19 movies you didn't know were inspired by true events

Movies have the power to draw us into the stories they tell. Some of the greatest stories, however, come from real-life events. You'd be surprised at how many blockbuster hits, beloved classics, and hidden gems owe their gripping narratives to actual people and situations. From heroic endeavors to heart-wrenching tragedies, these films capture the essence of real-life struggles and triumphs, often with a touch of artistic flair. Here's a list of 19 movies you didn't know were inspired by true events.

19) The Great Debaters (2007)

This American historical drama is inspired by the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College who coached a debate team to national prominence in the 1930s. Their success challenged racial segregation and showcased the power of education and determination. Denzel Washington directed the film and also portrayed the protagonist, Prof. Melvin B. Tolson.

18) The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015)

Based on the life of Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, this film tells the story of his journey when he traveled from his poor neighborhood in Madras, India to Cambridge University. The movie is based on the 1991 book of the same name, written by Robert Kanigel which chronicles Ramanujan's groundbreaking work in mathematics, despite facing cultural and academic challenges, left an enduring legacy.

17) 127 Hours (2010)

This survival film is based on the harrowing true story of an American mountaineer, Aron Ralston, portrayed by James Franco, who was trapped by a boulder in a Blujohn Canyon in southern Utah. After five days, he made the gut-wrenching decision to amputate his own arm to escape and survive.

16) The Untouchables (1987)

This crime drama is loosely based on the true story of a federal agent named Eliot Ness, played by Kevin Costner, and his team of law enforcement officers who took down notorious gangster Al Capone (Robert De Niro), who continued to run his illicit liquor business during the Prohibition era in the USA. The film highlights their relentless pursuit of justice amidst corruption and violence.

15) Erin Brockovich (2000)

This movie helped Julia Roberts win an Academy Award. The movie tells the true story of Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts), a legal assistant who helped build a case against Pacific Gas and Electric Company for polluting a community's water supply. Her determination and tenacity led to one of the largest settlements in U.S. history.

14) Moneyball (2011)

This sports drama is based on the true story of Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt, the general manager of the Oakland A’s. Beane revolutionized baseball by using data analytics to assemble a competitive team on a limited budget, challenging traditional scouting methods. The book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, written by Michael Lewis, is also based on the film. Apart from Brad Pitt, the film had an incredible ensemble cast that included Jonah Hill, Robin Wright, and Chris Pratt.

13) Boys Don't Cry (1999)

Boys Don't Cry is a biographical movie directed by Kimberly Pierce. The film is based on the life of Brandon Teena (portrayed by Hilary Swank), an American transgender man who faced tragic violence in rural Nebraska. It highlights the struggles and prejudice he endured, leading to a heartbreaking climax that brought attention to issues of gender identity and hate crimes. For her role as Brandon Teena, Hilary Swank won an Academy Award for Best Actress category.

12) The King's Speech (2010)

This film tells the story of King George VI's struggle with a stutter and his unlikely friendship with speech therapist Lionel Logue. Through their work together, the King overcomes his speech impediment to lead his nation during World War II. Colin Firth plays the titular character, George VI, and Geoffrey Rush plays Lionel Logue, the Australian speech therapist. The King's Speech was nominated for twelve Academy Awards, winning four out of them: Best Picture, Best Actor (Colin Firth), Best Director (Tom Hooper), and Best Original Screenplay (David Seidler).

11) The Right Stuff (1983)

This film chronicles the early days of the U.S. space program and the Marine, Navy, and Air Force test pilots who became the first astronauts. Based on Tom Wolfe's book, highlights the bravery and determination of these pioneers who pushed the boundaries of human exploration. However, one should know the movie does dramatize certain portions for entertainment purposes.

10) The Social Network (2010)

This film explores the creation of Facebook and the legal battles that followed. It focuses on Mark Zuckerberg's, played by Jesse Eisenberg, journey from a Harvard student to the CEO of the world's largest social network, highlighting the personal and professional conflicts along the way. Directed by David Fincher, it is based on the book The Accidental Billionaires written by Ben Mezrich. Apart from Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network also stars Andrew Garfield, Armie Hammer, Justin Timberlake, and Max Minghella.

9) Invictus (2009)

This biographical sports drama tells the true story of Nelson Mandela and the 1995 Rugby World Cup, highlighting how Mandela used the event to unite South Africa. Based on the book Playing The Enemy: Nelson Mandela And The Game That Made A Nation by John Carlin, focuses on Mandela's (Freeman) partnership with the rugby team captain, Francois Pienaar (played by Matt Damon), to inspire a divided nation.

8) The Iron Claw (2023)

This biographical movie is based on the true story of the Von Erich family, a legendary wrestling dynasty. It highlights their triumphs in the wrestling world and the tragedies they faced, providing a poignant look at their legacy and impact on the sport. Zac Efron plays the character of Kevin Von Erich with Jeremy Allen White, who plays Kerry Von Erich, Harris Dickinson (who plays David Von Erich), Maura Tierney, and Lily James.

7) Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

This gripping war drama tells the story of Desmond Doss who served as a medic during World War II. Doss (played by Andrew Garfield) refuses to carry or use a weapon due to his religious beliefs, yet he displays extraordinary bravery by saving 75 men during the Battle of Okinawa, earning the Medal of Honor for his selflessness and courage.

6) The Imitation Game (2014)

The film narrates the incredible efforts of Alan Turing during World War II. Turing was a brilliant mathematician. He broke the code of Enigma, a cipher device invented by a German engineer Arthur Scherbius, which played a huge role in the victory of the Allies. Despite his monumental achievements, Turing faced persecution for his homosexuality, a tragic end to his life.

5) Hidden Figures (2016)

This inspiring film tells the true story of three African-American women mathematicians—Katherine Johnson (played by Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (played by Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae)—who worked at NASA. Their contributions were crucial to the success of early space missions, breaking barriers in both race and gender. The film is loosely based on Margot Lee Shetterly's book of the same name.

4) The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Based on the memoir of Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, this film depicts his rise and fall as a stockbroker. Known for his extravagant lifestyle and financial frauds, Belfort's story is a wild ride through greed, corruption, and excess on Wall Street.

3) A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Based on the life of renowned mathematician John Nash, this film explores his brilliant career and struggles with schizophrenia. Despite his challenges, Nash made groundbreaking contributions to game theory and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics. Directed by Ron Howard for which he earned an Academy Award, the movie stars Russel Crowe as John Nash and Jennifer Connely as Alicia Nash.

2) Apollo 13 (1995)

Based on the true story of the Apollo 13 mission, this film depicts the harrowing experience of three astronauts who faced near disaster on their way to the moon. Through ingenuity and teamwork, they safely returned to Earth against all odds. Based on the book Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage Of Apollo 13 by Jim Lovel and Jeffrey Kluger, the movie stars Tom Hanks as Jim Lovel, Kevin Bacon as Jack Swigert, Bill Paxton as Fred Haise, and Gary Sinise as Ken Mattingly.

1) Schindler's List (1993)

Schindler's List follows the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Polish Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. This poignant film illustrates his transformation from a profit-driven industrialist to a selfless savior. Based on the historical novel Schindler's Ark by Thomas Keneally, the film stars Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler, Ben Kingsley as Itzhak Stern, Ralph Fiennes as Aman Goth, and Caroline Goodall as Emilie Schindler.