Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies

25 mind-blowing movie fan theories to make you do a quadruple-take

Features
By George Wales published 22 June 2017

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Formidable fan-fic

Most fan-made theories can be aptly categorised in one of the following ways - 'fever dream lunacy', 'honking stupidity', 'desperate self-projection', 'Wash might've survived' and, of course 'unexpected flips in sexual orientation'. Fortunately, there are some interpretations worth bearing in mind - some ideas that are so out of the box, so revelatory and so downright brilliant that they alone solve many of a movie's issues, wrapping up nagging questions and presenting the piece in a new and utterly intriguing light.

This list looks at 25 of the very best fan-made theories, from the 'so mad it just might work' to the 'dude must've stolen a script'. Prepare to look at the likes of James Bond and the world of Quentin Tarantino in a whole new light. Begin!

25. Labyrinth (1986)

The fan theory: Labyrinth is a metaphor for a girl struggling with the onset of puberty.

Latest Videos From
You may like
  • Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone in The Godfather. The 20 best movies on Paramount Plus to watch right now
  • Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights 20 best movies on HBO Max to watch right now
  • Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in Sonic 3 The 25 best movies on Prime Video to watch right now

Why it's mind-blowing: Think about it: the whole thing is about a young girl taking responsibility and going in search of a child. The labyrinth around her is constantly changing, and challenging her along the way, à la a teenage body. And then there's the involvement of Jareth, with his extremely pronounced codpiece. Ahem. 

24. Spider-Man (2002)

The fan theory: Spider-Man is also about Peter Parker's attempts to cope with the stresses and strains of teenage life.

Why it's mind-blowing: Overnight Peters body takes a drastic change for the adult, while he starts discovering white fluid all over his wrists. Sorry to put it bluntly, but it's a bit obvious.

23. Jurassic World (2015)

The fan theory: The Indominus Rex is hyper-intelligent, enjoying toying with the various humans who gets in its way, killing for the fun of it, and letting loose pterodactyls to distract the helicopter that's chasing it. Could it be...part human? 

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Why it's mind-blowing: The dino is famed for being a genetic cocktail, with part chameleon, T-Rex, velociraptor, as well as cuttlefish and treefrogs. Maybe the morally-dubious scientists sneakily chucked some human DNA in there too...you know, to make it even more of a tourist attraction. It's above-average intelligence means it's cleverer than a velociraptor, so it's definitely a possibility...

22. Fight Club (1999)

The fan theory: The narrator and Tyler are a distorted version of Calvin and Hobbes, the cartoon tiger-boy duo.

Why it's mind-blowing: Having been forced to suppress his imaginary childhood friend by the necessities of growing up, Calvin's overactive imagination comes back into play in big way when he finds himself stuck in a rut in adult life. It's a stretch, but we like it all the same.

You may like
  • Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone in The Godfather. The 20 best movies on Paramount Plus to watch right now
  • Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights 20 best movies on HBO Max to watch right now
  • Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in Sonic 3 The 25 best movies on Prime Video to watch right now

21. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

The fan theory: The bank heist takes place on the same day that Jules and Vincent play out their story in Pulp Fiction.

Why it's mind-blowing: It would explain why the hitmen are able to drive a blood-soaked car through a busy city without encountering any police-based trouble. The boys in blue are clearly busy elsewhere.

20. Toy Story (1995)

The fan theory: Andy's parents are in the middle of a divorce when the film is taking place.

Why it's mind-blowing: It actually makes a lot of sense, since we never see hide nor hair of Andy's dad, and the whole story is driven by his mum's need to downsize to a smaller house. Then there's the fact that Andy is an extremely introverted kid. It all adds up!

19. Blade Runner (1982)

The fan theory: Not only is Deckard a Replicant, but he is a Replicant implanted with the memories of a former Blade Runner. Detective Gaff to be precise.

Why it's mind-blowing: It would explain the weird connection that exists between the two, but also Gaff's obvious resentment of Deckard. Could it be that his limp put him out of service, only for Deckard to step in as his replacement? It's possible...

18. Twilight (2008 2012)

The fan theory: Bella isn't actually human at all - she's part werewolf.

Why it's mind-blowing:  It would be a much neater way of explaining why none of the other vampires are capable of reading her mind, or why Edward was capable of getting her pregnant when vampires and humans are seemingly unable to procreate. Werewolves throw vampire powers out of whack, remember?

17. The Matrix (1999 - 2003)

The fan theory: Neo is actually a machine, with the real world of Zion turning out to be just another level of human-created simulation, designed to keep technological advances in check.

Why it's mind-blowing:  It would have resulted in the big reveal that the Matrix was actually a human-created way of keeping advancing technology under control. Whoa, dude!

16. No Country For Old Men (2007)

The fan theory: Anton Chigurh is the Angel of Death, sent by an angry, Old Testament God to wreak vengeance upon the drug trade.

Why it's mind-blowing: It would explain Chigurh's total indifference to the fate of his prey. Although not why he takes such pleasure in messing with that gas station attendant.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Current page: Page 1

Next Page Page 2
George Wales
George Wales
Social Links Navigation

George was once GamesRadar's resident movie news person, based out of London. He understands that all men must die, but he'd rather not think about it. But now he's working at Stylist Magazine.

Read more
Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone in The Godfather.
Streaming Services The 20 best movies on Paramount Plus to watch right now
 
 
Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights
Movies 20 best movies on HBO Max to watch right now
 
 
Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in Sonic 3
Amazon Prime Video The 25 best movies on Prime Video to watch right now
 
 
Best James Bond movies
Action RPGs Best James Bond movies, ranked! From Dr. No to No Time to Die
 
 
Ryan Gosling as Court Gentry in The Gray Man.
Thriller Movies The 25 best Netflix thrillers to watch right now
 
 
Cillian Murphy as Tommy in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.
Movies The 25 best movies on Netflix to watch right now
 
 
Latest in Movies
Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Superhero Movies Pedro Pascal says "there's much to expect" between Reed Richards and Doctor Doom in Avengers 5
 
 
Mark 'Markiplier' Fischbach as Simon in Iron Lung
Horror Movies Markiplier says Iron Lung is getting an exclusive digital release on YouTube because he's "pretty loyal"
 
 
Jeremy Irvine as James Sunderland, screaming on the other side of a gate in Return to Silent Hill
Horror Movies Hideo Kojima has seen Return to Silent Hill, and his 8-word review says it all
 
 
Shadow (Keanu Reeves) in Sonic 3
Live Action Movies Sonic the Hedgehog 4 director calls it the "best Sonic movie yet" as filming officially wraps
 
 
Bob Odenkirk as Ulysses in Normal
Action Movies Bob Odenkirk and John Wick creator's new movie isn't just an action flick – it also has a surprising amount of heart
 
 
Grogu uses the Force in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies What to watch before The Mandalorian and Grogu: 4 Star Wars movies and 5 shows to prepare
 
 
Latest in Features
A destroyer from Marathon looking head-on, with a pale blue sky behind
FPS Games Killing Marathon would be self-sabotage for Sony
 
 
Bob Odenkirk as Ulysses in Normal
Action Movies Bob Odenkirk and John Wick creator's new movie isn't just an action flick – it also has a surprising amount of heart
 
 
Cities of Sigmar Cogfort box on a wooden surface
Tabletop Gaming If you miss weird old Warhammer, the new Cities of Sigmar models are for you
 
 
Image of a collection of Kojima game character merch on a light green GamesRadar+ background.
Toys & Collectibles This Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding merch is enough to unite all Hideo Kojima fans
 
 
Hand holding Scuf Omega PS5 controller
Gaming Controllers The Scuf Omega costs $220, but my favorite feature can be found in controllers at a fraction of that price
 
 
Grogu uses the Force in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies What to watch before The Mandalorian and Grogu: 4 Star Wars movies and 5 shows to prepare
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Kit Harington as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones
    1
    Jon Snow actor Kit Harington says his Game of Thrones spin-off is on the backburner "for the moment"
  2. 2
    Hideo Kojima has seen Return to Silent Hill, and his 8-word review says it all
  3. 3
    Call of Duty and Mario Kart come close, but Take-Two CEO says GTA is "the most valuable entertainment IP ever created"
  4. 4
    Markiplier says Iron Lung is getting an exclusive digital release on YouTube because he's "pretty loyal"
  5. 5
    Kane Parsons promises his Backrooms movie will be "in strict continuity" with his viral YouTube series

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...