Mental Floss

POP CULTURE

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Akira Kurosawa pushed his creative powers to new limits with a film that merged grueling shoots, an unprecedented budget, and an all-star cast to change Japanese cinema forever.

Matthew Jackson




Leonardo DiCaprio and Gwen Stefani in The Aviator (2004).

'The Aviator'—the second collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio—was the long-awaited (and, according to some, unfilmable) biopic of the enigmatic Howard Hughes.

Roger Cormier




Christopher Reeve stars in Superman (1978).

Today, comic book movies are ubiquitous. But these comic book superheroes might never have made the move from the page to the screen if it weren't for the success of Richard Donner’s 'Superman: The Movie' (1978).

Matthew Jackson
20th Century Fox

Though Titanic was plagued with production problems, James Cameron's epic disaster/romance went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of all time.

Lilit Marcus






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Marlon Brando was one of the most influential actors of the 20th century—and clashed with plenty of actors, writers, and directors along the way.

Roger Cormier


Nickelodeon Animation Studio

Anyone who grew up in the '90s remembers flying with Quailman, wooing Patti Mayonnaise, and hiding from bully Roger Klotz.

Emily Becker