Hollywood movies can be unrealistic and unbelievable, but sometimes they get things right. From high school antics to awkward mishaps and happily ever after, check out these movie tropes that many people have experienced in real life.
1. Wild College Party
![Everyone wants it!!](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Everybody-Wants-Some.png)
Many people see crazy college parties in movies and think it’s unrealistic, but many colleges in America actually host crazy parties. College students dance, drink to excess, play beer pong, and even drink from classic red Solo cups.
2. Ride the yellow school bus
![forest gump tom hanks](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Forrest-Gump-1.png)
![forest gump tom hanks](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Forrest-Gump-1.png)
The yellow school bus may seem like an old-fashioned Hollywood trope, but it’s real. Like a small forest, many children ride mustard yellow school buses to and from school every day. forest gump. I have ridden the yellow school bus many times on field trips, so I know this myself!
3. Town Parade
![apprentice magician](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/The-Sorcerers-Apprentice.png)
![apprentice magician](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/The-Sorcerers-Apprentice.png)
movie.
Although town parades and bicentennial celebrations seem exaggerated in the movie, many small towns also have similar celebrations. The children participate in making floats for the parade, the mayor comes out and waves to everyone, and always cleans up the pile of confetti afterwards.
4. Cheesy Las Vegas Wedding
![Fool's Rush in Salma Hayek, Matthew Perry, Eddie Powers](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Fools-Rush-In.png)
![Fool's Rush in Salma Hayek, Matthew Perry, Eddie Powers](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Fools-Rush-In.png)
Many Hollywood movies feature drunken couples getting married hastily in a sleazy Las Vegas chapel, and this actually happens. Yes, the Elvis impersonator is also real.
5. Desert Tumbleweed
![tumbleweed](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Tumbleweed.jpg)
![tumbleweed](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Tumbleweed.jpg)
Classic westerns and desert movies almost always feature a shot of a single tumbleweed blowing across the dirt. Well, this definitely happens. Tumbleweeds occur naturally in deserts and dry areas, and are often blown away by gusts of wind, making you feel like you’re in a cowboy showdown.
6. Summer camp
![Addams Family Values](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Addams-Family-Values.png)
![Addams Family Values](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Addams-Family-Values.png)
Hollywood dramatized the concept of a national summer camp where many kids paddle canoes, jump off scaffolding on a lake, and toast marshmallows side by side. It may seem too idyllic to be exact. Yet many summer camps, especially those in New England, are exactly like this.
7. Get creative with your weekday breakfast
![pride and prejudice](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Pride-Prejudice-2.png)
![pride and prejudice](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Pride-Prejudice-2.png)
Have you ever seen a movie where a mother prepares a full breakfast of pancakes, fruit, eggs and bacon for her children before going to school? Who would wake up at 6am to make that happen? Well, some do! Some people wake up at the crack of dawn and cook a rich breakfast for their families. Sounds good.
8. Long road trip
![little miss sunshine](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Little-Miss-Sunshine.png)
![little miss sunshine](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Little-Miss-Sunshine.png)
The classic American road trip is a typical Hollywood trope, but it happens all the time in real life, too. America is a vast country, and many people drive from state to state to see the scenery, embrace the different demographics, and enjoy the freedom of the open road.
9. Arrogant Salesman
![Pretty Woman Day Young](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Pretty-Woman.png)
![Pretty Woman Day Young](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Pretty-Woman.png)
Remember the mean sales lady in Beautiful woman? Unfortunately, such people actually exist.? While most retail stores have helpful and welcoming staff, some high-end boutiques and designer stores have salespeople who can be intimidating and rude and can treat you badly. If something like this happens to you, don’t forget to go back and throw it in their face, like Julia Roberts did!
10. Energetic pep rally
![Bring It On Kirsten Dunst, Claire Kramer, Rini Bell, Huntley Ritter, Nathan West](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Bring-It-On.png)
![Bring It On Kirsten Dunst, Claire Kramer, Rini Bell, Huntley Ritter, Nathan West](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Bring-It-On.png)
The lively, almost comical pep rallies featured in high school movies aren’t entirely a product of the imagination. Many high schools, especially those with good soccer teams, have extravagant pep rallies where the cheerleaders perform intricate routines that get everyone excited about the school spirit.
11. Street Drag Race
In movies like fast and furious, People risk their lives to participate in dangerous, fast-paced drag racing, or streetcar racing. Although this is highly illegal, it is still practiced in rural areas. There’s also a complex drag racing community and gangs.
12. Throw your graduation cap
![The Perks of Being a Wallflower Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Mae Whitman, Ezra Miller, Erin Wilhelmi](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/The-Perks-of-Being-a-Wallflower.png)
![The Perks of Being a Wallflower Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Mae Whitman, Ezra Miller, Erin Wilhelmi](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/The-Perks-of-Being-a-Wallflower.png)
Do people really throw their graduation caps in the air? yes! This tradition has been popular in America for over a century. This is a form of celebration that originated at the United States Naval Academy. Although you won’t necessarily get your hat back, it’s a great act of friendship with your classmates.
13. Buy a baguette
![Michael Clayton Tom Wilkinson](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Michael-Clayton.png)
![Michael Clayton Tom Wilkinson](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Michael-Clayton.png)
Many movies have a cute metaphor of the main character walking home from the grocery store with a brown paper bag and a fresh baguette sticking out. This may seem unrealistic to many, but many people love fresh baguettes. How else can I bring it home?
14. Mean girl and bully
![Carrie Portia Doubleday, Chloe Grace Moretz](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Carrie-1.png)
![Carrie Portia Doubleday, Chloe Grace Moretz](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Carrie-1.png)
Unfortunately, mean girls and bullies are a real thing, especially in middle school and high school. So, movies like: mean girls and karate kids There’s nothing completely fictional about children hurting each other.
15. Overprotective father and younger brother
![eldest daughter](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/First-Daughter.png)
![eldest daughter](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/First-Daughter.png)
The tropes of overprotective brothers and fathers in Hollywood movies can be absurd, such as a father pulling out a rifle to meet his daughter’s boyfriend, or a brother protecting his sister from a bad guy. But these dads and brothers exist! It can be cute and endearing, but it can also be a little scary.
16. Special requests at restaurants
![Ratatouille Peter O'Toole](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ratatouille.png)
![Ratatouille Peter O'Toole](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ratatouille.png)
Most of us just go to a restaurant and order from the menu. However, some people actually make special requests to the chef. I’ll probably just stick to the menu.
17. Dye pack in a money bag
![speed dennis hopper](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Speed.png)
![speed dennis hopper](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Speed.png)
It’s pretty funny how bank robbers think they’ve escaped safely with millions in cash, only to have their plans ruined when they open the money bag and get purple dye splattered all over their faces. These dye bags are authentic. However, it is usually red rather than purple.
18. Rainy Funeral
![Crimson Peak Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Crimson-Peak.png)
![Crimson Peak Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Crimson-Peak.png)
Movie funerals always seem to take place on gloomy, rainy days with weather that leaves everyone feeling gloomy and gloomy. Although it doesn’t always rain at funerals, many people have experienced this metaphor themselves.
19. Catch Boots while fishing
![Forrest Gump Tom Hanks, Haley Joel Osment](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Forrest-Gump-2.png)
![Forrest Gump Tom Hanks, Haley Joel Osment](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Forrest-Gump-2.png)
In movies, characters might go fishing and get excited because they think they’ve got a line, but it might turn out to be old, muddy boots. Believe it or not, this happens to humans. However, it’s unclear who keeps dropping boots into bodies of water.
20. Love at first sight
![(500) Days of Summer Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/500-Days-of-Summer.png)
![(500) Days of Summer Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/500-Days-of-Summer.png)
I’ve never experienced this, but I know several people who took one look at a stranger and knew they were meant for each other. Love at first sight seems impossible, but sometimes the stars align and one look can change everything.
21. Neighborhood Block Party
![neighbor](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Neighbors.png)
![neighbor](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Neighbors.png)
The Hollywood trope of the entire neighborhood coming together to plan a celebratory, welcoming block party is a constant play in the suburbs. This was common in my childhood neighborhood, where there were always bouncy houses, water balloons, DJs, and other fun things.
22. Slip on a banana peel
![slip on a banana peel](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Slipping-on-Banana-Peel.jpg)
![slip on a banana peel](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Slipping-on-Banana-Peel.jpg)
It’s funny to see actors slip and fall on banana peels in slapstick comedy, but it’s also really dangerous. Banana peels are more slippery than you might think, so dispose of your compost wisely and watch your step.
23. Love confession at the airport
![Crazy Rich Asians Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Deborah Yeoh](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Crazy-Rich-Asians.png)
![Crazy Rich Asians Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Deborah Yeoh](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Crazy-Rich-Asians.png)
Has anyone actually run to the airport to stop the love of their life from boarding a plane not knowing where they’re going? yes! Modern TSAs can make this difficult, but people have made a widespread love occupation. In fact, my mom did this to her dad, so I know it’s real.
24. Brakes squeal in a car accident
![Adeline blake lively era](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/The-Age-of-Adaline.png)
![Adeline blake lively era](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/The-Age-of-Adaline.png)
This metaphor is not as positive as the others on my list, but it is real. At the scene of a car accident, a dramatic sound like screeching brakes can often be heard right before impact. Unfortunately, this is all too real and this sound is common in real life as drivers try to avoid the inevitable collision.
25. Happy Ever After
![shrek forever after mike myers](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Shrek-Forever-After.png)
![shrek forever after mike myers](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Shrek-Forever-After.png)
This sounds very cheesy and it is, but it’s also very sweet and romantic. The idea of living happily ever after sounds too good to be true, but whether it’s spending time with the love of your life, starting a family, or simply finding pure joy in life, there are many ways to find the perfect ending. Some people welcome you.