The “Sinbad Genie Movie” Mandela Effect continues to baffle fans, as many vividly remember the comedian starring in a 1990s film called Shazaam—despite it never existing. The phenomenon, which falls under the Mandela Effect (a shared false memory), has left countless people insisting they recall plot details and even watching the movie in theaters.
The confusion is often attributed to Kazaam, the 1996 film where Shaquille O’Neal plays a genie, but fans argue the two movies are distinctly different in their memories. One Redditor suggested the mix-up might stem from the 2002 movie Hansel & Gretel, which features a magical character played by Howie Mandel. Still, many reject this explanation, claiming their memories of Shazaam predate 2002.
Sinbad has addressed the mystery multiple times. In 2016, he joked on Twitter, “Okay, for all you people who think I did a genie movie… well, haven’t done one YET, but I am going to do one so we can close this chapter.” He later humorously portrayed a genie in a CollegeHumor parody, referencing the Mandela Effect.
The ongoing debate highlights the fascinating way collective memories can diverge from reality, leaving fans questioning whether their recollections are false or if a piece of pop culture history has mysteriously vanished.
