What's fact? What's just an old wives' tale? Read up on these persistent, sometimes creepy, totally believable urban legends to separate truth from myth.

Myths and Legends

Fact vs. Fiction

From the reported divorce rate, to how long gum stays in a person's stomach, a number of random statistics are presented to the public as facts. But do a little digging into these numbers, and it turns out that many of these “facts” are either <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/things-we-didnt-know-are-myths/chrissy-rose">complete myths</a> or based on outdated or misleading information.Here are some of the widely reported statistics that you may be surprised to learn are false.

FKA Pushable Teams

Top Tier

Tier 1

Google News

Apple News

Format

Tag Wizard

Archive Ignore

Do Not Delete - Quality Filters

Statistics You Hear All The Time That Sound Plausible But Just Aren’t Correct

General

14 Frequently Heard Statistics That Are Actually False

TGWrites

Looking closer at movies, TV shows, and even characters based on and "inspired by" reality.

Based on a True Story

History

Have you ever watched a movie with a good story and been shocked to find out it's based on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/crime-scenes-movies/lyra-radford">real-life events</a>? Knowing a fictional story is based in reality makes the twists and turns of the movie seem even more incredible. However, there are probably a lot more <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-loosely-based-on-true-stories/ranker-film?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">movies based on real people</a> than you realized.Classics like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/sound-of-music-true-story/erin-mccann">The Sound of Music</a>, Goodfellas, and even Chicago were based on real-life people. Some of these films closely follow a memoir or news stories, while others take bits and pieces of the true story and add new aspects to make it more theatrical. For example, many films include additional plotlines, such as a love story, to make it more interesting for viewers.All the movies included in this list were somehow inspired by real-life people and/or events. Some of the creators were very open about what inspired them while others don't often share that information, leaving many people shocked when they find out the true story behind the film.

Exclude All in One Blocks

Ticker Exclude

Exclude NodeTagged RLs

True Story vs Adaptation

Tier 2

Ranker Prime

Fascinating

Nebulous

Images Audited

Traffic Team

Finished Forever

Social beg 2024

Do Not Delete - Cleaned

Movies You Didn't Know Were Based On Real People

Film

The 16 Movies Surprisingly Based On Real People, Ranked

Molly Weinfurter

Exploring the strange and fascinating lives of rulers, royals, and royalty all around the world and throughout history.

We Will Never Be Royals

Historical Entertainment

What are the most inaccurate <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-about-royalty/ranker-film?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">movies about royals</a>? Whether depicting love affairs that never happened or covering up unsavory politics, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-about-royalty/ranker-film" target="_blank">royal biopics</a>&nbsp;on this list don't tell the full - or even the real - story about kings and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-historical-queens/mallory-weiler?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">queens in history</a>.Historians evaluate the accuracy of films in two ways: by policing the nitty-gritty historical facts that the movie depicts,&nbsp;and by analyzing the overall truth that the film is communicating about a person, event, or era. Historical facts often get manipulated for the sake of narrative necessity. Worse, many films are inaccurate by omission, since they leave out crucial facts that might shape how a royal is remembered. In these cases, royal biopics completely misrepresent the past.From Shakespeare's plays to Hollywood biopics, the lives of royals throughout history have always made for compelling drama. But good movies are rarely good history lessons.

Srch

watchworthy_social

temp_ab_tag

primis_weirdhistory

Do Not Delete - Account

The Least Accurate Movies About Historical Royals

The Most Inaccurate Movies About Royals

Setareh Janda

Lists about real life on the wild American frontier and fictionalized versions of the Old West.

Wild, Wild West

Best

There's no paucity of shows about frontier life, and finding a good Wild West series is somewhat subjective. There are numerous television series, such as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/full-cast-of-the-life-and-legend-of-wyatt-earp-cast-list-for-the-show-the-life-and-legend-of-wyatt-earp/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp</a> (1955-1961), that incorporate well-established figures, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historically-inaccurate-western-movie-tropes/genevieve-carlton">Western tropes</a>, and themes to entertain viewers and provide a level of authenticity. <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-western-movies-ever-made?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">The best westerns</a> of all time knows how to deliver historical accuracy.Other shows, like Wild Wild West&nbsp;(1965-1969),&nbsp;a series no one would confuse for accurate, push the envelope and integrate innovative ideas into elaborate and adventurous plots and characters.&nbsp;&nbsp;When it comes to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/western-tv-shows-and-series/ranker-tv?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">classic Western series</a>, shows like&nbsp;1950s cowboy shows like Bonanza,&nbsp;Gunsmoke, and, more recently,&nbsp;Deadwood&nbsp;have managed to create and maintain a well-established following. Just because these shows about frontier life are popular, however, does not mean they provide a realistic depiction of their subject. How accurate are these Wild West series? And where do they just not quite hit the mark?

affiliatized

aff_digital_media

where_to_watch

Scalable Cleanup

Trending on Ranker

Finished Upkeep Regular

Archive Social Timely

The Most Accurate TV Shows About The Wild West

TV Program

Melissa Sartore

Weird History

Whether sitting down to enjoy a horror flick, a war drama, or a family film, believing that the narrative is based on a true story somehow makes the experience all the more appealing. Witnessing “real life” events depicted on screen can give audiences the sense that their cinematic choice is entertaining as well as educating them, allowing viewers to understand events on a more personal level.&nbsp;Undoubtedly, there are many <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-based-on-true-stories/ranker-film">great movies based on actual events</a>. However, filmmakers often feel the need to take creative liberties with historical narratives to make the plotlines more entertaining. While some deviations from the original stories don't detract from the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-with-historically-accurate-small-details/raelyn-giansanti">movie's accuracy</a>, others become so derailed from the historical event that they should really be considered “inspired” by events rather than “based” on them.&nbsp;Below are films that were marketed as being based on true events but really aren't. While some loosely resemble their historical equivalents, others are almost entirely fiction. &nbsp;

WH Team

Movies That Were Based On The Smallest Grain Of Truth

Lauren Glen

Entertainment

History has long fascinated filmmakers and audiences alike. For the former, there's the challenge of depicting past events accurately while presenting a fresh angle that will keep people watching, even if they know the outcome in advance. For the latter, seeing real events brought to life cinematically can provide new insights into chapters of history.&nbsp;With the volume of movies Hollywood produces each year, it's no surprise that some films cover the same historical ground, making perspective a key distinguishing factor. The following sets of films deal with the same historical events or time periods in very different manners. Watching either of them individually can give you a compelling outlook on the events at the center of their stories, and watching both as a double feature will give you a more well-rounded context because of how different their takes are.

tribune

WW Team

Archive Future Social

16 Pairs of Movies That Tell The Same Historical Story From Different Perspectives

Movies That Tell The Same Historical Story From Two Different Perspectives

Mike McGranaghan

People go to the movies for many reasons, sometimes for the plot but, just as often, to spend time with the characters brought memorably to life by their favorite actors. Very often, the characters who appear in films are larger-than-life, with mannerisms that seem outlandish compared to the real world.It’s often surprising to learn how even the most outlandish and strange of characters are often based, at least in part, on real-life people. Learning the fascinating stories behind such characters deepens one’s appreciation of the actor’s craft and the skills of those who imbue their on-screen selves with elements of reality.

TN Team

Nerd Audience

Test List Image On / No Coll

Over-The-Top Movie Characters You Didn't Realize Are Based On Real People

Fictional Character

Thomas West

John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr. was - and still is - a figure who fascinated the the American public, the media, and the world. As the heir to "Camelot" and the legacy of his father, JFK Jr.'s personal and professional life were under constant scrutiny.&nbsp;Love Story takes on America's prince and his life with his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. Their love story was the subject of gossip, speculation, and awe and, when their lives were cut short tragically in 1999, the world mourned. As the Ryan Murphy-produced limited series attempts to unpack the nuances of their relationship, its ups and downs, and what drove the couple to live and love together, the show gets a lot right and a lot wrong. Here is the truth behind the actual Love Story you didn't see on TV.&nbsp;

Made For Clicks

Okay For Brand

Melissa S

How Accurate Is 'Love Story'? The Truth About JFK Jr. And Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's Relationship

Fact Vs. Fiction About JFK Jr. And Carolyn Bessette Kennedy In 'Love Story'

Ranking the very best Westerns to hit the small and silver screens.

The Wild West on Screen

The best <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-western-movies-ever-made?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Wild West movies</a> make you feel like you've been transported back in time for a couple of hours. They do this by creating a sense of realism, which can take many forms. Sometimes the film has costumes and weapons that are authentic to the time period. Other times, sets and locations do the heavy lifting, giving audiences a vibrant setting in which to get lost. From time to time, an actor's performance playing a real-life historical figure is what makes it all click. In the absolute best cases, all of these things are present.&nbsp;Have you ever wondered which of the best <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-western-movies-ever-made?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Old West movies</a> are also the most realistic? That's what this list will determine. Westerns have been around virtually from the dawn of cinema, along with <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-accurate-series-about-wild-west/melissa-sartore" target="_blank">Western&nbsp;TV shows</a>. Of course, those of the 1920s are much different than those of the 1960s, and they, in turn, are different from those of the 1990s. Regardless of when they were released, a number of Westerns have at least a degree of realism.In each of the below entries, we will look at what the movie in question gets right in terms of historical accuracy and where it falls short. Vote up the top Wild West movies based on which ones you think are the most accurate.&nbsp;

watchworthy_treatment

The 14 Most Accurate Movies About The Wild West

The Most Accurate Movies About The Wild West

Lists about the zany little things we believe anyway.

Very Superstitious

Interesting

If there&#39;s a redhead in your life, you&#39;re probably&nbsp;not wondering if they&#39;re a witch, a vampire, or an alien. But&nbsp;beliefs about redheads historically&nbsp;weren&#39;t&nbsp;so accommodating. Legends and myths about people with red hair can be found in the ancient - and sometimes present -&nbsp;cultures of countries like Egypt, Germany, and Greece, among others.

The real science behind red hair is a <a href="https://unrealfacts.com/what-causes-red-hair/">mutation of the gene</a> known as&nbsp;Melanocortin 1 Receptor, or MC1R. Red hair is a recessive trait and the <a href="http://www.sophisticatededge.com/what-is-the-rarest-hair-color.html" target="_blank">rarest of all hair colors,</a> seen in fewer&nbsp;than&nbsp;1% of people in the world. The uniqueness of redheads&nbsp;can build&nbsp;their mystery and allure. Famous redheads include beauties like Julianne Moore and&nbsp;Lucille Ball, as well as&nbsp;influential&nbsp;men like&nbsp;Ron Howard&nbsp;and&nbsp;Prince Harry.&nbsp;

Clearly, any&nbsp;myth about redheads probably deserves a little scrutiny. Before you accuse your red-haired acquaintances of hellfire-stealing or having no soul, take into consideration these outlandish myths about redheads from history.&nbsp;

cleanup_exclude

instagram_posted

11 Totally Unfounded Things People Believed About Redheads

The 11 Weirdest Historical Myths About Redheads

Erin McCann

Watchworthy

Netflix has developed a reputation for making the kinds of movies that major studios no longer want to, either because of challenging subject matter or the project isn't an obvious commercial blockbuster. Fans of the streaming service embrace those things, enjoying the ability to watch high-quality motion pictures - often with A-list stars - from the comfort of their homes. The range and scope of the stories Netflix brings to audiences is impressive.A fair number of Netflix's productions are based on true stories. They run the gamut from Martin Scorsese's <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/netflix-jimmy-hoffa-frank-sheeran-facts/melissa-sartore">The Irishman</a>, about mobster Frank Sheeran and his possible connection to the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa, to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-survival-movies-based-on-true-stories/ranker-film">Society of the Snow</a>, a re-creation of what happened when a group of plane crash survivors were stuck in the snowy Andes for more than two months. Some of the films are very factual, whereas others bend the truth to a degree to heighten the drama. Either way, the following Netflix movies tell true stories in a gripping manner.

Amazon Alexa

Distributor

18 Great Netflix Movies Based On Gripping True Stories

18 Netflix Movies Based On True Stories, Ranked

Teen TV

There's only two things that matter to teenagers: getting their driver's license and going to prom. At least that's how Hollywood tells it. Media tropes about teens have remained consistent for decades, whether it be high schools full of exclusively hot kids&nbsp;or a token <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/angsty-teenage-characters-in-movies/ranker-film">angsty teen</a> who's just <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/greatest-misunderstood-teenagers-in-tv-history/ranker-tv">misunderstood</a>.Even the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-teen-movies-of-all-time/all-genre-movies-lists">best teen movies</a> are guilty of these fallacies. In fact, many of them were conceived in said films. The reality is&nbsp;all people are different, even as teenagers, so schools aren't actually composed of the same five archetypal people that are depicted on film, and they aren't all behaving in completely predictable ways, sharing common desires and drives.Here are the many unrealistic ways teenagers are depicted on both the small and big screen.

longtail_search

primis_nerdstalgic

Both Film+TV Nodes

Things Movies And TV Get Wrong About Teenagers

15 Things Movies And TV Get Wrong About Teenagers

Zack Howe

Revisiting HBO's beloved, harrowing, heartbreaking miniseries that follows the Easy Company from jump training in 1942 through the end of WWII.

Band of Brothers

Oftentimes, when we watch historical fiction, we can't help but wonder how much of what's happening on the screen actually occurred in real life.&nbsp;This is often the case for the critically-acclaimed<a href=" https://www.ranker.com/list/band-of-brothers-small-poignant-details/alby-thompson"> 2001 miniseries, Band of Brothers</a>. The 10 episodes follow the men of the “Easy” Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. Starting with them in training, the series follows the men throughout the entirety of World War II, including major events like D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, and Operation Market Garden.The series is based on the book Band of Brothers by historian &nbsp;Stephen E. Ambrose, which was written by interviewing actual members of the Easy Company. In many cases, the TV series <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/band-of-brothers-small-accurate-details/gordon-cameron">follows closely to the real-life soldiers' stories</a>, even when they can seem unbelievable.&nbsp;

GraphExclude NoValue

Brand Unsafe HP

Reddit Scrape

Little Details

Trainer Exclude

Slot Hide

SEO Excluded

Pre-2024 'Tier 3'

Ad Policy Violation

Small Moments In 'Band of Brothers' Based On Real Facts

Small Moments In ‘Band Of Brothers’ Based On Real Facts

Emily Pogue

So you think you know everything about music? Study up to make sure you pull through for your team on Trivia Night.

Music Trivia You Should Know

In the modern era, nothing is more legendary than a musician in their prime. Even the most charismatic president bows before&nbsp;the gods of rock and roll, the angels of R&amp;B, and the princes of pop. Movie stars come close to their charismatic eminence, but what Hollywood idol can compete with the electric power of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/wild-jimi-hendrix-stories/anncasano" target="_blank">Jimi Hendrix</a>? What celeb couple can equal the enchanting harmony of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/crosby-stills-and-nash-albums-discography/reference" target="_blank">Crosby, Stills &amp; Nash</a>?

Across the decades, over mountains of narcotics, and through scores of star-making tours, these larger-than-life personas have gathered a number of rock and roll stories&nbsp;- many of which are exaggerated or simply false. But a fair number of urban legends about musicians - such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/stories-about-aerosmith/mariel-loveland" target="_blank">Aerosmith</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/lynyrd-skynyrd-plane/philgibbons" target="_blank">Lynyrd Skynyrd</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-michael-jackson-songs-of-all-time/voteable" target="_blank">Michael Jackson</a>, and even <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-ozzy-osbourne-albums-list/reference" target="_blank">Ozzy Osbourne</a> - are totally true. Vote up the rock stories you can&#39;t believe actually happened.

12 Urban Legends About Famous Musicians That Are Actually True

Band/Musician

Pierce Nahigyan

Ranking comic book characters by their powers, strength, physical traits, affiliations, and other features, like how just goshdarn super they are.

Heroes and Villains

Total Nerd

Popular <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-superheroes-all-time" target="_blank">comic book heroes</a> never stop developing. Unlike heroes in other mediums, superheroes will endure as long as comics keep printing and movies/series&nbsp;keep getting adapted from the source material. This continuation provides the characters with&nbsp;near-infinite inspirations. For instance, Spider-Man has absorbed the culture of the &#39;60s, &#39;70s, &#39;80s, &#39;90s, &#39;00s, &#39;10s, and the start of the &#39;20s. For other superheroes, cultural influences run&nbsp;even deeper.

However, we&#39;ve focused more on the foremost inspirations for said heroes: the people, places, and things that gave them their foundation. These are whatever the writers and artists considered germane. Don&#39;t doubt their instincts because the following superheroes are among the most popular in the world.&nbsp;

primis_ranker

12 Famous Superheroes With Surprising Real-World Inspirations

12 Superheroes With Surprising Real-World Inspirations

Shane Fraser

Thrillers

If movies were like our day-to-day real life, why would anyone want to see them? These 11 things that are way more exciting in movies than real life totally romanticize even the dullest jobs and activities.&nbsp;

Imagine<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/things-movies-get-wrong-about-spies/melissa-sartore" target="_blank"> being a private investigator</a> who needs to stake out a client&rsquo;s wife to see if she&rsquo;s having an affair. It could be exciting if the PI can catch her in the act, but most likely, that private investigator will sit around in the car all alone for hours wondering where he is going to go to the bathroom.&nbsp;

Think being an astronaut is as exciting as it looks in Apollo 13 or Gravity? In real life, astronauts have to spend a lot of time just figuring out how to brush their teeth or shave in zero-gravity. How about being a spy like James Bond or Jason Bourne? In real life, spies usually don&rsquo;t even carry a weapon, and they certainly do not have a license to kill.

Make your voice heard. Vote up all the ways movies are way more fun than reality.

11 Things That Are Way More Exciting In Movies Than In Real Life

11 Things That Are Way More Exciting In Movies Than Real Life

Ann Casano

Fact vs. Fiction lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for lists and rankings in all categories

Fact vs. Fiction lists on Ranker

Fact vs. Fiction lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for hundreds of Fact vs. Fiction lists and rankings.