Movies have done a great job of telling stories, whether they are fictional or real-life incidents. Films are a great way to reach a wider audience. Over the years, there have been plenty of films that are adaptations of books or stories from other sources that have resonated with audiences on a deeper level, showcasing the success of films to reach and connect with audiences in ways that are otherwise not possible.
Movies excel at conveying stories, whether by capturing significant moments in history, bringing biographies to life, or immersing viewers in life-changing events. They might not always be recreated with pinpoint accuracy; often, the movie is fictionalized or exaggerated to keep the audience hooked. And yet, they can be educational and fun watches at times.
Let’s dive into a list of movies that are based on true stories that are a must-watch if you want to feel inspired, get educated, or just want to have some fun.
1. War Dogs (2016)
A Todd Phillips movie based on two best friends, David Packouz (Miles Teller) and Efraim Diveroli (Jonah Hill), who reunite at the funeral of one of their mutual friends. It was at this funeral that Packouz finds out his long-time best friend Diveroli is an arms dealer who exploits war for profits. Upon seeing his carefree and rich lifestyle, Packouz joins him to work together and mint money.
They enjoy their small crumbs of the war game, but life quickly changes after they land a $300 million contract with the U.S. Government to supply weapons to allies in Afghanistan. The movie, unlike the real story, is heavily fictionalized and cannot be cited as a solid source for understanding the real-life story of the two friends. Still, it does a brilliant job of capturing the tough spots they often find themselves in.
The movie has a balance of humor, loyalty, brotherhood, betrayal, and lots of money and guns. The movie depicts scenes of them driving the arms by themselves via Iraq’s most dangerous spot, known as “The Triangle of Death.” This was not a real-life incident between the friends, but the screenwriter, Stephen Chin, who was a former military personnel before becoming a screenwriter.
War Dogs is an easy recommendation for those who want to learn about the functioning of war and have fun while doing it.
2. Elvis & Nixon (2016)
A movie that shows the unexpected intersection of pop culture and politics, Elvis & Nixon was released in 2016. This Liza Johnson movie depicts the time when Elvis Presley (Michael Shannon) met Richard Nixon (Kevin Spacey). The movie is set in 1970 when Presley, at the peak of his fame, wanted to meet with Nixon and offer his service to the government as a “Federal Agent at Large” in the war on drugs.
What followed was an awkward yet oddly humorous exchange between two of the most influential men of their time, revealing the quirks of both figures.
The movie also includes scenes from the most-searched photo from the U.S. National Archive: President Richard Nixon shaking hands with Elvis Presley. The film does a great job of recreating the 70s theme with the old Coke bottles and cars. Michael Shannon also does a brilliant job of recreating Presley’s personality. The movie is a mix of humor, history, and outstanding performances.
3. Rush (2013)
Rush is a Ron Howard film that is centered around the rivalry between two F1 drivers, Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) and James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth). Set in the 1970s, the movie transitions to the 1976 F1 season when Lauda suffered a near-fatal crash but made a miraculous return to challenge Hunt for the championship.
The movie does an amazing job of recreating the cars, and it was recorded at some famous tracks, including the infamous Nürburgring. The film manages to capture the spirit of a real F1 race and rivalries. Beyond racing, Rush shows how the two champions approached racing in completely different ways. While the movie is pretty accurate with the facts and history, the rivalry between Lauda and Hunt was a tad bit exaggerated to make it more dramatic.
It’s a great movie for those who love a good racing film and follow motorsports.
4. Society of the Snow (2023)
Directed by J.A. Bayona, Society of the Snow is a gripping and emotionally intense story of the 1972 Andes flight disaster. The film is based on Pablo Vierci’s book and recounts the true story of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed in the Andes with 45 passengers on board, many of whom were members of a rugby team.
The movie shows the struggles of surviving in harsh environments with no hope of ever getting saved. The movie takes a more human approach, focusing on the group’s collective struggle rather than just individual heroism.
Bayona did a brilliant job with the cinematography. The movie is celebrated not just for its powerful performances but also for its painstaking attention to detail in recreating the crash site and survival conditions. The sets and scenes were designed to mirror real photographs of the disaster. You have to see it to understand the horrific situation they were all stuck in.
5. The Iron Claw (2023)
Directed by Sean Durkin, this movie revolves around the lives of the legendary Von Erich family. The film tells the true story of the brothers Kevin Von Erich (Zac Efron) and his brothers David (Harris Dickinson) and Kerry (Jeremy Allen White), who, under the strict guidance of their father, Fritz Von Erich, rose to fame in the 1980s wrestling circuit.
Fritz, being a former champion himself, used to push his kids to be the best, too. He kept pushing them, trying to carry the family name and legacy in pro wrestling. Despite having immense talent and success in the ring, the family could not escape the multiple deaths in the family, leading to the infamous “Von Erich curse.”
The movie is not just about wrestling but also the mental stress that comes with it. It also shows a dysfunctional home, the weight of carrying a legacy, and the bond between the brothers. The movie is not only good at telling a true story but is also done in a spectacular way.
6. Zodiac (2007)
Zodiac is based on the story of the serial killer that haunted California in the late 1960s and 1970s. The film follows the obsessive investigation through the perspectives of San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) and journalist Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) as they try to hunt down the serial killer who killed five people.
The cartoonist and the journalist use their puzzle-solving skills to seek answers to the cryptic messages the Zodiac killer taunts them with. The relentless search for his identity takes a psychological toll on those involved, leading to paranoia, obsession, and shattered lives.
Other than the fact that it was created by one of the best directors in Hollywood, the movie also has a brilliant cast, amazing cinematography, and the ability to create paranoia among the viewers.
7. Fruitvale Station (2013)
The story of a young Black man who was shot by a transit police officer at Oakland’s Fruitvale Station on New Year’s Day 2009. The movie has an amazing director-actor duo of Michael B. Jordan as Oscar Grant and Ryan Coogler, a powerful pairing who have created multiple projects together.
The movie follows the story of Grant on the last day before he was shot by a cop. The movie shows scenes of his last few hours, showcasing an intimate and deeply empathetic portrayal of a young man trying to turn his life around. As he spends time with his girlfriend (Melonie Diaz), daughter, and mother (Octavia Spencer), the film paints a sad picture of his struggles and love for his family.
With a documentary-style realism, Fruitvale Station is an unforgettable film that sheds light on police brutality against minors.
8. Blow (2001)
A drug trafficking movie based on the true story of George Jung (Johnny Depp), Blow tells the story of a small-town kid who became one of the biggest drug traffickers in American history. Jung starts off dealing marijuana in the 1960s but soon levels up to the international drug trafficking business. He eventually becomes a key figure in Pablo Escobar’s Medellín Cartel.
With his business flowing, he starts to build a drug empire in the U.S. and dominates the cocaine market in the 1970s and 80s. But with the unethical highs come the lows, too, and that’s exactly what follows, leading to betrayal and downfall that leaves him dealing with the consequences of the choices he made.
This Ted Demme movie is filled with amazing cinematography, dialogue, and suspense, taking the audience through the life of a smuggler.
9. I, Tonya (2017)
A dramatic sports comedy film based on the true story of figure skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie), I, Tonya is also a biographical film about a woman who grew up in a poor and abusive household, pushed by her tough mother (Allison Janney) to become a world-class skater.
Despite her talent, she struggles to fit into the world of figure skating. Her life takes a turn for the worse when she becomes involved in the infamous 1994 attack on her rival, Nancy Kerrigan, a scandal that shook the sports world. The film tells the story in a unique way, using interviews and breaking the fourth wall to show different perspectives on what really happened.
It’s a must-watch for those who want better clarity of the whole situation, and the movie does an amazing job of showing how the media and public judged her.
10. The Social Network (2010)
The Social Network is an amazing drama directed by David Fincher that shows the life of Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), a Harvard student and computer genius who develops one of the biggest social media platforms—Facebook—which changes the way people connect.
As Facebook grows, it also starts to create conflicts, showing betrayal and lawsuits that follow. Zuckerberg faces legal battles from his former best friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) and the Winklevoss twins (Armie Hammer), who claim he stole their idea.
Eisenberg delivers a brilliant performance as Zuckerberg, portraying him as both a visionary and a socially awkward genius. It’s a must-watch film to dive deeper into the mind of a visionary and also see the coming to life of one of the most successful social media platforms.
11. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street is a biographical film that is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who got super rich through fraud and corruption. Belfort is played by Leonardo DiCaprio, who starts his career with an ambitious yet humble beginning. But as soon as he gets a taste of the Wall Street life, he is consumed by it.
He discovers that he can make unimaginable wealth through greed and deception. He gains a partner in crime with whom he creates Stratton Oakmont, a firm that scams investors while indulging in a life of luxury, drugs, and reckless partying. But the glory doesn’t last for long as the IRS and FBI start getting involved in his life.
The high-energy storytelling style mixed with dark humor and an unfiltered look at greed and exploitation makes it a one-of-a-kind film. With the director-actor duo, The Wolf of Wall Street becomes an easy recommendation for a true-story-based movie.
12. Tag (2018)
If you’ve seen this movie, it doesn’t come off as a movie based on a true story. Who would think a bunch of friends play a game of tag every year even after they grow up, especially for 30 years? Surprisingly, this group of four friends, no matter what or where they are in their lives, will come together in May to play the game of TAG.
These men go to extreme lengths by disguising themselves, taking cross-country trips, and even crashing weddings to tag each other and avoid being “it” for the rest of the year. The film follows Hogan Malloy (Ed Helms), Bob Callahan (Jon Hamm), Randy Cilliano (Jake Johnson), Kevin Sable (Hannibal Buress), and the legendary Jerry Pierce (Jeremy Renner), who has never once been tagged.
This movie was a fresh addition to the genre of true-story-based films, as it did not follow a movie with a deep story or a horrific incident—just a bunch of friends messing around and having fun.
13. The Imitation Game (2014)
The story of Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician and cryptanalyst who helped break the Nazi Enigma code during World War II. Turing is played by Benedict Cumberbatch, who joins a top-secret team of code breakers, where he builds a machine capable of decrypting enemy messages.
Despite resistance from military officials and his own social struggles, Turing’s work plays a crucial role in shortening the war and saving millions of lives. Beyond its historical significance, The Imitation Game is a deeply emotional film that explores Turing’s personal struggles as he lives a secret life of being a gay man due to homosexuality being illegal in Britain.
With brilliant performances and thought-provoking themes, the movie is a heartfelt tribute to a man whose genius changed the world.
14. American Made (2017)
It is a thrilling crime drama based on the unbelievable true story of a pilot, Barry Seal, who used to bring Cuban cigars in his luggage as a small-scale smuggler but soon became an informant for the CIA.
Played by Tom Cruise, Seal is a reckless pilot who was recruited by the CIA in the late 1970s to fly covert missions in Central America. However, he soon finds himself meddling with drug trafficking, money laundering, and secret government operations, making him one of the richest and most wanted men in America.
This Doug Liman film does a brilliant job of displaying the double life of Seal as he works for the U.S. Government while also smuggling drugs for Pablo Escobar and minting millions of dollars. It’s an exciting, real-story-based movie that won’t ever feel slow.
15. Dumb Money (2023)
Dumb Money is a true story based on real-life events surrounding the GameStop short squeeze that took place in early 2021. The movie is led by Keith Gill, who uses his YouTube channel and Reddit posts to encourage smaller investors to buy shares of GameStop. This was a challenge to the elites who were trying to make GameStop’s shares drop by restricting investors from buying their stock.
The movie also has amazing cinematography, showcasing the lives of other characters, their life conditions, and their determination to hold on to the stock to stick it to the Big Players. This movie balances raw emotions with humor to keep the pace going without feeling like a drag.
A great watch for anyone who wants a better understanding of the functioning of the stock market.
16. Senna (2010)
Senna is a documentary about the life and career of Ayrton Senna, a three-time Formula 1 World Champion. The movie takes viewers through the life of Ayrton Senna, from his early karting days in Brazil, transitioning to climbing through other motorsport categories and finally becoming an F1 driver and securing multiple world championships.
The film also shows his rivalry with Alain Prost, as both of them were teammates racing for McLaren-Honda. This Asif Kapadia film does an amazing job of mirroring his legacy. Unlike other traditional documentaries, Senna was made using real footage, including race clips and behind-the-scenes moments, without head interviews.
This method of storytelling felt more immersive for the viewers and provided a better depth of the emotions of an F1 driver through his highs and lows. This movie is an easy recommendation, even if you don’t really follow motorsport.
17. Moneyball (2011)
A thrilling sports drama directed by Bennett Miller, Moneyball revolves around a general manager at Oakland Athletics. Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) is the center of the film as he revolutionizes baseball using computer-generated data and analytics.
Beane has to make a great team with a limited budget, as the key players were already bagged by the richer teams. Instead of relying on traditional methods to pick players, he pairs with a young economics graduate, Peter Brand (Jonah Hill). Together, they build a team around a new statistical approach, which later changes the way baseball is played.
The movie does a brilliant job of balancing sports, strategy, and personal drama.
18. Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Set during the time of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, this drama follows the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who saved around a thousand refugees from certain deaths.
Paul (Don Cheadle) initially tries to remain neutral. Still, as the violence escalates, he uses his position at the Hôtel des Mille Collines to protect Tutsi refugees from brutal attacks by giving them jobs at his hotel. He does this alongside his wife, Tatiana (Sophie Okonedo). Paul faces dangerous consequences if he is caught, as he risks his life to shelter the victims.
The film shows the horror of the genocide, but it also focuses on the courage and humanity of those who fought to protect others.
19. 127 Hours (2010)
A gripping survival drama based on the true story of Aron Ralston (James Franco), 127 Hours shows a hiker trapped in a remote canyon in Utah with no one around to help and only limited supplies to survive.
Trapped and isolated, Ralston spends 127 hours trying to free himself from under a boulder. As time goes by, Ralston thinks about his life, his relationships, and the decisions that brought him to this situation. When he realizes that no one is coming to save him, he makes the choice to cut off his arm using a dull knife to escape.
This movie shows Ralston’s will to survive and his endurance through tough times. Danny Boyle does an impressive job with the cinematography to immerse the audience in that baffling experience
20. Unstoppable (2010)
Directed by Tony Scott, Unstoppable is an action-packed thriller inspired by a true incident, “CSX 8888.” The film follows an unmanned freight train carrying toxic chemicals that threaten to cause a major disaster if it derails in a populated area. Engineer Frank Barnes (Denzel Washington) and young conductor Will Colson (Chris Pine) find ways to bring the train to a halt.
The movie doesn’t just focus on heroism but also on the emotional sides of each character as they deal with their own troubles. With Denzel’s great acting skills and the movie’s high-paced storytelling, the film remains intriguing from start to end.
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