Nobody likes a bad story, especially if you’re looking for a good movie. Fortunately, when people go to the movies, there are plenty of great stories already existing out there that filmmakers have access to telling. Movies based on true stories have been around for decades and have been so successful in plot, acting, and production design that they have gained massive fandom and critical acclaim as well.
In this article, we’re going to look at the best movies based on true stories of all time. We’ll go over some of the best ones, and why they’re great. So, let’s get started.
Best Movies Based on True Stories
Schindler’s List (1993)
Considered one of Steven Spielberg’s greatest works, Schindler’s List is a historical drama film based on the acclaimed book Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally. It revolves around the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who employed a group of Jewish personnels during the Holocaust.
Steven Spielberg went to great lengths to make the film as accurate and truthful as possible, even filming in Auschwitz concentration camp. The strong performances, particularly of Liam Neeson, the brilliant direction, the editing and of course the jaw-dropping cinematography got Schindler’s List an incredible seven Academy Award wins, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Apollo 13 (1995)
This is another classic from Steven Spielberg. Apollo 13 is a historical drama film based on the actual events of the Apollo 13 Mission. While on a mission to the moon, the Apollo astronauts get hit by an unexpected explosion, and the film presents the thrilling story of how they safely returned to Earth.
Apollo 13 also became hugely successful at the box office and was nominated for nine Academy Awards. Tom Hanks’ powerhouse performance, amazing editing, and John Williams’ remarkable music skillfully create a suspenseful thrill ride.
Where Eagles Dare (1968)
Where Eagles Dare is an action-adventure war film loosely based on the novel of the same name by Alistair MacLean. It follows an American and British squad on an infiltration mission to rescue an American general from a castle in Bavaria.
The story is set during World War II and stars top stars like Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood, Mary Ure, and Patrick Wymark. The film is action-packed and filled with suspense and thrill, creating a thrilling experience that culminates in an unforgettable climax.
The Wrestler (2008)
The Wrestler is a gritty drama film based on the story of retired professional wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson. The movie follows the aging wrestler Randy’s struggle to understand the changing times, as well as his own mortality.
The Wrestler is as much a character study as it is an intense sports movie, thanks to the excellent acting of Academy Award-nominee Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei. The film also looks beautiful, with stunning cinematography by the acclaimed Greek filmmaker, Roger Deakins, and the rest of the technical crew.
The Pianist (2002)
The Pianist is a Holocaust drama film directed by Roman Polanski and adapted from the book of the same name by Wladyslaw Szpilman. The film follows the brilliant pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman and his struggle for survival and sanity during the Holocaust in Warsaw.
The acting and directing are both brilliant in this film, along with the beautiful and seamless editing. The technical crew also did an excellent job of bringing the gritty and desperate atmosphere to life.
Spotlight (2015)
Spotlight is a legal thriller-drama film directed by Tom McCarthy, depicting the Boston Globe’s Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation into child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic archdiocese.
The film features a stellar cast, including Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, and Liev Schreiber, who all deliver powerful performances. It is brilliantly directed, edited, and shot by McCarthy, as well as the fantastic musical score by Howard Shore.
The Imitation Game (2014)
Speaking of legal thrillers, The Imitation Game is a historical drama-thriller film about the real-life story of Alan Turing, a brilliant British cryptologist who tried to crack Nazi Germany’s Enigma code to help the Allied forces win World War II.
The acting in this film is absolutely fantastic, especially from Oscar-nominated star Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role. As for the other technical aspects of the film, it’s very skillfully shot and edited, with a haunting score by Alexandre Desplat.
12 Years a Slave (2013)
This is another film that goes straight to the heart. 12 Years a Slave is a British-American historical drama film based on the memoirs of Solomon Northup, a free African-American man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery.
The film features powerful performances from Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, and Lupita Nyong’o, stirring directing from Steve McQueen, and inspirational music from Hans Zimmer. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, making it the first to have been awarded to a black director.
Forest Gump (1994)
Forest Gump is a beloved classic romantic comedy-drama film based on the novel of the same name by Winston Groom. It follows the titular character Forest Gump, played by Tom Hanks, who despite his low I.Q., goes on various life-changing adventures.
The outstanding acting performances, brilliant directing, emotional score, and seamless editing, all contribute to the overall experience and emotional resonance of the film. Forest Gump won the Academy Award for Best Picture, making it one of the greatest movies based on true stories of all time.
In conclusion, movies based on true stories have been popular for years, often because of the well-built stories, amazing casts, and excellent direction and technical crew. This article listed just some of the best movies based on true stories of all time and showed why they are so great. Hopefully, you now have some new movies to watch.
