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People Are Sharing Images Of ‘Futuristic’ Movie Props That Are Just Regular Items, And It Destroys The Illusion Of Fantasy (30 Pics)
Interview
What you see on-screen might actually be in your own home! No, not Keanu Reeves, silly! I’m talking about movie props. As it turns out, quite a lot of them are repurposed everyday household items. The r/Thatsabooklight subreddit documents the times that people recognized these everyday items in movies and on TV shows, and just couldn’t help but share with everyone else. And, wow, we’ve got to say, once you notice these behind-the-scenes details, you’ll never look at films the same way again.
Have a scroll through some of the coolest, most unusual, and surprising movie props that you’d find around your home. While most of these can be found in sci-fi films and shows, they’re not exclusive to just them. Remember to upvote the pics that you liked the most. Onwards and (let’s scroll) downwards!
Bored Panda reached out to the r/Thatsabooklight community to learn more about the subreddit and on-screen props. Read on for our friendly chat with one of the moderators, QueenAnneBoleynTudor.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
This Is Cool
RELATED:
#2
In An Episode Of Mutant X, Jesse Uses A Familiar Looking "Device." It Looks Like A High Tech Gadget With Buttons, But I Recognized It As The Eyeshadow Compact I've Had Since High School
Levels of irony 5 years ago
Lol imagine the directors and prop makers like yup that loooks like a computer
#3
One Of The Most Iconic Movie Props Of All Time, Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber From The Star Wars Franchise Is A Flash Handle From A Vintage Camera (Graflex 3 Cell Flash Handle)
#4
One Of Young Anakin's Tool Is A Silver-Painted Dog Toy That I Own
#5
I Present To You: Willrow Hoods Aka Ice Cream Man From Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back In The Background Of Cloud City. He Carries A Completely Undecorated Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker. This Previously Unnamed Character Has Spawned A Cult Following, Leading To Books, Comics, And Fan Lore
Lis Daglish 5 years ago
Of course, when you’re being overrun by evil forces OF COURSE the first thing you get to safety is the ice cream maker. Basic common sense.
#6
Prop: In Phantom Menace, Qui Gonn’s Comlink Is A Gillette Women’s Razor
#7
The Mask Used For Halloween (1978) Was A William Shatner Mask That Was Painted White
Lauren Caswell 5 years ago
For some reason I thought they had turned the mask inside out! TIL they just painted it
#8
I Was Told This Might Be This Sub’s Cup Of Tea
troufaki13 5 years ago
Well it is silver colored and weird shaped so it must be space technology!
#9
This Transmitter That Cracks Access Codes In Resident Evil (2002) Is A Glucose Meter With An Antenna
#10
That’s An Escalator
#11
Jawas In The Mandalorian Have Volkswagen Fuel Injection Rails. I Recognized Them Immediately (Jumping Up From The Couch And Startling My Wife). I Replaced Dozens Of These During A Recall In 2013
#12
[tv] In Alias [2005], Her Specialized Locker Cutting Tool Is A Creme Brûlée Torch
![[tv] In Alias [2005], Her Specialized Locker Cutting Tool Is A Creme Brûlée Torch](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/6050635709265_to761qr5pei51__700.jpg "[tv] In Alias [2005], Her Specialized Locker Cutting Tool Is A Creme Brûlée Torch")
#13
Greef Kargas Buckle Is A Cheap Folding Knife
#14
The Chest Thing The First Order Officer Wears In The Kyle Ren Snl Sketch Is A Pack Of Gum
#15
Batman's Boots In Batman Returns Are Just Air Jordan 6s With An Extended Top And Foam Glued On. The Sole Even Still Has The Jordan Logo
#16
That’s An Echo Mic
#17
[tv] The Expanse [2018]. The Cryo Chamber Used For Mei Is A Repurposed Thule 624 Cargo Box
![[tv] The Expanse [2018]. The Cryo Chamber Used For Mei Is A Repurposed Thule 624 Cargo Box](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/60505e985080b_q6mo8eqeo1b41__700.jpg "[tv] The Expanse [2018]. The Cryo Chamber Used For Mei Is A Repurposed Thule 624 Cargo Box")
#18
[film] Back To The Future [1985] A Krups Coffee Machine Became Mr Fusion On The Delorean
![[film] Back To The Future [1985] A Krups Coffee Machine Became Mr Fusion On The Delorean](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/605068cb4816e_1hvlaf16j6j51__700.jpg "[film] Back To The Future [1985] A Krups Coffee Machine Became Mr Fusion On The Delorean")
Lauren Caswell 5 years ago
Love It, I always wondered what it really was, I had thought maybe a juicer
#19
Dark Crystal Used A Die Cast Tie Fighter For This Foe's Eye
The Grizzlysnake 5 years ago
Ironic, then that that character (SkekTek, the Scientist) was voiced by Mark Hamill in the prequel series of Netflix
#20
[tv] Mandalorian Season 1, Friend Just Started It And Sent Me Proof That This Mechanic's Tool Is Actually A Thermometer!
![[tv] Mandalorian Season 1, Friend Just Started It And Sent Me Proof That This Mechanic's Tool Is Actually A Thermometer!](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/6050626dd080f_HlkgMNe__700.jpg "[tv] Mandalorian Season 1, Friend Just Started It And Sent Me Proof That This Mechanic's Tool Is Actually A Thermometer!")
M O'Connell 5 years ago
Non-contact thermometers are commonly used in an engineering environment. You'd be surprised how many faults can be detected simply by observing the temperature of various parts.
#21
In The End Credit Scene Of Guardians Of The Galaxy, Taneleer Tivan (The Collector) Drinks His Martini From An Alessi ‘Big Love’ Ice Cream Bowl
#22
Stargate Sg-1: Season 2, Episode 22 -- The Futuristic Device Used By The Doctor Is A Nose And Ear Hair Trimmer
Dave P 5 years ago
Stargates propmasters were the experts in repurposing ordinary items, that is most of the props in the show. It allowed them to save the budget for more important things, as well as focus on the characters. This is why SG1 lasted 10 seasons and is one of the greatest Sci Fi and SGA is up there too
#23
The Guns In Terra Nova (TV 2012) Are Spray-Painted Nerf Guns
#24
Automated Trash Bin In Firefly Runs Windows 2000
#25
The Child In The Mandalorian Is In A Us Military Mermite Can With A Some Lights Glued On Front
#26
In The Fifth Element (1997), The Detonator The Mangalore Captain Uses To Destroy The Cruise Liner Is A School Locker Padlock
#27
Here Have A Parts List For Obi-Wan's Lightsaber
#28
In Game Of Thrones S8e4 Dany’s Chalice Is Just A Starbucks Coffee Cup
#29
Watchmens (TV) Interrogation Chamber Remote Is A Dyson Fan Controller
#30
[tv] In Netflix's Lost In Space [2019] The Military Crew Members Wear A $65 Foam Airsoft Vest
![[tv] In Netflix's Lost In Space [2019] The Military Crew Members Wear A $65 Foam Airsoft Vest](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/60505ef12c8c2_vavi86unpo841__700.jpg "[tv] In Netflix's Lost In Space [2019] The Military Crew Members Wear A $65 Foam Airsoft Vest")
#31
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) The Snow Speeder Pilot Straps Have Bubble Wrap On Them
Lauren Caswell 5 years ago
Well bubblewrap did start out as a wallpaper design so apparently its versatile! It would have been super tempting to pop the ones on those straps imo!
#32
IKEA Ps 2014 (Aka Deathstar Lamp) In Picard
#33
The “Gps Transponders” Carried By Faraday And His Science Team On Lost Are Multi-Function Emergency Car Tools
#34
James Bond's Ticker-Tape Watch In "The Spy Who Loved Me" Prints Out Dymo Label Spray Painted Silver
Alan Green 5 years ago
how many people watch the old bond movies and say. "My phone does that. . . and that. . .and that . ." etc when Q introduces Bond to all those "futuristic" gadgets.
#35
[tv] The Expanse S2e8 [2017] This Plant Scanner Thing Is A Mosquito Repeller
![[tv] The Expanse S2e8 [2017] This Plant Scanner Thing Is A Mosquito Repeller](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/60506093de1f0_lp3l5tso82a41__700.jpg "[tv] The Expanse S2e8 [2017] This Plant Scanner Thing Is A Mosquito Repeller")
#36
Equilibrium (2002) Uses A Fresia Sp 200 Aircraft Tug As A Police Car
#37
[tv] The Mandalorian Season 2 Episode 1 - The Vessel For The Drink Handed To Cobb Is Actually A Sea Urchin Shell
![[tv] The Mandalorian Season 2 Episode 1 - The Vessel For The Drink Handed To Cobb Is Actually A Sea Urchin Shell](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/6050640e2a474_dum6lr0jjzb61__700.jpg "[tv] The Mandalorian Season 2 Episode 1 - The Vessel For The Drink Handed To Cobb Is Actually A Sea Urchin Shell")
Arctic Fox Lover 5 years ago
Whaaat? No way--those things are too fragile to be holding like that! Unless he got, like, a really big one and he's holding it very gently lol
#38
This "Creature" On Endor Is A A Deer Rear With Eyes And Teeth!
#39
The Podracing Crowd In ‘The Phantom Menace’ Was Really 450,000 Q-Tips Being Blown About
#40
A Mining Charge In The Expanse Is Just A Small Camping Lantern On A Tripod
#41
This 70’s Vintage Coleman Catalytic Camping Heater In The Mandalorian Ep. 1.07
M O'Connell 5 years ago
I don't know if this one exactly qualifies because it is actually being used for its intended purpose, right?
#42
In Avengers, (2012) A S.h.i.e.l.d. Agent Uses A Camera Tripod As A Weapon
#43
Found This Beaut On Resident Evil: Retribution. Back When Fitbits Were Sci-Fi Af
#44
In Doctor Who, Season 8, Episode 5, They Use A USB Male Adapter As A Projector
#45
My Thumb Drive Made It Into The Video Game Call Of Duty Modern Warfare! Had To Call My Mom And Tell Her Right Away
#46
This FBI Dexterity Year From Bones Is Just Perfection Sideways
Lauren Caswell 5 years ago (edited)
This game is incredibly stressful lol, I get so panicky when the ticking is spèeding up (it's like waiting for toast; I know it's about to go pop but I jump every single time)
#47
William Shatner Brandishes A Camera Tripod Like A Scifi Gun On His 1977 Album Cover
#48
My Dad Gave Me Some Old Cameras And Equipment Today. The Flash Looked Familiar
#49
In The Phantom Menace A Plastic Lacrosse Scoop Is Used For Decoration
#50
[the Fifth Element] The Mugger’s Rifle Is A Polish Cold War Era Grenade Launcher With Two Ak-47 Magazines Glued To The Barrel
![[the Fifth Element] The Mugger’s Rifle Is A Polish Cold War Era Grenade Launcher With Two Ak-47 Magazines Glued To The Barrel](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/60505d83014d3_f7e5azw68xx31__700.jpg "[the Fifth Element] The Mugger’s Rifle Is A Polish Cold War Era Grenade Launcher With Two Ak-47 Magazines Glued To The Barrel")
#51
[tv] The Expanse S03e06 16:46 Out Of The "Toys" For The Kids On Io, One Of Them Is An Octopus Clothes Hangar From IKEA
![[tv] The Expanse S03e06 16:46 Out Of The "Toys" For The Kids On Io, One Of Them Is An Octopus Clothes Hangar From IKEA](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/60506045f2423_ajl8g6lc6k951__700.jpg "[tv] The Expanse S03e06 16:46 Out Of The \"Toys\" For The Kids On Io, One Of Them Is An Octopus Clothes Hangar From IKEA")
#52
Jannah's "Energy Bow" In The Rise Of Skywalker Is Simply Two Bows Stuck Together
#53
Ig-88's Head In Star Wars Episode V Is A Repurposed Combustion Chamber From A Rolls Royce Derwent Jet Engine, Like This One Found By Me On My Local Beach
#54
In Meet The Fockers (2004) The 'Nanny Cam' Used By Jack Is The Lid From A Uni-Ball Pen
#55
Those Hi-Tech Cybermen Hands? Silver-Painted Cricket Gloves
Lauren Caswell 5 years ago
The dalek arms and POV shot? A cameraman wildly waving a plunger and eggbeater :)
#56
The Guards In Total Recall (1990) Had Fancy Scifi Wrist Computers That Were Just Calculators
#57
[film] The Last Starfighter (1984) The Universal Translator Attached To Alex's Collar Is A Seiko LCD Watch Circuit Board
![[film] The Last Starfighter (1984) The Universal Translator Attached To Alex's Collar Is A Seiko LCD Watch Circuit Board](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/605062be727c8_jkw3dkx2cr751__700.jpg "[film] The Last Starfighter (1984) The Universal Translator Attached To Alex's Collar Is A Seiko LCD Watch Circuit Board")
Kirsten Kerkhof 5 years ago
Can you imagine the prop builder? "Oh, darnit, my Seiko watch was smashed! It's all in pieces -- heyy ....."
#58
The Expanse S04e01 - The Oxygen Mask Is A Revisited Surface Snorkeling Mask
#59
The 2015 Sci Fi Show "Zoo" Used A Serval As A "Leopard Cub"
#60
Mandalorian Gun Easter Egg
ThatOneCrazyFanGirl 5 years ago
i think i saw this somewhere, that they would use guns from ww1 or ww2 and try to make it different so they can use it for acting.
#61
When You’re Watching The Mandalorian And You Spot That Hi-Lift Jack Base...
#63
Just Realized I've Been Wearing My Headset Wrong For Years Now. Thank You Bungie For Clearing This Up!
#64
The Muzzle On Max In The Opening Of “Fury Road” Is A Garden Fork Without The Handle. It Works For The Style Of The Wasteland, Where Everything Is Recycled
#65
The Speaker On Addy’s Radio In Z Nation Is The Air Intake On A Hair Dryer
#66
[tv] In Netflix's Lost In Space [2019] A Holee Roller Dog Toy Is Used As A Futuristic Space Soccer Ball
![[tv] In Netflix's Lost In Space [2019] A Holee Roller Dog Toy Is Used As A Futuristic Space Soccer Ball](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/605061a5c81c6_p7pp2v8049741__700.jpg "[tv] In Netflix's Lost In Space [2019] A Holee Roller Dog Toy Is Used As A Futuristic Space Soccer Ball")
#67
In Firefly E9 "Ariel," The Body Transport Box Is A Thule Pulse Cargo Carrier
#68
The Spy Next Door (2010) Jackie Chan Uses A Dymo Letratag Handheld Label Maker To Program A Satellite
#69
The Flight Sticks In The Razor Crest's Cockpit From The Mandalorian Are Thrustmaster T.16000m Fcses
#70
[film] In Zenon: Girl Of The 21st Century (1999) The Door Access Panels Are Actually "Wizard," A Simon-Says-Esque Game Developed By Vtech
![[film] In Zenon: Girl Of The 21st Century (1999) The Door Access Panels Are Actually "Wizard," A Simon-Says-Esque Game Developed By Vtech](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/60506223c33b6_ikvmujrkc2v51__700.jpg "[film] In Zenon: Girl Of The 21st Century (1999) The Door Access Panels Are Actually \"Wizard,\" A Simon-Says-Esque Game Developed By Vtech")
#71
Power Rangers Turbo: Bomb Placed On Phantom Ranger Ship Is A Tmnt Toy With A Few Water Bottles.
#72
Hp Print Cartridge Humidor In The Phantom Menace
#73
In Lost Ep 413, A Character Has A Heart Monitor Strapped To His Arm. Is This A Korg Guitar Tuner?
#75
[film] Breach, 2020. The High-Tech Pannels In The Cryobay Are TV-Packing Styrofoam Blocks. That Might Be The Worst "Booklighting" I've Ever Seen So Far
![[film] Breach, 2020. The High-Tech Pannels In The Cryobay Are TV-Packing Styrofoam Blocks. That Might Be The Worst "Booklighting" I've Ever Seen So Far](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/6050649cca46a_x7gpz2wprm761__700.jpg "[film] Breach, 2020. The High-Tech Pannels In The Cryobay Are TV-Packing Styrofoam Blocks. That Might Be The Worst \"Booklighting\" I've Ever Seen So Far")
#76
Salt And Pepper Shakers In Enterprise Are Actually Tea Infusers
#77
I Think I've Found This Sub's Holy Grail: K-13 Security Robot From Brooklyn 99
The main housing is a Dyson AM10 Humidifier with the clear tank painted white and has two Netgear Arlo Security Cameras mounted to the sides. Inside the ring there is an Unknown security camera mounted to an Andoer Zifon YT-260 Remote Control Motorized Pan Tilt Head, which is sitting on a custom-made black base with vent holes and 6 LEDs.
Finally, the upper assembly is attached to an AIRMEGA 400S Air Purifier that has had it's legs cut off in favor of some tank treads.
Not-so-ninja Edit: looks like there were issues in the links I was trying to pull for the items I ID'd; maybe I'm not shadowbanned after all!
#78
The Flash S06 E05 - The Projector On Cisco's Holocube Is A Cheap Fisheye Lens For Smartphone Cameras
#79
This "External Gyro-Sensor" In Farscape (Season 3 Episode 6, 2001) Is A LEGO Slizer/Throwbot Arm And A Compass
#80
The Mandalorian S1e01. Black & Decker Thermal Leak Detector Used As An Id Scanner
ThatOneCrazyFanGirl 5 years ago
*does he have the flu too? i mean, he is frozen in carbonite but still?* (lol)
#81
This Stargate Sg-1 Pistol Is A Sawed Off Nintendo Zapper
#82
Phone Cases Uses On A Hatch In Doom Annihilation
#83
[tv Prop] All The Blasters Used By Bill Burr's Character Mayfield In Episode 6 Of The Mandalorian (2019) Are Modified .22 Ruger Mk III Pistols, Possibly In Homage To Burr's Extensive Standup Routine About 22 Caliber
![[tv Prop] All The Blasters Used By Bill Burr's Character Mayfield In Episode 6 Of The Mandalorian (2019) Are Modified .22 Ruger Mk III Pistols, Possibly In Homage To Burr's Extensive Standup Routine About 22 Caliber](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/6050637843d38_3qkTIF6__700.jpg "[tv Prop] All The Blasters Used By Bill Burr's Character Mayfield In Episode 6 Of The Mandalorian (2019) Are Modified .22 Ruger Mk III Pistols, Possibly In Homage To Burr's Extensive Standup Routine About 22 Caliber")
#84
In Ant-Man And The Wasp (2018), The Controls For The Quantum Dive Ship Are A Logitech/Saitech X52 Hotas
#85
A Foam Roller As A Futuristic Space Pillow In Vagrant Queen S1e5.
#86
Control Device In "Alien Resurrection" Is A "Lights Out" Handheld Game
#87
The Mars Colony Replicator From Star Trek: Picard (S1 E2) Is A Flashforge Dreamer 3D Printer!
#88
[tv] Monk, 2006. In Mr. Monk And The Big Reward, They Said This Was A Voice Stress Analyzer. It's Actually A Psp
![[tv] Monk, 2006. In Mr. Monk And The Big Reward, They Said This Was A Voice Stress Analyzer. It's Actually A Psp](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/60505f06df680_w8ig7yf8hpp41__700.jpg "[tv] Monk, 2006. In Mr. Monk And The Big Reward, They Said This Was A Voice Stress Analyzer. It's Actually A Psp")
#89
Swat Uses A Fake (No Markings) Red Dot Scope With A Sunshade As A Fictional "Laser Microphone"
#90
On Miracle Workers The Penis "Pump O-Tron" Is An Optical Comparator
Alan Green 5 years ago
erm. . .as a Brit who has never heard of this show I feel this needs more explanation,
#91
The Phone In The Fifth Element Are Two Sony Rm X4 Car Stereo Remote Control Units Stuck Together
#92
They Used A Cpu Heatsink As An Alien Explosive Device In Agents Of Shield S07e13
#95
Bruce Waynes High Tech Equipment Apparently Includes Playstation Glove Controllers For Crime Fighting (Gotham, S5, E11)
Lauren Caswell 5 years ago
Don't forget it'll tie in nicely with his air jordans from the other pic!
#96
Qui-Gon Jinn's Communicator Was A Gillette Razor
#97
In Arrow, Felicity Uses A $1.99 Pill-Cutter Sans Razor And With An LED Ran Through It To "Analyze" A Substance Found At A Crime Scene (It Output Info To Her Computer Instantly)
#98
[tv] The Expanse S03e07 Spacecraft Greeble Is A Laptop Cooling Pad
![[tv] The Expanse S03e07 Spacecraft Greeble Is A Laptop Cooling Pad](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/60506213cf3fd_rn2iac41t8h51__700.jpg "[tv] The Expanse S03e07 Spacecraft Greeble Is A Laptop Cooling Pad")
#99
Legion Season 1 Episode 8 Uses A Novation Circuit As A Sci-Fi Controller
M O'Connell 5 years ago
A bit more context: It's a Novation Circuit Groove Box synthesizer controller.
#100
Total Recall - 1990: The High Tech Communicator Shown On The Soldier’s Wrist While He Is Trying To Hold Onto The Rail After The Dome At The Mars Colony Cracks Is A Calculator
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Caroline Driver 5 years ago
I made props for a local AmDram group and it was fun, working out how I was going to make the things, especially things that moved and had to stand up to multiple rough handlings
Load More Replies...
Verena Gitterle 5 years ago
But you must admit: this all looks good and really science-fictiony
Caroline Driver 5 years ago
I made props for a local AmDram group and it was fun, working out how I was going to make the things, especially things that moved and had to stand up to multiple rough handlings
Load More Replies... Verena Gitterle 5 years ago
But you must admit: this all looks good and really science-fictiony
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