Top 10 Biggest Movie Coincidences Ever
#10: Ilsa & Rick Reconnect
“Casablanca” (1942) It’s one thing to run into your ex in another city, but in another country? That kind of luck is rarely found outside of the movies. In this World War II-set classic, Humphrey Bogart’s Rick, a club owner in the titular Moroccan city, is greeted by an old flame - Ingrid Bergman’s Ilsa, accompanied by her husband. The couple is hoping to obtain letters that will allow them into the United States - ones Rick possesses. The odds of Ilsa and Rick reconnecting in this way may be impossibly slim, but the characters are aware of this. And when there’s so much passion onscreen, we don’t mind a little contrivance to drive the plot.
#9: Going After John Wick
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“John Wick” (2014) The first “John Wick” movie starts with Keanu Reeves’ Wick living a quiet life with his dog after his wife passes away. But when he refuses to give his car to some punks at a gas station, they retaliate by breaking into his house, taking his car, and killing his dog. One of the punks is the son of a Russian kingpin. By a huge coincidence, Wick not only used to be a fearsome hitman - he used to work for the kingpin. Hey, the thrill of the “John Wick” movies comes from the amazing fight scenes and watching Reeves get out of deadly situations, not from their airtight plots. Still, it’s a good reminder to be careful who you mess with.
#8: Cab Drop
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“The Fifth Element” (1997) “The Fifth Element” is a joy for anyone who loves visually innovative and exciting science fiction. But more uptight viewers might take issue with some plot elements. After Milla Jovovich's Leeloo is recreated by 23rd-century scientists trying to prevent a "Great Evil” from destroying Earth, she panics. Leelo escapes and takes a leap of faith, falling into a flying cab driven by ex-Special Forces major Korben Dallas, played by Bruce Willis. This sets into motion Leeloo and Dallas working together and growing closer as they try to stop the evil. Just think, the fate of the world may have rested on this person falling into this cab. But if you can buy flying cabs, you should be able to buy a little plot contrivance.
#7: Major Case Discovery
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“Prisoners” (2013) Solving crimes in real life involves a lot of tedious research and waiting. Solving crimes in movies involves more “aha!” moments. In Denis Villeneuve’s kidnapping drama, Detective Loki, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, is driven mad trying to figure out what happened to two young girls who recently disappeared. In a moment of frustration, he trashes his desk, resulting in a pile of photos on the floor. Upon closer inspection, Loki sees the top photo has a major clue he apparently hadn't noticed before. He’s supposed to be a great detective, yet it takes a fit of rage for him to realize something so significant. Getting mad might help movie characters find solutions, but we prefer taking a few deep breaths.
#6: Robbery Suspects
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“My Cousin Vinny” (1992) “My Cousin Vinny” is a comedy, and a hilarious one at that, but we still have to bring up the remarkable bad luck that forms a major part of the plot. After New Yorkers Bill Gambini and Stan Rothenstein unintentionally shoplift from an Alabama convenience store, they find themselves charged with a much more serious crime: murder. The best they can do for legal representation is Joe Pesci’s titular relative, who has never actually worked a trial before. As the case continues, and with help from Vinny's fiancée, Mona Lisa, played by an Oscar-winning Marisa Tomei, the actual culprits are discovered. They just happened to look like and drive a similar car to the defendants. We find this movie guilty of being a little far-fetched.
#5: The Right Element
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“Iron Man 2” (2010) In the second “Iron Man” film, Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr, finds the palladium core inside the arc reactor powering his suit is actually poisonous, and that his days are numbered. He starts living it up in a truly concerning way, leading to a physical struggle with his best friend, James Rhodes. Stark later discovers an atomic structure hidden in the 1974 Stark Expo diorama. This is a novel element that he can synthesize and use instead of palladium. All comic book films require more than a little suspension of disbelief, but it’s still a bit of a stretch that Tony Stark’s survival came from such a seemingly random chance.
#4: Luke Arrives at Dagobah
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“Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) The world of “Star Wars” is supposed to be a massive galaxy full of planets. But given how easily its characters find one another, it seems a little more like a small town. In “The Empire Strikes Back,” Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill, is instructed by Obi-Wan Kenobi’s force ghost to train with Jedi Master Yoda on Dagobah. He crash-lands on the planet, but fortunately, his crash site is basically right next to where Yoda lives. Again, this is an entire planet, and Luke just happens to arrive right where Yoda is by pure chance? Clearly, the Force was with him.
#3: Major Historical Events
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“Forrest Gump” (1994) “Forrest Gump” is basically about a man who experiences all kinds of incredible events, most of which are based in reality. However, Robert Zemeckis’ Best Picture-winning film takes significant liberties with history, rewriting it so that Tom Hanks’ Gump can end up shaping the modern world in multiple ways, without realizing what he’s doing. Among his accomplishments include teaching Elvis Presley how to dance, exposing the Watergate break-in, and inspiring the creation of the famous "smiley face." Despite being a partial tour through history, the easiest way to enjoy “Forrest Gump” is to not be a stickler for historical accuracy.
#2: Seeing Madeleine
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“Vertigo” (1958) As “The Master of Suspense,” Alfred Hitchcock excelled at keeping the audience guessing. “Vertigo” is one of his best movies, but its plot twist definitely relies on some questionable coincidence. After the supposed death of his love interest, Madeleine Elster, played by Kim Novak, James Stewart’s detective, Scottie Ferguson, sees a woman who looks remarkably like Madeleine. It turns out, they’re the same woman. Judy Barton - her real name - had impersonated Madeleine as part of a murder plot hatched by Madeleine’s husband.. Ferguson just happens to see this woman who looks so much like the object of his affection on a busy San Francisco street. It’s a pretty big coincidence, but with a director as skilled as Hitchcock, it doesn’t bother us too much. Madeleine Elster https://youtu.be/d9KI_QL4f2o?t=160 Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. The Meteor, “Spider-Man 3” (2007) Right as Peter Parker Is Hanging Out in Central Park, This Meteor Crashes & Attaches Itself to His Spidey Suit The Detonator, “The Dark Knight” (2008) For the Joker's Scheme to Work, He Needs a Few Things to Fall into Place Jake Saved Smiley’s Cousin, “Training Day” (2001) Ethan Hawke’s Rookie Detective Is Spared When It’s Discovered He Saved the Life of His Would-Be Killer’s Cousin
#1: Finding Spock on the Ice Planet
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“Star Trek” (2009) J.J. Abrams' big-screen reboot of the "Star Trek" franchise was a massive success, thrilling old and new fans of the beloved science fiction series. But there was one plot development that could only exist in a screenwriter's imagination. Brash Starfleet Academy member James T. Kirk, played by Chris Pine, is exiled by Zachary Quinto's Commander Spock on ice planet Delta Vega, after attempting to mutiny. While there, Kirk comes across Spock, decades older, and played by original actor Leonard Nimoy. Once again, a massive planet can’t prevent a plotline from happening. To paraphrase Spock, “Live long...and plot holes.”