40 Behind-the-Scene Photos That Show What Working on These Iconic Films Looked Like

Nathan Johnson Published 09/01/2024 in wow

Take a look behind the curtain and see what it takes to create that ever-elusive movie magic.

It's no secret that the movie industry has seen better days. With more and more franchises, bad CGI, and scripts that could have been written by A.I., Hollywood is fighting harder and spending more to capture our attention – and failing – than ever before.

Which only contributes to fan's nostalgia for movies of the past. For movies that were made by artists and not executives. For movies that challenged their audience and didn't cater to them. So if you long for practical effects and high-quality cinema, this is the next best thing.

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1.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Paul Verhoeven have a laugh while filming Total Recall in 1990.
2.
Director Patty Jenkins looks on as Gal Gadot laughs while filming Wonder Woman in 2017.
3.
Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris take a break while filming The Way of the Dragon in 1972.
4.
David Fincher and Sigourney Weaver pose with Tom Woodruff Jr. in the Alien suit while filming Alien 3 in 1992.
5.
An actor in an Ape costume reads the paper between scenes of 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968.
6.
Chevy Chase, Steven Martin, and Martin Short smile prior to filming a scene in Three Amigos! in 1986.
7.
Peter Jackson shows John Rhys-Davies stand in how he wants him in a scene while Orlando Bloom and Viggo Mortensen laugh while filming The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers in 2002.
8.
Preparing to film the Battle of Hoth scene in Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes back in 1980.
9.
Mel Brooks and Cleavon Little discussing an upcoming scene on the set of Blazing Saddles in 1974.
10.
Steven Spielberg messes around with Jonathan Ke Quan while Kate Capshaw looks on during filming of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in 1984.
11.
Tom Hanks and Kevin Bacon goofing off in zero gravity in preparation for their film Apollo 13 in 1995.
12.
Filming a scene with Tracy Reed for the film Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb in 1964.
13.
Henry Cavill, back when he auditioned for the role of superman in 2011, wears an old Christopher Reeves Superman suit before they made the new suit (And before he got all buff)
14.
Richard Burton chats with Elizabeth Taylor while her daughter Liza Todd sits in her lap during filming of Cleopatra in 1963.
15.
Heath Ledger without his Joker makeup about to film the opening scene in The Dark Knight in 2008.
16.
Makeup being applied to Maurice Evans for his role in Planet of the Apes in 1968.
17.
Robert Downey Jr puts on his costar Benedict Cumberbatchs coat while filming Avengers: Infinity War in 2017.
18.
Charlie Chaplin preparing to shoot a scene for his film The Gold Rush in 1925.
19.
Jamie Lee Curtis kissing Tony Moran with his Michael Myers mask on during filming of Halloween in 1978.
20.
Milla Jovovich and Mathieu Kassovitz take a break while filming The Fifth Element in 1997.
21.
Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe and director Billy Wilder prepare for a scene in Some Like It Hot in 1959.
22.
Sean Connery playing golf in between shooting the moon landing scene in Diamonds Are Forever in 1971.
23.
Christian Bale and director Mary Harron laugh between filming American Psycho in 2000.
24.
Michael Biehn takes a picture with an extra while filming Tombstone in 1994.
25.
Buster Keaton and his wife Natalie Talmadge play baseball between scenes of Our Hospitality in 1923.
26.
Dina Meyer messing around while filming Starship Troopers in 1997.
27.
Jean Reno and Natalie Portman goof off with confetti to celebrate the end of filming Léon: The Professional in 1994.
28.
Brian De Palma prepares Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio for a scene in Scarface in 1983.
29.
Winona Ryder and Francis Ford Coppola have a moment while filming Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1992.
30.
The special effects crew preparing to put on the giant dog costume for a scene in The Sandlot in 1993.
31.
Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck play cards in between scenes of Roman Holiday in 1953.
32.
Vivien Leigh touches up her make up as Fred Crane and George Reeves prepare to film a scene of Gone With the Wind in 1939.
33.
Peter Cushing (center left) with directors Jerry Zucker (left), David Zucker (center Right) and Jim Abrahams (right) while filming Top Secret in 1984.
34.
Martin Scorsese and Matt Damon take a break between filming of The Departed in 2006.
35.
Judy Garland preparing for her scene while filming Girl Crazy in 1943.
36.
Chris Evans and Frank Grillo have a laugh while filming a scene for Captain America: Civil War in 2016.
37.
Christopher Reeves being hoisted up for a scene in Superman in 1978. He did most of his own stunts.
38.
Russell Crowe preparing for a scene in the film Gladiator in 2000.
39.
Jodie Foster and her stunt double and older sister for Taxi Driver in 1976.
40.
Jackie Chan takes a picture with Sylvester Stallone when Chan showed up on the set of Demolition Man in 1993.

1.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Paul Verhoeven have a laugh while filming Total Recall in 1990.
2.
Director Patty Jenkins looks on as Gal Gadot laughs while filming Wonder Woman in 2017.
3.
Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris take a break while filming The Way of the Dragon in 1972.
4.
David Fincher and Sigourney Weaver pose with Tom Woodruff Jr. in the Alien suit while filming Alien 3 in 1992.
5.
An actor in an Ape costume reads the paper between scenes of 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968.
6.
Chevy Chase, Steven Martin, and Martin Short smile prior to filming a scene in Three Amigos! in 1986.
7.
Peter Jackson shows John Rhys-Davies stand in how he wants him in a scene while Orlando Bloom and Viggo Mortensen laugh while filming The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers in 2002.
8.
Preparing to film the Battle of Hoth scene in Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes back in 1980.
9.
Mel Brooks and Cleavon Little discussing an upcoming scene on the set of Blazing Saddles in 1974.
10.
Steven Spielberg messes around with Jonathan Ke Quan while Kate Capshaw looks on during filming of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in 1984.
11.
Tom Hanks and Kevin Bacon goofing off in zero gravity in preparation for their film Apollo 13 in 1995.
12.
Filming a scene with Tracy Reed for the film Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb in 1964.
13.
Henry Cavill, back when he auditioned for the role of superman in 2011, wears an old Christopher Reeves Superman suit before they made the new suit (And before he got all buff)
14.
Richard Burton chats with Elizabeth Taylor while her daughter Liza Todd sits in her lap during filming of Cleopatra in 1963.
15.
Heath Ledger without his Joker makeup about to film the opening scene in The Dark Knight in 2008.
16.
Makeup being applied to Maurice Evans for his role in Planet of the Apes in 1968.
17.
Robert Downey Jr puts on his costar Benedict Cumberbatchs coat while filming Avengers: Infinity War in 2017.
18.
Charlie Chaplin preparing to shoot a scene for his film The Gold Rush in 1925.
19.
Jamie Lee Curtis kissing Tony Moran with his Michael Myers mask on during filming of Halloween in 1978.
20.
Milla Jovovich and Mathieu Kassovitz take a break while filming The Fifth Element in 1997.
21.
Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe and director Billy Wilder prepare for a scene in Some Like It Hot in 1959.
22.
Sean Connery playing golf in between shooting the moon landing scene in Diamonds Are Forever in 1971.
23.
Christian Bale and director Mary Harron laugh between filming American Psycho in 2000.
24.
Michael Biehn takes a picture with an extra while filming Tombstone in 1994.
25.
Buster Keaton and his wife Natalie Talmadge play baseball between scenes of Our Hospitality in 1923.
26.
Dina Meyer messing around while filming Starship Troopers in 1997.
27.
Jean Reno and Natalie Portman goof off with confetti to celebrate the end of filming Léon: The Professional in 1994.
28.
Brian De Palma prepares Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio for a scene in Scarface in 1983.
29.
Winona Ryder and Francis Ford Coppola have a moment while filming Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1992.
30.
The special effects crew preparing to put on the giant dog costume for a scene in The Sandlot in 1993.
31.
Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck play cards in between scenes of Roman Holiday in 1953.
32.
Vivien Leigh touches up her make up as Fred Crane and George Reeves prepare to film a scene of Gone With the Wind in 1939.
33.
Peter Cushing (center left) with directors Jerry Zucker (left), David Zucker (center Right) and Jim Abrahams (right) while filming Top Secret in 1984.
34.
Martin Scorsese and Matt Damon take a break between filming of The Departed in 2006.
35.
Judy Garland preparing for her scene while filming Girl Crazy in 1943.
36.
Chris Evans and Frank Grillo have a laugh while filming a scene for Captain America: Civil War in 2016.
37.
Christopher Reeves being hoisted up for a scene in Superman in 1978. He did most of his own stunts.
38.
Russell Crowe preparing for a scene in the film Gladiator in 2000.
39.
Jodie Foster and her stunt double and older sister for Taxi Driver in 1976.
40.
Jackie Chan takes a picture with Sylvester Stallone when Chan showed up on the set of Demolition Man in 1993.

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NEXT GALLERY 21 Historical Photos That Belong on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'

1. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Paul Verhoeven have a laugh while filming Total Recall in 1990.

2. Director Patty Jenkins looks on as Gal Gadot laughs while filming Wonder Woman in 2017.

3. Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris take a break while filming The Way of the Dragon in 1972.

4. David Fincher and Sigourney Weaver pose with Tom Woodruff Jr. in the Alien suit while filming Alien 3 in 1992.

5. An actor in an Ape costume reads the paper between scenes of 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968.

6. Chevy Chase, Steven Martin, and Martin Short smile prior to filming a scene in Three Amigos! in 1986.

7. Peter Jackson shows John Rhys-Davies stand in how he wants him in a scene while Orlando Bloom and Viggo Mortensen laugh while filming The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers in 2002.

8. Preparing to film the Battle of Hoth scene in Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes back in 1980.

9. Mel Brooks and Cleavon Little discussing an upcoming scene on the set of Blazing Saddles in 1974.

10. Steven Spielberg messes around with Jonathan Ke Quan while Kate Capshaw looks on during filming of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in 1984.

11. Tom Hanks and Kevin Bacon goofing off in zero gravity in preparation for their film Apollo 13 in 1995.

12. Filming a scene with Tracy Reed for the film Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb in 1964.

13. Henry Cavill, back when he auditioned for the role of superman in 2011, wears an old Christopher Reeves Superman suit before they made the new suit (And before he got all buff)

14. Richard Burton chats with Elizabeth Taylor while her daughter Liza Todd sits in her lap during filming of Cleopatra in 1963.

15. Heath Ledger without his Joker makeup about to film the opening scene in The Dark Knight in 2008.

16. Makeup being applied to Maurice Evans for his role in Planet of the Apes in 1968.

17. Robert Downey Jr puts on his costar Benedict Cumberbatchs coat while filming Avengers: Infinity War in 2017.

18. Charlie Chaplin preparing to shoot a scene for his film The Gold Rush in 1925.

19. Jamie Lee Curtis kissing Tony Moran with his Michael Myers mask on during filming of Halloween in 1978.

20. Milla Jovovich and Mathieu Kassovitz take a break while filming The Fifth Element in 1997.

21. Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe and director Billy Wilder prepare for a scene in Some Like It Hot in 1959.

22. Sean Connery playing golf in between shooting the moon landing scene in Diamonds Are Forever in 1971.

23. Christian Bale and director Mary Harron laugh between filming American Psycho in 2000.

24. Michael Biehn takes a picture with an extra while filming Tombstone in 1994.

25. Buster Keaton and his wife Natalie Talmadge play baseball between scenes of Our Hospitality in 1923.

26. Dina Meyer messing around while filming Starship Troopers in 1997.

27. Jean Reno and Natalie Portman goof off with confetti to celebrate the end of filming Léon: The Professional in 1994.

28. Brian De Palma prepares Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio for a scene in Scarface in 1983.

29. Winona Ryder and Francis Ford Coppola have a moment while filming Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1992.

30. The special effects crew preparing to put on the giant dog costume for a scene in The Sandlot in 1993.

31. Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck play cards in between scenes of Roman Holiday in 1953.

32. Vivien Leigh touches up her make up as Fred Crane and George Reeves prepare to film a scene of Gone With the Wind in 1939.

33. Peter Cushing (center left) with directors Jerry Zucker (left), David Zucker (center Right) and Jim Abrahams (right) while filming Top Secret in 1984.

34. Martin Scorsese and Matt Damon take a break between filming of The Departed in 2006.

35. Judy Garland preparing for her scene while filming Girl Crazy in 1943.

36. Chris Evans and Frank Grillo have a laugh while filming a scene for Captain America: Civil War in 2016.

37. Christopher Reeves being hoisted up for a scene in Superman in 1978. He did most of his own stunts.

38. Russell Crowe preparing for a scene in the film Gladiator in 2000.

39. Jodie Foster and her stunt double and older sister for Taxi Driver in 1976.

40. Jackie Chan takes a picture with Sylvester Stallone when Chan showed up on the set of Demolition Man in 1993.

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1.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Paul Verhoeven have a laugh while filming Total Recall in 1990.

2.
Director Patty Jenkins looks on as Gal Gadot laughs while filming Wonder Woman in 2017.

3.
Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris take a break while filming The Way of the Dragon in 1972.

4.
David Fincher and Sigourney Weaver pose with Tom Woodruff Jr. in the Alien suit while filming Alien 3 in 1992.

5.
An actor in an Ape costume reads the paper between scenes of 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968.

6.
Chevy Chase, Steven Martin, and Martin Short smile prior to filming a scene in Three Amigos! in 1986.

7.
Peter Jackson shows John Rhys-Davies stand in how he wants him in a scene while Orlando Bloom and Viggo Mortensen laugh while filming The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers in 2002.

8.
Preparing to film the Battle of Hoth scene in Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes back in 1980.

9.
Mel Brooks and Cleavon Little discussing an upcoming scene on the set of Blazing Saddles in 1974.

10.
Steven Spielberg messes around with Jonathan Ke Quan while Kate Capshaw looks on during filming of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in 1984.

11.
Tom Hanks and Kevin Bacon goofing off in zero gravity in preparation for their film Apollo 13 in 1995.

12.
Filming a scene with Tracy Reed for the film Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb in 1964.

13.
Henry Cavill, back when he auditioned for the role of superman in 2011, wears an old Christopher Reeves Superman suit before they made the new suit (And before he got all buff)

14.
Richard Burton chats with Elizabeth Taylor while her daughter Liza Todd sits in her lap during filming of Cleopatra in 1963.

15.
Heath Ledger without his Joker makeup about to film the opening scene in The Dark Knight in 2008.

16.
Makeup being applied to Maurice Evans for his role in Planet of the Apes in 1968.

17.
Robert Downey Jr puts on his costar Benedict Cumberbatchs coat while filming Avengers: Infinity War in 2017.

18.
Charlie Chaplin preparing to shoot a scene for his film The Gold Rush in 1925.

19.
Jamie Lee Curtis kissing Tony Moran with his Michael Myers mask on during filming of Halloween in 1978.

20.
Milla Jovovich and Mathieu Kassovitz take a break while filming The Fifth Element in 1997.

21.
Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe and director Billy Wilder prepare for a scene in Some Like It Hot in 1959.

22.
Sean Connery playing golf in between shooting the moon landing scene in Diamonds Are Forever in 1971.

23.
Christian Bale and director Mary Harron laugh between filming American Psycho in 2000.

24.
Michael Biehn takes a picture with an extra while filming Tombstone in 1994.

25.
Buster Keaton and his wife Natalie Talmadge play baseball between scenes of Our Hospitality in 1923.

26.
Dina Meyer messing around while filming Starship Troopers in 1997.

27.
Jean Reno and Natalie Portman goof off with confetti to celebrate the end of filming Léon: The Professional in 1994.

28.
Brian De Palma prepares Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio for a scene in Scarface in 1983.

29.
Winona Ryder and Francis Ford Coppola have a moment while filming Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1992.

30.
The special effects crew preparing to put on the giant dog costume for a scene in The Sandlot in 1993.

31.
Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck play cards in between scenes of Roman Holiday in 1953.

32.
Vivien Leigh touches up her make up as Fred Crane and George Reeves prepare to film a scene of Gone With the Wind in 1939.

33.
Peter Cushing (center left) with directors Jerry Zucker (left), David Zucker (center Right) and Jim Abrahams (right) while filming Top Secret in 1984.

34.
Martin Scorsese and Matt Damon take a break between filming of The Departed in 2006.

35.
Judy Garland preparing for her scene while filming Girl Crazy in 1943.

36.
Chris Evans and Frank Grillo have a laugh while filming a scene for Captain America: Civil War in 2016.

37.
Christopher Reeves being hoisted up for a scene in Superman in 1978. He did most of his own stunts.

38.
Russell Crowe preparing for a scene in the film Gladiator in 2000.

39.
Jodie Foster and her stunt double and older sister for Taxi Driver in 1976.

40.
Jackie Chan takes a picture with Sylvester Stallone when Chan showed up on the set of Demolition Man in 1993.