15 Best Movies Based On A True Story

Movies based on true stories can be even more exciting than fiction, and there are dozens of classics which were inspired by real events. Some of the best movies ever made have taken their stories from real life, although there’s still an incredible variety in these types of movies. Anything from war movies to biopics and sports movies can adapt true stories for the big-screen.

While it can be a surprise to find out that certain movies are based on true stories, this fact is often a key detail in a movie’s marketing. People have a desire to see real-life stories, even well-known stories that they might know all about. In these cases, the appeal of the movie doesn’t come from the twists and turns of the plot, but the way that the filmmaker recreates and reframes famous episodes from history. Some other movies based on true stories shine a light on unbelievable and little-known historical tales.

15

Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)

Based On Adrian Cronauer’s Experiences During The Vietnam War

Good Morning, Vietnam - Poster-1

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Good Morning, Vietnam

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Release Date

December 23, 1987

Director

Barry Levinson

Cast

Robin Williams
, Forest Whitaker
, Tung Thanh Tran
, Chintara Sukapatana
, Bruno Kirby
, Robert Wuhl

Most movies that take inspiration from real life tend to be dramas, but Good Morning, Vietnam is one of Robin Williams’ most enjoyable comedies. Williams plays Adrian Cronauer, a DJ for Armed Forces Radio Service during the Vietnam War, whose eccentric humor and rock music quickly annoyed his superiors and delighted his listeners. Williams is, as usual, a joy to watch, as he improvises some added panache to an already superb script. Williams had a few remarkable dramatic performances up his sleeve, and Good Morning, Vietnam allows him to blend humor with some emotional moments, showcasing the full range of his talents.

14

BlacKkKlansman (2018)

Based On Ron Stallworth’s Investigation Into The Ku Klux Klan

Blackkklansman Movie Poster

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8/10

BlacKkKlansman

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Release Date

August 9, 2018

Director

Spike Lee

Cast

Alec Baldwin
, John David Washington
, Isiah Whitlock Jr.
, Robert John Burke
, Brian Tarantina
, Arthur J. Nascarella

BlacKkKlansman is one of Spike Lee’s best movies, blending his penchant for comedy with his intelligent social commentary. John David Washington stars as Ron Stallworth, a Black police officer who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s, and Adam Driver delivers a superb performance as his accomplice. There are time when the light back-and-forth between the two stars gives BlacKkKlansman the appeal of a buddy cop movie or a crime caper, but Lee shows that the reality of racial hatred in the United States is nothing to laugh at. Like most great historical movies, BlacKkKlansman is relevant to the present.

13

Ford V Ferrari (2019)

Based On Ford’s First Le Mans Competitors

ford v ferrari

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9/10

Ford v Ferrari

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Release Date

August 30, 2019

Director

James Mangold

Cast

Christian Bale
, Matt Damon
, Caitríona Balfe
, Josh Lucas
, Jon Bernthal

Sports movies based on true stories aren’t always as interesting as they seem to believe. Only the best ones can be just as appealing to hardcore fans of the sport as they are to complete newcomers, and Ford v Ferrari is one of the best in this regard. The 1960s racing drama works so well because it stays focused on the intriguing personal dynamic between its two main characters, and it helps that Christian Bale and Matt Damon are both in top form. James Mangold injects the racing scenes with genuine excitement, but what happens off the track is just as interesting.

Collage of two closeups of Ken Miles and Carroll Shelby in Ford v. Ferrari

Related

Ford v. Ferrari True Story: 10 Biggest Details The Le Mans ’66 Movie Leaves Out

Ford v Ferrari did a great job breaking down the real rivalry between the automotive racers in 1966, but missed out on some juicy real details.

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12

Hidden Figures (2016)

Based On Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan And Mary Jackson’s Work At NASA

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8/10

9.3/10

Hidden Figures

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Release Date

December 25, 2016

Director

Theodore Melfi

Cast

Taraji P. Henson
, Octavia Spencer
, Janelle Monae
, Jim Parsons
, Glen Powell
, Kirsten Dunst
, Aldis Hodge
, Kevin Costner
, Mahershala Ali

Hidden Figures shines a light on the little-known story of NASA’s Black female mathematicians who helped get astronauts safely into space from behind-the-scenes. Thanks to three superb lead performances from Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe, Hidden Figures brings the 1960s to life, with its charming style and its harsh social truths. Hidden Figures shows the inequality that supported the glamor of the space program in its early days, but the story is always entertaining and relatable, rather than being too didactic.

11

Zodiac (2007)

Based On The Zodiac Killer

Zodiac Movie Poster

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10/10

9.3/10

Zodiac

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Release Date

March 2, 2007

Director

David Fincher

Cast

Robert Downey Jr.
, Jake Gyllenhaal
, Anthony Edwards
, Mark Ruffalo
, Brian Cox

Zodiac is one of David Fincher’s best movies, and it continues his exploration of criminality that began with movies like Fight Club and Se7en in the 1990s. Zodiac‘s real-life story makes the drama even more urgent and horrifying, as Fincher pays close attention to the details of each individual murder. The story mainly focuses on Robert Graysmith’s amateur investigation. He journeys deep into the rabbit hole of his own obsession, ignoring his daily responsibilities and his own safety. Fincher leaves it up to the audience to decide whether his theories are credible or not, but the lingering mystery makes it easy to fall into the same trap.

10

The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

Based On Jordan Belfort’s Fraudulent Wall Street Career

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10/10

6.5/10

The Wolf of Wall Street

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Release Date

December 25, 2013

Director

Martin Scorsese

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio
, Jonah Hill
, Margot Robbie
, Kyle Chandler
, Matthew McConaughey
, Rob Reiner
, Jon Bernthal
, Jon Favreau

Martin Scorsese has often taken inspiration from real life, starting with early hits like Raging Bull and running all the way up to Killers of the Flower Moon. The Wolf of Wall Street showcases Scorsese’s mastery of fun crime movies, but the real-world context of Jordan Belfort’s crimes has led to some accusations that the movie glamorizes his criminal acts. The Wolf of Wall Street looks like one big party, with Leonardo DiCaprio giving one of his funniest performances. Ultimately, it’s less an indictment of the man as it is an indictment of a system that allowed him to flourish for so long.

9

Apollo 13 (1995)

Based On The Apollo 13 Incident

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9/10

Apollo 13

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Release Date

June 30, 1995

Director

Ron Howard

Cast

Tom Hanks
, Bill Paxton
, Kevin Bacon
, Gary Sinise
, Ed Harris
, Kathleen Quinlan
, Mary Kate Schellhardt
, Emily Ann Lloyd

The aborted Apollo 13 lunar mission is one chapter from real life that seems just as tense and exciting as any movie, and it finally got a fitting big-screen dramatization in 1995. Ron Howard’s Apollo 13 uses the authentic transcripts from the lunar module and mission control for most of its dialogue, although there are a few added flourishes here and there. Overall, the genuine dialogue gives the drama an immersive feel, and Howard’s careful framing makes everything feel clear and claustrophobic all at once. It’s an intelligent drama that stands alongside the best space exploration movies ever, even though it’s completely true.

Academy Award Nominations Received By Apollo 13

Category

Nominees

Best Picture

Brian Grazer

Best Actor In a Supporting Role

Ed Harris

Best Actress In a Supporting Role

Kathleen Quinlan

Best Screenplay Based On Material Previously Produced or Published

William Boyles Jr. & Al Reinert

Best Art Direction

Michael Corenblith & Merideth Boswell

Best Film Editing (Won)

Mike Hill & Daniel Hanley

Best Original Dramatic Score

James Horner

Best Sound (Won)

Rick Dior, Steve Pederson, Scott Millan & David MacMillan

Best Visual Effects

Robert Legato, Michael Kanfer, Leslie Ekker & Matt Sweeney

8

The Pianist (2002)

Based On Władisław Szpilman’s Experiences During The Holocaust

The Pianist - Poster

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10/10

The Pianist

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Release Date

March 28, 2003

Director

Roman Polanski

Cast

Adrien Brody
, Thomas Kretschmann
, Frank Finlay
, Emilia Fox
, Michal Zebrowski
, Ed Stoppard
, Maureen Lipman
, Jessica Kate Meyer

Adrien Brody’s performance in The Pianist brings a human element to a harrowing story of the industrial-scale slaughter of the Holocaust. The Pianist is one of many important Holocaust dramas that serve as a reminder of the cruelty and dehumanization that occurred during the Second World War. While other movies present stories of hope and perseverance, The Pianist‘s true story is propelled by luck, more than anything else. This is a somber refutation of sentimental war stories, suggesting that violence and chaos are not things which can be overcome by simple resilience.

7

Oppenheimer (2023)

Based On J. Robert Oppenheimer And The Manhattan Project

Oppenheimer Poster

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9/10

15

9.3/10

Oppenheimer

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Release Date

July 21, 2023

Director

Christopher Nolan

Cast

Cillian Murphy
, Emily Blunt
, Matt Damon
, Robert Downey Jr.
, Rami Malek
, Florence Pugh

Christopher Nolan has developed a reputation as a modern master of blockbusters, full of interesting sci-fi concepts and action set pieces. This makes Oppenheimer an unexpected change of pace, but Nolan brings just as much vitality to his biopic of a polarizing figure in American history. By looking at the events of the Manhattan Project and its political fallout simultaneously, Oppenheimer makes it impossible to separate the cause from the effect. It takes a brand-new approach to the biopic genre that seems like the culmination of Nolan’s directorial career. Oppenheimer‘s ensemble cast is also one of the best ever assembled.

Academy Award Nominations Received By Oppenheimer

Category

Nominees

Best Picture (Won)

Emma Thomas, Charles Roven & Christopher Nolan

Best Director (Won)

Christopher Nolan

Best Actor (Won)

Cillian Murphy

Best Supporting Actor (Won

Robert Downey Jr.

Best Supporting Actress

Emily Blunt

Best Adapted Screenplay

Christopher Nolan

Best Cinematography (Won)

Hoyte van Hoytema

Best Costume Design

Ellen Mirojnik

Best Film Editing (Won)

Jennifer Lame

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Luisa Abel

Best Original Score (Won)

Ludwig Göransson

Best Production Design

Ruth De Jong & Claire Kaufman

Best Sound

Willie D. Burton, Richard King, Gary A. Rizzo & Kevin O’Connell

6

All The President’s Men (1976)

Based On The Watergate Scandal

Carl and Bob sitting next to each other in All The President's Men

All the President’s Men was made just four years after the events depicted took place, while the Watergate scandal was still fresh in America’s national memory. This makes All the President’s Men an unorthodox real-life drama, but Alan J. Pakula still insisted on rigorous adherence to historical accuracy, which extended to procuring the same exact desks which were used in the Washington Post’s offices at the time Woodward and Bernstein were investigating the scandal. Fortunately, All the President’s Men has aged beautifully, and it’s just as relevant now as ever, thanks to its embodiment of journalistic integrity and truth.

5

The Social Network (2010)

Based On The Creation Of Facebook

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8/10

8.7/10

The Social Network

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Release Date

October 1, 2010

Director

David Fincher

Cast

Jesse Eisenberg
, Rooney Mara
, Andrew Garfield
, Justin Timberlake
, Armie Hammer

As Facebook continues to morph and grow, it’s worth periodically returning to David Fincher’s The Social Network to see the murky origins of the global tech giant. The script, arguably Aaron Sorkin’s best, gives legal proceedings and business meetings as much tension as any action scene, and it helps that the movie is boosted by excellent performances across the board. While The Social Network says a lot about narcissism and the inherent disconnect of social media, it also delivers some startling pathos when it’s least expected. Throughout its twists and turns, it manages to link Mark Zuckerberg’s story to the broader symptoms of a world he has helped create.

Blended image of the Winklevoss twins, Mark Zuckerberg, and Eduardo Saverin in The Social Network

Related

The Social Network True Story: 11 Biggest Things The Facebook Movie Got Wrong

David Fincher’s The Social Network chronicles the founding of Facebook, and while it got many things right, it changed a couple of details.

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4

12 Years A Slave (2013)

Based On Solomon Northup’s Life

12 Years a Slave Movie Poster

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6/10

8.5/10

12 Years a Slave

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Release Date

January 9, 2014

Director

Steve McQueen

Cast

Chiwetel Ejiofor
, Michael Fassbender
, Brad Pitt
, Lupita Nyong’o
, Benedict Cumberbatch

12 Years a Slave is one of the most moving and thought-provoking movies about America’s history of slavery ever made, and the true story behind its plot makes it even more emotional. Solomon Northup’s memoir is brought to life with unflinching dedication, which often makes 12 Years a Slave an uncomfortable watch. Its depiction of the barbarous potential of human cruelty pulls no punches, but this is just what makes it so special. 12 Years a Slave offers food for thought, and it’s the kind of movie which can make anyone feel reflective, whether they are American or not.

3

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

Based On John Wojtowicz’s 1972 Manhattan Bank Robbery

Dog Day Afternoon

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Dog Day Afternoon

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Release Date

December 25, 1975

Director

Sidney Lumet

Cast

Al Pacino
, John Cazale
, Penelope Allen
, Carol Kane
, Marcia Jean Kurtz

There aren’t many heist movies based on real life, since the heist genre is often consumed by elaborate schemes involving disguises, subterfuge and stealth. None of these descriptors apply to Dog Day Afternoon, which refutes the romance of the heist genre with the sad reality of a real-life robbery that went badly wrong. This disastrous bank robbery first plays out as a farce, with Al Pacino’s Sonny sliding around the smooth floors of the bank and visibly panicking with every step. Before too long, this clownish comedy falls away to reveal the desperate, dangerous situation that the robbers have got stuck inside.

2

Goodfellas (1990)

Based On Henry Hill’s Criminal Career

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10/10

10/10

Goodfellas

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Release Date

September 21, 1990

Director

Martin Scorsese

Cast

Robert De Niro
, Ray Liotta
, Joe Pesci
, Lorraine Bracco
, Paul Sorvino
, Frank Sivero

Goodfellas showcases everything that makes Martin Scorsese one of the finest directors in the crime genre. He manages to balance a tense, volatile plot with moments of laugh-out-loud humor. It’s never been Scorsese’s style to look down on his subjects, and he makes life with the mob seem aspirational at times. This is ultimately what makes it all the more disastrous when everything falls apart. Scorsese maintains a breakneck pace throughout Goodfellas, letting a voiceover and some inspired music choices propel the story from one unsavory mob meeting to the next. The ending of Goodfellas invariably leaves an uplifting feeling, despite its violence and crime.

1

Schindler’s List (1993)

Based On Oskar Schindler’s Exploits During The Holocaust

Schindlers List Film Poster

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8/10

13

9.8/10

Schindler’s List

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Release Date

December 15, 1993

Director

Steven Spielberg

Cast

Liam Neeson
, Ben Kingsley
, Ralph Fiennes
, Caroline Goodall
, Jonathan Sagall

Few directors have ever had a single year quite like Steven Spielberg’s 1993, in which he released both Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List. While the former is a classic summer blockbuster, the latter is a stunning Holocaust drama, that tells an unbelievable true story about a German industrialist who saved hundreds of Jewish people from certain death. Spielberg’s eye for spectacle becomes a macabre weapon in Schindler’s List, as he lays bare the cruelty of the Nazi regime, and contrasts it with a personal drama that harnesses the fate of hundreds. Not many movies based on true stories can achieve this balance of historical detail and vivid humanity.

Academy Awards Nominations Received By Schindler’s List

Category

Nominees

Best Picture (Won)

Steven Spielberg, Gerald R. Molen & Branko Lustig

Best Actor

Liam Neeson

Best Supporting Actor

Ralph Fiennes

Best Director (Won)

Steven Spielberg

Best Adapted Screenplay (Won)

Steven Zaillian

Best Original Score (Won)

John Williams

Best Film Editing (Won)

Michael Kahn

Best Cinematography (Won)

Janusz Kamiński

Best Art Direction (Won)

Ewa Braun & Allan Starski

Best Makeup

Christina Smith, Matthew Mungle & Judy Alexander Cory

Best Sound

Andy Nelson, Steve Pederson, Scott Millan & Ron Judkins

Best Costume Design

Anna B. Sheppard

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