The Top 20 Films Based On True Stories
by beth-neilens | created - 09 Dec 2011 | updated - 10 Dec 2011 | Public(Some of) The best films based on actual events.
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1. 127 Hours (2010)
R | 94 min | Biography, Drama
A mountain climber becomes trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone near Moab, Utah and resorts to desperate measures in order to survive.
Director: Danny Boyle | Stars: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara, Sean Bott
Votes: 401,542 | Gross: $18.34M
This film is absolutely fantastic and is so underated because of the contraversy over the gore in the final scenes - It weren't that bad! If it bothers you look away because you are missing out on a well shot film that makes you feel as though you are trapped with Aron Ralston (who is played beautifully by James Franco).
2. Into the Wild (2007)
R | 148 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
After graduating from Emory University, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters that shape his life.
Director: Sean Penn | Stars: Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener, Marcia Gay Harden
Votes: 658,394 | Gross: $18.35M
Chris McCandles is a true inspiration to all and makes us question what is really important in life. It is one of those films that makes you cry tears of joy and sadness all at once as you feel like you finally see (through Emile Hersche's portrayal of "Eddie Vedder") what it really is to be human and enjoy life's little miracles.
3. Titanic (1997)
PG-13 | 194 min | Drama, Romance
A seventeen-year-old aristocrat falls in love with a kind but poor artist aboard the luxurious, ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic.
Director: James Cameron | Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates
Votes: 1,281,157 | Gross: $659.33M
As cheesy as it is, the idea is fantastic. If you like sappy love films then this is for you but I thought this deserved to be in the list as the whole thought of using 2 passengers on the doomed vessel, to immerse us into the disaster is a visual masterpiece.
4. Heavenly Creatures (1994)
R | 99 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
Two teenage girls share a unique bond; their parents, concerned that the friendship is too intense, separate them, and the girls take revenge.
Director: Peter Jackson | Stars: Melanie Lynskey, Kate Winslet, Sarah Peirse, Diana Kent
Votes: 67,425 | Gross: $3.05M
A real murder mystery which shows the darker side to imagination. It is Kate Winslet's greatest performance as her slightly tormented behaviour gives me the shivers!
5. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
R | 169 min | Drama, War
Following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.
Director: Steven Spielberg | Stars: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns
Votes: 1,497,149 | Gross: $216.54M
A film made to show the true struggle of war and to highlight the lengths the men would go to to fight for their country. It is directed wonderfully and all the actors in the film are perfect and make it feel so real, each death or injury brings a tear to the eyes.
6. Girl, Interrupted (1999)
R | 127 min | Biography, Drama
A directionless teenager, Susanna, is rushed to Claymoore, a mental institution, after a supposed suicide attempt. There, she befriends a group of troubled women who deeply influence her life.
Director: James Mangold | Stars: Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Clea DuVall, Brittany Murphy
Votes: 211,455 | Gross: $28.87M
The memoirs of a woman who spent time in a psychiatric hospital as a teenager brought to screen by Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie. It is very clever in the direction as it allows the viewer to see these people are human.
7. Boys Don't Cry (1999)
R | 118 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
A young man named Brandon Teena navigates love, life, and being transgender in rural Nebraska.
Director: Kimberly Peirce | Stars: Hilary Swank, Chloë Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard, Brendan Sexton III
Votes: 103,316 | Gross: $11.53M
The true story of transgender discrimination. This dark yet uplifting film is about empowerment and freedom. Hilary Swank's best role as she is totally believable and you automatically become attatched to the character she is playing.
8. The Pianist (2002)
R | 150 min | Biography, Drama, Music
During WWII, acclaimed Polish musician Wladyslaw faces various struggles as he loses contact with his family. As the situation worsens, he hides in the ruins of Warsaw in order to survive.
Director: Roman Polanski | Stars: Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay, Emilia Fox
Votes: 912,858 | Gross: $32.57M
People are all hyped over 'The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas' and forget about this incredible film which shows the struggle for survival in Nazi-occupied Poland and is the actual memoirs of Władysław Szpilman.
9. From Hell (2001)
R | 122 min | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
After five ritualistic murders are committed in 1888 London, Inspector Abberline's assignment is to investigate the "Jack the Ripper" murders. Along with a string of mutilated prostitutes, he uncovers a conspiracy involving the government.
Directors: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes | Stars: Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm, Robbie Coltrane
Votes: 164,258 | Gross: $31.60M
Based on Jack the Ripper, the film chooses a possible scenario of what happened in White Chapel at the time and backs the theory up with stunning visuals and captivating performances from Johnny Depp and Ian Holm.
10. The Runaways (2010)
R | 106 min | Biography, Drama, Music
A coming-of-age biographical film about the 1970s teenage all-girl rock band The Runaways. The relationship between band members Cherie Currie and Joan Jett is also explored.
Director: Floria Sigismondi | Stars: Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Michael Shannon, Stella Maeve
Votes: 50,959 | Gross: $3.57M
Tells the story of Joan Jett and Cherie Currie by delving deep into the 70's explicitly styled rock girl group which sold sex to become popular. The singing in the film isn't perfect but it is good enough to listen to and enjoy along with Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fannings better-than-usual acting.
11. The Social Network (2010)
PG-13 | 120 min | Biography, Drama
As Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg creates the social networking site that would become known as Facebook, he is sued by the twins who claimed he stole their idea and by the co-founder who was later squeezed out of the business.
Director: David Fincher | Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Rooney Mara
Votes: 759,101 | Gross: $96.96M
The story of 'Facebook' dramatised and to show how social networking changed not just the internet but the world and the creators lives forever.
12. Mississippi Burning (1988)
R | 128 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Two F.B.I. Agents with wildly different styles arrive in Mississippi to investigate the disappearance of some civil rights activists.
Director: Alan Parker | Stars: Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif
Votes: 111,113 | Gross: $34.60M
(Loosely) based on the murders of the 3 Civil Rights workers it reframes several documented footage and photos to show the narrow mindedness and violence of the racist white people in the 60's with particular emphasis on the KKK to show people the horrific events as best they can.
13. Cool Runnings (1993)
PG | 98 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
When a Jamaican sprinter is disqualified from the Olympic Games, he enlists the help of a dishonored coach to start the first Jamaican Bobsled Team.
Director: Jon Turteltaub | Stars: John Candy, Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis
Votes: 113,805 | Gross: $68.86M
A comical take on the true story of the first jamacain bobsled team to compete in the olympics. This hit will have you kissing sanka's lucky egg and dying with laughter.
14. The Elephant Man (1980)
PG | 124 min | Biography, Drama
A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man who is mistreated while scraping a living as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of kindness, intelligence and sophistication.
Director: David Lynch | Stars: Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud
Votes: 258,565
The true story of Joseph Merrick, a man born severely deformed. The film is quite sad yet has elements of hope within it. Another film which teaches the value of being human.
15. The Great Escape (1963)
Approved | 172 min | Adventure, Drama, Thriller
Allied prisoners of war plan for several hundred of their number to escape from a German camp during World War II.
Director: John Sturges | Stars: Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson
Votes: 259,016 | Gross: $12.10M
Pretty much what it says in the title.
16. 300 (2006)
R | 117 min | Action, Drama
In the ancient battle of Thermopylae, King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fight against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. They face insurmountable odds when they are betrayed by a Spartan reject.
Director: Zack Snyder | Stars: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, Dominic West
Votes: 864,658 | Gross: $210.61M
A cinematic dramatised adaptation of the story of the 300 spartans. Gerard Butler is fantastic as the fierce leader. THIS IS SPARTA!
17. Pearl Harbor (2001)
PG-13 | 183 min | Action, Drama, Romance
A tale of war and romance mixed in with history. The story follows two lifelong friends and a beautiful nurse who are caught up in the horror of an infamous Sunday morning in 1941.
Director: Michael Bay | Stars: Ben Affleck, Kate Beckinsale, Josh Hartnett, William Lee Scott
Votes: 351,941 | Gross: $198.54M
Another historical masterpiece... Yippee!
18. Marley & Me (2008)
PG | 115 min | Drama, Family
A family learns important life lessons from their adorable, but naughty and neurotic dog.
Director: David Frankel | Stars: Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Eric Dane, Kathleen Turner
Votes: 167,855 | Gross: $143.15M
A film that can only be watched once if you own a dog. It is a really cheerful memoirs until the end - I have never seen the ending as I walked out from distress but the rest of it was great to watch.
19. Remember Me (I) (2010)
PG-13 | 113 min | Drama, Romance
A romantic drama centred on two new lovers: Tyler, whose parents have split in the wake of his brother's suicide, and Ally, who lives each day to the fullest since witnessing her mother's murder.
Director: Allen Coulter | Stars: Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Caitlyn Rund, Moisés Acevedo
Votes: 155,799 | Gross: $19.07M
If you think Twilight sucked and hate Rob Pattinson, you should watch this and let it change your opinion of him. This films is a fictional love story that ends with a factual tradgedy that leaves you breathless from shock and makes you think to remember all of those affected by the disaster
20. Miss Potter (2006)
PG | 88 min | Biography, Drama, Romance
The story of Beatrix Potter, the author of the beloved and best-selling children's book, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit", and her struggle for love, happiness, and success.
Director: Chris Noonan | Stars: Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson, Barbara Flynn
Votes: 32,030 | Gross: $2.98M
A heart-warming tale about the author of Peter Rabbit and other short stories. It is a cheery film that uses animation of the books characters and Renee Zellwegger's quirky potrayal of Beatrix Potter is amazing.
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