Some of the most famous films ever made proudly open with the words “Based on a true story.” It’s a phrase that instantly pulls us in, as if what we’re about to watch really happened. But Hollywood has always loved to play with the truth. Sometimes the entire movie is invented, and other times the filmmakers borrow just a sliver of fact before letting imagination take over. Here are some well-known examples of movies that say they’re true stories, but aren’t quite what they seem.
#1: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre frightened audiences when it first hit theaters, especially because it claimed to be based on true events. The truth is, the terrifying character of Leatherface, over the years, was only loosely inspired by real-life killer Ed Gein. Gein’s crimes were disturbing, but he never roamed Texas with a chainsaw. Over time, the legend of Leatherface became a kind of folk tale, growing with each sequel and remake, until many believed there was a genuine Texas story behind it.
