20 Mandela Effect Examples: Split Reality or False Memory?

The Mandela Effect is a phenomenon where a number of individuals have a false memory of an event or a fact.

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It all started with Nelson Mandela’s death in 2013, when multiple people remembered him dying while in prison in the 1980s.

Some people even claimed they clearly remembered TV coverage of Nelson Mandela’s funeral.

However, after being released from prison, Mandela was the president of South Africa and actually died on December 5, 2013.

There are different opinions about what the Mandela Effect is. For some people, it's a simple case of misremembering events or facts, or failing in having certain knowledge. Others, try to find explanations as wild as parallel universes and split dimensions. Some are of the opinion that what may be real for some may be a different experience for others. Let's have a look at some examples of the Mandela Effect. 

Mandela Effect Shazaam 

One strange example of the Mandela Effect relates to a children's movie called Shazaam. It was supposedly made in the early 1990s and starring the stand-up comedian Sinbad as an incompetent genie. No such movie was ever made and there is no evidence that it was. However, many people claim to have vivid memories of watching it during the 90s. Reddit users on the Mandela effect subreddit claim that. 

Mandela Effect Sri Lanka location

It seems many people believe Sri Lanka was in a different location than where it is now. Some parts of Ancient Lemuria match alternate memories of Sri Lanka location.

Mandela Effect Mars' size 

Quite many people seem to believe that Mars is bigger than Earth. However, those who have paid attention in Geography class know that Mars (diameter 6790 kilometers) is only slightly more than half the size of planet Earth (diameter 12750 kilometers).

Mandela Effect flat Earth

A high percentage of people seem to believe that planet Earth is flat. 

Observing the Earth from space shows otherwise, though.

Mandela Effect JFK assassination

Some people believe Jackie Kennedy had a gun in her hand and was involved in the assassination of her husband, former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, on November 22, 1963. She was not. 

Mandela Effect Energizer Bunny: Battery on his back or on his leg?

Reportedly, some people believe the Energizer bunny had its battery on his leg rather than on its back.

Mandela Effect Star Wars' C-3PO: both gold legs or one silver leg? 

This is a big one for all Star Wars fans. All of a sudden, some people believe C-3PO had a silver leg while others remember the two legs being always gold.  

Mandela Effect Jif or Jiffy peanut butter

Some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches' lovers seem to recall they have been eating Jiffy peanut butter at some point in time. 

Mandela Effect California Dreaming 

Mandela Effect Inspector Gadget: with or without a mustache? 

Do you remember Inspector Gadget having a mustache, or not? There is a discussion on the reddit/mandelaeffect where you can leave your memory of it. 

Mandela Effect Forrest Gump: Life is like a box of chocolates or life was like a box of chocolates? 

There is reddit/mandelaeffect discussion also about what Forrest Gump says in this scene. However, the difference is whether it's a paraphrase or a direct quote. 

Paraphrase: My momma always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.

Quote: My momma always said, "life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get."

Mandela Effect Interview with the Vampire or Interview with a Vampire 

The film Interview with the Vampire seems to be recalled by some people as Interview with a Vampire. By simply watching the original movie trailer you get the right answer. 

Mandela Effect Hello Clarice 

This is one of the most controversial Mandela Effect examples. Does Hannibal say "Hello, Clarice," or "good morning, Clarice" in the movie The Silence of the Lambs? 

Mandela Effect The Picture of Dorian Gray or The Portrait of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a Gothic and philosophical novel by Oscar Wilde. It was first published complete in July 1890. In 2009, the classic English novel was made into a film simply called Dorian Gray.

Mandela Effect magic mirror on the wall 

The famous quote from the film Snow White "Mirror, mirror on the wall,’’ is actually "Magic mirror on the wall." 

Mandela Effect Fruit Loops or Froot Loops 

Froot Loops is what you see printed across the front of the box and what you see watching the cereal's commercials. 

Mandela Effect Luke, I am your father 

“Luke, I am your father” is what many people believe Darth Vader says in the movie Star Wars. However, he actually says, “No, I am your father.” 

Mandela Effect Sex in the City or Sex and the City?

The popular TV series and movie is Sex and the City, despite many people believing it's Sex in the City. This is a typical case of false memory. 

Mandela Effect Queen's We are the champions . . . of the world

Many remember the final lyrics being “No time for losers, ’cause we are the champions . . . of the world!” This particular Mandela Effect example can be discussed since it would seem that how the song ends was not always the same. Pretty much it depended on Freddy Mercury's mood, which sounds logical. 

Mandela Effect Queen's We are the champions . . . 

And in this occasion, Freddy decided that the ending would be: "We are the champions," followed by silence.