Tips & Strategy Guide
Master the daily movie puzzle with these expert strategies for connecting films through actors.
Core Strategy: Work from Both Ends
The most effective approach to any movie chain puzzle is to analyze both endpoints before filling in the middle. Look at:
- The START movie's cast - Who are the main actors? Who had supporting roles?
- The TARGET movie's cast - Same analysis. Look for actors who appear in many films.
- Overlap potential - Which actors from each movie are most likely to connect?
5 Expert Tips for Movie Chain Puzzles
1 Use Prolific Actors as Bridges
Some actors appear in dozens of films across different genres. They make excellent connectors because they've worked with many other actors. Look for:
- Samuel L. Jackson (150+ films)
- Scarlett Johansson (Marvel + indie films)
- Tom Hanks (classics + modern hits)
- Margot Robbie (blockbusters + prestige films)
2 Know Your Connector Movies
Certain films feature large ensemble casts, making them ideal bridge movies:
3 Don't Forget Supporting Roles
Many puzzles are solved by remembering that an A-list actor had a small role early in their career, or that a character actor appears in both films. Think beyond the leads!
4 Use the Theme Week Hint
Each week has a theme (Horror, Sci-Fi, Oscar Winners, etc.). This narrows down which movies and actors are likely to appear. If it's "90s Classics Week," focus on films from that era.
5 Think About Directors
Directors often work with the same actors repeatedly:
- Christopher Nolan - Cillian Murphy, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy
- Martin Scorsese - Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro
- Wes Anderson - Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Tilda Swinton
- Denis Villeneuve - Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Only thinking of lead roles - Supporting actors and cameos count too!
- Ignoring the theme - The weekly theme is a valuable hint
- Tunnel vision on one solution - If stuck, try a completely different middle movie
- Forgetting older films - Classics connect to modern movies through veteran actors
What To Do Instead
- Check both endpoint casts first - Look for prolific actors
- Consider ensemble films - They offer the most connection options
- Try different combinations - Switch up the middle movie if stuck
- Use all 7 attempts strategically - Each wrong guess gives you information
Keyboard Shortcuts
Speed up your gameplay with these shortcuts (desktop only):
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| ? | Open help / how to play |
| R | Reset all slots |
| Enter | Check your solution |
| Esc | Close modals |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a movie chain puzzle?
A movie chain puzzle (sometimes called "Six Degrees" after the Kevin Bacon game) challenges you to connect two films through their shared cast members. You build a chain where each actor must have appeared in both adjacent movies.
How many attempts do I get?
You have 7 attempts to solve each daily puzzle. Use them wisely - each wrong guess reveals which connections don't work, helping you narrow down the solution.
Can I play previous puzzles?
Yes! Use the Archive feature to play any past puzzle. It's great for practice and doesn't affect your daily streak.
Where can I learn the rules?
Check out our How to Play guide for complete rules and examples.