22 Movies That Got History All Wrong

These 22 movies claim to be “based on a true story,” but the facts say otherwise—get ready for historical shortcuts, wild exaggerations, and straight-up fiction.

Despite heavily dealing with themes of mental illness, the movie incorrectly portrays many symptoms, and glosses over more troubling facts about John Nash’s life.

Rudy paints the story of a beloved practice squad player who finally makes an impact at Notre Dame. By all accounts, “Rudy” was not well liked by anyone and was not celebrated for his impact.

Although a great movie, Moneyball combined multiple men into Jonah Hill’s character and portrays manager Art Howe as the villain despite him being on board with Billy’s plan in real life. The movie also completely forgets to mention the A’s already had some of the best players in baseball on their team.

While there were serious investigations into the “Miracle on the Hudson” incident, Captain Sully Sullenberger was not held to the fire or blamed for his decisions the way Tom Hanks’s character is in the movie.

This movie gets basic elements of the attack incorrect for dramatic effect, including Japanese tactics and the American response. The Japanese did not target medical and civilian areas, instead focusing on ships and efficiency.

Director Ridley Scott told fact checkers to “Get a Life.” There’s even a scene where France bombs the Great Pyramids. That’s all you need to know.

According to members of the von Trapp family, the story is very inaccurate. There was also no dramatic escape as portrayed, and the von Trapp family simply left by getting on a train.

In 1998, two people went missing on a scuba trip and their camera was found in a shark. After that, the entire plot of this movie is made up.

This movie about brave Americans capturing a German WWII U-boat is actually based on a time British and Canadian soldiers accomplished that feat. It’s also the wrong U-boat.

Although Fargo claims to be based on a true story, the filmmakers included that detail as a joke. The movie is complete fiction.