noticed that the Air Force officers were wearing metal nametags. We’ll forgive this since most war hero turned actor icons are long gone. True patriots know that air force personnel did not wear nametags until 1967.
American Hustle: Back to the Future
This excellent and brilliantly cast film was set in 1979, but Louis C.K.’s flashy Rolex wasn’t made until the 2000s. I’m sure FBI supervisors make good money, but are we really supposed to believe he made enough money to afford a Rolex…. From 2010??
Amadeus: The Curious Case of the Missing Buttons
If you searched the real Mozart’s wardrobe, you would find exactly zero zippers. Do you know how many you see in the movie about him? Dozens. Roll over Beethoven? More like, roll over Mozart – in your grave. Costume design popped a button on this one.
The Color Purple: The Scene that Should have Been Clipped
You know the scene where Danny Glover is wearing a clip-on tie? Totally unrealistic. Clip-on ties weren’t invented until 1926, not 1916. Sucks when you sacrifice authenticity for expediency.
Gangs of New York: Too New
This movie was amazing. This one is nitpicky, but… look in the background. The firefighters are dressed more like modern day EMTs and firefighters than firemen from mid-1800s.
Back to the Future: This One is Confusing
The guitar you see Marty McFly playing here in a scene from the year 1955 is a Gibson that was not created until 1958. But to be fair, the movie is about time travel, and let’s be honest, that movie got way weirder than a wrong era Gibson.
Schindler’s List: I’m Not Going to Make a Silly Pun Here
This eye-opening, gut-wrenching masterpiece was perfect. This is something I would think most people would never notice (there is some other pretty heavy stuff going on aside from this minute mess-up), but – the women in the concentration camps all had shaven legs and underarms. I doubt any women were shaving their legs while they were prisoners in concentration camps.
Julius Caesar: Et Tu, Brute?
The wardrobe people messed up the women’s wardrobes in this movie too. The women, who were supposed to be living in 44 BC, were wearing “bullet bras” – the one’s made popular by pinup girls in the 1950s. A fashion calculation only off by 2,000 years, but we think that this was probable not an error…who doesn’t love the look of bullet bras?
My Girl: Mood Ring Mishap
In the depressing (but great) film Vada is wearing a mood ring (Spoiler: Her mood was Sad, VERY SAD). Too bad these funky rings weren’t invented until 1975; whereas the film is set in 1972. This should be on the writers and wardrobe folks but why ruin a good movie with accurate details.
Sense and Sensibility: Sponsored by Huggies
Sense and Sensibility was way ahead of its time. Disposable diapers in 1811? We’re not even sure they had cloth diapers by 1811 let alone disposables.
Singing in the Rain: Kathy Should’ve Said “No” to the Dress
Okay, not really. The dress is beautiful and iconic. But if we are going to be pedantic, Kathy’s pink dress would have been the talk of the town in the 1950s, when this shade was very popular. However, in the 1920s, it would have been out of place.
The Doors: They Got One Ray Right
Iconic keyboardist for The Doors, Ray Manzarek was alive and rocking when The Doors formed in 1965. However the Raybans Morrison was sporting throughout the movie had yet to be born… but the look is cool.
The Wedding Singer: This Wasn’t set in the 90s?
Because Drew Barrymore’s adorably 90s haircut led me to believe it was, until right now. The movie takes place in the 80s, but this hairdo is as 90s as it gets.
Picnic at Hanging Rock: Another Hair DON’T
Long, wavy hair, parted in the middle locks were very much the style in the 70s (and again today!), but this film was set in the early 1900s. Women weren’t quite as free-spirited back then. Their hair would’ve been pulled back with tight tendrils, but that would not be sexy in a movie.
The Informant: Nobody Informed Wardrobe that the Shoes were Wrong Again
These golfers in the film were wearing Nike golf spikes from 1996. Too bad the movie was set between 1992-1994. So close!
The Last Samurai: The Armor was Ancient
This movie (with quite an odd plot) was based in the era it was released, 2003. But for some reason wardrobe decided to dress Tom Cruise up in 250-year-old armor. But then, some folks liked WaterWorld.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Again with the Raybans
The Raybans Brad Pitt was seen wearing in a scene set in 1945 weren’t made until 1952. But the timeline in this movie is even more confusing than Back to the Future, so I’m not going to pass judgment on this oversight.
Pirate’s of the Caribbean – The Curse of the Black Pearl: Time Traveling Redcoats
The Redcoats in this movie were extremely fashion-forward. They were so fashion-forward that the Redcoats didn’t exist until almost three decades after the film was set. But then… real pirates were no where near as nice as the ones in this movie.
Seabiscuit: What the Helmet?
This movie had a small wardrobe error also (don’t they all?). Didn’t catch it? That’s because it’s pretty small (like the jockeys)… the helmets the jockeys wore in the movie had chinstraps that weren’t really added to helmets until 1956 – and Seabiscuit was Elmer’s by then. (Rest in Peace.)
Pretty Woman: Change of Lace
At the beginning of the famous first kiss between the talented Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, Robert’s nightgown is long. At the end of the scene it is much shorter. Richard, you dog!
The Notebook: Chameleon Hair
In the Nicholas Sparks hit The Notebook, jilted fiancé Lon’s hair kept going back and forth from black to brown throughout the film. A kiss like this could anyone’s hair a different color.
There Will Be Blood: But Not Shoe Research
Daniel Day-Lewis’s waffle-souled boots in this epic film were perfect for the mines. Unfortunately, Nike didn’t invent waffle souls until the 1970s. This film is set in 1892. But, there were real waffles in 1892 so we are good with that.
Pompeii: Kiefer Sutherland’s Purple Robe Would’ve been as Deadly as that Pesky Volcano
Kiefer Sutherland’s character is donning a purple cape in this film. But as it turns out, Emperor Nero had a weird thing about anybody except him wearing the color purple. And by weird, I mean Nero had people killed for wearing his signature look. And I always heard that imitation was the highest form of flattery.
Ben Hur: A Star is Born… Too Soon
When Ben Hur receives the Star of David pin, it is a beautiful symbol to see. Too bad that star was not associated with the Jewish faith until the 12thcentury. Maybe they meant he was the star of the show.
Unforgiven: This One is Seriously Unforgivable
BELT LOOPS? Belt loops weren’t “a thing” until the 1920s, but this amazing movie was set in 1880. The belt loops totally ruin it. Takes you right out of the moment, huh?
Quadrophenia: Talk About a Hipster
You think you’re hip? There is a kid in this movie who had heard of Motorhead eleven years before they even became a band. Yes, a cast member is seen sporting a Motorhead shirt in 1964. Seems like an easy “oops” to avoid.
The Great Escape: (And the G2reat Wardrobe!)
I know it’s hard to make a man like Steve McQueen not look handsome, but he is dressed more like a Land’s End model from the 90s and less like a WWII army captain in this flick. Reminds us of the old show Wild Wild West where Jim West would beat the pulp out of a half dozen dudes without getting a hair out of place or a speck on his clothes.
Pretty Woman: They Messed This One Up Again?
In a scene where Roberts and Gere are watching I Love Lucy together, Vivian (Roberts) undoes Edward’s tie. However, after they finish watching the show, his tie is tied back up. Who wouldn’t want to do multiple takes with Julia?
Where Eagles Dare: Flippy Hair
This movie is set in the WWII era, but that hair is set under a weird helmet hairdryer in 1968. Ingrid Pitt’s hairdo is a little more “Summer of Love” than “Years of Deadly Wartime.”
Pirates of the Caribbean: Yee Haw?
Some of Jack’s fellow pirates love the Caribbean hunting grounds.
The Aviator: Another Hipster
This one isn’t obvious at all, but Robert Gross’ frameless glasses were not in style at all in the 1920s. They were in the 1700’s though and in the early 2000’s.
Alien: Disappearing Act
Is Kane’s disappearing hood just an accidental continuity error, or perhaps something far more sinister. Maybe a facehugger got inside of the hood. (It’s probably just an oops though.)
The Empire Strikes Back: Magic Jacket?
What a nice power to have – a coat to magically appear anytime you need one.
The Wizard of Oz: Slipper Slip-up
Ruby red slippers? This film was originally shot in black and white and colorized years later for those of you old enough to remember. Could be just a slip up in colorizing.
The Avengers: Magic Suit
Wait a minute… a suit that fixes itself? Superheroes have amazing powers.
Full Metal Jacket: Vanishing Bandage
This man is shooting a gun with his wrist clearly wrapped in a bandage. Seconds later, the bandage has magically vanished. This one is truly mind-boggling. Oh, I forgot…they do a million takes on these scenes.
Harry Potter: And the Shape-shifting Trunk
Yet again, the trunk changed… a little. These kids were wizards, right? Maybe they just casted a spell to upgrade it. Makes sense!