FACTS

15 Things You Might Not Know About Robert Altman

The seven-time Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind M*A*S*H and Gosford Park, who would have turned 100 this year, changed how we watch—and hear—movies. He also tattooed Harry S. Truman’s dog.

11 Fascinating Facts About Edward Gorey

‘The Gashlycrumb Tinies’ author was born 100 years ago on February 22—here’s what you need to know about him, from what classic book he found boring to how much he really helped with PBS’s show ‘Mystery!’

7 Fascinating Facts About Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’

He wrote the book partially in response to European writers like Joseph Conrad, who Achebe said depicted Africa “as ‘the other world,’ the antithesis of Europe and therefore of civilization.”

Lukas Haas, Kelly McGillis, Brent Jennings, and Harrison Ford in ‘Witness.’

9 Fascinating Facts About ‘Witness’

Roger Ebert loved Peter Weir’s film, calling it “an electrifying and poignant love story” and “a thriller ... Alfred Hitchcock would have been proud to make.” ‘Witness’ turns 40 this year; here’s what you should know.

Another excuse to plunge back into the world of Westeros.

10 Fascinating Facts About ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’

Here’s everything you need to know about the Tales of Dunk and Egg, the ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel novellas that inspired HBO’s upcoming adaptation.

12 Mysterious Facts About ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’

Peter Weir’s Australian New Wave classic turns 50 this year. Here’s what you need to know about the film, from the off-limits question Weir asked book author Joan Lindsay to the spooky stuff that happened on set.

The dogs who pulled off the Nome Serum run might have looked a little bit like this.

10 Things You Need to Know About the 1925 Serum Run to Nome, Alaska

From January 27, 1925 until February 2, 20 mushers and 150 dogs heroically transported desperately needed diphtheria antitoxin to the remote town of Nome, Alaska, saving countless lives in the process. But the event wasn’t without controversy.

101 Things We Learned in 2024

Let’s celebrate another year in the books with a look back at how our knowledge grew over the past 12 months.

Learn Amazing Facts About Louis Armstrong With James Monroe Iglehart

The performer, who is currently playing Armstrong on Broadway in ‘A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical,’ dropped by the Mental Floss studios to walk us through some fascinating details about Armstrong’s life.

6 Fascinating Facts About ‘Salvage the Bones’

Here’s how Jesmyn Ward’s award-winning novel about Hurricane Katrina came to be.

The Tower of London as seen from the River Thames.

7 Formidable Facts About the Tower of London

The Tower of London inspires awe, fear, and intrigue. Here are seven facts you may not know about the iconic British fortress.

11 Chilling Facts About the 1972 Andes Plane Crash

Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashed in a remote location in Chile’s Andes Mountains on October 13, 1972—and those who made it through the crash would need to resort to desperate measures to survive.

8 Fascinating Facts About ‘The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’

Here's how Stieg Larsson's modern classic came to be.

Learn Amazing Facts About the U.S. Constitution With A.J. Jacobs

Author A.J. Jacobs spent a year living like a Founding Father to better understand the U.S. Constitution. Here’s what he learned.

11 Fascinating Facts About The Velvet Underground

To rock snobs, art-school students, and dads everywhere, the Velvet Underground are the cornerstone of rock and roll. Here are 11 facts on their background and influence.

6 Fascinating Facts About Ha Jin’s ‘Waiting’

He got the idea from a story his wife told him while they were visiting her parents: “I joked, ‘This would be good for a novel. I am going to write a novel based on this.’ ”

20 Fascinating Facts About Humphrey Bogart

No, he wasn’t the Gerber baby, but he did serve as a model for another brand of baby food—and 19 other facts you need to know about this Hollywood heavyweight.

10 Bizarre Historical Hygiene Practices

Let’s just say you’ll be super grateful for your toothpaste and toilet paper after watching the latest episode of The List Show.

Do you know how many species of bats actually drink blood?

Make Your Halloween Party Extra Eerie With This Spooky Fact–Filled YouTube Video From Mental Floss

Set the mood for Halloween with this spooky fact–filled video.

11 Facts About the Zodiac Killer

Read up on the case before the new documentary ‘This Is the Zodiac Speaking’ hits Netflix on October 23.

Being an astronaut isn’t as glamorous as you were led to believe.

10 Surprising Facts About Your Childhood Dream Jobs

In the latest episode of The List Show, we’re tackling some fun facts—and the occasional harsh truth—about the careers you imagined for yourself as a kid.

19 Things You Might Not Have Known About Gene Roddenberry

Roddenberry flew planes in World War II, worked as a traffic cop in the LAPD, and wrote for TV under an assumed name before launching ‘Star Trek.’

Walter Matthau in a scene from 'The Taking of Pelham One Two Three' (1974).

12 Thrilling Facts About ‘The Taking of Pelham One Two Three’

Make a list of the greatest movies ever set in New York City, and it should include ‘The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.’ Discover more facts about the 1974 crime drama here, including how producers got the MTA to let them use real subway trains.

8 Fascinating Facts About James Baldwin

August 2, 2024 makes the 100th anniversary of James Baldwin’s birth. Here’s what you should know about the ‘Tell It on the Mountain’ and ‘Giovanni’s Room’ author.