Fans often come up with intricate theories which link popular movies together, suggesting that seemingly unrelated movies could take part within the same universe. Sometimes, this is because an actor plays two similar roles, but it can also be a response to two movies which share similar concepts. While these fan theories aren’t supposed to be taken too seriously, it’s still interesting to see how much different movies can overlap.

Popular ideas about how unrelated moveis might secretly be linked also highlighthow absurd some real spinoffs are. Looking back, it’s hard to believe some of the spinoffs that Hollywood has produced, and these bizarre fan theories aren’t much weirder than the industry standard. With all the cinematic universes dominating the box office today, it’s a fun exercise to imagine some unofficial franchises.

7Dodgeball Could Be A Spinoff To Heavyweights

Ben Stiller’s Characters Seem To Have A Lot In Common

Dodgeballis often regarded as one ofBen Stiller’s funniest movies. He manages to steal the show as the egotistical gym owner White Goodman, even though he isn’t the main character. Goodman is a fitness freak who ends the movie relapsing into his over-eating habits after a humiliating loss. Although Stiller’s character inHeavyweightshas a different name, he seems like he could be White Goodman earlier in life.

Although Stiller’s character inHeavyweightshas a different name, he seems like he could be White Goodman earlier in life.

Heavyweightsdoesn’t get as much attention as some of Stiller’s biggest hits, but it’s a cult classic in some circles. Stiller plays an eccentric fitness camp instructor who’s clearly more interested in his own personal brand than helping any of the children. After an ignominious ending, it’s feasible that Tony Perkis would want to change his name, only to re-emerge a decade later as the head of Globo Gym inDodgeball.

6E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Could Be A Spinoff To Star Wars

TheStar Warsfranchise has developed a sprawling universe of sequels, spinoffs, TV shows and other forms of media. There are some projects within this universe that are only tangentially related to the original trilogy, and the slate ofupcomingStar Warsmoviespromises some more exploration into uncharted territory. With all the minor characters who have made surprising reappearances, it’s hard to keep track of all the different alien species.

Due to George Lucas and Steven Spielberg’s friendship, there’s an Easter egg inThe Phantom Menacethat nods toE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.The appearance of aliens in the galactic senate who look like E.T. suggests thatSpielberg’s sci-fi classic might take place in the same universe asStar Wars.If this is true, then E.T.’s arrival on Earth could suggest that the galaxy ofStar Warsisn’t so far, far away after all.

5Galaxy Quest Could Be A Spinoff To Men In Black

The Sci-Fi Comedies Have Some Similarities

Men in BlackandGalaxy Questare two of thefunniest sci-fi comediesever made, and the ’90s classics seem to have a lot in common.Men in Blackexplores the secret agency tasked with keeping the Earth’s alien population undetected and out of trouble, although there are plenty of examples of how the alien characters don’t exactly blend in seamlessly. The same can be said of the humanoid Thermians inGalaxy Quest.

Galaxy Questcould be a spinoff ofMen in Blackwhich shows a madcap adventure from the point of view of the aliens.Of course, both movies feature Tony Shalhoub, but this isn’t the only way that they’re linked.Galaxy Quest’s juxtaposition of sci-fi concepts with mundane Earthbound drama aligns with the humor ofMen in Black.The only thing missing is an agent trying to bring the actors inGalaxy Questhome before they inadvertently cause an interplanetary incident.

4The Aristocats Could Be A Spinoff To One Hundred And One Dalmatians

Disney’s Classics Share More Than A Similar Art Style

There are countless theories groupingDisney’s animated moviesin shared universes, some of which hold water, and many of which do not. The idea thatTheAristocatscould be a spinoff ofOne Hundred and One Dalmatiansis one that stands up to scrutiny.A movie featuring cats on an adventure in Paris seems like a natural follow-up to a movie about dogs on an adventure in London.

One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

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Another thing that linksThe AristocatsandOne Hundred and One Dalmatiansis the presence of a human villain who wants to destroy the main characters for reasons of personal greed. IfThe AristocatsandOne Hundred and One Dalmatianswere in the same universe, it could have set up even more spinoffs about the lives of pets in iconic cities all over the world, with crossover potential and plenty of sequels.

3Fast & Furious Could Be A Spinoff To Point Break

The Fast And Furious Franchise Started Out As A Police Story

TheFast and Furiousfranchise has steadily progressed into an explosive action franchise which borders on science-fiction with the ludicrous nature of its stunts and storylines. However, it’s worth remembering that it started as a detective story about a man going undercover in a street racing gang, which is a strikingly similar concept to that ofPoint Break,albeit with racing replacing surfing.

2 Fast 2 Furiousshows how the franchise initially tried to develop in line with this original idea. Brian was the star, not Dom, but this didn’t last too long. If things had continued in the same vein, theFast and Furiousfranchise could have had even more in common withPoint Break.WithFast 11coming soon, it’s sometimes hard to remember the origins of the franchise, and how it seemed like aPoint Breakspinoff at the time.

2Get Out Could Be A Spinoff To Being John Malkovich

Jordan Peele’s Debut Seems To Develop An Old Idea

Get Outforced people to sit up and take notice of Jordan Peele as a horror director, not just a comedian. It was a breath of fresh air for the genre, even though some people were quick to point out that it seems like it could be a spinoff ofBeing John Malkovich.Both movies explore the idea of human bodies being used as vessels for other people to control from within.

One key difference betweenGet OutandBeing John Malkovichis thatGet Outuses a sci-fi explanation for the same general concept. The Armitage family perform experimental brain surgery on their victims, implanting the consciousness of the highest bidder. This could be a revolutionary way to harness the strange, unexplained magic that’s seen inBeing John Malkovich.Spike Jonze’s dark comedy delights in the absurd, impossible nature of its premise.

1Matilda Could Be A Spinoff To Carrie

Matilda Could Show The Next Generation Of Telekinetic Girls

MatildaandCarrieboth follow girls who discover that they have telekinetic abilities, but they have completely different tones and styles.Matildacould be seen as an example of what might have happened to Carrie with a slightly less oppressive upbringing and a figure like Miss Honey in her life.Matildahas only a fraction of the darkness, and a lot more humor to keep things pleasant.

There isn’t much that links the works of Stephen King and Roald Dahl, butCarrieandMatilda’s stories share some key similarities.

The ending ofCarriesuggests an evil, demonic presence has been operating from behind the scenes, as if Carrie’s powers are a curse rather than a blessing.IfMatildawere a spinoff, it would show how these powers are still present in later generations, but with a more optimistic view of how things might pan out. There isn’t much that links the works of Stephen King and Roald Dahl, butCarrieandMatilda’s stories share some key similarities.