Entertainment

The Best Movies Based On True Stories

List Rules
Some story liberties and combining of characters allowed. All within reason. And yes, Cool Runnings.

"Movies based on a true story" is so commonly thrown around it's practically the new "in a world where..." as far as trailer plugs go. But the films on this list really are based on true events or a real person's life story. And they weren't just so-so, they're the bestĀ movies based on true stories.

The surge in the popularity of greatĀ movies based on or inspired by true stories in the last decade is especially staggering. The first feature-length film based on a true story wasĀ The Kelly Gang,Ā about Ned Kelly. It was released in 1900. Since then, movies based on true stories are being made with increasing regularity, andĀ each year sees the release of moreĀ true story movies. Of course, there are movies based on true eventsĀ like Apollo 13,Ā but there are also good biopics that give an audience insight into a person's life such asĀ Erin BrockovichĀ andĀ Walk the Line. There are also, occasionally, "true stories" based on highly questionable sources, or ones that play with tired tropes. There are even som great action moviesĀ  based on true stories.Ā And sometimes, the movie provides a rosier version of true events, as withĀ The Sound of Music.

The films on this list dove deep, did the research, and createdĀ films as honest and true to the facts as possible. Below are the top movies truly based on true stories. Vote up your favorite films on this list based on a real life story or historical events.

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