“Based on a true story” doesn’t always mean accurate—but sometimes, the real events behind your favorite films are even wilder than fiction. From con artists to royalty, musical icons to historical heroes, these movies were inspired by real people who lived through unbelievable drama. Here are the jaw-dropping true stories behind the hits.

These documentaries show that in true crime, reality often surpasses fiction—delivering twists, intrigue, and shock that are as disturbing as they are unforgettable.

Ever since that first dance in Dirty Dancing (1987), Patrick Swayze's life was defined by movement, whether he was moving his body around like a man possessed or moving us to tears with his stunning performances. One of the greatest actors of the 1980s didn't deserve his fate, passing away from cancer in 2009, but his legacy lives on through his greatest accomplishments.

Reshoots are nothing new in Hollywood, and usually make a film better. But in some cases, reshoots don’t save the film—they doom it. Here are movies that were reshot but still went down in flames.