When the words “based on a true story” come across a screen just before a film begins, typically audiences have one of two reactions: they either prepare themselves to be terrified, or they relax and get ready for a wholesome story filled with emotion. People are naturally drawn to movies and series that have actually taken place in someone’s life because it gives usa sense of inspirationor a warning for the horrors that are out there. Either way, the films leave fans in awe about what someone else has gone through in their lifetime.
Movies that are based on real life are not meant to be mixed up with documentaries. The former genre takes an overall concept (which is often a memoir) of what happened in a person’s life and portrays it as if it was a work of fiction. Characters are built up and conflicts come across as genuine, and then it is the responsibility of those watching the story unfold to remember that the characters and situations are based on real people and events. While you spend some time scrolling through different streaming services, check out some of the most wholesome and horrific movies onNetflixthat are based on a true story.
15Julie & Julia
Julie Powell, much like everyone else, realized one day that she was lacking passion in her life. She had become comfortable in her day-to-day routine, and unfortunately, that led to a stagnant lifestyle. Inspired by the world renowned Julia Childs, Julie decided to challenge herself and cook all 524 recipes in Childs' cookbookMastering the Art of French Cookingover the course of a single year.
Powell documented her experience in a blog, which led to a published book, which then got turned into a fantastic film starring Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, and Stanley Tucci.Julie & Juliaflashes back and forth between Childs learning to navigate the kitchen while French men badmouthed her and Powell attempting many Childs' recipes in the modern day.
14The Champion
Out of respect, concentration camps are seldom a place people think about when they are looking for inspiration for a film. However, through some research, people may be surprised to find there are a number of individuals who lived through the grueling torture within the camps who served as a beacon of hope to others.
Tadeusz Pietrzykowski is one of the many men whose story has trickled down over the years, and in 2020, audiences everywhere were able to know his incredible tale because ofThe Champion. Pietrzykowski was a professional boxer before he got to Auschwitz. Then, inside the camp, he took on prison guards first as a source of entertainment, but that soon led to other prisoners realizing the guards were not invincible.
13Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile
It is no secret that disturbing and gruesome crime stories pique many people’s interests. The ones that are based ontrue serial murdererstend to be more popular than others. ForExtremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, the focus is on Ted Bundy (played by Zac Efron), but it is from his ex-girlfriend’s perspective. Liz Kendall admits that she initially turned Ted in to the authorities, and for years she wracked herself with guilt because Bundy always kept his cool and continued to plead innocent. In the end, however, Liz turned out to be right all along, and justice was eventually served to one of the most famous serial killers.
There is a lot of heavy themes to unpack inRace, such as racial discrimination, Nazi Germany, sacrifice, and politics playing a much larger part than they should in the world of sports. Stephan James portrays theOlympic Medalist Jesse Owensin this biographical film. He depicts the struggles a promising young black man went through in 1933 when everyone from classmates to fans to government officials waited for him to fail. Owens became a role model for more people that he ever knew simply because he was good at what he did, he put in the hard work, and he did not let the surrounding voices tear him down.
11Fatherhood
Based on the real Matt Logelin’s book,Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss and Love,Fatherhooddepicts the struggles of a single father who lost his wife hours after she gave birth to their daughter. Kevin Hart stars as the father who has to turn his life upside down to ensure he is providing everything he can for his daughter while he also experiences immense grief. His friends and family initially voice their concerns about Matt being able to step up as a single father, but after some time and rearranging of priorities, he turns out to be just the dad Maddy needs. From including Maddy in every aspect of his life to advocating for their small family, this film is sure to bring up some feelings for all parents.Related:10 Movies That Tackle the Complexities of Fatherhood
10Hillbilly Elegy
Some people choose to forget their upbringing; many grow up to be like their parents, and then there are people like J. D. Vance, who recognize that their story needs to be told. After serving as a marine and going to law school, Vance decided that the world deserved to know about his unique upbringing, so he wrote a book, which later got picked up to become the movie,Hillybilly Elegy.
Vance details his mother’s addiction and what that did to him and his older sister as they were growing up. He goes on to explain how moving in with his MawMaw was likely the best decision that was ever made for him. This movie is not for the faint of heart because it shows the gritty side of America most people would rather ignore, but for the now-Junior United States Senator, it was his childhood.
9Blue Miracle
A man with a good heart, a man with a boat, and a team of orphaned boys came together for a single cause, and it sparked the love and support of fans everywhere. After Omar Venegas' orphanage was left in ruins from a hurricane, he found himself teaming up with a local fisherman to join Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament in an attempt to win hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Dennis Quaid playsthe reluctant and annoyed captain, but by learning about Omar’s cause and getting to know some of the boys, he has a change of heart.Blue Miraclewill leave you in tears from happiness, sadness, and mostly because you laughed too hard.
8The Good Nurse
No matter how close some coworkers get, there is always a part of them that will remain a secret. InThe Good Nurse, Amy Loughren is an ICU nurse who does her best to make ends meet for herself and her kids while she hides a huge secret. During a night shift, she meets a new hire by the name of Charles Cullens, and they become friends. After a few unusual deaths in their department, both nurses are questioned about the incidents. Years later, Amy discovers what Charles had done to their patients and many others.American journalist, Charles Graeber, believed this tragic story was too important to be swept under the rug like many hospital administrators wanted.
7My Best Friend, Anne Frank
Anne Frank’s story is one of the most well-known from The Holocaust, but many do not know it from the eyes of her childhood best friend, Hannah Goslar. Hannah and Anne were two peas in a pod; they were rarely seen without one another, that is, until they were separated by Nazi officers. The story ofMy Best Friend, Anne Frankfocuses on Hannah’s experience with her family and in the camps. Though she is a young girl, the days of playing with dolls and thinking the world is a safe place are long over. Alison Leslie Gold met with the real Hannah Goslar to get her story into writing, and in 1997, she published a book entitledMemories of Anne Frank, Reflections of a Childhood Friendthat would later be adapted into this film for millions to see.
6The Glass Castle
Traveling across the country can be a great experience for the whole family, but not when the patriarch of the group is actually running from debt collectors. Jeannette Walls has always been an amazing storyteller, and when she was first gifted a blank journal, she knew just what to write about.The Glass Castlefollows the Walls family across America as the parents, Rex and Rose Mary, make their nomadic lifestyle seem like the best life to live.
Jeannette and her siblings buy into their excitement for many years until they realize starvation, alcoholism, and neglect are not what they deserve. This film is humorous and heartwarming at times, but it does raise the question at what children from all over have to endure due to their parents' pride and selfishness.
