10 Greatest Films Based on True Stories

We all love them, and whoever says they don't has got to be lying. Films based on true events were always captivating for us, because we can identify with them more easily and also learn something from them. Alternatively, we can learn from them straight away so that we don't later make the same mistakes as the characters on the screen.

Biopics or simply films that in some way draw from reality are abundant. Countless amounts arrive at the cinemas every year, so we decided to make your selection easier with our ranking. Get ready to find timeless classics by famous directors and also independent films that you may not have heard of in your life.

1. United 93 (dir: Paul Greengrass, 2006)

There have been several feature films about the horrific terrorist attack in the United States that shook the world on September 11, 2001, and its impact on society or individuals. Examples of such films are Worth, the World Trade Center with Nicolas Cage, and The Report with Adam Driver. Reign Over Me with Adam Sandler or Remember Me with Robert Pattinson also present the unfortunate event.

On top of that, there are plenty of different fact-packed documentaries. However, United 93 is entirely different from all of the above. The film deliberately has no stellar cast, is cold, uncompromising, and raw. It will leave you speechless and gutted after watching it. Paul Greengrass told the stories of the people who found themselves on the fourth plane called United 93 on the fateful day. The aircraft was seized by terrorists with the aim of crashing into the White House.

The British director will transport you straight to the scene and will torture and keep you frightened for almost two hours until the very last second. Just like the thugs with detonators did with the passengers present on the plane. The most captivating and suggestive experience awaits, and you most likely won't ever forget it. You can find this Greengrass's work on Netflix.

2. Spotlight (dir: Tom McCarthy, 2015)

Spotlight will infuriate you, make you angry, disgust you, and slap you in the face. At first glance, a dull and lifeless conversation piece, but in the end, an extremely powerful drama about fighting for the right thing. About the need for the truth. About the need to speak up and not be afraid. Tom McCarthy zooms in on the story of The Boston Globe reporters, who revealed the abuse of minors in the local archdiocese.

Thanks to the incredible script, the creators draw you into the story in such a way that you will completely immerse yourself in it. It will make you want to get up from your seat and help everyone look for evidence against high-ranking individuals that preach water and drink wine.


The scandal that the film deals with had an enormous impact on the Catholic Church, and it is evident here that even the "most holy" tried to ensure that no one ever found out about this particular case. For investigative journalists, this film is an absolutely compulsory ride. By the way, the film won an Oscar for best film and also for screenplay.

3. Rush (dir: Ron Howard, 2013) 

Do you love speed? Are you a fan of Formula 1? Is adrenaline and tension your thing? If you ticked these boxes, get your Netflix on. You will find this breathtaking ride, directed by the experienced magician Ron Howard. He has proven in the past that what he does best is a credible adaptation of real stories (Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man, Frost / Nixon).


Rush is a story of two long-term rivals, Formula One racers - the peaceful Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) and the explosive hurricane-like James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth). The smell of burned tires almost seeps out of the screen, and your heart will pump like never before. Howard managed to make the impossible possible.

Undoubtedly, this is one of the best sports biopics ever. It will take you to a brutal and relentless world of the fastest cars and treacherous roads, in which one bare second is enough to literally end it all.

4. Midnight Express (dir: Alan Parker, 1978)

If there are places you'd never want to find yourself in life, a Turkish prison is definitely one of those places. This suggestive drama by sharp British Alan Parker will tell you the story of the American tourist Billy Hayes (Brad Davis), who tried to smuggle hashish from Turkey. However, just before boarding the plane, he didn't pass the police check and got busted.

You can't imagine what followed even in the worst nightmare. The corrupt legal system, terrifying conditions, bullying, terror... All that Hayes had left was the desire to escape from the "devil's den". Will he make it? Go on HBO GO, and you'll see.

5. The Wolf of Wall Street (dir: Martin Scorsese, 2013)

No director can tell real stories full of extremely serious events with such foresight and elegance as Scorsese. His gangster movies from the '90s, such as Goodfellas and Casino, are top masterpieces shining at the top of the cinema showcase.

The Wolf of Wall Street is a wonderful addition to those. It tells the story of the cunning, drug-addicted fraudster Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), and his transition from an ordinary small businessman into a big fish under FBI control. DiCaprio performed one of the best acting performances in his rich career, and at the same time, it's apparent how in sync he already was with the cult director.

Together, they have previously shot successful and acclaimed films such as Shutter Island, The Departed, Gangs of New York and The Aviator. The Wolf of Wall Street offers a good deal of black humor, many memorable scenes and a stellar cast. The acting ensemble is complemented by Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Jonah Hill and Jon Bernthal. Find it in the Netflix menu.

6. Spartacus (dir: Stanley Kubrick, 1960)

There is no need to convince anyone today that Stanley Kubrick is one of the best directors in the history of film. Anyone who has seen his works like A Clockwork Orange, 2001: A Space Odyssey or The Shining simply has to agree. Spartacus is a three-hour opus you must see (don't worry, they will fly by real quick). Not only will it teach you a piece of history, but it also shows how big historical films are made.

The story of the Roman slave revolt that took place before our era is, paradoxically, still relevantl from a political point of view and doesn't lose its quality even after so many years. Kirk Douglas is fabulously demonstrating how acting should be done. You'll be thrilled by the challenging narrative scenes, and the film's legacy will give you proper chills.

7. Amadeus (dir: Miloš Forman, 1984)

We'd have to be complete barbarians if we didn't include the classic from legendary Czech director in this ranking. It's no wonder that Forman has become a well-known filmmaker in Hollywood. His ability to tell complex stories engagingly and sensitively has brought him two Oscars. His films have always been a kind of personal statement. He puts his own twist into them and a significant amount of kindness that automatically stimulates the viewer's sympathy.

This factor was also part of his magnificent work Amadeus, which, as the name suggests, tells the story of the Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (portrayed by Tom Hulce). Get ready for humor, tension, passion, love and hate, and even tears at the end. Forman knows his ways. The film won eight Oscars. Undoubtedly well-deserved.

8. Intouchables (dir: Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache, 2011)

Is it possible for a disabled person to have a full life despite being confined to a wheelchair? In this powerful, entertaining, and inspiring drama, directors Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache try to answer this question.

 
Although the French film Intouchables primarily tells the story of the handicapped bitter aristocrat Philipp (François Cluzet), it is also a refined, albeit slightly sentimental, social drama.

The character you are guaranteed to love right from the very moment he appears on the screen is Philipp's new caretaker Driss (Omar Sy), whom he chooses himself. Driss has returned from prison, and although everyone doubts his abilities because, according to them, he is just a dubious weirdo from the street, he brings so much joy to the life of the disabled man as he has not experienced in years. A beautiful film with fantastic acting performances and emotional music by master Ludovico Einaudi.

9. Schindler's List (dir: Steven Spielberg, 1993)

In terms of objectivity, we cannot ignore this Spielberg gem. Just because it's not only one of the best films based on true events out there but also one of the best films on war and the Holocaust ever made. It is rude, cruel, hard to digest, but at the same time sensitive, emotional, touching and the enormous love for cinema is evident there.

The film tells the story of businessman Oscar Schindler (played by the charismatic Liam Neeson), who saved 1,200 Jews from death in a concentration camp. He later received the Righteous Among the Nations award for it. Due to the extremely sensitive topic, Spielberg admitted in Susiel Lacy's 2017 biographical documentary that it was the most demanding filming he had ever experienced.

"I've had to approach everything with great humility. We were filming on sacred ground. When we were in Krakow, I felt like we were shooting on a cemetery. It has fundamentally changed my approach to the film," said Steven Spielberg in the documentary. All of the effort has paid off. The film won seven Oscars, including Best Director and Best Picture. You can watch it on Netflix.

10. Into the Wild (dir: Sean Penn, 2007)

Penn's Into the Wild is a captivating study of adolescence, freedom, nature, capitalism, family strength, marriage, but also of youthful recklessness and naivete. A heartbreaking drama that will literally destroy you emotionally. It is an adaptation of the book of the same name by Jon Krakauer, which tells the story of a young rebel with the strong views of Christopher McCandless (portrayed by Emile Hirsch).

He wanted nothing but to be free for a while, which eventually became fatal for him. The drama maps out his painful and exciting journey to Alaska, from which he never returned. The film director, Sean Penn, who is best known as an actor (also a two-time Oscar winner), told The New York Times that the young man's story touched and fascinated him deeply.

He also said that he wanted music to play an important role in the film, so he wrote the screenplay for the film. The songwriter and frontman of the grunge band Pearl Jam Eddie Vedder took care of the amazing soundtrack. You can also find this movie on Netflix.