There is a strange kind of attraction in Movies based on True stories. That constant reminder that what you are watching on the screen really happened in the past, is oddly satisfying. Although most of the time, movies are really fiction because the dialogues exchange between characters has no authentic records. It all comes out from the creators’ imagination as to what might they have been talking about in that specific situation?
But still, when we think about that this event really happened in past, this person really exist in history blew our mind in shock and awe. And to really make you surprise with the events of history, we have made a list of 10 Best Movies Based on True Stories. All the movies here will make you enjoy watching the captivating tales of the past. Either these true events-based movies are horrific serial crimes or feeling good, romantic, and comedy category, they will always leave you in shock and will haunt you long after you are done watching these.
I love how filmmakers can mold aspiring or horrific events and facts of the past into a story we will always remember. Anyways, I won’t make you wait for real-life movies anymore. Here is our list of 7 Best Movies based on true stories, you must add to your watchlist.
1- The Imitation Game (2014)
IMDB Rating: 8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
This movie is about a genius young man Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch, also our famous sherlock). The story revolves around this young Computer Scientist who tries to hack and crack the enigma code Nazis troops used to protect their radio messages during World War 2. The character of Alan is very complex. His thoughts about his superiority over others made it really difficult for his colleagues to work with him. But for him to be successful, he must learn to socialize with others.
The movie is a constant nerve-racking play with all the mathematical and social problems Alan has to deal with. Will he succeed in deciphering the German code? Watch the movie to know the end, as I don’t want to give spoilers ;). Before going to watch this one of the best True story Movies, watch the trailer here:
2- Catch Me If You Can (2002)
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Talking about true stories-based movies and not including “Catch me if you can” on the list, is a bit of shame for me. Because this is one of the best movies based on true stories. The main movie lead is no other than our famous Leonardo Decaprio with his notorious grin and jaw-dropping acting skills.
The story is based on the life of Frank Abagnale Jr. who became an expert in deception and forgery. He started his deception at such a young age and become a pro in forgery while growing up. His boldness and expertness in disguise won him checks of millions of dollars. His level of deception and cleverness was so sharp that he even acted as a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and a legal prosecutor along the way. And all this just before reaching the age of nineteen. But as soon as his scan getting bolder FBI agents starts pursuing him with no original evidence in hand.
Trust me this movie will amaze you with its level of boldness and brainy planning. Before heading to the movie, watch the trailer here:
3- Midnight Express (1978)
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Who doesn’t love the movies based on prisoners’ life? At least I love them. It always amazes me how one person is suddenly cut out from the whole world and his life starts revolving around the prison and its staff. And when the prisoners have this list of evil plans to escape from the prison, that’s where everything gets exciting. These movies are always a major hit. But what about the true event-based movie in which a prisoner tries to escape from jail and get caught every time?
Can you imagine the frustration and helplessness of that criminal? That’s what I love about movies based on true stories, they make us feel connected to past events. And Midnight Express is a movie just like I describe here. A movie based on an American drug smuggler who gets caught during his hashish smuggling and is announced with a 4-year sentence in a Turkish prison. But the real story starts when his sentence is extended to thirty years and he along with other criminals will make multiple plans to escape the prison.
The Movie name “Midnight Express” is slang for a prisoner who is attempting to escape jail.
And that is exactly what Billy, an American smuggler, will do only to get captured again and again and brutally beaten every time. The movie is majorly known for its amazing soundtrack which won the Best Original Academy Award in 1979. Watch the trailer of this true crime story based movie here:
4- Erin Brockovich (2000)
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
Erin Brockovich is a true event-based movie and also an Oscar award winner. The movie revolves around a young mom (played by Julia Roberts) of three kids and a lawyer with no specific education. The story is based on her struggles to win a case she accidentally stumbled upon. You will see Julia Roberts trying hard to fight the case of water poisoning that has to lead to many cancerous diseases in her town and takes the fight to big business.
This Movie is really a truly inspiring real-life Movie in which Erin, a single mom of three, seeks justice for innocent people of her town. Watch the trailer of a true event-based movie here:
5- The Pianist (2002)
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Movies based on true stories especially the survival stories after the horrors of war always hit us directly in the heart. The Pianist is a movie just like this, which will press your emotional buttons and you will cry at least once. The movie is based on young Polish Musician Wladyslaw Szpilman (played by Adrien Brody) who struggles to survive in the horrific events of WWII. The struggles of Szpliman and his family to live just a day longer are shown in a most ghastly way that you will not forget the movie long after you have watched it.
The basic yet important theme in The Pianist is survival. During the occupation of Poland by Nazis, you will watch the heart-wrenching survival struggles of Szpilman and his family and the worst case is they are not even together. This is one of the best survival movies based on true stories and won three Oscars for its amazing story and characters. Watch the trailer of The Pianist here:
6- The Pursuit of Happiness (2006)
IMDB Rating: 8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 67%
I still remember the day when one of my friends recommends me this movie. And believe me, this movie easily slips into my most favorite movies list. And I am sure it will also make its place in yours too. The pursuit of Happiness is all about the struggle and trying again and again. And this fact that it is a true story always gives me motivation to never lose hope.
The movie starts when the wife of Chris Gardener leaves him in his pool of financial failures and son’s custody to deal with. The Pursuit of Happiness is based on the strenuous efforts of homeless Chris Gardner who aspires to become a stockbroker with a toddler to take care of.
Amidst the chaos of life, you will see the heartwrenching struggles of Chris Gardner to achieve success in his career as well raising his son in good spirits. I think this movie represents the struggles of every heartbroken yet strong man out there trying to remain on the path towards their success. Whether he becomes a successful stockbroker or not? I will leave it to you because again I don’t want to give spoilers here. Watch the trailer of this aspiring true story movie here:
7- Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile
IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 54%
This one of the best movies based on true stories is all about serial killing. So, if you are a fan of vile, Evil and wicked serial killer type movies, then this movie is exactly for you. The movie is based on a real life serial killer Ted Bundy notorious for his vile ways to kill hundered of girls out there.
This movie shows the life of ted bundy from the perspective of his girlfriend. And the both actors Zac Efron (as Ted Bundy) and Lily colins as his girlfriend plays their role in a way which is worth praising. Ted Bundy is a name not unknown to most of us. He was a serial killer who kidnapped, raped, and mudered number of women in different states of America. And after a lengthy decade of denial he confessed to his crimes which involved 30 homicides in seven states of America. I will not dive into the details of movie as it would spoil everything for you. But here is the trailer of Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile for some quick details:
What are the Best Movies based in true stories?
Aside from the 7 Best True stories based movies mentioned above following are also worth mentioning in this list:
- Eat, Pray, and Love
- Hustlers
- Out of Africa
- Hidden Figures
- The Theory of Everything
- The King
- Spartacus
- A Beautiful Mind
- 12 Years a slave
So, here are some amazing movieds based on true stories you must watch. Also, check out our post on Best comedy movies of all time when you are done watchung the real-life movies here.
