10 Famous Movie Plot Holes (That Are NOT Plot Holes)

1. Spinning Around The World - Superman

Terminator death
Warner Bros.

Superman may have been a smash hit but even avid fans can't help but laugh at the movie's climax. After Lex Luthor detonates a missile, Supes does everything in his power to stop the explosion from decimating the area. Despite his best efforts, his lover, Lois Lane, is killed by the aftershocks.

Unable to accept her death, Supes launches into the sky and begins flying at phenomenal speed. As the Man of Steel zooms around the world, we see the Earth's rotation reverse, seemingly winding back time. After time-travelling a few minutes into the past, Superman has enough time to rescue Lois. Many viewers laugh at the absurdity of this scene since reversing the Earth’s rotation wouldn’t turn back in time.

However, that's not what's happening in this scene. Superman didn't go back in time by spinning around the globe; he went back in time by travelling at the speed of light.The Earth’s rotation reversing is not caused by Superman’s superspeed; it is an effect of it.

Ironically, the director, Richard Donner only inserted a shot of the Earth's rotation reversing because he thought it would look cool... and he indirectly made nearly every viewer misintrept the movie's ending.

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James Egan has written 80 books including 1000 Facts about Superheroes Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about Horror Movies Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about The Greatest Films Ever Made Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about Video Games Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about TV Shows Vol. 1-3 Twitter - @jameswzegan85