50 Mind-Blowing Fan Theories About Your Favorite Shows & Movies

A fan theory proposes that the reason nobody in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been able to recreate the Super Soldier Serum successfully is because the essential ingredient, derived from the Heart-Shaped Herb, is unique to Wakanda. The theory explores the connection between Captain America's transformation and the powers of the Black Panther, suggesting that Howard Stark, in his pursuit of vibranium for Cap's shield, learned of the Black Panther's abilities. This discovery led to an effort to incorporate the Heart-Shaped Herb into the Super Soldier Program.

Dr. Abraham Erskine, the scientist who originally turned Steve Rogers into Captain America, succeeded in creating the Super Soldier Serum. However, it's established in the MCU that his serum was the only successful one. The theory speculates that Howard Stark, who had access to vibranium from Wakanda, might have learned about the Black Panther's powers. Stark, whether independently or while working with Erskine, sought to harness the Heart-Shaped Herb's properties for the Super Soldier Program.

The Heart-Shaped Herb not only granted superhuman abilities but also contained a stabilizing agent that prevented unwanted mutations, such as what happened to the Red Skull. Therefore, it is suggested that this ingredient was essential for the success of the Super Soldier Program. This theory offers a plausible explanation for the uniqueness of Captain America's powers and why subsequent attempts to recreate the serum have failed in the MCU.

One fan theory may unravel why Gotham City is such a chaotic and troubled place in Batman/DC Comics universe. The theory posits that the root of Gotham's problems lies in a hidden but abundant source of immortality-enabling chemicals, particularly the Lazarus Pits. These pits, known for their healing and madness-inducing properties, play a crucial role in this theory.

The theory highlights that Batman frequently encounters Lazarus Pits throughout the Rocksteady games, which are mystical baths that Ra's Al Ghul uses for healing and reviving. Moreover, the theory connects these Lazarus Pits to the superhuman abilities of some of Batman's adversaries, like Bane and Deathstroke. It's revealed that the Lazarus chemical's derivative, Dionesium, grants the Joker a form of immortality and is used by the Court of Owls to extend their Talons' lifespans.

What ties all of this to the tumultuous nature of Gotham is the presence of these immortality-enabling chemicals in the city's water supply, with Lazarus found there. This connection prompts the theory to suggest that Gotham's inhabitants, including its heroes and villains, are unknowingly exposed to these chemicals. This exposure allows characters like Batman and his rogues gallery to heal quickly, almost miraculously, and survive injuries that would be lethal for ordinary individuals. In essence, Gotham's chaos may be a result of this mystical chemistry, with the city's abnormal nature stemming from the very water its citizens consume.

One intriguing Games of Thrones fan theory proposes that the major houses in this world symbolize the Seven Deadly Sins, underlining the moral complexity and flaws within the series' characters. House Tyrell, driven by unquenchable Greed, constantly shifts allegiances to pursue power. House Baratheon, often associated with Rage, exemplifies this deadly sin through Robert Baratheon's fiery temper. House Targaryen's Envy is evident in their relentless desire to reclaim the Iron Throne, which was taken from them. House Martell represents Gluttony, although it may be less apparent, as their indulgent behaviors and overindulgence in various aspects come to the forefront.

The theory extends to House Frey's embodiment of Sloth due to their incompetence and laziness, House Stark's connection to Pride, manifested through their stubbornness and disobedience, and House Lannister, embodying Lust with their self-serving and inconsiderate actions. Each major house serves as a microcosm of one of the Seven Deadly Sins, emphasizing the moral ambiguity and complexity that defines the characters in Game of Thrones.

Furthermore, the theory challenges the traditional view of the White Walkers as the ultimate antagonists. It suggests that they might be agents of the old gods, tasked with purging a world tainted by corruption, akin to the biblical flood in the story of Noah's ark. This unique perspective adds a layer of complexity to the series and aligns with Game of Thrones' reputation for subverting expectations and presenting intricate moral dilemmas.

A fan theory about "The Simpsons," proposes Bart Simpson to be a member of the secretive organization known as The Stone-Cutters. This theory gains support from the episode "Homer the Great" in which the Stone-Cutters are introduced. It is established that one can become a Stone-Cutter if they are the son of a Stone-Cutter or if they save the life of a Stone-Cutter. Bart's eligibility is argued to be connected to his act of donating blood to save Mr. Burns in an earlier episode, revealing that Mr. Burns himself is a Stone-Cutter. This theory is further strengthened by subtle hints and actions exhibited by Bart throughout the series, suggesting his involvement in the organization.

One intriguing piece of evidence is Bart's response when Homer starts suspecting a conspiracy at his workplace. Bart's casual mention of a conspiracy related to the Kennedy assassination is accompanied by a wink, which some fans interpret as an attempt to mislead Homer and divert his attention from the real secret, implying Bart's knowledge of the Stone-Cutters. Another instance is when Homer becomes the Chosen One, and Bart promptly removes Lisa from the room, demonstrating his familiarity with the organization's protocols. Additionally, Bart's ability to avoid significant punishment from Principal Skinner, who is implied to be a Stone-Cutter, despite his frequent misbehavior at school, adds to the theory's credibility.

Some may question why Bart doesn't attend Stone-Cutter meetings. The theory suggests that each chapter of the Stone-Cutters may have its own set of member numbers, and Homer was assigned number 908. Given the relatively small gathering at the Stone-Cutters' meeting, it's implied that members may not be required to attend every gathering, explaining Bart's absence from meetings in the series.

When it comes to James Bond, the iconic "007" agent number has always been associated with the world's greatest spy. However, a fan theory suggests that it might actually be "OO7" (double O’s instead of zeros) – a subtle twist that could change its meaning. The theory begins by examining the visual similarity between the number 007 and the word "oo7" with two lowercase o's. It delves into the idea that these are not zeroes but rather O's, opening up a realm of interpretation.

In this theory, the "OO" could stand for "Open Operative." The first "O" could represent "Operative," a term frequently used in the spy world to describe agents. The second "O" may symbolize "Open," signifying that these agents are bold and operate openly, unlike traditional covert spies. To justify this, the theory points to the James Bond films, particularly "Skyfall," where Daniel Craig's character is confirmed as James Bond with the surname "Bond."

The theory suggests that MI6 deliberately crafted the Double O Program as a unique group of openly operating agents. These agents are so confident and daring that they openly declare their true identities and affiliations. Their missions are high-stakes, and their flamboyant actions send a clear message to their enemies. The theory speculates that MI6's intention was to intimidate adversaries within the intelligence community and to make them reconsider their actions against the British government. Only a select few, around 8 or 9 operatives, have been recruited into this enigmatic "Open Operative Program."

A fascinating fan theory explores the origins of Ebenezer Scrooge's miserly behavior in Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." While the story was published in 1843, Scrooge is depicted as an elderly man. By doing some math, it's suggested that he was born around 1783, which places him in his early 20s during the Napoleonic Wars, which raged from 1803 to 1815.

The theory posits that the tumultuous backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars could have deeply influenced Scrooge. During this period, Britain faced severe economic hardship due to trade embargoes, pushing many into poverty. Scrooge, as a young man trying to make his way during these trying times, might have developed a fear of poverty and developed the habits of scrimping and saving to ensure his own well-being.

The theory goes further to suggest that this fear of poverty could explain Scrooge's lack of family and strained relationships, as he may have been hesitant to have children and expose them to potential hardship. His miserly tendencies stem from this fear of returning to the hardships of his youth, making him relate to countless others who have endured tough times.

In the world of Seinfeld, the constant stream of Jerry's friends through his apartment door has puzzled some viewers. A fan theory offers a simple explanation: Jerry's frequent touring and traveling as a comedian mean he's often out of town for extended periods. His close-knit group of friends knows his schedule, and when he's in town, they seize the opportunity to catch up. This theory might explain the seemingly ever-changing relationships, the need to discuss personal issues regularly, and the friends' willingness to go out of their way to visit Jerry at his apartment—because they treasure those rare moments when he's home.

A fan theory about "How I Met Your Mother," an idea is proposed that Barney might not be as bad as Ted makes him out to be. The theory questions Ted's perspective as the storyteller of the series and suggests that he may be exaggerating Barney's actions to make himself look better in front of his kids. It raises the point that Ted tells his children about Barney's questionable actions, including lying to women, which could be seen as inappropriate and damaging. If Ted was truly trying to maintain a positive image, he might avoid sharing such stories. Furthermore, the theory highlights the oversharing of private information by the gang and Ted's possible resentment towards Barney due to the Robin-Ted-Barney love triangle.

One Star Wars fan theory suggests that Anakin Skywalker's strong aversion to sand is not just a simple quirk but a deeper manifestation of his emotional struggle as a Jedi. Anakin, who didn't undergo the conventional Jedi training from birth, finds himself at odds with the Jedi way of suppressing emotions, especially those related to attachment.

The theory posits that Anakin's sand-related complaints are symbolic of his difficulty adhering to the Jedi philosophy that condemns strong emotions and their potential connection to the dark side. His upbringing in a harsh environment, coupled with intense emotions, sets him apart from other Jedi. When Anakin begins to experience romantic feelings for Padmé, it further complicates his internal conflict as she represents a connection to his past and the emotions he's expected to suppress.

Anakin's awkward expression of hatred for sand, while seemingly trivial, can be seen as a way for him to indirectly acknowledge his hate for his home planet and upbringing and it shows he hasn’t emotionally dealt with those issues and is in fact dealing with them in an unhealthy way, which he can’t directly vocalize.

One interesting fan theory suggests a unique perspective on the characters in "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." It posits that in the final episode, when Frank takes a picture of Mac, Dennis, and Dee, it's might be revealed that they look drastically different from how the audience perceives them. According to the theory, Mac, Dennis, and Dee are not as attractive as we see them, and they have various physical and psychological issues. This stark contrast between their self-image and reality is explained by the idea that the story is primarily told from their perspective, and every event is centered around their group.

While Charlie and Frank are portrayed as their true, weird selves, the other three characters present themselves as attractive TV stars, even though they are treated the same way as Frank and Charlie in the show's world. This incongruity between their looks and how they're treated by others adds an intriguing layer to their characters. For instance, Mac's apparent physical prowess is questioned as he fails at karate and intimidation. Dennis, despite his good looks, is shown to rely on elaborate schemes to attract women. Dee's unfortunate dating choices and her potential psychological struggles add depth to her character. In essence, this theory suggests that "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" is a show about the inner delusions of Mac, Dennis, and Dee as they grapple with societal rejection.

The theory goes further to diagnose the characters: Dennis as a psychopath, Dee struggling with depression, Charlie dealing with substance abuse and possible schizophrenia, and Mac having body dysmorphic disorder. The theory leaves Frank as the most "normal" character in the gang.