Some conspiracy theories are so out there, you’d assume no one takes them seriously anymore.
And yet, plenty of people still hold on to some truly bizarre beliefs, from secret societies running the world to historical events that “never actually happened.” While some theories are harmless fun, others have shaped entire cultures, governments, and online debates that just won’t die. Here are 14 of the wildest conspiracy theories that people still swear are true, even when scientific fact and hard evidence have proven otherwise.
1. The moon landing was faked.
Despite overwhelming evidence that humans really did land on the moon in 1969, some people still insist it was all an elaborate hoax staged by NASA, including 25% of Europeans, according to TRESCA EU research project. They claim the shadows in the footage are inconsistent, the American flag appears to be waving in a vacuum, and that Stanley Kubrick himself directed the whole thing.
While scientists have debunked every claim with clear explanations—like the flag’s movement being caused by air displacement—the theory refuses to die. Some even believe that NASA astronauts have been sworn to secrecy and that the real footage is locked away somewhere, never to be seen.
2. The Earth is flat.
It’s 2024, and yet, flat Earthers still exist. Despite centuries of scientific proof, satellite images, and even personal testimonies from astronauts, there’s a passionate group that insists the planet is actually a flat disc surrounded by an ice wall.
Some take it even further, arguing that space itself is a hoax and that the government fakes images of the globe. While it’s easy to laugh at, flat Earth conventions are still happening, and their followers are convinced they’re the ones seeing the truth.
3. Birds aren’t real.
What started as a satirical joke has somehow been taken seriously by certain corners of the internet. The “Birds Aren’t Real” conspiracy claims that all birds were secretly replaced by government surveillance drones in the 1970s. While most people know it’s a parody mocking real conspiracy theorists, some have actually run with it, questioning whether pigeons, seagulls, and even sparrows are actually just robotic spies watching our every move.
4. The Illuminati controls everything.
The idea that a secret elite group, often referred to as the Illuminati, runs the world is one of the longest-standing conspiracy theories. Some believe they control politics, entertainment, and even major historical events.
Every time a celebrity flashes a triangle hand sign or a world leader does something suspicious, believers point to it as “proof” that the Illuminati is calling the shots. While the real Illuminati was disbanded in the 1700s, that hasn’t stopped people from looking for hidden symbols in music videos and Super Bowl performances.
5. The Titanic never actually sank.
According to one theory, the ship that sank in 1912 wasn’t the Titanic at all—it was its nearly identical sister ship, the Olympic, in an elaborate insurance scam.
The idea suggests that the White Star Line company secretly swapped the two ships and sank the Olympic on purpose to cash in on insurance money. Never mind that thousands of people died in the disaster—some still claim the “real” Titanic was quietly retired after the stunt.
6. Avril Lavigne was replaced by a body double.
This theory suggests that the real Avril Lavigne died in the early 2000s and was replaced by a lookalike named Melissa, who has been posing as her ever since. Fans who believe this point to differences in her appearance, voice, and even her handwriting.
It doesn’t help that Avril herself has joked about it in interviews, fuelling speculation. Of course, there’s no real proof of this swap, just a lot of overanalysed photos and wild speculation.
7. The government controls the weather.
Have you ever heard someone blame a heatwave, hurricane, or snowstorm on the government? Some people genuinely believe that the military has secret technology capable of manipulating the weather for political or economic gain.
One of the main culprits in this theory is HAARP, a research facility in Alaska that studies the ionosphere. Despite being a legitimate scientific program, conspiracy theorists claim it’s being used to trigger natural disasters and control global temperatures.
8. Paul McCartney died in the ’60s.
“Paul is dead” is one of the most famous music conspiracy theories. It claims that Paul McCartney secretly died in a car accident in 1966 and was replaced by a lookalike so The Beatles could continue their success.
Believers say the band left hidden clues in their album covers and lyrics, like the infamous Abbey Road cover where Paul is barefoot (a supposed symbol of death). Of course, the real Paul McCartney is still alive and well, but that hasn’t stopped this theory from circulating for decades.
9. The Denver Airport is hiding something.
Denver International Airport is the focus of multiple conspiracy theories, mainly because of its eerie murals, unusual architecture, and alleged underground tunnels. Some say it’s the headquarters of the Illuminati or even a post-apocalyptic bunker for world leaders.
The airport has fully embraced the rumours, even making jokes about them in official advertisements, but believers are convinced something sinister lies beneath the runways.
10. Finland doesn’t exist.
Yes, there are people who genuinely believe that Finland is a made-up country. This theory suggests that the landmass known as Finland is actually open sea, and that maps have been manipulated to hide the truth. The reason? Apparently, it was invented by Japan and Russia to keep fishing rights in the Baltic Sea a secret. While actual Finns might disagree, some people still argue that their entire country is a hoax.
11. COVID-19 was created on purpose.
When the pandemic hit, conspiracy theories spread just as fast as the virus itself. Some claimed it was engineered in a lab, others believed it was a hoax, and some even said it was created as a tool for world domination. Despite mountains of scientific research explaining the origins of COVID-19, misinformation continues to thrive. Even years later, debates rage on about what “really happened.”
12. Mattress stores are a front for money laundering.
Ever noticed that mattress stores seem to pop up on every street corner, even when they rarely have customers? According to this theory, they’re not just selling beds—they’re laundering money for something shady. While it’s true that mattress stores seem oddly abundant, the actual reason is far less sinister—it’s just a high-margin business model that doesn’t require a lot of sales to stay profitable.
13. Time travellers are leaving clues.
Some people are convinced that time travellers are among us, leaving hidden clues in history, old photos, and even pop culture. From ancient paintings that look like people holding smartphones to oddly predictive episodes of The Simpsons, the evidence is supposedly everywhere.
Of course, sceptics argue that these “clues” are just coincidences, but believers insist time travellers are out there—they’re just good at keeping their cover.
14. Celebrities and politicians are secretly lizard people.
Perhaps the strangest conspiracy theory of them all, the “lizard people” theory suggests that many world leaders, celebrities, and powerful individuals are actually shape-shifting reptilian aliens controlling society.
David Icke, a British conspiracy theorist, popularized this idea, and while it sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, some people genuinely believe it. Apparently, the key signs of a lizard person include blinking weirdly, cold body temperature, and a strong desire for world domination.
