null Skip to main content

A Guide to Famous Movie Mirrors

Posted by Eric Morgan on 8th Sep 2014

Ranging from horror movies and traditional films to cartoons, mirrors have always played an important role in Hollywood. Whether someone is looking to add lively and spooky Halloween decor or simply desires a taste of old world Hollywood style glamour, this comprehensive guide provides the latest fashionable mirror styles and selections.

Knock Your Socks Off: The Most Famous Horror Movie Mirrors

Halloween is just around the corner, which gives people the opportunity to take ten and remember the top scariest horror scenes that feature custom mirrors. For fun party activities and ideas, consider setting up similar movie themes for Halloween parties, which is sure to give guests spine tingling chills.

  • “Oculus” – This latest supernatural movie is gaining a massive following and centers around an antique mirror that is possessed. This inanimate object links directly to brutal murders. This movie is a rarity in that it focuses on the mirror as the focal point.
  • “Evil Dead 2” – This movie highlights an unstable Ash, who is forced to kill his possessed girlfriend. While retreating to deal with his emotions, he looks into a wall mirror and startlingly enough, a second version of him leaps out to remind him that reality is far from normal.
  • “The Shining” – A cult classic, this terrifying movie makes the audience realize that Danny Torrance’s bizarre “REDRUM” written in red blood lipstick on the door actually spells out “MURDER.” It is a bone chilling moment; one that audiences will never forget!
  • “Phantasm” – This 1970s movie flick centered on Mike dreaming about horrifying events. Soon, the Tall Man that appears in his dream shows up in his bedroom wall mirror, pulling him into the mirror and leaving the movie with a terrifying, overwhelming cliffhanger ending.
  • “Deep Red” – After witnessing a brutal, gruesome murder, Marcus tries to locate the killer. He sees a painting highlighting disturbing human faces, but comes to realize the artwork is actually a frame mirror, making this a terrifying Dario Argento ending to a wickedly scary plot.
  • “Cabin in the Woods” – This movie highlights an unusual painting that Holden decides to remove from the wall. Located beneath the painting is a two-way mirror, which highlights the mysterious storyline that unfolds.
  • “Night of the Demons” – The central characters in this daring thriller find an old mirror in a haunted house. Looking into the mirror reveals a giant demon with the body of one of the movie’s characters. Crashing to the floor, this scary thriller will have knees knocking.
  • “Candyman” – Ever famous for scaring children and adults alike, this movie made children everywhere terrified to say, “Candyman” five times into a wall mirror. In the movie, if “Candyman” was repeated five times, the character would emerge, gutting the person with his hook hand.
  • “Mirrors” – This movie centers on haunted mirrors, which causes people to commit horrible deeds upon themselves. For example, Amy pulls her own jaw apart.
  • “Poltergeist” – To this day, viewers of this movie can never forget the memorable scene where the character rips off his face.
  • “Amityville 1992: It’s About Time” – This horror flick was the sixth “Amityville” movie produced and the character is seduced by her mirror’s reflection.

Enough to scare even the most levelheaded adult, these movies center upon thrilling adventures into the unknown, using mirrors to terrify audiences worldwide. For Halloween parties, consider dressing up mirrors with movie themes to haunt guests and give them flashbacks of unforgettable, garish movie plot lines.

Hollywood Take: Top 5 Movie Mirror Scenes

For people looking for less gruesome gore and more traditional home mirrors, this guide to famous movie mirrors will bring back fond memories from the silent movie era to disco loving style. Custom mirrors are ideal for full-length movie scenes and work well in homes, giving people the opportunity to stylize their outfits from head to toe.

The magic of mirrors has enchanted people since early times. This phenomenon has significantly influenced Hollywood’s movie productions, creating some of the most legendary and iconic scenes ever. On that note, below is famous Hollywood mirror scenes that involve full-length, custom mirrors.

  • “The Floorwalker” – Charlie Chaplin, undoubtedly the most famous silent movie era actor, pulled off the first filmed mirror scene in 1916, where he stood in a room touching his wall mirror image.
  • “Duck Soup” – The legendary Marx Brothers pulled off one of the most popular mirror scenes, which is often copied by movie stars and directors today. Harpo dresses up like Groucho and pretends to be his mirror image, mimicking his every move. At one point, they change positions with one another, leaving the audience to wonder who is Groucho and who is Harpo.
  • “I Love Lucy” – Copying the aforementioned “Duck Soup” mirror scene, this role was reprised on “I Love Lucy” with Lucille Ball and Harpo Marx accomplishing the same skit. Reprising his much-loved role, Harpo wore a trench coat, blond wig and a battered top hat.
  • “Saturday Night Fever” – Giving a whole new 1970s spin to Narcissistic behavior, John Travolta’s character, Tony, stands looking into his wall mirror, blow drying and brushing his hair in his black Speedo. Once he is done, he puts on his iconic gold chains and practices some signature dance moves before going to the legendary disco that launched his career.
  • “American Gigolo” – Following in the footsteps of John Travolta, Richard Gere played the ultimate lady’s man in this movie. He stood in front of his modern mirrors - a three-sided mirror – and chose from several outfits laid out. He softly spoke words of affection to his reflection, practicing his evening gigolo role.
  • “25th Hour” – Edward Norton plays Monty, who is being released the next day after serving a seven-year sentence for drug dealing. He talks to his reflection, voicing his hatred towards the world.
  • “Star80” – This 1983 movie features a minor hustler who becomes attached to the girl he helped become a Playboy model. As Paul prepares to meet Hugh Hefner, he preens himself before his large wall mirror and continually practices his meet-and-greet routine – “Hiya,” Hello,” “How’re ya doin’,” etc.
  • “Taxi Driver” – Propelling Robert De Niro to Bobby D. success, the ever-iconic wall mirror line has become part of the everyday English language. Looking at himself in he mirror, DeNiro improvised the now famous lines, “You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me?? You talking to ME?”

Mirror scenes may seem complicated, but there are several different ways directors can angle cameras to pick up mirror scenes without showing they are being filmed. Some directors choose to paint the mirror green and overlay reflection scenes post production.

“Mirror Mirror on the Wall...”

On another note, children can embrace famous cartoon mirrors. Fortunately, The Oval and Round Mirror Store offers several custom designs, which look darling paired with “Cinderella” and “Finding Nemo” bedroom decor and scenes. Mirrors also appeal to the more popular teenage “Harry Potter” fans.

Chilling audiences around the world every time a remake appears in theaters, “Snow White” is about her wicked stepmother that becomes obsessed with asking her magical mirror, “Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?” Becoming fixated with finding Snow White and eliminating her as competition, the Queen embarks on a journey to give her a poisoned apple, a curse only remedied by “Love’s First Kiss.” Romantic, yet scaring generations of children everywhere, this iconic Disney mirror has become a trademark fairytale legend.

Disney has also capitalized on this success in their theme parks, adding playful rides, such as “The Haunted Mansion,” where mirrors are used to make it appear as though ghosts are sitting next to visitors. Fun and exciting, these children’s adventures can give an entirely new outlook on mirrors.

In the now-legendary J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series, Harry is able to interact with other characters via a two-way mirror. Later, this mirror became an invaluable help in helping Harry and his brazen friends track down Dumbledore’s brother, who ultimately sends Dobby to help rescue them.

Decorating with Mirrors

Whether it is a playful take on a horror movie or a classic scene from a Hollywood hit, people can use mirrors to add character to movie rooms and other memorabilia. Children can also help explore mirror decorations, with friendlier cartoon and age-appropriate movie scenes, personalizing and adding themes to their bedrooms.

Mirrors are an ideal way to add light or create focal points, as most movie directors learn when entering the production industry. Mirrors are not simply just for studying one’s reflection, as in the movies, mirrors purpose is to convey important messages, plots and storylines. When strategically placed around homes, mirrors have a lasting impact that can define spaces, making them feel larger, brighter and more accessible. This versatile decorating tool has been popular throughout the ages, with Hollywood helping propel its popularity to new, terrifying heights.

The Oval and Round Mirror Store offers a wide variety of mirrors, including custom mirrors, which are perfect for movie props, custom homes and much more.


References: