12 Plot Holes That Have Valid Explanations

Most of the time, plot holes are an unfortunate part of the movie-watching experience. They drag viewers out of their immersion and can sometimes even result in us turning the movie off. They result in stories that make no sense, confusing the viewer.

Some plot holes, like the one talked about here, exist for perfectly valid reasons. Let’s review 12 such examples from iconic movies and television shows.

1 – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) — Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

After the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark, many people wonder why Dr. Jones is so skeptical about mystical events. There’s an excellent explanation for his skepticism in Temple of Doom: it’s a prequel.

2 – The Terminator

The Terminator (1984) — Image Credit: Orion Pictures.

Sarah Connor isn’t an expert in machines and production equipment. So how does she know what button to press to crush the Terminator? Easy; she accidentally pressed it a few minutes prior.

3 – Citizen Kane

While “Rosebud” is one of the greatest mysteries in this classic film, it’s important to know that one of Charles Foster Kane’s servants was outside his bedroom when Kane said “Rosebud.” Later, the dialogue confirmed that a butler heard Kane’s dying words and reported the submission to the paper.

4 – Friends

How did everyone afford to pay for their apartments in New York City? Monica explained it in the first episode of Friends: her grandmother owned the apartment. Plus, it was rent-controlled.

5 – The Sixth Sense

Image Credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

Spoiler alert: Bruce Willis is dead the entire time during this classic M. Night Shyamalan film. How does he not know this? The movie explains it: ghosts only see what they want to see.

6 – Back to The Future

People always love pointing out that the DeLorean is a lousy car. In the film’s opening moment, Marty points it out, saying, “You built a time machine out of a DeLorean?!” The car isn’t famous on its own but because of Back to the Future.

7 – Fight Club

The first rule of Fight Club is that you do not talk about Fight Club. It’s also the second rule. Then how do so many people learn about it? Simple; the whole point is to teach its members that rules are meant to be broken.

8 – Titanic

Titanic Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet — Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Everyone has asked why Rose didn’t let Jack on the door; they can both fit!

Sorry to burst your bubble. That’s not true; it began to sink when Jack tried to jump on.

9 – Legally Blonde

Photo Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

First impressions of the Reese Witherspoon film indicate that the character of Elle Woods is a dumb blonde. That’s not the case, though; she’s shown successfully interrogating a salesperson in the first scene. Woods is brilliant but stereotyped because of her looks.

10 – Star Wars

Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope (1977) — Image Credit: 20th Century-Fox.

Ever wonder why Obi-Wan Kenobi doesn’t use the Jedi Mind Trick on everybody? He explains that it only works on the “weak-minded.” Luke Skywalker forgot this when he unsuccessfully tried to use it on Jaba in Return of the Jedi.

11 – The Matrix Reloaded

When Neo is talking to the architect in the film’s climatic moments, many (myself included) believe that the screens of Neo behind the architect were past examples of “The One.” This isn’t the case; Instead, it’s the machines predicting Neo’s responses.

12 – Jurassic World

You’re probably wondering how Claire, in heels, mind you, was able to outrun a T-Rex. It’s simple: the T-Rex wasn’t chasing her.

Dinosaurs, like T-Rex, can have their feeding time conditioned; they patiently followed Claire in anticipation of a meal.

13 – The Dark Knight Rises

Bruce Wayne is one of the richest men on Earth, thanks partly to the worldwide industry with his name on it. As a result, he undoubtedly has plenty of connections. Connections that can address the pothole of how he’s able to get to Gotham after escaping the hole.

It’s simple: he knows how long until the bomb in Gotham explodes. He heads to a Wayne Enterprises office, wires himself some money, and helps him return home to save the day.

The real plothole here, though, is how he can recover from a broken back.

14 – Home Alone

Home Alone (1990) Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci — Image Credit: 20th Century Fox.

Every Christmas, a popular meme goes around social media: how did Kevin McAllister’s dad not only afford the gigantic house they live in but also a vacation for the entire family to Paris?

We can talk about the career choice of Peter McAllister all day (both parents worked very lucrative jobs in a major city, so they probably both made bank). Still, the “mystery” surrounding the trip is pretty simple: Peter’s brother paid for the family to visit him and his wife in Paris.

15 – She’s All That

An ugly duckling trope, also known as a glow-up, is popular in romantic comedies. It sees the movie take someone who, at best, looks unassuming and turns them into a beauty queen. More often than not, this is done through a simple change of wardrobe or, as people joke, having the woman remove her glasses. A glow-up is the theme around She’s All That, but there’s one thing lost in the film.

The bet is never to make Laney Boggs into a beautiful woman. No, the bet is that Laney Boggs into a prom queen. 2001’s Not Another Teen Movie also spoofs this trope: “No, not Janey Briggs. Guys, she’s got glasses…and a ponytail!”