Films made based on real-life stories always have a unique charm. Here is a list of top movies that are based on real-life incidents and can deeply move you.
Movies based on true stories can sometimes feel forced or overly dramatic, but they do not have to be. The genre is broader than many think. From dramas and romances to action films and musicals, many narrative movies are drawn from real-life events. Popular themes include biopics, war stories, and even sports achievements. Filmmakers often turn to true events for inspiration. This led to hundreds of films based on actual stories. While many are worth watching, this list highlights only the very best.
The list focuses on narrative films, not documentaries. These are movies made after the real events happened. So, let’s get into the list!
A Night to Remember (1958)
Director – Roy Ward Baker
While the 1997 film Titanic does not make this list due to its fictional lead characters, A Night to Remember offers a more accurate take on the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Based on a nonfiction book that drew from 63 survivor accounts, the film is widely praised for its realistic portrayal of the tragedy. Over the years, many viewers have revisited it to compare it with Titanic. But it also stood out on its own during its original release, earning praise from both audiences and critics. The cast includes Kenneth More, Michael Goodliffe, Laurence Naismith, Kenneth Griffith, David McCallum, and Tucker McGuire.
Selena (1997)
Director – Gregory Nava
Making a great music biopic is tougher than it seems. Many fall flat, but a few stand out, like Ray, Get On Up, La Bamba, and Walk the Line. Selena may or may not be the best in the genre, but it holds something special. That might be because of who it honors. The film tells the story of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, her rise to fame, and her tragic death. Directed by Gregory Nava, the film features Jennifer Lopez, Edward James Olmos, Jon Seda, and Lupe Ontiveros. Lopez’s performance drew wide praise and helped launch her film career. In 2021, the movie was added to the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” It remains a powerful tribute to a beloved Tejano music icon whose life and legacy still resonate.
Loving Vincent (2017)
Director – Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman
Loving Vincent stands out as the world’s first fully painted film. It tells the story of Vincent Van Gogh’s life and mysterious death, powerfully blending art and emotion. The movie is made from 65,000 oil-painted frames, each done in Van Gogh’s style. It took 125 artists and six years to bring it to life. Co-directed by DK and Hugh Welchman, the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Funding came partly from the Polish Film Institute and also through Kickstarter. The cast includes Robert Gulaczyk, Douglas Booth, Jerome Flynn, Saoirse Ronan, Helen McCrory, and Chris O’Dowd. Loving Vincent is both a visual achievement and a touching tribute to a legendary artist.
Glory (1989)
Director – Edward Zwick
War films make up a big part of the “based on a true story” category, though not all of them stand out. Still, Glory is often seen as one of the best. It tells the powerful story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first Black units to fight in the Civil War. Directed by Edward Zwick, the movie features Denzel Washington, Matthew Broderick, Cary Elwes, and Morgan Freeman. It is widely praised for its emotional depth and scale, making it one of the strongest Civil War films ever made. Denzel Washington gives a standout performance that earned him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. The film also won awards for Best Cinematography and Best Sound, adding to its reputation as a gripping and heartfelt war story.
Pride (2014)
Director – Matthew Warchus
Pride tells the true story of the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners campaign, a group of gay activists who backed the 1984 miners’ strike in a Welsh village. Directed by Matthew Warchus, the film features Ben Schnetzer, Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West, and Andrew Scott. The movie is heartfelt and uplifting, with strong themes of community, solidarity, and acceptance. It balances humor and emotion in a way that leaves a lasting impact. Pride was awarded the Queer Palm at the Cannes Film Festival and stands out as a warm and funny queer film based on real events. Other similar titles include I Love You, Phillip Morris and Kinky Boots.
Dolemite Is My Name (2019)
Director – Craig Brewer
Dolemite Is My Name follows the life of Rudy Ray Moore and his creation of the Dolemite character, which he used in stand-up and a series of 1970s blaxploitation films. The movie is both funny and full of heart, showing the power of representation and the drive behind low-budget filmmaking. Directed by Craig Brewer, the film stars Eddie Murphy, Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Epps, Craig Robinson, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Tituss Burgess, and Wesley Snipes. Murphy and Randolph deliver standout performances, though the entire cast shines. If you enjoy this film, check out Baadasssss! (2003). This film tells the story of Melvin Van Peebles and the making of Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, with his son Mario Van Peebles playing him on screen.
The Iron Claw (2023)
Director – Sean Durkin
The Iron Claw tells the tragic true story of the Von Erich brothers and their time in World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW). The film explores themes of family pressure, brotherhood, and the weight of generational trauma. Zac Efron leads the cast with a deeply moving performance, joined by Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, and Lily James. Many have called Efron’s role one of the best of his career, with both he and the film seen as overlooked during award season. The movie was produced and promoted during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, receiving special approval due to A24’s strong relationship with the union. The Iron Claw stands out as a powerful and emotional story about legacy and loss.
Once Upon a Time in China (1991)
Director – Tsui Hark
There are many martial arts films about Wong Fei-hung, a real-life figure and Cantonese folk hero, but Once Upon a Time in China stands out as one of the best. The story follows Wong as he fights to protect his family, his love, and his martial arts school during a time of growing imperial influence and cultural change in late 1800s China. Directed by Tsui Hark, the film was a breakout moment for Jet Li and became a defining work in the golden age of Hong Kong cinema during the 1990s. It won four Hong Kong Film Awards and set a high standard for historical martial arts films. Though it has multiple sequels, the original remains the most powerful and memorable.
Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)
Director – Marielle Heller
A big part of what makes Can You Ever Forgive Me? Worth watching is the strong acting, especially from Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant. Based on Lee Israel’s memoir, the film follows her as she begins forging letters from famous deceased writers while her own career crumbles. Directed by Marielle Heller, it blends dark humor with deep emotion. The story touches on themes of life, failure, addiction, and loneliness. It also captures the spirit of old New York. It was nominated for three Oscars and stands out as a quiet and thoughtful film that connects anyone drawn to stories of queer identity, life struggles, fading dreams, or forgotten brilliance. It is subtle, but leaves a lasting impression.
The Sound of Music (1965)
Director – Robert Wise
The Sound of Music is based on the 1950s stage musical. However, it also draws from the real-life story of Maria von Trapp. Both the musical and the film were inspired by her 1949 memoir, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. The film tells the story of Maria, a young woman living in a convent who becomes the governess for the von Trapp children in 1930s Austria. As she grows close to the family, she eventually marries their father and helps them flee the country to escape the Nazi regime. Directed by Robert Wise, the film stars Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Although it received mixed reviews at first, it went on to win five Academy Awards and became a massive box office success. It even overtook Gone With the Wind to become the highest-grossing film of all time at that point, holding the record for five years and becoming a beloved classic.
Funny Girl (1968)
Director – William Wyler
Funny Girl is based on a stage musical and tells the story of comedian Fanny Brice and her relationship with gambler Nicky Arnstein, though with some creative changes. The film stars Barbra Streisand and Omar Sharif. During rehearsals, Sharif’s role was at risk due to rising political tension after the Six-Day War between Israel and Egypt. Still, director William Wyler and Streisand stood firm, threatening to leave the project if he was replaced. The film went on to earn strong praise from critics and became a box office hit. It received eight Academy Award nominations and has been noted for its honest and layered portrayal of Jewish womanhood in popular culture.
Persepolis (2007)
Director – Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Paronnaud
Persepolis is one of the few animated films based on a true story, and it is a damn good one. It is adapted from Marjane Satrapi’s graphic memoir and follows her life after the Iranian revolution. Co-directed by Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud, the film keeps the bold black-and-white style of the original book, giving the film a powerful and striking look. Persepolis earned wide praise for both its story and visual style. It won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. The film also holds a strong 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, showing its lasting impact.
A League of Their Own (1992)
Director – Penny Marshall
A League of Their Own might stretch the rules for this list, as many of its characters are fictional, but it’s still based on real events. The film tells the story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and the Rockford Peaches, a real team formed when World War II put men’s baseball on hold. Directed by Penny Marshall, the movie stars Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Madonna, Lori Petty, Rosie O’Donnell, Jon Lovitz, Garry Marshall, and Bill Pullman. One of its standout lines, “There’s no crying in baseball,” has become iconic. The baseball scenes feel genuine, thanks to the cast learning to play the game before filming. All the women who auditioned had to either know how to play or learn quickly. Davis picked up the sport so well that she later qualified for the Olympic trials in archery. The film remains the highest-grossing baseball movie of all time, even ahead of 42.
Milk (2008)
Director – Gus Van Sant
Milk is based on the story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in California. He was tragically assassinated in 1978, and the film focuses on his life, struggles, and ultimately his death. Directed by Gus Van Sant, the film features Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, and James Franco. It earned eight Academy Award Nominations and won two, including Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay. Milk stands out as a powerful biopic that honors an important figure in LGBTQ+ history. It joins other important films in the genre, like Bessie, Wilde, Capote, and Frida. However, it still remains a moving and essential watch for anyone interested in true, real-life stories.
Raging Bull (1980)
Director – Martin Scorsese
Raging Bull tells the true story of middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta and is based on his memoir, Raging Bull: My Story. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film stars Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Cathy Moriarty, and Nicholas Colasanto. At first, Martin was not interested in the project, even though De Niro was eager to make it with him. After a health scare at the 1978 Telluride Film Festival and another collapse in New York, Scorsese saw a connection with LaMotta’s struggles and agreed to direct. The film earned eight Academy Award Nominations and has a 92 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It remains a classic and is currently available to stream for free on Amazon Prime.
Hustlers (2019)
Director – Lorene Scafaria
Hustlers is based on a 2015 New York Magazine article by Jessica Pressler titled “The Hustlers at Scores”. It tells the true story of a group of New York City strippers who scammed stock traders by drugging them and running up huge charges on their credit cards. Written and directed by Lorene Scafaria, the film mixes dark humor with real emotion while showcasing the wild and risky nature of the scheme. It draws comparisons to both Goodfellas and Showgirls but stands on its own. The cast includes Constance Wu, Julia Stiles, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Cardi B, and Jennifer Lopez, whose performance and dancing received major praise.
Schindler’s List (1993)
Director – Steven Spielberg
Schindler’s List tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved more than a thousand Jews during the Holocaust by giving them work in his factories. Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, and Ben Kingsley, the film is based on real events but includes a few changes for dramatic effects. It became a powerful and emotional piece of cinema with real-life impact. The film was both a critical and commercial success, earning over $322 million worldwide on a $22 million budget. Its success also led Spielberg to create the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation. In Poland, Schindler’s former enamel factory was turned into a museum. After the film was released. The movie received 12 Academy Award nominations and won seven, including Best Picture and Best Director, solidifying its legacy as one of the most important films ever made.
Zodiac (2007)
Director – David Fincher
Many films are based on real-life serial killers, but only a few manage to stand out. Some of the better ones include My Friend Dahmer, Monster, In Cold Blood, and Memories of Murder. The last one takes more creative liberty, but it is still a brilliant film. The best in this genre, though, might be Zodiac, released in 2007. It follows the search for the Zodiac Killer, who terrorized San Francisco in the late 1960s. Most films in this genre either imagine too much or focus only on the killer. Zodiac avoids both. The real-life case remains unsolved, which keeps the mystery alive. The movie is based on two books by Robert Graysmith. He suggests a possible identity for the killer, but the movie never tries to claim certainty. It plays more like a slow-burn thriller about obsession and journalism than a typical crime drama. David Fincher directs with great control over the narrative. The cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., and Brian Cox. The result is one of the most gripping and grounded films ever made about an unsolved crime.
Catch Me if You Can (2002)
Director – Steven Spielberg
Catch Me If You Can is based on the alleged life of Frank Abagnale Jr. He was a teenager who pulled off a massive check fraud scheme. While there is still debate over how much of his memoir is true, the movie captures the spirit of ambition and illusion in 1970s America. It is a stylish and fast-paced story about charm and identity. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Abagnale and Tom Hanks as the FBI agent chasing him. Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Nathalie Baye, and Amy Adams round out the cast. Even if some parts are exaggerated, the film remains a thrilling and emotional story about growing up too fast. It received two Oscar nominations.
Goodfellas (1990)
Director – Martin Scorsese
“We always called each other Goodfellas.” This line sets the tone for the gripping crime film, based on Wiseguy by journalist Nicholas Pileggi. It tells the true story of mob associate Henry Hill and his journey through the world of organized crime. The movie blends violence, humor, and emotion with sharp storytelling. Directed by Martin Scorsese, it features Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, and Paul Sorvino. Goodfellas was nominated for six Oscars and won Best Supporting Actor for Pesci. In 2000, it was preserved by the Liberty of Congress for its cultural impact. The film also influenced The Sopranos, which cast 27 actors from Goodfellas during its six-season run on television.
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Director – Sidney Lumet
“Attica! Attica!” Sidney Lumet’s Dog Day Afternoon is based on the Life magazine article ‘The Boys in the Bank’ by P. F. Kluge and Thomas Moore. The movie tells the story of a bank robbery and hostage situation in Brooklyn that spirals into chaos. Al Pacino stars alongside John Cazale, James Broderick, and Charles Durning. The film blends tension, struggle, dark humor, and social commentary. It was a critical and commercial success, earning six Oscar nominations and winning Best Original Screenplay. Over time, the movie has also been reexamined as a landmark film in queer cinema, adding even more depth to its already powerful story.
I, Tonya (2017)
Director – Craig Gillespie
I, Tonya offers a bold twist on the typical sports biopic. Instead of focusing on proving guilt or innocence in the 1994 attack on Nancy Kerrigan, the film leans into uncertainty. It presents the story through conflicting perspectives with unreliable narrators and sharp edits that question the very idea of truth. That unique approach makes it feel fresh in a genre often known for one-sided storytelling. The movie stands out for how it explores not just the scandal, but the harsh realities Tonya Harding faced in her life and career.
Directed by Craig Gillespie, it features strong performances from Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney, Paul Walter Hauser, and Bobby Cannavale. Janney’s role as Tonya’s tough, abusive mother earned her multiple major awards. Robbie also gained wide praise and her first Oscar nomination. I, Tonya, blends dark comedy with tragedy and sharp commentary on class, media, and gender. It creates something that is both entertaining and deeply moving.
So, which one of these are you watching tonight?
