In this article, we have mentioned the top 20 popular movies based on true stories. These movies signify epic moments of real life. These stories are related to a tragedy, success or other real-life events.
The Imitation Game
IMDb-8
From the very first second, the movie is very interesting and the story (based on real events) is fabulous. This movie is based on the true events during World War II between British and Nazis (Hitler). This movie has truly out performed the event in many ways. The first is with the strong casting. Benedict Cumberbatch as ALAN TURING our lead character in the movie. This movie rolls around numbers, Alan Turing, his madness for solving problems and his problems with his fellow mates. The movie elegantly deals with the topic of homophobia. The cinematography is beautiful. The story is very interesting and moreover the order in which the story is told is even more engaging for the viewers. This movie holds first rank in the list of top 20 popular movies based on true stories.
Midnight Express
IMDb- 7.6
Using minute details such as the increased heartbeat at the starting and the ending of the movie made sure that the person watching it was as much the part of the movie as the actor himself. Even though the movie is about the character’s escape from the prison and he made several attempts to escape, the final act was pretty strong. The opening captures the audience’s attention and then holds the audience spellbound until the very end, and the ending is sensational. A true story of brutality and never giving up spirit.Trying to escape, but always encountering problems on the way.
A Beautiful Mind
IMDb- 8.2
It gives you a great view into the life of a schizophrenic genius and how their mental illness can also help them solve problems in new ways. It brings out the growth of a genius, the people and incidents that influenced him, his rapid decline into a delusional world, and eventual reemergence. This movie shows that not all problems can be solved using the logical thinking of the brain. Some solutions come from the heart. All actors beautifully portrayed the pain. This movie shows both the extremes of our mind. And the fact that this is a TRUE story is all the more inspiring to us.
Catch Me If You Can
IMDb- 8.1
It is the true story of Frank William Abagnale Jr. It is about an FBI consultant who was initially credited for check fraud. Steven Spielberg’s 20-Year ambitious project, “Catch Me If You Can ”, is one of the most unexpected movies. Knowing that this is based on a true story makes it even better. It’s almost too much to believe that a kid before he was 19 years old had done so much with no training it’s almost unbelievable—but it’s true! This is one intriguing movie about a very fascinating sociopath that, fittingly works, for the feds nowadays. The plot is so interesting, captivating, and exciting.
The Pianist
IMDb- 8.5
A riveting watch, set against a realistic, harsh background of war and of people pushed to their limits and beyond. The brutality and the compassion of the fellow humans surrounding the MC makes it the classic it is. It really showed the chaotic side of WW2 era where innocent civilians are either being shot, killed or brought to the train which leads to the concentration camps. It is very helpful to understand how Germans behave with Jews and German Aryans. The timing and balance was appropriate for the theme.
12 Years a Slave
IMDb- 8.1
It is true to life, a movie of the event that happens to one man during these times in history. But more likely were victims as well. This movie also gives us a view of how blacks were treated back in the 1850s. There was a very emotional moment when Solomon recognises Mr. Parker and also when he meets his family again. It tells the true story of Solomon Northup, an educated and free black man living in New York during the 1840’s who gets abducted, shipped to the south, and sold into slavery. It is a film that stimulates both an emotional level and also an intellectual one.
Selma
IMDb- 7.5
The movie does a great job showing the fight for voting rights, one of the many courageous Pacific battles fought by the blacks and some fellow white against all odds in pursuit of equality. This is a moving and heart stirring movie that shows how far black people have come just to get some basic human rights. Brings to light the heroes and heroes of the civil rights movement.
The French Connection
IMDb- 7.7
This film falls under the category of real-life counterparts, and it’s the best. The movie gives ideas hiding drugs in limousines and canned food (in movies using canned tomatoes) made of pushers drugs that cannot be traced and put in containers. The chase remains the centerpiece, but the film is great in its own right, bringing to light maybe cinema’s quintessential antihero: the “great” Popeye Doyle. Many other touchstones make up this classic film: the pick your feet in Poughkeepsie taunt, the black bar interrogation, even the wonderful Three Degrees bar scene where Popeye & Cloudy (Roy Scheider) decide to tail the crew. Big, expansive music in a small, compact bar; perfect.
American Sniper
IMDb- 7.3
Although it’s a true story, so you might think it’s easy to tell, it takes an artist to tell it in a way that you are by his side throughout the film. It’s not made to be over the top, blow your mind, it’s much deeper. It’s a very sad ending that’s filmed & timed very well to achieve the maximum shock. Bradley Cooper as Chris kyle is really a treat to watch. It makes you want to cry that an American hero could represent his country so well against the enemy, only to be killed by someone he was simply trying to help.
Schindler’s List
IMDb- 8.9
Undoubtedly, The film clearly demonstrates several instances causing complete stripping of the identities of the Jews. The emotions were indeed strongly depicted as well. The use of symbolism by the director also tells a lot about the theme of the movie. Also, this film’s sole purpose of letting the world know how guilty we all should feel about the holocaust only serves to clearly point up the horrors of the ongoing Israeli occupations in Palestine.
Spotlight
IMDb- 8.1
Spotlight is indeed a true story about a team of reporters working in a news agency trying to dig deep into a sexual abuse scandal. The challenges and turmoil faced by them is clearly shown. Must watch for fans of the multi-star cast. The film chronicles a team of journalists pounding pavements, facing legal opposition and scanning court records until they can safely and sensationally bring the story to light. There is also a reason this movie won the Oscars… superb screenplay and top-notch directing. Spotlight solely revolves its plot around the mystery, clearly creating a spellbinding vibe.
First Man
IMDb- 7.3
It gave the viewers an original insight into Neil Armstrong the person rather than astronaut. The movie is very real and also full of complex human emotions. Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy undoubtedly left viewers teary eyed in a few scenes. The space sequences are especially engaging and realistic. The movie makes you appreciate the Apollo mission and also the people who made so many sacrifices for it to happen even more. The standout element was how well they visually created the tension the astronauts went through, even though history already told us which flights were successful and clearly which ones weren’t.
Into the wild
IMDb- 8.1
The best bit about this film is the undoubtedly its narration. Hands down to the portrayal of the protagonist’s thoughts and also how his sister thinks about him throughout the film. It is indeed a real story of a 24 year old guy who has lived life to the fullest, who furthermore survived 113 days in the Alaskan wilderness all alone. The whole movie runs on the coating of sadness, but the director has also made it sure that the movie does not plunge into pessimism. The entire production is evidently crafted. It is also visually stunning. The soundtrack is surely sensational. Of course, The casting is also spot on.
Apocalypse Now
IMDb- 8.4
The symbolism and the relevance of the movie has only grown with age.
The production of this film is surely legendary, with Martin Sheen suffering a heart attack and also a near breakdown. It is indeed a dark, ambiguous reflection on the insanity inflicted by the Vietnam War. It is a movie full of adventure, loyalty and also humour. Although, this movie is more of a “search and destroy” of a lunatic in the soulless jungles of Cambodia right outside Vietnam, and also a man’s mission is to put a stop to this furthermore corrupted guy’s tyranny by any means necessary.
The Two Popes
IMDb- 7.6
Based on true events this Netflix movie clearly portrays the long discussions between Pope Benedict XVI (Anthony Hopkins) and the future Pope, Pope Francis (Jonathan Pryce) about their radically original ideas for the future of the Catholic Church, their past and furthermore their hobbies. In the process, the two venerable individuals also realize their inner demons and certainly form a bond to carve a path for the Vatican’s future amidst the Vatican leaks scandal. It’s a must watch, if you want more than just the stellar acting by stalwarts like Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce.
Moneyball
IMDb- 7.6
This film is of course truly outstanding, being an underdog and actually explaining that you don’t need money to be successful. This is certainly a thought-provoking movie that doesn’t go too far into the statistical details. Brad Pitt and Jonah hill also make a great duo in this movie about redemption and sacrifice. Moneyball is evidently a sports movie, for even non-sports fans.
300
IMDb- 7.6
This movie features the bravery of the 300 soldiers of Sparta led by Leonidas and also their war against Xerxes I. Indeed, every scene has been placed in viewers mind in an irreplaceable way. The movie certainly shows how Spartans are made and how brave they are. They shot the scenes so you could actually see what was going on; the acting was amazing, and moreover, the dialogue was intriguing. However, the plot of this movie is based on a true event.
The Social Network
IMDb- 7.7
The movie is also set at a breathtaking pace. It further shows the everyday hustle in entrepreneurs’ lives. The best thing about the biopic is the way the plot has been woven around the film.The film also covers a lot of events in Mark Zuckerberg’s life traversing through a huge timeline. The movie is indeed really smooth.
Zodiac
IMDb- 7.7
“Zodiac” is about how three people obsessed with hunting a killer ended up compromising their lives and moreover, careers. The movie is indeed a fantastical story with talented actors and furthermore pacing. It is also thrilling murder mystery genre which has all the elements of Mystery as the filmmakers didn’t reveal the killer till the end as they wanted the audience to research on it. They kept the suspense till the end. If you love crime and thriller, then this will not let you down.
The Theory of Everything
IMDb- 7.7
The Theory of Everything was nominated in five different categories for Academy awards.This is the last movie ranked in our list of Top 20 popular movies based on true stories. It’s a biopic drama about Stephen Hawking and also his wife Jane Hawking. The acting is also incredible. Eddie Redmayne nails the role of Stephen Hawking and also portrays the disabling effects of ALS really well. An absolutely Incredible Movie of the Incredible life of Professor Stephen Hawking, Eddie Redmayne was simply flawless in the way he played Stephen Hawking and not to take away the credit of Jones who was equally superb.
Related Article- Top 20 popular movies based on true stories.
