50 Times Filmmakers Repurposed Everyday Items As Props And Hoped No One Would Notice (New Pics) | Bored Panda

Entertainment,Movies & tvAPR 12, 2025

50 Times Filmmakers Repurposed Everyday Items As Props And Hoped No One Would Notice (New Pics)

Indrė Lukošiūtė and Rokas Laurinavičius

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Movies want to take us to an alternate reality. But to create it, the crew has to use real-life things. So, they improvise.

The subreddit r/ThatsABookLight is dedicated to dissecting these attempts, both the fascinating and the absurd—the members of this online community are exposing everyday household and commercial items being repurposed as something entirely different for the big screen.

Whether it's a calculator used as a b**b clock or a sponge meant to represent a belt pouch, nothing gets past these folks.

#21 Iron Sky (2012): Spaceship Radio Klaus Is Talking Into Is A Head Lamp

Man speaking into a device; creative filmmaker prop resembles a headlamp, highlighting innovative use.

reddit.com, 27 Films Production

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33points

#22 The Machine In Michael's Pod In Warrior Nun Is An Upside Down Canon Printer

Futuristic film prop resembling advanced medical equipment in a creative sci-fi movie setting.

sixinaboxdesign, Reality Distortion Field

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32points

#23 "Locator Device" In Spy Kids [2001] Is A Painted/Modified Electronic Handheld Battleship Game

Actress holding a creative prop resembling an electronic handheld Battleship game.

cheeseburgertwd, Troublemaker Studios

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32points

#24 At The Mandalorian, Season 3, You Can See These Modern Lamps At The "The Resistor" Bar Tables. It Is Not A Lamp, But A Thanos 3-1 Bug Zapper L66 Modified

Creative use of a freshener as a film prop, with robotic arm in the background, highlighting movie prop creativity.

the-rebel-agent, Lucasfilm

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31points

#25 The Gamesphere From Drake & Josh Was A Memorex Boomball

Filmmakers showcase creative props with a red spherical boomball stereo CD player in a comedic scene.

dinkaro, Nickelodeon Productions

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31points

#26 Thought This Might Be Appreciated Here

Creative filmmaking prop: Batman's Batsuit boot using an Air Jordan sneaker as the base.

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31points

#27 Tomy Dingbot As Smoke Alarm In "Aliens"

A creative filmmaker prop shown: a toy fitting seamlessly into a film scene, demonstrating inventive use of props.

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31points

#28 In Deep Space 9 S02e15 “Paradise” [1994], The Penal Box Is A Standard 40”x48” Collapsible Gaylord Bin With Lid

Creative use of shipping container props for filmmaking, showing a closed and open view on set and in studio.

gigadanman, Paramount Pictures

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31points

#29 Loki - Tva Terminal Is A Weltron 8 Track Player

A filmmaker uses a retro orange spherical prop with gauges creatively in a movie scene.

ALudB47, Marvel Studios

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30points

#30 At It Again. In The Mandalorian "Chapter 3: The Sin" (2019), They're Using Ice Cream Makers Now As Portable Safes

Man in dark coat interacting with a sci-fi prop in a dimly lit setting, showcasing creative filmmaking use of props.

icoulduseanother, Lucasfilm

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30points

#31 Sci-Fi Diagnostic Equipment? Nah, Barcode Scanner (Star Trek: Into Darkness, 2013)

Filmmaker creatively uses a barcode scanner as a futuristic prop in a sci-fi film scene.

HalDimond, Paramount Pictures

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28points

#32 Empire Strikes Back (1980) - 2-1b Medical Droid's "Mouth" Is A Shure Sm55 (The Elvis Mic) Microphone Grill

Creative filmmaker prop: a robot with a microphone as its head, showcasing inventive set design.

I_Think_I_Cant, Lucasfilm

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28points

#33 The "Remote Mines" In Goldeneye Are The Base Of A Saitek Megagrip Joystick

Creative filmmaking props: a handheld device and joystick used innovatively in films.

NyteMyre, Eon Productions

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27points

#34 Obi-Wan Kenobi Used A Kodak Service Range Finder As A Communicator

Filmmaker creativity shown with Kodak range finder used as a film prop.

spectaclephoto, Lucasfilm

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27points

#35 Karate Training System From Cobra Kai Is Lazer Tag Vest From 1986

Person in a futuristic vest prop, discussing with another individual outside, showcasing creative filmmaking props.

XPav, Sony Pictures Television

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26points

#36 B**b Timer In S.W.A.T. Is Just A TI-83 Plus Calculator

Creative filmmaking prop with calculator timer mounted on equipment.

xXEndMiiXx, Spelling-Goldberg Productions

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26points

#37 In The Fifth Element [1997], The ZF-1 Remote Is An Old Handheld Electronic Game Painted Black

Creative filmmaking props: a digital storage device and a retro handheld football game.

MattgomeryBurns, Gaumont

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26points

#38 This Tool In The Book Of Boba Fett Is The Same Torch I Have

Creative filmmakers using innovative props, with a close-up of a hand holding a futuristic flashlight prop.

OliOrange15, Lucasfilm

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25points

#39 Boss Of Booklights [dynamo Dream]

Filmmaker uses creative props, wearing a device with glowing lights and working at a cluttered desk in a dimly lit room.

Vinnidict, Futureproof Workshop

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25points

#40 In Knives Out (2009) The Frame For The Knife Display Is The Fan Guard From A Commercial Air Conditioner

Filmmakers creatively use a knife display as a prop in a room and an air conditioning unit on a rooftop.

MyMomSaysIAmCool, MRC

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23points

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Indrė LukošiūtėBoredPanda Staff