An Amityville Primer

HowStuffworks brings you up to speed on the story behind the "based on a true story" remake of "The Amityville Horror." Read about the real-life murders at 112 Ocean Avenue, the best-selling book and the family at the center of the controversy.

Creating the Kranks Neighborhood

Sometimes reality just doesn't do the trick. To get the right feel for the movie "Christmas with the Kranks," filmmakers had to build a fake wintry Chicago neighborhood on a parking lot in California. See how they did it.

How 'The Da Vinci Code' Doesn't Work

Could a sacred story be hidden for centuries, only to be revealed in one of the most famous works of art in the Western world? That's the story according to "The DaVinci Code." Take a look at the evidence.

How Harry Potter's Wand Works

The Harry Potter universe would not be complete without magic wands. Have you ever wanted to know how these wands work and why they seem to have a mind of their own? You can learn about these magic wands in this section.

How James Bond Works

With his dry wit and impeccable style, James Bond has been defying death and ruining the plans of megalomaniacal madmen in service of Queen and country for more than 50 years. Learn more about the history of James Bond and the leading men who portray him.

How Muppets Work

These raucous characters of felt and wool have claimed a top spot in the television world and American pop culture for over 50 years. But what exactly is a Muppet? Learn about the Muppets construction and the Muppeteers who bring them to life.

How Narnia Works

Nearly every child dreams about being away from parents and traveling from the mundane world to someplace extraordinary. In this article, we’ll explore the inspirations behind the Chronicles of Narnia as well as the mythical world itself.

How Sci-fi Doesn't Work

Yes you read right. We've broken down why sci-fi doesn't work in most movies. Although some fictional technology has come to pass, most onscreen science is still pure fiction. If you’ve ever been curious about laser beams or interstellar travel, read on…

How Spy Gadgets Work

In this article, we'll check out the gadgets that James Bond has used and learn more about the tools that real secret agents have employed to gather information eliminate rivals and avoid detection.

HowStuffWorks - 'Gracie' starring Dermot Mulroney, Elizabeth Shue and Carly Schroeder

Academy-award winner Davis Guggenheim's next project is a film entitled GRACIE. Here, you can find out how the movie was made and see exclusive behind-the-scenes footage for the film GRACIE.

Inside "10,000 BC"

The making of "10,000 BC" was truly a mammoth undertaking. The crew created all sorts of ancient beasts for the prehistoric movie -- and battled fierce weather on two continents.

Inside "21"

"21" is a movie based on the best-selling book, Bringing Down the House, about a group of math prodigies who use card-counting to win big in blackjack. How does card-counting work, and can you still get away with it?

Inside "Nim's Island"

"Little Miss Sunshine," the hero from "300" and an uncharacteristically comedic Jodie Foster join forces in a fantasy adventure set in an island paradise.

Inside "Shutter"

In "Shutter," ghostly photographic images haunt a young couple. What is spirit photography -- and could this happen in real life?

Inside "The Bank Job"

"The Bank Job" re-created a scandalous 1971 bank robbery. Why has the story been covered up for so many years?