Sure, fiction always invigorates the imagination and the senses, but what if you find such a vivid story in our very real life? Then it's a double whammy - a story that leaves you in disbelief of its intricacies, yet you must believe in it because it is definitely the truth. And while hearing such a story might be great, watching it reenacted is even better. So, here we are, with our selection of the best movies based on true stories!
Surely, all of us have some magnificent stories to tell, but these people seem to have lived their whole lives as if it was one long adventure or, in some cases, terrible misfortune. There is a lot to learn from these biographical and historical movies - from employing that Que sera, sera mindset to the lemons life throws at you to resilience, bravery, and force of character. And each of the stories depicted in these interesting movies is the absolute truth, so, who knows, maybe you'll be the next to have a movie made about you?
So, go ahead and scroll on down to our selection of the best movies based on true stories. There you'll find such great gems as Schindler's List, Apollo 13, and Walk The Line, together with some lesser-known yet absolutely grand stories like Coal Miner's Daughter and The Blind Side. All that there's left to do is pick your flick of the evening and share this article with your friends!
#1 Schindler's List
1993 | 3h 15m | Directed by Steven Spielberg
Starring Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes
"Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire." Set in Krakow during World War II, Schindler's List tells the true story of industrialist Oskar Schindler, who becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis. He gradually involves himself in their lives through bribes and favors, ultimately saving over 1000 Jews from certain death in concentration camps. Steven Spielberg was able to get permission to film inside Auschwitz but chose not to, out of respect for the victims, so the death camp scenes were filmed outside the gates on a set constructed in a mirror image of the real location on the other side. This masterpiece earned 91 wins (including several Academy Awards) and 49 nominations.
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62points
#2 Apollo 13
1995 | 2 hours 20 minutes | Directed by Ron Howard
Starring Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon
Apollo 13 is a space docudrama film that's a dramatization of the aborted 1970 Apollo 13 lunar mission and an adaptation of the 1994 book Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage Of Apollo 13 by astronaut Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger. The depiction of this disaster was made to be as accurate as possible as the movie's director, Ron Howard, employed the assistance of NASA's expert every step of the way. But Apollo 13 isn't only real in its technical aspect but also in its depiction of the internal ordeal that the astronauts went through trying to save their own lives. Apollo 13 is a truly iconic movie that garnered praise from anyone who has watched it.
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57points
#3 Goodfellas
1990 | 2h 26m | Directed by Martin Scorsese
Starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci
Martin Scorsese's gangster epic is among the most acclaimed crime films of the last three decades. Based on a true story, this tale has been hailed for its technical achievements and powerful performances from Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Ray Liotta, as well as the observations it makes about the criminal lifestyle. The fact-based story is endlessly fascinating, but Goodfellas wins repeat viewers with its gripping tension, black humor, and ability to make us sympathize with a group of cold-blooded killers.
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57points
#4 A League Of Their Own
1992 | 2 hours 8 minutes | Directed by Penny Marshall
Starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna
What's a sports comedy without broken bones, noses, and bruises during filming? Well, even though you couldn't tell that by watching the glorious all-girls baseball team (including a performance from Madonna!) on screen, the making of A League Of Their Own did involve plenty of physical sacrifices from the cast. However, that isn't the thing that made this movie an iconic one. Instead, a thoroughly charming cast, non-soppy sentimentality, and lightheartedness are why this movie is still beloved even decades after its release.
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57points
#5 Cool Runnings
1993 | 1 hour 38 minutes | Directed by Jon Turteltaub
Starring John Candy, Leon, Doug E. Doug
Cool Runnings is a sports comedy film loosely based on the true story of the Jamaica national bobsleigh debut in the 1988 Winter Olympics. Of course, once they arrive in Canada for the Olympics, the other teams think they can only succeed in embarrassing the sport; however, much to everyone's disbelief, the team, although losing, ultimately earns respect from everyone observing. Cool Runnings is a sweet and good-natured watch celebrating the real meaning of sportsmanship.
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54points
#6 Remember The Titans
2000 | 1 hour 53 minutes | Directed by Boaz Yakin
Starring Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris
Remember The Titans is a biographical sports film that's based on the real story of a football coach named Herman Boone. Boone's quest was to integrate the T. C. Williams High School football team in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971. Now, remember the harrowing times of segregation, and you will understand the importance of the African American coach's noble actions. In the end, of course, people do finally understand that trusting each other and loving one another prevails over all else. Remember The Titans, while at times a bit predictable, is still a universal crowd-pleaser and an inspiring one at that.
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53points
#7 What's Love Got To Do With It
1993 | 1 hour 58 minutes | Directed by Brian Gibson
Starring Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, RaeVen Kelly
What's Love Got To Do With It is a biographical movie based on the life of American-born Swiss singer Tina Turner. The story here is adapted from Tina's 1986 autobiography I, Tina and follows her journey from a rural upbringing to the heights of fame and delves into her toxic marriage with Ike Turner. It's also named after one of the most popular Tina Turner songs, which, we bet, is playing in your head right about now. What's Love Got To Do With It managed to perfectly portray the fascinating story of Tina's life and surely is a movie that you shouldn't skip.
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52points
#8 Glory
1989 | 2 hours 2 minutes | Directed by Edward Zwick
Starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes
Glory is a historical war drama about the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. What's so fascinating about this particular regiment? Well, it was one of the first African American regiments in the American Civil War! Besides being based on a couple of historical books about the war, most of the story was taken out of the letters by the regiment's Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, which basically makes it into a first-hand retelling. Named as one of the finest movies about the Civil War, Glory should be on everyone's movie bucket list.
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52points
#9 Tombstone
1993 | 2 hours 10 minutes | Directed by George P. Cosmatos, Kevin Jarre
Starring Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott
Tombstone is a Western movie loosely based on the events in Tombstone, Arizona, that took place during the 1880s. It's the Wild Wild West all the way - outlaws, lawmen, shootings, lynchings, and all the shebang that happened right at the end of the 19th century in America. Tombstone's depiction of the genre is a beautifully stylish one, so if you love Westerns or historical movies, this one will definitely be that cherry on top. It also helps to rely on the critics - who have praised this movie immensely - and the viewers who made Tombstone explode at the box office upon its release.
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51points
#10 Good Morning, Vietnam
1987 | 2 hours 1 minute | Directed by Barry Levinson
Starring Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker, Tom T. Tran
Good Morning, Vietnam is a war comedy based on the experiences of Armed Forces Radio Service DJ Adrian Cronauer. The events here are set in Saigon in 1965 during the Vietnam War and follow the story of the aforementioned AFRS DJ here, played by Robin Williams. The DJ manages to steal troops' hearts and lift their spirits daily; however, the higher-ups aren't too pleased with his 'irreverent tendencies.' Good Morning, Vietnam is one of those rare movies that will have you laughing one moment and worrying the next - a perfect blend of drama and comedy.
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50points
#11 The Sound Of Music
1965 | 2 hours 52 minutes | Directed by Robert Wise
Starring Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker
The Sound Of Music is a musical drama film that's an adaptation of the 1959 stage musical of the same name composed by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. But however beautiful and mesmerizing the music here is (we bet that even if you proudly say you've never listened to a musical, you know all of the songs from The Sound Of Music!), the story behind it is just as astonishing. It is a story of a family trying to survive the Nazi occupation, which, as you very well know, claimed thousands of lives and an uncountable number of broken fates. So, as beautiful as The Sound Of Music is, it also has a much, much deeper story behind the pretty veneer.
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46points
#12 Erin Brockovich
2000 | 2 hours 11 minutes | Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Starring Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, David Brisbin
Erin Brokovich is a biographical legal drama that's a dramatization of the real story of the very real Erin Brokovich. Erin, an unemployed single mother, becomes a legal assistant at a law firm. Mainly because of her smarts, but mostly because she is determined to give the best life to her kids she possibly can. Then, much to everyone's surprise, Miss Brokovich manages to single-handedly bring down a California power company for poisoning a city's water supply. It is a wonderful story about strength and determination that will both inspire you and entertain you throughout its runtime.
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44points
#13 The Blind Side
2009 | 2 hours 9 minutes | Directed by John Lee Hancock
Starring Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw
The Blind Side is a biographical sports drama based on the book The Blind Side: Evolution Of A Game by Michael Lewis. It centers around the story of an American football offensive lineman, Michael Oher, who overcame an impoverished upbringing to play in the National Football League. The Blind Side was a huge box office success, and that notion is often a good indicator that the movie should be pretty much great. So, if you're looking for something inspiring and good-natured for the evening, why not pick The Blind Side?
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43points
#14 Walk The Line
2005 | 2 hours 16 minutes | Directed by James Mangold
Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Whitherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin
Walk The Line is a biographical musical romantic drama based on the life of the legendary singer-songwriter Johnny Cash. The movie follows him from his early life to his romance with June Carter and to his rise to the music industry Olympus. Johnny definitely wasn't a simple man, but Joaquin Phoenix was exactly the right actor to reveal his complex personality. Even if your interest in this musician is equal to null, Walk The Line will definitely astonish you with its drama, stellar acting, and awesome musical performances by the ever-charming leading duo.
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43points
#15 Catch Me If You Can
2002 | 2h 21m | Directed by Steven Spielberg
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken
When a movie is made by Steven Spielberg and stars Tom Hanks, it's bound to be a hit. Based on the story of real-life Frank Abagnale, Catch Me If You Can follows Frank's life as an expert con artist. After running away from home to escape his dysfunctional family, Frank manages to forge checks worth $2.5 million before he's even old enough to drink in most states. With Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role, Catch Me If You Can is a fun crime film that touches on more serious issues like family relationships and coming of age.
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42points
#16 Black Hawk Down
2001 | 2 hours 24 minutes | Directed by Ridley Scott
Starring Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore
Black Hawk Down is a war film based on the 1999 non-fiction book of the same name by journalist Mark Bowden. The events depicted here take place in 1993 when 160 elite US soldiers were dropped in Mogadishu to perform an important mission. However, they found themselves encircled by the heavy forces of Somalis, wishing for nothing else but their demise. Although Black Hawk Down caused a fair share of controversy for its Somali depiction, it still is a spot-on portrait of the viciousness and the sacrifices of real war. Definitely not an easy watch, but absolutely worth it.
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41points
#17 Coal Miner's Daughter
1980 | 2 hours 4 minutes | Directed by Michael Apted
Starring Sissy Spacek, Tommy Lee Jones, Levon Helm
Coal Miner's Daughter is a biographical musical film following the story of country music singer Loretta Lynn. Based on Lynn's 1976 biography, the movie starts in her younger days, follows through her marriage at fifteen, and shows her climb to the Olympus of the music industry and becoming one of the most influential country musicians of all time. Coal Miner's Daughter is a tremendously good movie that has been nominated for plenty of awards and snatched the crown jewel of them all - a Golden Globe for the Best Motion Picture.
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40points
#18 The Bridge On The River Kwai
1957 | 2 hours 41 minutes | Directed by David Lean
Starring William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins
The Bridge On The River Kwai is an epic war film based on the 1952 novel by Pierre Boulle. The story follows the historical event of the construction of the Burma Railway in 1942-1943, and, although it is a historically accurate setting, the characters here are entirely fictional. The Bridge On The River Kwai is widely regarded as one of the best movies of all time and is deemed to be 'culturally, historically or aesthetically important' by the United States Library Of Congress.
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37points
#19 American Sniper
2014 | 2 hours 13 minutes | Directed by Clint Eastwood
Starring Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner
American Sniper is a biographical war drama film based on the memoir American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History by Chris Kyle. The movie follows the life of Kyle, who became the deadliest marksman in the history of the US military after four tours in the Iraq War. His marksmanship saved hundreds of lives, and he came home as a living legend. However, life back there isn't as easy as it should be because of the war that Kyle cannot shake off. It is a tense and vivid tribute to the living legend Chris Kyle, a movie that might leave you shaken.
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36points
#20 The Diary Of Anne Frank
1959 | 3 hours | Directed by George Stevens
Starring Millie Perkins, Shelley Winters, Joseph Schildkraut
The Diary Of Anne Frank is a movie based on the posthumously published diary of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl who lived in hiding with her family during World War II. Anne thoroughly documents her and her family's daily life in hiding, and, however horrible the situation might be, she's still a teenage girl with hopes, dreams, annoyances - full of life and love. The kind family who kept them safe did the best they could, but only the father of the Frank family managed to save his life and later publish Anne's diary, which to this day is one of the most important documentations of the horrible atrocities of World War II.
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35points