- Real events have always been some of the most reliable sources of inspiration for directors and writers
- Are you in the mood for an exploration of recent history or you’re looking to travel further back in time?
- Below are 10 must-watch films based on true stories about sports, serial killers, crimes and everything in between.
There are some stories in movies that seem so unbelievable, and inspiring, that it can be shocking to find out they are based on real-life experiences and events.
These films can be based on anything that unfolds in real life, and they’re not limited by time, place, or genre.
While writers and directors do take certain creative liberties to fit a specific narrative for their audience, the core of the saga remains intact, and it’s downright exciting.
From controversial court cases to unfathomable true crimes, there’s no shortage of real-life events that have been dramatised for our entertainment.
There are plenty of options available, but we’ve gone ahead to curate a list of 10 films that are inspired by true stories and are absolutely worth your while.
Here are 10 interesting movies based on real-life events
10 must-watch movies based on real-life events
1. The Pursuit of Happiness: The drama film is based on Christopher Gardner's nearly one-year struggle being homeless. The movie stars Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a homeless salesman who takes up an unpaid internship as a stockbroker with slim chances for advancement to a paid position. He needs to outshine the competition through 6 months of training while still selling the device he had invested heavily on.
2. My Friend Dahmer: The psychological drama film is based on the 2012 graphic novel by Cartoonist John “Derf” Backderf, who had been friends with Dahmer in high school until Dahmer began his killing spree in 1978.
The movie tells the true, haunting story of young Jeffrey Dahmer, the shy adolescent in high school who becomes a notorious serial killer years later.
3. The Trial of the Chicago 7: The entertaining historical legal drama film is based on the infamous 1969 trial of seven defendants charged by the federal government with conspiracy and more, arising from the countercultural protests in Chicago at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The Trial transfixed the nation and sparked a conversation about mayhem intended to undermine the US government.
4. Hidden Figures: The drama film tells the story of three female African- American Mathematicians, who worked at NASA during the Space Race. They all play important roles in astronaut John Glenn's launch into orbit. However, they also deal with racial and gender discrimination at work.
5. Hustlers: The crime comedy film is based on New York Magazine's 2015 article “The Hustlers at Scores”. The story follows a crew of savvy former strip club employees who band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients.
Hustlers is a compelling exploration of the complexities of female friendship.
6. On the Basis of Sex: The film tells the biography of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman to serve as an Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court. It follows her struggles after her husband, Martin, is diagnosed with cancer, and the early cases of her historic career that lead to her nomination and confirmation as US Supreme Court Associate Justice.
7. Queen of Katwe: A wonderful, stirring sports drama film starring David Oyelowo and Lupita Nyong'o that depicts the life of Phiona Mutesi, a young girl living in Katwe, a slum in Kampala, Uganda. Her world changes when she meets Robert Katende, she learns to play chess and becomes a Woman Candidate Master after her victories at World Chess Olympiads.
8. Judas and the Black Messiah: This is a story about betrayal. The dramatic thriller biopic follows Fred Hampton, a young, charismatic activist who becomes the chairman of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party putting him in the centre of attention of the government. William O'Neal is tasked to infiltrate the Illinois Chapter by the government but he must get close to and provide intelligence on Fred Hampton.
9. Zola: The film is based on a viral Twitter thread containing 148 tweets written by Detroit waitress A’Ziah “Zola” King in October 2015. It follows Zola, a part-time stripper, who meets and befriends a woman who informs her about a way to make easy money in Florida. Meanwhile, their trip gradually turns into a sleepless odyssey.
10. Temple Grandin: The film follows the biography of Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who overcomes the limitations imposed on her by her condition to become a Ph.D and expert in the field of Animal Husbandry. The movies advocate for both autism awareness and humane treatment of farm animals.
There you have it guys! Here are some exciting movies based on real life stories curated just for you. You could see some or all of them. Don't forget to tell us which one of them you are seeing by dropping a comment.
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