Top 10 Kids Movie Examples of the Mandela Effect

“Agent Cody Banks” (2003)

Cody Banks is a teenager who goes undercover for the CIA. Although his role as a spy is definitely a secret, the word makes no appearance in the film’s title. Despite that, there are many fans who remember the movie being titled “Secret Agent Cody Banks.” Maybe it’s because so many of the usual spy tropes are used in the film. When you have hidden gadgets, confidential missions and code words it’s bound to make you think of the term “secret agent.” Or maybe it’s just that we can’t get the lyrics to Johnny Rivers’ “Secret Agent Man” out of our head.

“The Flintstones” (1994)

We’ve been hanging with this modern Stone Age family since their animated debut in 1960. In 1994, they took to the big screen in a live-action film. That entire time we’ve been singing the catchy song that features their name. But are you pronouncing it right? Many people would swear there’s no T in the middle of their name. Perhaps they're just a victim of the American tendency to drop consonants in the middle of words. It’s always been the Flint- stones. It’s a not-so-subtle rock reference for this cave-man who works in a gravel pit. No matter which way you sing it, there’s always been a T in the middle.

“The Sword in the Stone” (1963)

We all know the Arthurian legend, right? Whoever pulls the sword out of the stone would become the true king of England. In the Disney cartoon, young Arthur’s journey to the fateful moment is fairly roundabout. However, he does ultimately release the sword and prove he’s the rightful king. Despite what most people remember, the gawky squire actually pulls the sword out of an anvil and not a stone. The belief that he snagged it from a big gray rock is definitely understandable. The title implies that it’s a stone. But even the original T. H. White novel had the sword in an anvil on top of a stone. So we’ve only the Mandela effect to blame.

"Peanuts" franchise (1950-)

The lovable, dramatic beagle, Snoopy was introduced in 1950. Since then, he’s become one of the most recognizable characters in the “Peanuts” franchise. Maybe you picture him dancing, begging for his dinner, or teasing his owner, Charlie Brown. In that image in your mind, what color is his tail? Many people say black. In fact, his tail has always been white. Some will argue that it depends on which version you look at, but it’s the same in the movies as well as TV. Whether Snoopy is chilling on top of his dog house, or imagining he’s a World War I flying ace, his tail always matches his white body.

“Alice in Wonderland” (1951)

When Alice falls down the rabbit hole into Wonderland, she meets all sorts of zany creatures. The violent Queen of Hearts and crazy tea party characters will always be popular. The Cheshire Cat, with its wild grin and talent for fading in and out, is definitely a favorite. The famous line, “We’re all mad here” is featured on T Shirts, coffee mugs and GIFS. The problem is that the purple striped feline never said that line. Instead the grinning cat says, “Most everyone’s mad here.” The misremembered phrase appears in the original Lewis Carroll novel, but not in the Disney film. Who’s mad now?

“One Hundred and One Dalmatians” (1961)

What’s the name of the villain in Disney’s famous puppy caper? She’s the one who wants to steal the Radcliffes’ dalmatians to make a spotted fur coat. If you can’t remember, just recall the catchy tune sung by Roger Dearly. It features the frightening name, Cruella de Vil. What better name for the resident of Hell Hall than one that means “cruel devil.” But how is her last name spelled? Many would swear it has two L’s and an E at the end. However, Disney isn’t known for subtlety. It’s actually spelled exactly like the word devil, but with a space in the middle. After all, any other spelling wouldn’t fit as nicely on a license plate.

“Kazaam” (1996)

In 1996, a movie came out featuring a genie that lived in a magic boombox. The Mandela Effect in this instance is two-fold. First of all, who starred as the genie? Was it basketball star Shaquille O'Neal or the comedian Sinbad? In the same year, Sinbad starred in “First Kid” with a young actor, but he wasn’t granting wishes. It was Shaq who brought junk food raining down from the sky. The other debate is over the name. Many people believe it was “Shazaam,” but the film was actually called “Kazaam.” Neither of those should be confused with the 2019 live action film, “Shazam!” Honestly, no wonder we’re confused on this one.

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937)

This sweet fairy tale was the first animated feature to be released by Walt Disney Productions. In the decades since its release, we were bound to misremember a few things. It’s shocking that the most famous line is the one audiences continually get wrong. How many people have looked at their reflection and said, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” In fact, that’s not the demand the evil queen makes of her servant. She says, “Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?” People have been misquoting it for more than 80 years. Makes you wonder who got it wrong first?

“The Wizard of Oz” (1939)

When Dorothy crash lands in Oz, she is astounded at her new location. While checking out the Technicolor world, she shares a straightforward observation with her pup. It’s a line that has become synonymous with finding yourself in an unexpected place. It’s such a well known phrase that even when it’s misquoted in movies, it gets the message across. The funny thing is that the quotes, misquotes and references to this pivotal moment are all based on an incorrect memory of the line. Although “We’re not in Kansas anymore.” is a nice punchy quote, it’s wrong. The full line doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily. Dorothy actually says, “Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”

“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982)

This heart-warming sci-fi story features a lost alien protected by a young boy. In one of the most memorable scenes, E.T. astounds Elliott by speaking in English. He points his finger to the sky and says, “E.T. home phone.” Wait, what? Doesn’t he say, “E.T. phone home?” Sorry, friends. In that pivotal scene the words are reversed. Directly after, both Gertie and Elliott translate it for anyone confused by the incorrect grammar. This could be part of the reason it’s been misquoted for so many years. Later, when Elliott discovers that E.T. is alive, the small alien does say the words in the correct order. But, if you really want to quote this pivotal moment correctly, switch those words around.