Because nothing is ever as simple as it seems!
As an avid lover of all things movies and a big ol' nerd in general, there are few things I enjoy more than reading an expertly executed, highly passionate fan theory.
And there are few places on the interwebs that tickle that fancy quite as intensely as r/fantheories on Reddit — a place where my fellow film fans post their absolute BEST theories all in one place.
So, I rounded up a sampling of some of our favorites for your viewing pleasure. Hold onto your minds, folks, because they're about to be BLOWN (listen, idk, I tried):
1. Willy Wonka planted the last golden ticket in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), and the candy store owner worked for him the whole time.
2. Phil, Stu, and Alan are all part of Doug's imagination in The Hangover (2009), and the narrative is about Doug — literally — finding himself.
3. Captain America was able to delay Thanos at the end of Avengers: Infinity War (2018) not by using physical strength, but by sheer power of will.
4. Everything that transpired after the first wish was made in Aladdin (1992) was done purposefully, and was simply the Genie fulfilling that wish.
5. Despite what it initially looked like, Biff was happy and his life was overall improved by Marty at the end of the first Back to the Future (1985) film — just like Marty's family.
6. In Tarzan (1999), the titular character wore a loin cloth not because he knew he was a human man and therefore should cover up, but because he was embarrassed by the comparative size of his genitals.
7. Obi-Wan Kenobi was not sent to Tatooine to protect Luke in Star Wars (1977), but to protect the universe FROM Luke should he choose the same path as his father.
8. The actual Hunger Games in the The Hunger Games (2012) were not created as a punishment and/or propaganda tool, but as a way to gauge each district's strengths and establish countermeasures where necessary.
9. Ferris in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) is actually living in a Groundhog's Day-type situation — reliving the same day countless times — but we only get to see the best one.
10. Michael Myers isn't actually after Laurie Strode — or anyone, really — in Halloween (2018).
11. In Moana (2016), the titular character dies in the storm on the way to fetch Maui, spends most of the movie dead, and is brought back to life by Te Fiti at the end of the film.
12. The reason why everyone in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) sounds like they're in a PG-13 film is because we're hearing all of the dialogue through Peter Quill's universal translator.
13. And finally — the Joker was the real hero of The Dark Knight (2008) and the only one who understood how to stop crime for good in Gotham.
Which fan theory listed is your favorite? Can you top these? Do you have a wild fan theory of your own? Share yours in the comments below! BLOW SOME MINDS!!! And be sure to check out r/fantheories for even more fun!
Some fan theories were edited for length and/or clarity.