Originally by Ranker FilmList RulesSome 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 best movies based on true stories.
The surge in the popularity of great 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 was The Kelly Gang, about Ned Kelly. It was released in 1900. Since then, movies based on true stories are being made with increasing regularity, and each year sees the release of more true story movies. Of course, there are movies based on true events like Apollo 13, but there are also good biopics that give an audience insight into a person's life such as Erin Brockovich and 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 movies based on true stories. And sometimes, the movie provides a rosier version of true events, as with The Sound of Music.
The films on this list dove deep, did the research, and created 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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1,261444Apollo 13
Tom Hanks, Bryce Dallas HowardReleased: 1995
Directed by: Ron Howard
Apollo 13 is a 1995 American historical docudrama film directed by Ron Howard. The film stars... more on Wikipedia
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1,497346Schindler's List
Liam Neeson, Ralph FiennesReleased: 1993
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Schindler's List is a 1993 American epic historical period drama, directed and co-produced by... more on Wikipedia3
1,218503Catch Me If You Can
Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprioReleased: 2002
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Catch Me If You Can is a 2002 American biographical crime drama film based on the life of... more on Wikipedia4
1,096372Goodfellas
Robert De Niro, Samuel L. JacksonReleased: 1990
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Goodfellas is a 1990 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is a film adaptation... more on Wikipedia5
871402Walk the Line
Reese Witherspoon, Joaquin PhoenixReleased: 2005
Directed by: James Mangold
Walk the Line is a 2005 American biographical drama film directed by James Mangold and based... more on Wikipedia6
1,050517Titanic
Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate WinsletReleased: 1997
Directed by: James Cameron
Titanic is a 1997 American epic romance and disaster film directed by James Cameron. A... more on Wikipedia7
891387A League of Their Own
Madonna, Tom HanksReleased: 1992
Directed by: Penny Marshall
A League of Their Own is a 1992 American comedy-drama film that tells a fictionalized account... more on Wikipedia8
858423Cool Runnings
John Candy, Malik YobaReleased: 1993
Directed by: Jon Turteltaub
Cool Runnings is a 1993 American sports film directed by Jon Turteltaub, and starring Leon,... more on Wikipedia9
618296The Sound of Music
Julie Andrews, Christopher PlummerReleased: 1965
Directed by: Robert Wise
The Sound of Music is a 1965 American musical drama film produced and directed by Robert Wise... more on Wikipedia10
886510Braveheart
Mel Gibson, Sophie MarceauReleased: 1995
Directed by: Mel Gibson
Braveheart is a 1995 epic historical medieval war drama film directed by and starring Mel... more on Wikipedia11
507300Zodiac
Robert Downey Jr., Jake GyllenhaalReleased: 2007
Directed by: David Fincher
Zodiac is a 2007 American mystery thriller film directed by David Fincher, based on the 1986... more on Wikipedia12
694319Erin Brockovich
Julia Roberts, Marg HelgenbergerReleased: 2000
Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Erin Brockovich is a 2000 biographical film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by... more on Wikipedia13
716371The Perfect Storm
George Clooney, Mark WahlbergReleased: 2000
Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen
The Perfect Storm is a 2000 American biographical disaster drama film directed by Wolfgang... more on Wikipedia14
414235Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Paul Newman, Robert RedfordReleased: 1969
Directed by: George Roy Hill
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is a 1969 American Western film directed by George Roy Hill... more on Wikipedia15
519218The Great Escape
Steve McQueen, Richard AttenboroughReleased: 1963
Directed by: John Sturges
The Great Escape is a 1963 American WWII epic film based on an escape by British and... more on Wikipedia16
67636212 Years a Slave
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael FassbenderReleased: 2013
Directed by: Steve McQueen
12 Years a Slave is a 2013 period drama film directed by Steve McQueen, based on the 1853... more on Wikipedia17
873455American Sniper
Bradley Cooper, Sienna MillerReleased: 2014
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
American Sniper is a 2014 American biographical drama film directed by Clint Eastwood and... more on Wikipedia18
436250The Elephant Man
Anthony Hopkins, John HurtReleased: 1980
Directed by: David Lynch
The Elephant Man is a 1980 American-British biographical film about Joseph Merrick, a severely... more on Wikipedia19
864399The Pursuit of Happyness
Will Smith, Thandie NewtonReleased: 2006
Directed by: Gabriele Muccino
The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 American biographical drama film based on Chris Gardner's... more on Wikipedia20
354228Amadeus
Jeffrey Jones, Cynthia NixonReleased: 1984
Directed by: Miloš Forman
Amadeus - Directors Cut is a 1984 biography drama film written by Peter Shaffer and directed... more on Wikipedia21
515276Lincoln
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Daniel Day-LewisReleased: 2012
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Lincoln is a 2012 American epic historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg, starring... more on Wikipedia22
347194Miracle
Kurt Russell, Patricia ClarksonReleased: 2004
Directed by: Gavin O'Connor
Miracle is a 2004 American sports docudrama about the United States men's hockey team, led by... more on Wikipedia23
356219Patton
George C. Scott, Karl MaldenReleased: 1970
Directed by: Franklin J. Schaffner
Patton is a 1970 American epic biographical film about U.S. General George S. Patton during... more on Wikipedia24
437242Monster
Charlize Theron, Christina RicciReleased: 2003
Directed by: Patty Jenkins
Monster is a 2003 drama film about Aileen Wuornos, who was executed in Florida in 2002 for... more on Wikipedia25
454334The Aviator
Kate Beckinsale, Leonardo DiCaprioReleased: 2004
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
The Aviator is a 2004 American biographical drama film directed by Martin Scorsese, written by... more on Wikipedia
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