People on social media are sharing memories of a movie that never existed.
Many believe there was a 90s film called Shazaam, starring Sinbad as a genie. They remember a story where Sinbad’s character helps two kids on an adventure.
However, Sinbad never acted in a genie movie, and this realization has left many people surprised.
One Reddit user even described the entire plot, saying he remembers it being available at his uncle’s video rental store. He recalled, “Two kids find a lamp in their living room. The older boy rubs it, and ‘Sinbad’ appears wearing genie clothes.”
Sinbad, whose real name is David Adkins, is a well-known comedian and actor. He starred in movies like Jingle All The Way and Good Burger, but never played a genie.
So, why do so many people believe this movie exists?
This is an example of the Mandela Effect, a strange phenomenon where large groups of people remember something incorrectly.
Many people are convinced Sinbad starred in a genie movie, even though no proof of it exists.
Some believe the confusion comes from Sinbad’s name, which reminds people of the fictional sailor from Middle Eastern stories. In those tales, genies often appear, which might explain why people link Sinbad to the idea of a genie.
Another reason could be a 1994 event where Sinbad hosted a screening of Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger. This may have made people associate him with genie stories.
Others think the mix-up is due to Kazaam, a 90s movie where Shaquille O’Neal played a genie. Some fans may have confused the two actors over time.
There’s also a fake image online showing Sinbad shirtless with folded arms, but it’s actually a WWE wrestler’s body edited with Sinbad’s face.
In 2017, College Humor even created a fake Shazaam scene as an April Fool’s joke, adding to the confusion.
The Mandela Effect happens when people’s memories don’t match reality. Experts say our brains often fill in gaps, creating stories that feel real but aren’t.
Cognitive researcher Neil Dagnall explained, “People remember things how they expect them to be, rather than how they actually were.”