Can You Beat This Mandela Effect Pop Culture Quiz?

By: Heather Cahill
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Beat This Mandela Effect Pop Culture Quiz?
Image: PBS Kids/Treehouse TV

About This Quiz

Have you ever found yourself singing along to a song or watching a movie, hearing a line and then scratching your head while saying, "something isn't right?" You may have experienced the Mandela Effect, where you remember something so clearly from your past one way, but come to find out it's different than you remember. There are many theories as to why this happens, with some being as simple as just misremembering a line to as complicated and amazing as the universe jumping timelines. While there's no official answer, it's fun to dream about what the truth may really be.

It all started with the death of Nelson Mandela, who many misremembered as passing at a different time than he did. From there, more and more false memories started surfacing, with many agreeing to have remembered them in the same way. However, a quick search often shows the real way that something is spelled or said with many disagreeing. It's hard to say that the Mandela Effect will ever be fully explained.

Do you have a memory capable of recalling every Mandela Effect known so far? Put your brain to the test to see if you can tell the real from the fake by taking this quiz!

1 - The Berenstain Bears
PBS Kids/Treehouse TV
Everyone's favorite family of bears had books and TV series about them, but how do you spell their name?
"The Bearenstein Bears"
"The Bearanstein Bears:
"The Berenstein Bears"
"The Berenstain Bears"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many kids watched and read all about the Berenstain Bears, but so many have grown up to remember the name being spelled as "Berenstein." In fact, the series was created by a real family whose last name was "Berenstain."

2 - the empire strikes back darth vader
Lucasfilm Ltd.
"Star Wars" fans will remember this iconic line from Darth Vader in "The Empire Strikes Back." What was he really saying?
"Luke, I am your father."
"No, she is my daughter."
"Luke, you are a bother."
"No, I am your father."
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Darth Vader is commonly remembered to have said, "Luke, I am your father." While this makes sense, it is not what he actually said! Instead of "Luke," Darth Vader said "no," which sounds pretty similar when you hear it in a sentence.

3 - Sex and the City 2
New Line Cinema/HBO Films/Village Roadshow Pictures
Do you remember what word is missing from this title: "Sex ___ and the City"?
"Sex and the City"
"Sex in the City"
"Sex at the City"
"Sex on the City"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This iconic show is one that everyone remembers, but somehow, the name is often remembered as "Sex in the City!" It could be a mistake in pronunciation, but its real name is most definitely "Sex and the City."

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4 - Snow White
Walt Disney Productions
Which of these lines does the evil queen actually say in "Snow White"?
"Magic mirror on the wall"
"My mirror on the wall"
"Tell me mirror on the wall"
"Mirror, mirror on the wall"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You might have quoted, "Mirror, mirror on the wall" throughout life, but did you know that you were quoting it wrong the whole time? Instead, the Queen had a magic mirror that she asked her most famous question to.

5 - Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
NET/PBS
What word is missing from Mister Rogers' iconic song: "It's a beautiful day in _____ neighborhood"?
This
The
That
My
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you remembered this line as "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood," you're not alone. While many remember it to be this way, the line is actually, "It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood." While it makes sense, it might not feel right to you!

6 - The Silence of the Lambs
Strong Heart/Demme Production
If you've watched "Silence of the Lambs," then you know Hannibal Lecter greets Clarice with which of these lines?
"Good morning, Clarice."
"You're here, Clarice."
"Hello, Clarice."
He doesn't say any of these.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Silence of the Lambs" is known for many reasons, with "Hello, Clarice" being one of them. You might be shocked to discover the line was never said within the film by Hannibal Lecter. He does say, "Good evening, Clarice" at one point.

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7 - Interview with the Vampire
The Geffen Film Company
Can you fill in the blank with the correct word in this movie title: "Interview With ____ Vampire"?
A
The
Her
Their
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many people think that it is "Interview with a Vampire." "The" is actually the correct word to complete the title of this 1994 Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise movie. It's based on the Anne Rice novel of the same name.

8 - Field of Dreams
Gordon Company
An iconic "Field of Dreams" line is often misquoted as which of these?
"If you build it, they will appear."
"If you build one, they will come."
"If you build one, they will arrive."
"If you build it, they will come."
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Most people remember it like this, which makes sense in the context of the movie. But did you know that instead of "they," the word used is "he?" While it may seem like it makes less sense, you'll have to watch the movie to hear it for yourself.

9 - I Love Lucy
CBS
In "I Love Lucy," many people think Ricky said which of these lines?
"Lucy, you better explain this."
"Lucy, get 'splaining!"
"Lucy, you've got some 'splaining to do."
"Lucy, 'splain this right now."
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ricky was a memorable character in "I Love Lucy," and so were his lines! However, this line that so many remember very well was never actually said in full throughout the show. While he's said "'splaining" a few times, his signature line was not actually a line.

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10 - Jaws
Zanuck/Brown Company/Universal Pictures
Which of these lines is actually said in "Jaws"?
"You're gonna need a bigger boat."
"We're gonna need a bigger boat."
"They're gonna need a bigger boat."
"We gotta find a bigger boat."
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Despite being included in the group, Roy said "you're" in this sentence. Even though that's the actual line many remember Roy saying "we're," including himself in the sentence. Maybe he just wanted the others to figure it out for him!

11 - Queen - We Are The Champions
EMI/Elektra
At the end of "We Are the Champions" by Queen, what line do most people remember hearing?
"Tonight"
"Of the world"
"Forever"
"Don't forget it"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After that final line of the song, many people will sing, "of the world," but that's not the place the line belongs. After the final. "we are the champions," the song ends without this seemingly iconic line. You might have to hear it to believe it!

12 - Curious George
PBS Kids/Family Jr.
If you remember "Curious George," can you name the body part that he actually doesn't have?
Tail
Mouth
Ears
Fur
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Most monkeys definitely have tails, but this is one that doesn't. While so many people remember Curious George to have a tail, a Google search shows that he never really had one. Your childhood memories think otherwise!

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13 - Star Trek
NBC
Which line might you associate with "Star Trek" even though it was never said in the original series?
"To boldly go where no man has gone before ..."
"Live long and prosper"
"Beam me up, Scotty."
All three are said multiple times.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Beam me up, Scotty" was thought to be said by Captain James Kirk, but in fact, it was never said by anyone in the original "Star Trek." Despite this, the line is so popular that it has become a statement of its own aside from the "Star Trek" franchise.

14 - Aqua - Barbie Girl
Universal/MCA
The '90s brought on the famous song "Barbie Girl" by Aqua. Do you know what the real lyric in the song is from the following?
"I'm the Barbie girl, in a Barbie world"
"I'm the Barbie girl, in the Barbie World"
"I'm a Barbie girl, in a Barbie world"
"I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie World"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Aqua had a huge hit with "Barbie Girl," with so many singing along to it on the radio or in their cars. Did you know that you've probably been singing it wrong the whole time? If you sang "in a Barbie world," you have been! They're actually "in the Barbie World" instead.

15 - E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Universal Studios/Amblin Entertainment
In "E.T. the Extraterrestrial," how does he say his famous line the first time?
"Home Phone"
"Phone it home"
"Phone at home"
"Phoning home"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nothing says E.T. more than the line "phone home." But this wasn't actually the line that the little extraterrestrial said at all! Though most remember it this way, the truth is that he said "home phone" before later learning it the right way from his human friends.

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16 - Cheshire Cat - Disney's Alice in Wonderland
Walt Disney Productions
Even though many people think he does, which line doesn't the Cheshire Cat say during Disney's "Alice in Wonderland"?
"Lose something?"
"One moment please."
"What rabbit."
"We're all mad here."
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

So many recall Cheshire Cat saying "We're all mad here" in the animated Disney movie, but he didn't! He did, however, say something similar. The real line that you'll hear is "Most everyone is mad here," which was actually a line he said in the book.

18 - The Matrix
Warner Bros./Village Roadshow Pictures/Groucho II Film Partnership/Silver Pictures
In "The Matrix," which line do many people remember being said but in reality it wasn't there?
"What if I told you ..."
"What is the Matrix?"
"Ignorance is bliss."
"There is no spoon."
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You've probably seen the memes and maybe even said the line yourself a few times, but this line was never spoken in the famous pill scene. It might feel like something is missing the next time you watch this scene!

17 - Pokémon the Movie The Power of Us
OLM/Wit Studio
Even if you weren't a Pokemon fan, you've definitely seen Pikachu. What do most people misremember about his tail?
That it's yellow
That it has a black tip
That it's shaped like a lightning bolt
That it has a brown spot at the start of his
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pikachu's tail is quite distinct and has little detail to it. One detail that many remember is that there was a black tip on the end of its tail. This is not the case, but Pikachu does have a brown area at the bottom of its tail.

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19 - Looney Tunes
WB Kids
Do you remember how to spell this classic cartoon?
"Looney Toons"
"Louney Toons"
"Looney Tunes"
"Louny Tunes"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many people think back to watching this show, and remember it being spelled as "Toons." That would make sense, since it is a cartoon series, right? Wrong! It was in fact spelled "Tunes," which also makes sense as many of the characters do sing.

20 - Fruit Of The Loom
Fruit Of The Loom
Which of these things isn't actually in the Fruit of the Loom logo?
Apple
Grapes
Cornucopia
Leaves
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A cornucopia is usually what people remember seeing when they look at the Fruit of the Loom logo, but if you Google it today, you won't see it. Many have memories of walking through a store and distinctly seeing the logo with the brown cornucopia right behind it.

21 - Dirty Dancing
Great American Films Limited Partnership
Which of these iconic lines wasn't actually said in its movie?
"Nobody puts Baby in a corner." ("Dirty Dancing")
"You talking to me?" ("Taxi Driver")
"You can't handle the truth!" ("A Few Good Men")
"Me Tarzan, you Jane." ("Tarzan of the Apes")
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You might have heard the quote "Me Tarzan, you Jane," which is a line that so many remember from the early movies. However, it was never really said and falsely remembered by many people. It's still quite famous standing on its own, though!

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22 - Nelson Mandela
Biography
This wouldn't be complete without Mandela himself, who was thought by most to have passed away in which decade?
'80s
'60s
'90s
'70s
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Nelson Mandela passed away in 2013, it came as a shock to many, as they remembered him passing away in the 1980s instead. This sparked the beginning of the Mandela Effect named after him, now used to describe false memories that large groups of people have.

23 - Casablanca
Warner Bros. – First National Pictures
In the movie "Casablanca," what do many people falsely remember Ilsa saying?
"What did you say, Sam?"
"Sing it, Sam."
"I'll see you later, Sam."
"Play it again, Sam."
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In reference to the piano, Ilsa asks Sam to play the song, but she doesn't say it in that exact way. Instead, she says "Play it once, Sam." While it pretty much means the same thing, it can be odd to hear a different line from the one you remember so well!

24 - Forrest Gump
Wendy Finerman Productions
Can you fill in the blank of this line with the word that so many people remember it to be? "Life ___ like a box of chocolates."
Was
's
Feels
Is
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's common that many people remember Forrest Gump saying that "life is like a box of chocolates," but "was" is the correct word here. Listen carefully the next time you watch the movie and you'll hear this instead.

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25 - Risky Business
The Geffen Film Company
Which of these things isn't in Tom Cruise's iconic dance scene in "Risky Business"?
Socks
Candlestick
Button-down shirt
Sunglasses
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While it is "Risky Business" to do this, Tom Cruise did not have glasses on in that scene. Even still, so many people remember this very small detail so vividly. Was he really wearing glasses, or did something happen to change the movie? We may never know!

26 - C-3PO Star Wars
Lucasfilm Ltd.
Can you name the part of C-3PO that is silver instead of gold?
Arm
Finger
Head
Leg
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you think back to watching "Star Wars," you might recall C-3PO being all gold. This is not true, as one of his legs is actually silver. While the rest of him is gold, it's easy to see how one might believe that he was entirely gold.

27 - Will Smith
Will Smith via YouTube
Who do many people incorrectly playing a genie in a movie called "Shazaam"?
Will Smith
Sinbad
Tom Cruise
William Shatner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many remember Sinbad playing a genie in a movie specifically about that. However, with this memory, there is no title for the movie and there is no record of its existence, which makes the memory that much creepier! (There IS a movie called "Kazaam," which may in part explain why so many people have this particular false memory.)

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28 - Monopoly
Hasbro
The Monopoly man is a dapper dresser, but what doesn't he wear?
A bowtie
A top hat
A monocle
A cane
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Monopoly man's real name is Rich Uncle Pennybags, which could not be more fitting for him. One other thing that's fitting is the monocle that many people remember him wearing. The truth is that he never wore one at all despite the many memories of it. You can probably picture it yourself!

29 - The Wizard of Oz
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Which of these "The Wizards of Oz" lines isn't in the movie?
"You have plenty of courage, I am sure."
"There is no place like home."
"Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore."
"True courage is in facing danger when you are afraid."
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While Dorothy did tell Toto that they weren't in Kansas, she said, "I've a feeling" rather than "I don't think." The simplified version is the one that many people seem to remember, but a watch of the movie will have you scratching your head!

30 - tweedle dee and tweedle dum alice in wonderland
Walt Disney Productions
Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum from "Alice in Wonderland" are often remembered wearing propellers on their hats. What's actually on top?
Nothing
Sparklers
A button
Flags
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Flags and propellers can look alike, which maybe explains the memory that many have of there being propellers on Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum's caps. Many even remember the propellers spinning in the wind as well.

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31 - The Flintstones
ABC
How many letter "Ts" are in the name of the Stone Age family known for saying "Yabba Dabba Doo?"
One
Two
Three
Four
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Flintstones" have their own Mandela Effect regarding their name that many remember being spelled as "The Flinstones." There are in fact two cases of the letter "T" in this name, even though "Flinstone" sounds quite similar.

32 - Gremlins
Warner Bros./Amblin Entertainment
What's the name of the villain in "Gremlins" ?
Skip
Spike
Stripe
Sludge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There's no doubt that this gremlin can strike fear in your heart, and his misremembered name Spike can add to that fear. Despite this, it is again remembered differently by many who thought the name was Stripe. They do sound similar!

33 - Sally Field Oscars 1985
ABC
When Sally Field accepted her Oscar and made her famous speech, what did she say?
"You like me, you really like me!"
"I can't deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me!"
She actually hasn't won an Oscar.
She wasn't in attendance to accept the award.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sally Field made an Oscars speech that is still quoted today, although it's misquoted most of the time. The real sentence that she said was "I can't deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me!"

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34 - Inspector Gadget
FR3
If you've seen the "Inspector Gadget" cartoon, you might incorrectly remember him having which of these?
Trenchcoat
Mustache
Hat
Tie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Inspector Gadget doesn't have a mustache, but many fans of the show recall the famous inspector with one anyway. With all of the cool gadgets he had to work with, his mustache became the subject of debate!

35 - Judge Judy
Big Ticket Television/Queen Bee Productions
Which one of these items do many people incorrectly think Judge Judy uses?
Pen
Bible
Clipboard
Gavel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A gavel is something that you probably recall judges using, including Judge Judy, but that isn't true! While she doesn't use a gavel, it may come from the fact that she sometimes hits the desk with her hand instead.

You Got:
/35
PBS Kids/Treehouse TV