A ‘MacGuffin’ is a storytelling device that keeps characters moving, even if the object itself barely matters in the end. Alfred Hitchcock popularized the term to describe the mysterious briefcases, artifacts, and secret documents that motivate entire plots without being the real point of the story.It is understandable that they aren’t a focus, rather an excuse, but as audiences we do feel they need to be able to do something. If the movie is going to revolve around a single item, we should at least understand its purpose. These are some of the most memorable movie MacGuffins that, in hindsight, were surprisingly pointless.cnx.cmd.push(function() {cnx({playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530",}).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796");});IMDbThe Briefcase (Pulp Fiction)Everyone wants the glowing briefcase, yet the audience never learns exactly what’s inside. Quentin Tarantino deliberately leaves its contents a mystery, making the case one of cinema’s most famous examples of a true MacGuffin.IMDbThe Rabbit’s Foot (Mission: Impossible III)The Rabbit’s Foot is treated as a world-changing bioweapon throughout the film, but its exact nature is never explained. What matters isn’t the device itself, but Ethan Hunt’s mission to recover it before the villains do.IMDbThe Heart of the Ocean (Titanic)The enormous blue diamond motivates treasure hunters decades after the Titanic sinks. In the end, Rose quietly throws the priceless jewel back into the ocean, rendering the entire search effectively meaningless.IMDbThe Falcon (The Maltese Falcon)Detectives, criminals, and collectors betray and kill one another over the legendary jeweled statue. After all the bloodshed, it turns out to be an expertly crafted fake, making everyone’s obsession completely futile.IMDbThe Rosebud Sled (Citizen Kane)The mystery of Charles Foster Kane’s final word drives the entire investigation, yet no character ever learns that “Rosebud” refers to his childhood sled. The revelation changes nothing for the people searching for answers.IMDbThe Silver Briefcase (Ronin)Nearly every major player in Ronin double-crosses someone else to obtain a mysterious metal briefcase. Its contents are never revealed, emphasizing that the object itself is irrelevant compared to the intrigue surrounding it.IMDbThe Government Files (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang)Several characters risk their lives pursuing a set of supposedly valuable government files. The specifics of what’s inside are largely beside the point, as the mystery serves mainly to fuel the film’s twists and betrayals.IMDbThe Grail Diary (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade)Everyone races to obtain Henry Jones Sr.’s diary because it contains clues to the Holy Grail. Once the Grail is found, however, the diary’s practical importance quickly disappears.IMDbThe Tesseract (The Avengers)The Tesseract changes hands repeatedly across multiple Marvel films as factions seek its incredible power. Ultimately, it serves mostly as a container for the Space Stone, making the cube itself expendable.IMDbThe Red Ryder BB Gun (A Christmas Story)Ralphie’s dream of owning a Red Ryder BB gun drives the entire story. Once Christmas finally arrives, the coveted gift functions mainly as the punchline to the film’s long-running anticipation.IMDbThe Declaration of Independence (National Treasure)Nicolas Cage’s character steals the Declaration not because he wants the document itself, but because it supposedly hides a clue. The priceless historical artifact is ultimately just another step toward the real treasure.IMDbThe Formula (The Formula)The entire thriller revolves around a secret synthetic fuel formula that multiple factions are willing to kill for. By the end, the formula’s actual contents and potential impact matter far less than the conspiracy built around it.IMDbThe Ruby (Romancing the Stone)Joan Wilder’s adventure revolves around delivering a priceless ruby while avoiding criminals. By the conclusion, the relationships formed and experiences gained prove far more important than the gemstone everyone was chasing.IMDbThe One Ring (The Lord of the Rings)The One Ring possesses immense power, yet no hero can safely use it. The Fellowship spends three films protecting an artifact whose ultimate purpose is simply to be destroyed rather than wielded. Granted, it is of great use to Sauron, but pointless to the heroes.IMDbThe Orb (Guardians of the Galaxy)Most of the film centers on competing factions trying to obtain a mysterious Orb. It is eventually revealed to be little more than a protective casing for the Power Stone, making the container itself largely irrelevant.The post The 15 Most Pointless Movie MacGuffins appeared first on Den of Geek.