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Movies that made it from reel to real: You won't believe these films are based on true stories
Here is a list of movies that will shock you with their based on real events
Everyone likes to watch movies; be reel or real, thrilling or suspense, action or a rom-com but have you ever wondered if these movies are totally fictional or part of it is derived by true events?
It’s mind blowing how many movies and series you watch either based on thrillers or heist, are rooted in reality.
From Catch Me If You Can to Moneyball, let’s dive into the list of the movies based on true stories:
Pain Hustlers
Based on a true story, the 2023 black comedy crime film stars Emily Blunt and Chris Evans.
The movie draws inspiration from a New York Times article by Evan Hughes that exposed the scandal surrounding Insys Therapeutics, a real pharmaceutical company founded by John Kapoor.
The company developed a highly addictive fentanyl-based medication called Subsys for cancer patients, however, it was being marketed to doctors who had prescribed it to patients without cancer.
Catch Me If You Can
The 2002 crime comedy-drama movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks in the leading roles.
The movie is based upon a semi-autobiographical book by Frank Abagnale Jr., who claims that prior to his 19th birthday, he successfully performed cons worth millions of dollars by faking identities which included a pilot, doctor, and a prosecutor.
The Two Popes
A 2019 biographical drama film, starring Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce, focuses on the relationship between Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, exploring their contrasting views on the Catholic Church's direction.
Although the movie showed private meetings between the two popes, it's unclear if these meetings actually occurred.
Moneyball
A 2011 biographical sports drama is based on a true story about the Oakland Athletics' 2002 season, where General Manager Billy Beane used an innovative approach called sabermetrics to assemble a competitive team despite a limited budget.
The movie stars Brad Pitt as Billy Beane, Jonah Hill as Peter Brand, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as Art Howe.
Hustlers
Based on a true story, Hustlers stars Jennifer Lopez, Constance, Julia Stiles, Lili Reinhart, Keke Palmer, Lizzo, and Cardi B.
The movie draws inspiration from journalist Jessica Pressler's article published in 2015 titled The Hustlers at Scores in New York Magazine.
It details the exploits of two strippers Samantha Barbash and Roselyn Keo who allegedly drugged men and charged thousands of dollars on their credit cards.
Dolemite Is My Name
The 2019 biographical comedy film stars Eddie Murphy as Rudy Ray Moore.
It tells the story of a comedian and actor Rudy Ray Moore, who created the character named Dolemite and follows his journey from a struggling artist to the creator of a series of 1970s blaxploitation films.
The Big Short
Based on Michael Lewis's book The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine, the 2015 movie features ensemble cast of Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Steve Carell, John Magaro, Finn Wittrock, Hamish Linklater, Rafe Spall, Marisa Tomei, and Jeremy Strong.
The movie, which was nominated for five Oscars and won for Best Adapted Screenplay, follows the 2008 financial crisis, which was triggered by the United States housing bubble.
All Good Things
The movie is loosely based on the true story of Robert Durst, a New York City real estate heir and disappearance of his wife, Kathleen McCormack Durst, who disappeared in 1982.
Suspected of her murder, Durst was never charged due to lack of evidence.
The film stars Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst, and Frank Langella.
Elvis
A 2022 biographical drama movie explores the life of Elvis Presley that chronicles the late singer’s life, from his childhood to his rise as a rock and roll star, while exploring his complex relationship with Colonel Tom Parker, his agent.
The Baz Luhrmann directional stars Austin Butler and Tom Hanks.
Milk
Sean Penn starrer 2008 biographical drama movie centres a gay rights activist Harvey Milk, who became the first openly gay man elected to public office in California.
The movie highlights his activism for gay rights, his relationships, and his ultimate assassination alongside Mayor George Moscone.
Directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Dustin Lance Black, the movie follows Milk's journey from his early life to his election as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
It’s worth mentioning here that Milk received 8 Oscars nominations, winning two for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay.
Zodiac
The 2007 mystery thriller is based on the true story of the hunt for the Zodiac Killer in Northern California, who killed five people in the San Francisco Bay Area, during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Edwards and, Brian Cox.
The Social Network
The 2010 biographical drama tells the story of Mark Zuckerberg, a Harvard University sophomore who created the social networking site Facebook.
It follows Zuckerberg's journey as he develops Facebook with the help of his friend Eduardo Saverin, however, their friendship deteriorates as Zuckerberg becomes increasingly obsessed with the site's success.
The Social Network stars Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer and Tyler Winklevoss.
I, Tonya
Loosely based on actual events of skater Tonya Harding, the 2017 biographical dark comedy movie focuses on her connection with the scandalous attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan in 1994.
The movie starring Margot Robbie, Allison Janney, and Sebastian Stan centres explores themes of abuse, classism and the media's portrayal of Harding.
The Apprentice
The controversial 2024 biographical film is about Donald Trump's early days as a real estate heir in the 1970s.
The movie also explores his relationship with lawyer Roy Cohn and explores themes of ambition, morality, and the corrupting influence of power.
The Apprentice stars Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Martin Donovan, and Maria Bakalova.
On the Basis of Sex
The 2018 biographical legal drama movie tells the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg's early life and career.
It stars Felicity Jones as Ginsburg, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux, Jack Reynor, Cailee Spaeny, Sam Waterston, and Kathy Bates feature in supporting roles.
The plot revolves around Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a struggling attorney and a new mother who faces adversity and numerous obstacles in her fight for equal rights.
When Ruth takes on a groundbreaking tax case with her husband, attorney Martin Ginsburg, she knows it could change the direction of her career and the way the court views gender discrimination.
12 Years a Slave
The 2013 historical drama movie is based on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was kidnapped in 1841 and sold into slavery in Louisiana.
Northup spent 12 years in bondage before regaining his freedom in 1853 with the help of abolitionists and the courts.
The movie portrays the cruelty of slavery in the South in the years before the Civil War through the eyes of a free black man who is kidnapped and sold into bondage.
12 Years a Slave stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano, Garret Dillahunt, and Paul Giamatti.
