40+ Real People’s Life Stories That Inspired the Best Movies of All Time

Dark Waters is a 2019 film starring Mark Ruffalo as Robert Bilott, a corporate defense attorney who heads to a small town in West Virginia to defend a community of people who are afraid of what’s to come when they are faced with a string of animals passing.

While many suspect that chemical manufacturing corporation Du Pont is responsible, only lawyer Robert Bilott has the guts to stand up to this giant. Dark Waters is based on the 2016 New York Times article “The Lawyer Who Became Du Pont’s Worst Nightmare.”

Sticking to the theme of small towns and lawyers, Erin Brockovich tells the story of a small-town legal secretary who builds up a case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The movie was released in 2000 and starred Julia Roberts as Erin Brockovich.

According to film critics, the movie is 98% factual and sees Brockovich take on one of the leading gas companies in America in 1993 while struggling to raise her three children alone. Erin Brockovich is a must-see and great for those days when you need a movie with a positive ending.

If you’ve ever watched an episode of the tv show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, you will know just how good and kind this beloved TV host was. But, a 1998 Esquire article saw a journalist question if Fred Rogers was as kind as his character portrayed him to be.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a real-life movie based on the journalist’s findings and stars Tom Hanks as everyone’s favorite neighbor, Mr. Rogers. The movie was released in 2019 and was met with brilliant reviews from even the harshest critics.

The title of this 2019 movie is enough of an indication of what one can expect from a biography about Ted Bundy. It tells the life story of the infamous serial killer through the eyes of his long-time girlfriend. Bundy committed several infamous crimes between 1974 and 1978, choosing vulnerable young women as his target.

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil And Vile stars Zac Efron as Bundy and Lily Collins as his girlfriend and details the thoughts of this vile yet charismatic man. This movie is sure to keep you up at night.

Eddie Redmayne plays the lead role of Stephen Hawking in this 2019 biopic of Hawking’s life. Based on his ex-wife’s memoirs, the film takes us through his life, relationships, and diagnosis while focusing on the brilliant work Hawking did.

Felicity Jones stars as Hawking’s wife and gives a superb performance in this 2014 movie. Fans of the brilliant theoretical physicist will love this movie as it gives us a closer look at what life with Hawking was really like.

Martin Scorcese brings us a shockingly detailed look into the world of stockbrokers in his 2013 movie The Wolf of Wall Street. Starring Leonardo Dicaprio as Jordan Belfort, the movie sees the fall of one of Wall Street’s top brokers, leading to substance binges, corruption, and Belfort committing fraud several times over.

The movie is an eye-opener and gives us a more realistic view of what life is like at the top. Even more than that, the movie has excellent acting — what more could you want?

Aron Ralston made headlines around the world as he survived for 127 hours alone in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park. After an accident, the hiker’s arm became trapped under a boulder, and in a desperate attempt to survive, he was forced to sever his own hand. This movie is about survival, and Ralston’s tale is a true inspiration.

Just a heads up that the scene of him cutting his hand off is, as expected, rather graphic, so skip this one if you’re squeamish. 127 Hours stars James Franco as Aron Ralston and has seen rave reviews thanks to Franco’s impeccable acting ability in the movie.

Truman Capote, the author of the book In Cold Blood, was a strange man, and who better to play his onscreen character than the talented Philip Seymour Hoffman? Released in 2005, the movie follows Capote’s journey as he becomes obsessed with the passing of an innocent family in their quiet home in Kansas.

In an effort to find out what really happened and who is behind the grisly crime, the writer puts his all into the project and finds out a little more than he should have.

The real-life story of Michael Oher is a tear-jerker. Released in 2019, the movie portrays the events that led up to Oher, played by Quinton Aaron, signing with the NFL to play professional football. From being raised in a low-income neighborhood to being adopted by a wealthy white family, life was a series of ups and downs for this star player who fought against all odds to become the talented player he is today.

Sandra Bullock stars as Michael’s adopted mother and is the driving force behind his success. The Blind Side, which saw Bullock win an Academy Award for Best Actress, is a must-watch and is one of the most inspirational movies you could choose.

Polish musician Wladyslaw Szpilman faces a dismal future when the Germans invade his hometown during World War II. Cast out from his home after the passing of his family members, the pianist escapes to the ghetto in Warsaw, where he’s shown mercy by a German officer who feeds him and helps him to stay hidden.

Released in 2002, the movie sees Adrien Brody play the lead role. It is a film about resilience, determination, and the struggle to survive. We definitely recommend watching it.

Director Steven Pollack’s 1985 release of Out of Africa gave rise to a new love story as it tells the true-life romance of Karen Blixen and Hunter Denys. The movie stars Hollywood legends Meryl Streep and Robert Redford and is set in Kenya.

The movie has a good storyline and became a fan favorite for women around the world who dreamed of falling in love while on a trip and went on to win numerous awards.

Wynona Ryder delivers a stunning performance in this 1999 true story of Susanna Kaysen’s stay at a mental institution. Based on her memoirs, the movie also stars Angelina Jolie as a diagnosed sociopath named Lisa. She befriends Kaysen during her short but drama-filled stay.

The movie forces the viewer to take a hard look at the realities of mental health and is an eye-opener that deals with sensitive topics and a range of mental health disorders.

Football plays a great part in American culture, and with many movies made about the sport, the choice of which one to watch can be daunting. Remember the Titans was released in 2000 and stars Denzel Washington as Coach Herman Boone, one of America’s greatest coaches who started his own diverse football team in the South.

Based on the real-life story of the football team from T.C. Williams High School, the movie is set in the ’70s and has a great message about teamwork and overcoming adversity to reach your goals.

Con man Frank Abanagle Jr. was one of the top forgers in America and pulled a series of cons that had the FBI chasing him all across America. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank and Tom Hanks as a tough FBI agent, the film is based on the real-life story of one of America’s most well-known con men.

Catch Me if You Can was released in 2002 and will have you on the very edge of your seat as you find yourself unwillingly rooting for the bad guy.

Everybody loves an underdog, and Seabiscuit is the ultimate movie about overcoming obstacles and beating your struggles to reach the top. A real-life story about the trials and tribulations of horseracing, Seabiscuit was released in 2003 and stars Tobey Maguire as a jockey during the Great Depression.

The movie is a tear-jerker, and there are times when you will wish you picked a happier movie. But, the brilliant storyline and incredible acting keep you watching until the very end.

Award-winning actor Sean Penn wowed audiences with his mind-blowing portrayal of the elected Californian politician, Harvey Milk. Milk was the first openly gay man elected into parliament in the ’70s. It was a move that was met with harsh criticism, hate, and threats from those who were against him.

The 2008 movie has a bit of everything from politics to romance and has a twist that will leave you absolutely crushed. You will have to watch it for yourself to find out just what we are talking about.

Have you ever dreamed of selling your possessions, saying goodbye to your family and friends, and moving to remote Alaska? That’s just what Christopher McCandless did when he got rid of material things and went on a soul-seeking trip to Alaska, hitchhiking as he made his journey.

Into the Wild was released in 2007 and follows the true story of Christopher’s journey. With actor Emile Hirsch playing the lead role, viewers are in for a wild ride as the movie focuses on the solitude of living in the Alaskan Wilderness.

Everyone remembers the incident at the 1994 figure-skating championships where skater Tonya Harding brutally hurt her rival in the competition, Nancy Kerrigan. Following a life of shame and a loss of sponsorships, the incident also led to a lifetime ban for Harding, which brought her promising career to an end.

I, Tonya was released in 2017 and stars Best Actress nominee Margot Robbie in the role of Tonya Harding. While she is well known for being in Suicide Squad, this is probably one of her best performances.

Kristen Stewart, better known to many as Bella Swan from the Twilight series, takes on a more serious role as she portrays everybody’s favorite princess, Diana, in this fiction film. Released in 2021, the film takes us through Diana’s separation and later divorce from Prince Charles and shows what her life was like after royalty.

Spencer has an excellent cast and is one of the most talked about movies to come out of 2021. We also have to commend Kirsten on her excellent portrayal of such a famous woman.

Did you know that The Sound of Music is real and is actually based on the real Von Trapp family? Released in 1965, this musical is based on the memoirs of the real-life Maria Von Trapp, which were published in 1949.

The movie centers around a young nun (Julie Andrews) being sent to the home of Captain VonTrapp (Christopher Plummer) to become a baroness to his young children. Now a classic movie, the story sees Maria find love and happiness in a time of unrest.

Hacksaw Ridge is a war drama that focuses on the life of US Army Medic Desmond T. Doss and was released in 2016. The role of Desmond is played by the talented Andrew Garfield. It is a tribute to a man who, in real life, saved many lives without firing a single shot.

Due to his beliefs, Doss did not believe in carrying or firing a gun. In accordance with his convictions, he found a way to serve and save lives. His accomplishments saw him receiving a Medal of Honor for his bravery and heroism.

It has been widely documented that King George VI had a stutter. In an attempt to overcome his speech impediment, he hired the services of Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue. The two forge a friendship as Logue takes on the role of mentor to the young king, guiding him as he rules his land.

The King’s Speech was released in 2010 and stars Colin Firth as the stuttering king. The movie is a great example of how even the toughest of obstacles can be overcome with the right guidance and assistance.

Hollywood darling Judy Garland had somewhat of a tumultuous career in Tinseltown, as is depicted in the 2019 movie Judy. Starring Renee Zellweger as the actress, the movie focuses on life after The Wizard of Oz as Garland performs sell-out shows in front of thousands of fans in London.

But, life is not as peachy as it seems, and a few bad decisions lead to Garland’s untimely passing. Watch Judy and get a glimpse into the life and career of one of Hollywood’s greats. Remember to grab the tissues because Judy will definitely have you wiping away the tears.

When Finding Neverland was released in 2004, fans rushed down to their nearest movie theater to watch this acclaimed actor play the role of J. M. Barrie (the writer of Peter Pan). The movie also stars Kate Winslet as the widow Sylvia. Along with her three boys, Sylvia unknowingly inspires the story of Peter Pan.

While many parts of Finding Neverland were included for dramatic effect, it is still a brilliant movie that is well worth a family movie night pick.

We don’t often get to see Will Smith in a serious role, even less so in a real-life story. But, in 2021’s King Richard, we see the star playing the role of tennis greats Venus and Serena Williams’s father. He fights to get his daughters noticed as he pushes them to be successful in the tennis world.

King Richard is a movie filled with sacrifice, overcoming obstacles, and the importance of family love. It also shows us how, with time, dedication, effort, and belief from a parent, anything can be achieved.

As if the world needed another reason to love Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg more than they already do… Along comes a movie that is based on her life as a lawyer fighting for equality. Released in 2018, On the Basis of Sex tells the empowering story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It follows Ruth in her younger years and is a legal drama that will have you wanting more.

On the Basis of Sex is a biographical masterpiece and is a must-see for those who love movies about the law and standing up and fighting for what you believe in. It stars Felicity Jones and Kathy Bates.

Very few people know about the real-life story of Harriet Tubman. But, thanks to the release of the movie Harriet in 2019, Tubman’s name and legacy will forever live on in the hearts of Americans. Harriet Tubman was an abolitionist who fought tirelessly to help free hundreds of people in 1849.

Played by Cynthia Erivo, Harriet used the Underground Railroads to smuggle her goods, which included runaway people, from the South. Harriet Tubman did a world of good for freedom. But, her story remained untold for many years.

Jazz singer Billie Holiday used her music and her voice to spread a message. But, it was her message in the song “Strange Fruit” that saw Holiday being targeted by the Federal Department of Narcotics as they sought to silence the singer and stop her song from being heard.

The ’40s were a tumultuous time in New York, and if the book “Chasing the Scream” is anything to go on, the battle was far from over. The United States vs. Billie Holiday stars singer Andra Day and Harry J. Anslinger and is an in-depth look into the culture of illicit substances in the early ’40s.

Have you ever wondered how big music stars got their careers off the ground? For stars like Etta James, Little Walter, and Chuck Berry, it was all thanks to one man. Leonard Chess, played by Adrien Brody, helped many big stars at the start of their careers.

Cadillac Records was released in 2008 and follows the careers of some of the legends in the music industry, focusing on how they got their start and became household names across America and the rest of the world.

Uzo Aduba graced our screens when she played the role of Ms. Virginia Walden Ford in the 2019 movie Miss Virginia.It’s story about a single mother’s battle to get her son into a private school in Washington, DC. The movie sees Virginia take on the Washington education system to get the government to agree to federally funded scholarships for minority groups.

The movie has faced much backlash. But, it’s the real-life story of a mother’s determination to give her son the very best in life.

The Post was released in 2017 and stars Meryl Streep as Washington Post publisher Katherine Graham and Tom Hanks as editor Ben Bradlee. A real-life story, the movie focuses on the pair’s determination to expose a series of government secrets that have long plagued the nation.

The Post is a gripping drama that will have you on the edge of your seat as you watch the pair uncover secrets that would cause chaos in the country.

History buffs will love the 2017 movie Dunkirk which covers the mass evacuation of American troops who were surrounded by enemy forces while in Dunkirk during WWII. Based on true events, the movie focuses on the planning and execution of the evacuation and brings to light the importance of following a plan right down to the last detail to avoid chaos and possible casualties.

Dunkirk stars Harry Styles and is based on the 1940 evacuation that led to thousands of troops being saved from an untimely demise.

When life throws you lemons, you pack your bag and hike the 1,000-mile Pacific Crest Trail. While this might sound a bit extreme, it’s what Cheryl Strayed did when her marriage ended. She decided she needed to do some soul-searching.

It all seems a bit cliche and some of the facts in the story do seem somewhat embellished. But, Wild is a real-life account of Cheryl’s journey on the trail and stars Reese Witherspoon.

Alan Turing was a mathematician. Along with a group of colleagues, he built a machine. This machine saw them decoding the WWII German intelligence code. The subject of the 2014 movie The Imitation Game, Turing is portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch in the film adaptation of his 1983 biography.

Cracking the code seemed all but impossible. But, thanks to a few brilliant minds, the German intelligence code was no longer a mystery.

Imagine being born in New York a free man, only to be taken and sold off. This was the reality for American man Soloman Northup who penned his memoir in 1853. Now a major motion picture starring Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northrup, the movie chronicles the battles he faced when he was desperate to regain his freedom.

12 Years a Slave will make you cry as you are faced with the true events that many African Americans had undergone. It’s a heartbreaking tale of determination and the will to survive.

It seems pretty far-fetched that a mime could play such a significant role in saving people during WWII. But Marcel Marceau helped thousands of Jewish orphans cross the border into Switzerland. Resistance is a 2020 movie based on the life and humanitarian work of Marcel Marceau.

While the lead character is played by Jesse Eisenberg, the real Marceau does make an appearance in the movie. Watch Resistance and see how one man made a difference in so many lives at a time when peace was all but gone for many.

Meryl Streep stars as chef Julia Childs in this sweet real-life story of two women in America. Julia gets her career as a chef off the ground, eventually going on to write her first recipe book. The film then cuts to more modern times. Blogger Julie Powell attempts to cook (and blog about) every recipe in the book.

Amy Adams plays the role of Julie in this film, which is sure to warm your heart and inspire you to follow your dream. Julie and Julia was released in 2009.

True-crime lovers will know all about the famed Zodiac who was responsible for a number of heinous crimes in the ’60s and ’70s. Taunting police with letters describing his acts, the killer was never caught. This caused many to speculate as to whom it may be. But, every clue turned out to be nothing more than a dead end.

2007 saw the release of Zodiac, a movie based on the crimes of the Zodiac killer. It focuses on one man trying to solve the case by himself. Zodiac stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr. It’s a great movie that will keep you guessing.

Baseball is another popular sport in America. In the 1992 movie, A League of Their Own, coach Jimmy Dugan (played by Tom Hanks) seeks to take his all-female team to the championships. In a true zero-to-hero plot, we see the coach push his team members to their limits. He teaches them (and shows them) how to reach for the stars.

A League of Their Own is based on true events. It stars Geena Davis, Lori Petty, and Madonna as part of the team. The character Jimmy Dugan is loosely based on Jimmie Foxx and Hack Wilson.

Goodfellas is a 1990 movie that details the life of mob bosses Henry Hill and James Conway. It’s set in Brooklyn, New York, in the ’70s, and stars Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci. Once at the top of the crime world, Hill finds himself fighting his way through stings, mob violence, and betrayal to keep his title.

De Niro and Pesci deliver superb performances in this movie adaption of the real-life story Wise Guy, penned by Nicholas Pileggi. While the movie is filled with drama and action, it does have some comedic relief and is well worth a watch.

The ’60s was quite a different time. It saw women at home, in the kitchen, taking care of their husbands and family. But, not for Katherine Gable Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. They spent their lives trying to fight against gender roles and stereotypes. They wanted to realize their dream of helping NASA send astronauts to space.

Hidden Figures is a 2016 movie based on the lives of three of America’s most brilliant mathematicians. It’s a true story that will inspire you to live your dream.

Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers turned down offer after offer from movie genius Walt Disney to buy the rights to her book. After a few years of relentless offers, the author gave in. But, not without some terms of her own. Saving Mr. Banks is a real-life account of P.L. Travers’ life and times, as she helped bring the character of Mary Poppins to life.

The movie stars Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks, who both give excellent performances. The movie is fascinating as it gives us the background of one of the world’s greatest films.

Since coming out in 2010, this soul-search, romantic comedy about food, spirituality, and romance has captured audiences’ hearts. The movie is based on the memoir of the same name by Elizabeth Gilbert as it chronicles her journey after her divorce.

The beloved movie stars the enchanting Julia Roberts as she travels through Italy, India, and Indonesia. It’s a true feel-good story that leaves you feeling good about not always knowing the path ahead.

1997 saw the release of the animated movie Anastasia. Inspired by the mysterious real-life story of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, the film sees a young Russian orphan join forces with two con men to find her family. But, as one would expect from an animated movie, things don’t go quite according to plan.

The movie launches into a series of hilarious twists and turns. It will keep you guessing on the edge of your seat. The movie has an incredible soundtrack that inspired a Broadway musical production of Anastasia and is a must-watch for the whole family.

The holocaust remains one of the biggest events in human history, and many movies have been made with it as the main theme. Academy Award-winning Schindler’s List is THE holocaust movie and follows the life of Oskar Schindler, who secretly employs Jewish people to work in his factory, ultimately saving their lives.

Without going into too much detail and spoiling the movie, we will say that it is graphic and, at times, very hard to watch. But, it’s one of the greatest movies ever made. Schindler’s list was released in 1993 and stars Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler.