TLDR;
This video explores movies that have become tragic or disturbing over time due to behind-the-scenes events, real-life tragedies, or revelations that cast a dark shadow over the film. It covers a range of films from comedies and family movies to horror and war films, detailing the specific incidents or circumstances that have altered their perception.
- Robin Williams' struggle with Lewy body dementia during the filming of "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb"
- John Belushi's substance use disorder and untimely death impacting "The Blues Brothers"
- On-set animal cruelty during the production of "The Adventures of Milo and Otis"
- The tragic mass shooting during a screening of "The Dark Knight Rises"
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb [0:38]
During the filming of the third "Night at the Museum" movie, Robin Williams exhibited signs of Lewy body dementia. Director Shaun Levy noticed Williams wasn't himself, lacking confidence, experiencing panic attacks, and struggling to remember lines. Williams would call Levy late at night, worried about the usability of his work. His mental state declined rapidly after filming, and he tragically took his own life shortly after the movie wrapped.
The Blues Brothers [1:31]
"The Blues Brothers" faced costly delays due to John Belushi's substance use disorder, which led to erratic behavior, missed appearances, and disappearances from the set. Belushi died of a fatal overdose less than two years after the film's release. While the movie is now considered a classic, Belushi's death casts a shadow over it, serving as a reminder of his unrealized potential and short life.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas [2:39]
Jim Carrey experienced significant physical and mental anguish due to the uncomfortable Grinch suit. The suit caused extreme physical discomfort and strained Carrey's mental health, leading him to lash out at others. Makeup artist Kazuhiro briefly quit in protest. Producers brought in a resistance training expert to help Carrey cope with the discomfort, teaching him dissociation techniques.
Heaven's Gate [3:48]
Michael Cimino's "Heaven's Gate" was controversial due to accusations of animal cruelty and its impact on the film industry. The film's critical and financial failure led to the end of United Artists as an independent studio and the decline of the New Hollywood movement, which had supported auteur-driven films. Power shifted back to profit-driven studios, a structure that remains largely in place today.
The Adventures of Milo and Otis [4:48]
"The Adventures of Milo and Otis," a cute animal adventure film, was marred by revelations of animal cruelty on set. Mikio Hattera, the director's brother, publicly revealed instances of cruelty, including allegations that the cat playing Milo was killed. Other crew members supported these claims, detailing horrific incidents, which ruined the movie's reputation.
The Dark Knight Rises [5:46]
"The Dark Knight Rises" was overshadowed by a tragic mass shooting on July 20, 2012, during a midnight screening in Aurora, Colorado, where 12 people were killed and nearly 60 were injured. This act of violence cast a pall over the film, and despite its financial success, it could never fully escape its dark association with the event.
Doc Hollywood [6:44]
While filming "Doc Hollywood," Michael J. Fox began experiencing symptoms that led to his diagnosis of early-onset Parkinson's disease at age 29. Following the diagnosis, Fox became depressed, struggled with alcohol use, and hid his condition from co-workers and the public. Knowing this makes it difficult to watch the movie without considering the actor's personal tragedy.
Stand by Me [7:43]
"Stand by Me" is affected by the later lives of its young stars, Corey Feldman and River Phoenix. Feldman became a troubled young actor facing substance use disorder and sexual assault allegations. River Phoenix tragically passed away just seven years after the movie's release, mirroring his character's fate in the film.
Valley of the Dolls [8:38]
"Valley of the Dolls" is hauntingly ironic due to the fate of actress Sharon Tate. Released in 1967, Tate was brutally murdered by the Manson family less than two years later. Her promising career was cut short by this heinous act, making it nearly impossible to watch the film without thinking of her tragic end.
Jaws: The Revenge [9:41]
"Jaws: The Revenge" includes a character played by Judith Barsi, whose tragic story is now a part of Hollywood legend. Judith and her mother faced constant harassment and abuse from Judith's father, who murdered both of them before taking his own life shortly after the film's release.
Erin Brockovich [10:38]
"Erin Brockovich" propelled the titular activist into the national spotlight, but her family wasn't prepared for the attention. The professional obligations took her away from her children. Her daughter, Elizabeth Brochovich, started acting out, skipping school, and falling into heavy substance use.
Jingle All the Way [11:36]
"Jingle All the Way" is the last movie released in Phil Hartman's lifetime. Just 18 months after the movie's release, Hartman was shot and killed by his wife, who was under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The knowledge of his violent murder takes the joy out of the otherwise fun Christmas movie.
The Birds [12:25]
"The Birds" is tarnished by behind-the-scenes drama involving director Alfred Hitchcock and actress Tippi Hedren. Hitchcock was allegedly obsessed with Hedren and subjected her to inappropriate behavior, injury on set, and a restrictive contract that limited her ability to find work, reportedly as revenge for her rejecting his advances.
Rebel Without a Cause [13:14]
"Rebel Without a Cause" is difficult to watch knowing the fates of its three leads: James Dean, Sal Mineo, and Natalie Wood. All three died violently and before reaching their 50s. Dean perished in a car crash just before the movie's release, Mineo was stabbed and killed by a mugger, and Wood drowned under mysterious circumstances.
Raw [14:07]
"Raw" has developed a cult following due to the production's disregard for health and safety. Most of the large cats used for filming were untrained, leading to numerous injuries. Noel Marshall was bitten a dozen times and suffered gangrene, Tippi Hedren was left gangrenous after an elephant fractured her hand and ankle, and Melanie Griffith required facial reconstruction after being attacked by a lioness.
Men Behind the Sun [14:51]
"Men Behind the Sun" is one of the most controversial films ever made, chronicling atrocities committed by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. The film is intensely graphic, featuring real body parts and organs, animal cruelty, and a genuine cadaver in an autopsy scene, making it disturbing and unwatchable.
The End of Evangelion [15:50]
"The End of Evangelion" includes creepy images flashed on the screen near the end of the film. One is an email death threat written to Hideaki Anno, the creator of the Evangelion franchise. The other is the vandalized office of anime studio Gainax, reportedly done in response to the ending of Neon Genesis Evangelion by furious and dissatisfied viewers.
The Last House on the Left [16:38]
"The Last House on the Left" was a troubling film to make, especially for lead actress Sandra Peabody. Peabody was routinely mistreated on set, with Mark Sheffler threatening to push her off a cliff. She also had a difficult time working with David Hess, who admitted to getting too physical during an assault sequence.
Incubus [17:39]
"Incubus" is considered a cursed film due to a series of tragic events. An Atmar took her own life shortly after filming wrapped. Milo shot and killed Barbara Anne Thomasson, the arranged wife of Mickey Rooney, before turning the gun on himself. Marina Har, the teenage daughter of Eloise Hart, was abducted and murdered. Then all prints of the movie were lost in a fire.
The Exorcist [18:25]
"The Exorcist" is considered cursed due to numerous on-set accidents, injuries, and freak occurrences. Ellen Burstein and Linda Blair seriously injured their backs during filming. Various crew members lost limbs in freak accidents, and many people involved in the film died during production or shortly afterward.
The Shining [19:16]
"The Shining" was an absolute miserable experience during filming, led by director Stanley Kubrick's perfectionist attitude. The days were incredibly long, Kubrick often demanded dozens of takes, and principal photography took over a year to complete. Shelley Duvall was often a specific target of Kubrick, who furiously argued with her on set.
Stalker [20:17]
"Stalker" was filmed in two deserted power plants near a chemical plant that poured runoff into the nearby river. Many people involved in the film became sick from these toxic chemicals and later died of their illnesses, including assistant director Larissa Tarkovskaya, star Anatoli Solonitsyn, and director Andrei Tarkovsky.
Peter Pan [21:08]
"Peter Pan" is hard to revisit knowing the tragic fate of Bobby Driscoll, who voiced Peter. Driscoll was tormented in high school due to his involvement with Disney and fell into heavy substance use. He faced multiple arrests, was sent to rehab, and his career declined. He died of heart failure at 31, and his body went unclaimed and was buried in an unmarked pauper's grave.
Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace [22:02]
"Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace" led to torment for some of its actors. Jake Lloyd allegedly retired from acting because he was relentlessly mocked at school. Ahmed Best, who provided the voice and motion capture for Jar Jar Binks, faced immense backlash and considered taking his own life due to the constant ridicule.
Apocalypse Now [23:01]
The production of "Apocalypse Now" was notoriously troubled. Sets were destroyed in a typhoon, actors quit or showed up in surprising conditions, Martin Sheen had a breakdown and nearly died of a heart attack, a real water buffalo was slaughtered for a scene, and genuine human corpses were accidentally used to dress Kurtz's hideout.
Natural Born Killers [24:01]
"Natural Born Killers," a satire of media's obsession with violence, has ironically been blamed for inspiring copycat crimes. Numerous school shootings have been linked to the movie, with perpetrators being vocal fans. Jeremy Steinkey, along with his girlfriend Jasmine Richardson, murdered Richardson's parents and brother, with Stein reportedly speaking of "going natural-born killer" on her family.
Poltergeist [25:07]
"Poltergeist" is perhaps the most cursed movie ever. The skeletons seen in the climax of the film were authentic medical skeletons. Dominique Dunne was murdered by her ex-boyfriend shortly after the movie's release, and Heather O'Rourke died in 1988 when a bowel condition sent her into septic shock.
The Conqueror [26:08]
"The Conqueror" was filmed in the Escalante Desert, downwind from an old nuclear bomb testing site. Despite assurances of safety, 41% of the crew developed cancer in their lifetimes, including John Wayne. Some argue the correlation is difficult to prove, but those who became sick did so at a relatively young age.
Various MCU Movies [26:58]
Chadwick Boseman was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer in 2016, before filming "Black Panther." He filmed several MCU movies while undergoing chemotherapy, keeping his cancer a secret from everyone but his family. His death in 2020 came as a huge surprise, making it difficult to revisit these films knowing what he was going through.
The Wizard of Oz [28:08]
"The Wizard of Oz" had a production that was an absolute nightmare, resulting in numerous health issues. Margaret Hamilton was burned by fire, Buddy Ebsen was hospitalized after inhaling aluminum dust used in the Tin Man's makeup, and Judy Garland suffered sexual harassment and physical abuse by the cast and crew. She was also regularly given benzedrine tablets to keep her lean and later struggled with substance use, dying of an overdose at 47.