If you’re like me, a fictional movie plot has tobeextremelywell doneto capture the attention. Otherwise, the reality that this is a set of actors pretending to be other people intrudes, preventing the viewer from becoming engrossed. When the filmis basedon a true story, this problem goes away (aside from the well-noted liberties Hollywood screenwriters tend to take).
Some of the greatest films mimicked real-life events and biographical stories. From Ray to Raging Bull and Saving Private Ryan, movies that combine a non-fiction story, dedicated acting, and deft direction form a potent viewing experience.
Netflix has its fair share of films based on reality, and some of them are worth your time. We have handpicked several movies that make the most of their already compelling source material.
1. Moneyball (2011)
Moneyball is no hidden gem. The 2011 film,whichisbasedon former Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane’s revolutionary approach to constructing professional baseball rosters, earned Oscar nominations for Best Film, Best Actor (Brad Pitt), and Best Supporting Actor (Jonah Hill).
Thisis to say ifyou have yet to see Moneyball, you’re late to the ballgame.WithheavyweightsAaron Sorkin and Steven Zaillian on the script, director Bennett Miller manages to make baseball riveting.I speak as a baseball fan whenI saythis is an impressive feat.You should be especially intrigued if youexcelled in your high schoolstatistics class.
2. Amadeus (1984)
Let’s toss it back to 1823 for a minute. Milos Forman’s beloved epic Amadeus tells the true story of the rivalry between the prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his older contemporary, operatic composer Antonio Salieri. It is a cautionary tale of how uninhibited jealousy can have catastrophic outcomes.
The legend of Salieri’s envy-fueled homicide of Mozartoriginated with anonymous leafletsfrom anonymous leaflets handed to a concert audience. Russian author Pushkin would further the rumor with a dramatic dialogue, which became aplay,and then the film Amadeus.
While Amadeus qualifies as “based on a true story,”it’s knownthatcertainfacts and plot points throughout the film just aren’ttrue. Let’s collectively suspend disbelief because Amadeus isa BestPicture winner with an intoxicating blend of history and top-flight classical music.
3. Dark Waters (2019)
Hollywood has a penchant for villainizing large corporations. In some cases, David vs. Goliath narratives descend into embellishment and, at times, juvenile portrayals that lack nuance and leave out important context. You might think Dark Waters is that type of film, but you’d be wrong.
Chemical company DuPontreallydid dispose of toxic chemicals in a manner that exposed an unknown number of West Virginians to severe danger. Though DuPont maintains that it has never manufactured two specific types of forever chemicals, it is one of three similar companies thatcollectively contributed $1.185 billionto a settlement fund for victims. This movie tells the story of how a lawyer uncovered the mass contamination.
4. The Dig (2021)
The Dig is worth watching for the cast alone. Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes have proven worthy of carrying a film on their own, and they both star in this biographical drama about the excavation of the Sutton Hoo archeological site in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England.
Those who need John Wick-levels of excitement might complain about the film’s pacing. Those who can appreciate a momentum-gathering, look into the lives of archeologist Basil Brown (Fiennes) and landowner Edit Pretty (Mulligan). Can you dig it?
5. Dolemite Is My Name (2019)
Eddie Murphy’s later years in acting are full of hits and misses, and arguably more misses than hits. Dolemite Is My Name was a pleasant return to stellar form for Murphy, who portrays Blaxploitation-era actor Rudy Ray More and his alter ego, Dolemite.
Though the film hasstrong comedicperformances, it’s not your typical comedy. The biographical element shines a light on the life of someone most Netflix viewers were unaware of, and the move deftly toes the line between seriousness and lightheartedness.
6. Molly’s Game (2017)
One of Jessica Chastain’s most underrated roles, Molly Bloom is a former Olympic skier whose athletic career ends far before she is AARP-eligible (as most athletic careers do). What does an athlete do when for their second act? Coach? Open a Wendy’s franchise?
How about starting a private, high-stakes poker game for several of Los Angeles’ who’s who? That’s the true-to-life premise of Molly’s Game.This movie is a strong hand, directed and written by Aaron Sorkin with a stellar castincludingChastain, Idris Elba, and Kevin Costner.
7. Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
When most movie fans recount their favorite Oliver Stone flicks, JFK and Platoon usually get the most mentions. Yet, Born on Fourth of July is similarly regarded by critics as a very good (if notgreat), predictably controversial referendum on the Vietnam War.
Tom Cruise plays Ron Kovic, an injured Vietnam veteran who turns his attention to protest upon returning to the States. Stonehimselfwas wounded in Vietnam andreceived the Bronze Star Medal for his service. This film is the rare case where the director and the subject of the biography have so much in common, lending an air of credibility to the dramatics.
8. Pain Hustlers (2023)
Pain Hustlers didn’t make any self-respecting critic’s Oscar shortlist, but it’s a lighthearted, visually alluring look at Big Pharma’s excesses. It’s the story of Liza Drake, a single mom who falls into prescription drug hustling as a means to financial freedom (if not moral peril).
Director David Yates makes good use of leads Emily Blunt and Chris Evans, who are rock-solid fits for the film’s The Wolf of Wall Street vibe. We are suckers for movies that feature seedy motels and strip malls in Florida, so this one is right up our alley. Anyone interested in how America devolved into widespread addiction should add this one to their watchlist.
9. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
Zac Efron has neverbeen knownas anespeciallyoutstanding actor, but his turn in this stomach-turning drama (as well as the must-watch The Iron Claw) has led some to reconsider their opinion of the leading man.
Though Efron is one of those actorssomeviewers have trouble believing in any role (“Hey, that’s Zac Efron!”), his portrayal of the notorious Ted Bundy is perhaps a littletooconvincing. Those with an itch for true crime should throw the Orville Redenbacher in the microwave and queue up this supremely entertaining biographical flick.
10. The Highwaymen (2019)
Another film that transports us back to a time when robbing banks in souped-up Ford V-8s, The Highwaymen stars Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson as two former Texas Rangers tasked with apprehending Bonnie and Clyde.Many fans will give a try to most films these two stars appearin, but rest assured The Highwaymen is well worth your time.
IMDb ratings suggest this movie is in the “really, really, solid” category, and we agree. With solid acting and the added entertainment valuethat comes withany heist film, The Highwaymen is one of the better true-story films to watch on Netflix.
11. Public Enemies (2009)
Many fans were disappointed by Public Enemies when it hit theaters in 2009.The movie starred red-hot leading men Johnny Deppand Christian Bale, as well asCarey Mulligan and other well-regarded actors.Celebrated director Michael Mann seemed like an ideal choice for a John Dillinger biopic, as his bona fides include pulse-raising action flicks like Heat.
Themovie was not as fast-paced as most expected,butit’s worth revisiting based on the cast alone.Give it a second (or first) shot while it’s available on Netflix.
12. A Futile and Stupid Gesture (2018)
If any American institution deserves a biopic, it’s National Lampoon. The humor magazine turned media empirewas inspiredby the satirical magazine The Harvard Lampoon. Harvard graduates Doug Kenney, Robert Hoffman, and Henry Beard decided theyweren’t donewith satirical writing, so they started a raunchier version of The Harvard Lampoon and took it nationwide.
In A Futile and Stupid Gesture, Will Forte stars as Douglas Kenny and Domnhall Gleeson as Henry Beard. While it’s not a perfect comedy, it’s a good enough retelling of the National Lampoon origin story.
13. Darkest Hour (2017)
Admittedly, I’ve been getting into some history books that suggest Winston Churchill’s actions that led England into World War II weren’t as heroic as is often portrayed — look into it. Even so, Darkest Hour is an engrossingtellingof Churchill’s wartime leadership, with Gary Oldman masterfully portraying the at-times churlish Prime Minister.
Darkest Hour is also a necessary reminder of how war is anything but fun. This one should be near the top of your Netflix list, as Oldman won the Oscar for Best Actor in this thoroughly entertaining historical flick.
14. Dumb Money (2023)
Before Dumb Money, there was the Redditor-led stock market manipulation of 2021. Fueled by pandemic isolation and a generation of Redditors who grew up going to game stop, a mob of Robinhood-using investorsbanded together to pump stockslike GameStop and AMC to otherwise impossible heights.
Dumb Money stars Paul Dano and other accomplished actors, bringing the populist investing movement to the big screen (now, your living room). With a second wave of GameStop mania swelling in May 2024, this movie could not be more topical.
15. The King (2019)
One of Netflix’s more ambitious film projectsto date(witha budget of $23 million), The Kingtells the story of Henry V’s rise to power. A stellar cast, including Ben Mendelsohn, Timothee Chalement, and Joel Edgerton lend legitimacy to all the suits of armor, swordplay, and politicking.
While it’s not a perfect film, The King did justice to some considerable hype. If you enjoy The King, consider checking out director David Michod’s modern-day crime series Animal Kingdom, which is a personal favorite.
16. Society of the Snow (2023)
A remake of the film Alive (whichis also basedon the phenomenal book of the same name), Society of the Snow is a highly-rated biopic about the tragic tale of the 1972 Uruguayan national rugby team. The team’s flight crashed on a remote glacier in the Andes mountains, and an increasingly desperate situation led the team to resort to acts that no man or woman should ever have to consider.
Taking full advantage of 2023 camera technology, Society of the Snow is a harrowing retelling of a real-life nightmare. Those who speak Spanish or are okay with subtitles have an easy choice for tonight’s movie-night selection.
17. Nyad (2023)
If youaren’tfamiliar with Diana Nyad, don’t open Wikipedia.Don’t order her biography.Simplytune into Netflix and watch the biopic about the 60-year-old who made theperilous110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida.Yes, there were sharks.
Annette Benning plays Nyad, while Jodie Foster portrays Nyad’s coach and best friend, Bonnie Stoll. Ittook Nyad about 52 hoursto cross the Florida Strait, but it will only takeyoua couple of hours to watch the movie about it.
18. First They Killed My Father (2017)
Most of usdon’treadas much as we should.Whenever you can watch a movie that catches you up on a remarkable historical event you aren’t familiar with, it’s your intellectual duty to take advantage.
Such an opportunity presents itself with First They Killed My Father, a tragic account of author (and genocide survivor) Loung Ung’s experience in the Khmer Rouge’s Cambodian reign of terror. Directed by Angelina Jolie, this harrowing film leaves no doubt that Pol Pot wasa really baddude.
19. The Outpost (2019)
Movies about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan became something of a cottage industry for a minute. Audiences are understandably drawn to this genre, as those wars remain among the most controversial of most Americans’ lifetimes (arguably excluding Vietnam).
The Outpost stars Scott Eastwood and Orlando Bloom in this film documenting the barrage faced by American troops stationed at Fort Keating. This remote outpost in an Afghan valley was a hornet’s nest, making the film an action-heavy affair.
20. The Polka King (2017)
Jack Black isn’t for everyone, but you’ll never sit through a Jack Black movie and say, “That was boring.” This truth applies to the 2017 comedy The Polka King.
It’s the bizarre true story of Jan Lewan, a Pennsylvania-based grifter who operates as a Mid-Atlantic version of Bernie Madoff.Few other films blend heartless financial crimes and, well,polka as this film does.The documentary The Man Who Would Be Polka King tells the same story without the Hollywood frills (or Jack Black).
21. The Most Hated Woman in America (2017)
America’s history with religion is complicated, and that isobviouslystill true today. The Most Hated Woman in America captures a story that proves how testy religion (and atheism) can be in a nation populated by those who believe very different things passionately.
Madalyn Murray O’Hair founded the atheist advocacy group American Atheist, and this film attempts to portray the disdain O’Hair received due to her outspokenness. There are few things worse than atheists who can’t wait to tell you they’re atheists, but this movie isn’t bad.
22. Gran Turismo (2023)
If you’re not particularly interested in professional racing, video games, or underdog stories,go ahead and clicktothe next slide.If you’re still here, consider braking on Gran Turismo next time you’re speeding through Netflix’s endless offerings.
District 9director Neil Blomkamp does an admirable job with a story that’s hard to believe is true, from the racing simulator to the real-life racetrack. WatchGran Turismoand find out.
23. Unbroken (2014)
War provides no shortage of miraculous stories tailor-made for the silver screen. Even so, Unbroken remains one of the most miraculous stories ever greenlit by a Hollywood executive.
Olympic distance runner Louis Zamperini competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, only to be serving in the U.S. Air Force forces a few years later. His capture by the Japanese Navy introduces him to a new meaning of adversity, and a miraculous story of man’s incredible will to live unfolds.
Angelina Jolie directs this must-see film for history buffs and patriotic Americans (and everyone else).
24. Maestro (2023)
Though Maestro did not garner the critical acclaim director and star Bradley Cooper would have hoped, it remains a worthwhile account ofconduct-composerLeonard Bernstein’s storied life.
Bernstein is a giant of his field, and fans of classical music would be well-served to dedicate a couple of hours to Cooper’s portrayal of the musical behemoth. The film focuses heavily on the relationship between Leonard and his wife, Felicia, but music remains an integral part of the film.
Sam Mire
+ posts
