30+ Popular Movie Clichés That The Majority Of Movie Fans Find Irritating
"I hate it when mothers make a breakfast with 20 different plates."
Art mimics life. But just mimics.
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That’s why movies are full of inconsistencies, bizarre and unnatural behaviors, and actions. But they are needed for the story to develop and the films to go on.
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They are made to entertain us. But some things tend to get irritating after a while because they don’t need to be like that for the movie to go on.
These are not essential plot-makers, but trivial things like clean white dresses after an explosion, women who always look gorgeous, or men who are always closely shaved. Oh, and what about cellphones that never work when you need them?
And the fact that the person running away from the ax-wielding psycho is always going to trip and fall? Common, man.
That ruins the movie. And you expect it, and you start getting irritated upfront before it’s going to happen because you know what’s next.
How about they fool us for a change? How about a chase scene where the scared girl never stumbles and falls, and she manages to escape the psycho?
They are always walking slowly; it couldn’t be that hard… But, then the movie would end there…
Oh man, this is a tough choice. People love sharing things in movies that annoy them, and we have chosen more than 30 of the most interesting ones.
Take a look. We know you will agree with them.
1. Glasses
It’s really funny when they put glasses on a hot girl and then portray her as some undateable outcast that every character avoids like the plague until some handsome generous guy in a varsity jacket decides to take her on as a charity case. As Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, notes, "These clichés reinforce harmful stereotypes about beauty and social acceptance, suggesting that worth is tied to appearance." You can explore more about her insights on relationships and self-image at Dr. Ramani's website.2. Secrets
When there is a big secret everyone knows except the main protagonist and nobody says a word to them. They just look at him and say something along the lines of, “When it’s time, you’ll understand.” Or something happens and nobody has time to explain, they just have to act. However, the character would actually be able to make better decisions if they had all the information.3. Love
Playboy-falling-in-love. You know, the chronic womanizer or the typical foxy bad-boy. One fine day, he sees “the one...” and soon after, he magically starts questioning his lifestyle. As relationship expert Dr. John Gray notes, "Men often need a profound emotional experience to shift their perspectives on love and commitment" which highlights the cliché's oversimplification of complex human emotions.
© Cruel Intentions / Columbia Pictures
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4. Yeah, the glasses
I’m really annoyed by the scenes where a guy takes off his glasses and immediately becomes super-cool. Usually, it’s epic and it’s in front of the mirror. And then, the entire film, he doesn’t wear glasses. He has no contact lenses, no superpowers, and now no glasses. How do you even see anything now? Why did you wear glasses in the first place?5. Oh, dad
There is always a father who has no time for his kids. At some point in the movie, he will promise to make it to his son or daughter’s play or dance recital, but will end up missing it. Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, notes, "The portrayal of absent fathers in film often reflects societal expectations and can impact real-life family dynamics." You can explore more about her insights on family relationships at Dr. Alexandra Solomon's website.© Dr. Alexandra Solomon / dralexandrasolomon.com
6. Waking up at 2 a.m to prepare breakfast
"I find it frustrating when movie portrayals depict mothers preparing elaborate breakfasts that seem fit for a Michelin-star restaurant, only for the family to take a single bite and leave the table," says Dr. Janet Lansbury, a renowned parenting expert. "This unrealistic scenario can perpetuate harmful stereotypes about family dynamics and meal times."© Dr. Janet Lansbury / janetlansbury.com
© Home Again / Black Bicycle Entertainment
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7. Just run in a straight line!
When a person that is running away from a car runs directly in front of it and doesn’t try to turn into an alleyway, into a building, or somewhere else. Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, notes, "In high-stress situations, people often default to instinctual responses rather than rational decision-making." This highlights how film clichés can sometimes reflect real human behavior, albeit exaggerated for dramatic effect.© Dr. Ramani Durvasula / drramani.com
8. Poor fruits
Every car chase must include a collision with some sort of food product, preferably fruits and vegetables. As noted by Dr. John Gray, relationship author, "Clichés in movies often reflect our expectations and can lead to frustration when reality doesn't match." Every elevator has a door in the ceiling that is easily accessible. "These tropes create a sense of convenience that doesn't exist in real life," explains Dr. Ian Kerner, sex therapist, emphasizing how such unrealistic portrayals can annoy viewers. There is always a parking spot directly in front of the building you are visiting. In any martial arts fight, the bad guys will always attack one at a time. "This is a classic example of dramatic license that can detract from the authenticity of the story," states Dr. Adam Grant, organizational psychologist, highlighting how these clichés can undermine the narrative's credibility.© Dr. John Gray / marsvenus.com
9. Invisible
It’s amusing when a surveillance team is inside a car with untinted windows, fully equipped, yet goes unnoticed. As Dr. John Gray, relationship author, notes, "Clichés in storytelling often stretch the bounds of believability, making it harder for audiences to connect with the narrative." This highlights how such tropes can detract from the realism that viewers crave.10. Windows
Almost every time we see someone driving, they drive with the windows open. As Dr. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, points out, "Cinematic portrayals often exaggerate reality, leading to clichés that can frustrate audiences." This particular trope, where characters leave the car without closing the windows, is a prime example of how films can overlook practical details for the sake of drama.© Dr. Jonathan Haidt / jonathanhaidt.com
11. Headrests
What’s the deal with the headrests in cars always being taken out when there is a scene in a car?© Dr. Esther Perel, couples therapist and author
Reply: They are removed to allow for better visibility of the actors, enhancing the emotional connection between the characters.© Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist
© Race to Witch Mountain / Walt Disney Pictures
12. Money
And I hate it when there are diamonds, gold, and money around but everything starts to explode and go underwater. Come on! Give them 5 minutes to collect a bit for their lives! No, you met a girl and all you have after you’ve saved the world is your love!13. Beauty
The most annoying cliché is that in all the catastrophe movies, men are all cut, in torn and dirty clothes, while the main female character is wearing white, and has perfect skin and hair. As Dr. Terri Orbuch, a relationship researcher, notes, "These portrayals reinforce unrealistic standards and can skew perceptions of gender roles in society." Such clichés contribute to a narrow view of reality, making it essential to challenge these stereotypes in media.© Dr. Terri Orbuch / terriorbuch.com
© Transformers: Dark of the Moon / Paramount Pictures
14. Hackers
Hackers are portrayed as so intelligent that they can bypass complex systems with just a few keystrokes, even managing to infiltrate alien technology! The villain is hot on your trail!!!!!!Run upstairs, head to the balcony, and leap off! Don’t worry, a dumpster will always be conveniently placed below, ensuring a safe landing every time!Trust me.© Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist
15. Tell me more
The main antagonist, instead of shooting the main character, starts to tell them about their smart plan in great detail. According to Dr. Paul Bloom, a psychology professor, "This trope often serves to build suspense and allow for character development, but it can feel contrived and frustrating for audiences." Such storytelling choices can detract from the tension that viewers expect in a climactic moment.© Dr. Paul Bloom, Psychology Professor
16. Not the same
In the classic trope where the hero defeats numerous guards only to spare the villain's life, Dr. Terri Orbuch, a renowned relationship researcher, notes, “This moment reflects a deeper moral dilemma, showcasing the hero's internal struggle between vengeance and virtue.”© Dr. Terri Orbuch / terriorbuch.com
17. Hoods
For several years now, all potential bad guys wear hoods. You can see it right away: if someone is wearing a hood, they’re up to no good. As Dr. Paul Bloom, a psychology professor, states, "Stereotypes can often lead us to make quick judgments about people based on superficial traits." This tendency to associate certain appearances with negative intentions is a common psychological phenomenon.© Dr. Paul Bloom / paulbloom.net
© The Amazing Spider-Man 2: Rise of Electro / Columbia Pictures
18. 300
300 is a great movie and I hate to trash it, but apparently, there was a whole other thing going on with the Spartans. How about that bottomless pit right in the center of town? “In any realistic setting, safety measures would be paramount, especially around hazardous areas,” says Dr. Ian Kerner, a renowned sex therapist and relationship expert, emphasizing the importance of safety in both real life and storytelling. “A guard rail, a fence, or even a simple warning sign would be expected.”© Dr. Ian Kerner / iankerner.com
19. Playing music
I am a musician and teacher and it is almost always obvious when someone isn’t actually playing because of the differences in nuance between the motion of their hand and the quality of the sound. But in some cases, it’s like those actors don’t even learn how to look like they are using the correct notes or techniques.20. Old but young
Why are all 18-year-old students portrayed by 30-year-old actors? "Casting older actors for younger roles can often be attributed to the industry's desire for more experienced performers," explains Dr. Carol Dweck, a renowned motivation researcher at mindsetworks.com. "This practice can create a disconnect between the characters and their intended audience."© Dr. Carol Dweck / Mindset Works
21. Best time to talk...
Something really insane is happening around them: earthquakes, buildings falling apart, but the main characters have to just stop and start talking about their relationships, who cheated on who, who their brother, lover, father, mother is, and stuff like that.
© Pompeii / Lionsgate
22. Say it quickly
When a person is on the phone and you’re only hearing their side of the conversation. The actor rarely pauses long enough that the other side could have possibly said more than 2 or 3 words, even if they were talking at lightning speed. Even so, you’re supposed to believe the character somehow got filled in on the last hour of the plot. This is not really noticeable unless you’re looking for it, but once you notice, you see it everywhere.23. Trained dogs
Everybody has a trained dog. Nobody’s dog hops on the bed, runs out the door if you aren’t careful when you open it, doesn’t come when you call them, and doesn’t have accidents inside of the house.Basically everyone in films and television has a cute, well-behaved, and trained animal, who only causes minor and manageable problems. As Dr. Ian Kerner, a noted sex therapist, states, "Movies often portray an idealized version of pets that doesn't reflect the reality of pet ownership, where challenges are common." You can learn more about his insights at Ian Kerner's website.
© Bruce Almighty / Universal Studios
24. Teeth
Teeth! Impossible white, beautiful teeth in someone from the past — like someone who doesn’t have a home, and whose life is full of fighting for survival. As Dr. Dan Ariely, a behavioral economist, notes, "Clichés in movies often distort our understanding of reality, leading us to expect unrealistic portrayals of life." This highlights how such portrayals can be misleading and frustrating for audiences.© Dr. Dan Ariely / danariely.com
25. Shirts
There’s a guy wearing a suit with pants and a tucked-in shirt, running after a villain, and the shirt looks great no matter what. According to Dr. Shawn Achor, a positive psychology researcher, “Our environment can significantly influence our behavior and appearance, leading to perceptions that may not align with reality.” It’s perplexing why, when I sit calmly at my desk for 20 minutes, my shirt untucks itself.© Dr. Shawn Achor / shawnachor.com
26. Close shave
“In film, the portrayal of men often leans towards unrealistic standards, such as being perfectly groomed even in the most chaotic situations,” says Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist and author. “This can create distorted expectations in real life.” My wife often reminds me that I comment on this trope too frequently, which she finds exhausting.© Dr. Ramani Durvasula / drramani.com
© Men in Black International / Columbia Pictures
27. Sounds great!
Let’s all pile into a single vehicle and go to a really remote location. The ghost slowly reveals its presence by making noises, moving objects, etc. The local library has the exact book on the occult that you need to solve the problem. "Clichés often serve as shortcuts in storytelling, but they can also detract from originality and engagement," says Dr. Susan David, emotional agility expert at susandavid.com.28. Some like it slow
"In many zombie narratives, the rules of infection seem to favor the main character, allowing them to search for a cure while others succumb almost immediately," notes Dr. Susan David, an emotional agility expert at susandavid.com. "This inconsistency can frustrate audiences who crave a more realistic portrayal of consequences." The antidote, much like the virus itself, is often depicted as being contained in a fragile glass flask that is all too easy to break, adding to the cliché."© Susan David / SusanDavid.com
29. Run, man, run
You spent the last hours of your life fighting a psycho and managed to punch the person. You run away toward freedom and stumble around 50 times. Ok, though, you’re just a little clumsy, right?Anyway, when there’s only 30 cm separating you from salvation, the psycho shows up to attack you once again. As Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, a happiness researcher, notes, "In high-stress situations, our bodies can react in unexpected ways, often leading to clumsiness." This highlights the unrealistic portrayal of characters in horror films, where killers seemingly possess superhuman speed. As Dr. Daniel Goleman, an emotional intelligence expert, points out, "Fear can cloud judgment and impair physical coordination, making escape seem more challenging than it truly is."© Tal Ben-Shahar / talbenshahar.com, Daniel Goleman / danielgoleman.info
30. Don't go there...
I really don’t like the classic scene in horror films when the main character has a candle or a flashlight and goes to the basement or the attic that hasn’t been visited for like 70 years “to check” what the weird noise is.
© It / New Line Cinema
31. Cellphones
Cellphones never work in an emergency. Somehow they are lost, dead, out of the coverage area, stolen, etc. It’s cheap storytelling. As Dr. Paul Bloom, a psychology professor at Yale University, notes, "The reliance on cellphones in movies often leads to absurd scenarios that undermine the narrative's credibility."© Dr. Paul Bloom / paulbloom.net
32. Naked aliens
Grey skin/black-eyed naked aliens: seriously, I’m done, enough of the same cliché with different sizes, I get it, you want them to look scary, you want them to look mysterious. Just stop, using, the same, pattern, over, and over, again...© Dr. Esther Perel, couples therapist and author
© Scary Movie 3 / Dimension Films
33. Lose the introduction...
“I have to tell you something important. It will influence your fate and the fate of humanity. I don’t want to wait for another minute and I’m just gonna tell you right now. Like, seriously, right now.” And then a brick wall falls on him / a flying train runs into them / a radioactive shark eats them. And the character is like, “Nooooooooo!”© Julia Piluliya / AdM
34. Counting down
Bombs set to explode will always have a visual display, counting down the seconds until detonation. As Dr. Paul Bloom, a psychology professor, notes, “Movies often rely on clichés to create immediate emotional responses, which can lead to unrealistic portrayals of tension.” If it’s a character’s first day going to school or a new job, you know they’ll have a terrible first experience. Thunder and lightning always strike at exactly the same moment in movies. Dr. Dan Siegel, a psychiatrist and author, explains, “These dramatic effects are designed to heighten the viewer's emotional experience, even if they stretch reality.”© Paul Bloom, Psychology Professor | © Dan Siegel, Psychiatrist and Author
35. Doctors and nurses
Basically any time they try to show doctors, particularly in a hospital setting. If you have been working for any amount of time, particularly during a long call shift, you are going to look terrible. Greasy, hair messed, exhausted, little to no makeup for women. No one looks like a model or is completely coherent after that amount of time. Even brand new hospitals quickly get cluttered and do not look like Ikea showrooms. CPR almost never brings someone back to life. I could go on.
© Scrubs / NBC
36. What channel?
Turn on your TV. How many times have we heard that line? They never say the channel, yet the channel that comes on immediately is exactly the correct channel that needs to be seen. Not only that, but the implication is that the one person has just watched the news, meaning the broadcast should be mostly over, or at the very least, in progress. However, almost every single time, the TV is turned on at the exact beginning of the pertinent news broadcast. As Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, notes, "Movies often simplify complex situations, leading to unrealistic portrayals that can frustrate viewers." You can find more insights on her professional website at Dr. Alexandra Solomon.37. Why?
I hate it when you watch a film and like it and someone tells you, “Oh, it’s a stupid film, what can you possibly like about it?” Come on, people...Of course, we all know that movies don't have to be overly realistic when it comes to depicting minutiae like hand washing or going to the store because the storyline could suffer as a result. However, moviemakers occasionally lose sight of reality to the point where even the most forgiving fans become enraged.
A pinch of reality would be appreciated.
