A great movie doesn’t always need high action scenes or over the top drama. Sometimes, movie that tells a story based on real life can be more interesting and compelling as life itself is complex and exciting. And doesn’t hurt that there’s always a lesson or two to learn from it. We list our favourite movies based on true stories that have captivated audiences around the world.
The Devil Wears Prada
This comedy drama film is based on a novel of the same name written by Lauren Weisberger. The novel is about the author’s experience while she was working as an assistant to U.S. Vogue editor Anna Wintour. Most designers and other fashion notables avoided appearing as themselves for fear of displeasing the editor herself. But she later overcame her initial skepticism, saying she liked the film and Meryl Streep who plays the magazine editor in particular.
127 Hours
The film title, 127 Hours, is the length of time canyoneer Aron Ralston spent stuck between the two rocks, trying to decide what he was going to do in order to survive. With no help coming, no food or water and no one expecting him home any time soon the man must do the unthinkable – sever his own arm with a dulled knife or die. Heartbreaking and gruesome, the movie has captivated audiences and depicted a scenario that terrifies most of us.
The Blind Side
Michael Oher went from tragedy to greatness in his real move from the projects of Memphis to a first-round NFL draft pick and professional football player. This movie stars Sandra Bullock as the white Leigh Anne Tuohy who was a stand-in mother and full-time believer, supporting the homeless teen in real life. Oher told NPR he thought the movie exaggerated his lack of intelligence with Quinton Aaron playing a quiet and academically inept Oher.
The Conjuring
The Conjuring is a 2013 American supernatural horror film where Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga star as Ed and Lorraine Warren, paranormal investigators and authors associated with prominent cases of haunting. The Warrens come to the assistance of the Perron family , who are experiencing increasingly disturbing events in their farmhouse in Rhode Island in 1971.
The Bling Ring
Starring Emma Watson, the story is loosely based on a real-life gang The Bling Ring. They were a group of convicted thieves based in and around Calabasas, California. They burgled the homes of several celebrities like Paris Hilton, Megan Foxx, Orlando Bloom, Miranda Kerr etc. Their activities resulted in the theft of about $3 million in cash and belongings.
The Pursuit of Happyness
This movie is biographical drama film based on entrepreneur Chris Gardner’s nearly one-year struggle being homeless. Featuring Will Smith as Gardner, a homeless salesman. Smith’s son Jaden Smith co-stars, making his film debut as Gardner’s son, Christopher Jr. The unusual spelling of the film’s title comes from a mural that Gardner sees on the wall outside the daycare facility his son attends which was incorrectly spelled as “happyness” instead of “happiness”.
Ip Man
This is a martial arts film very loosely based on the life of Yip Man, a grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun and teacher of Bruce Lee. Yes he grew up in a wealthy family and moved to Hong Kong (more in Ip Man 2) but the whole public match with the Japanese didn’t happen. Starring Donnie Yen as Ip Man and martial arts choreography by Sammo Hung.
Steve Jobs
If hasn’t been too long since Steve Jobs passed away, but this is already the second movie about his life. Michael Fassbender plays Jobs in this iteration, which not only focuses on his profession rise to fame, but the struggles within his personal life. Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, and Jeff Daniels all appear.
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale
We’re sure you’re familiar with the tale of everyone’s favourite dog Hachiko. This is a remake of the Japanese film which retells the story of the world’s most loyal dog, Hachiko. After the death of his owner, Hidesaburo Ueno, in 1925, Hachiko returned to the Shibuya train station the next day and every day after that for the next nine years. Prepare them tissues.
Beautiful Mind
Russell Crowe plays John Forbes Nash, Jr. in this story about a real mathematical genius and his struggle to greatness. This movie gives us an up close look at what it is like to live with schizophrenia and the effect it has on your job, family and friends. Crowe does an excellent job portraying the life of John Nash. His acting is believable and you feel as though you are immersed in the life of John Nash when you watch this movie. Full of twists and turns that you don’t expect, this true story keeps you guessing throughout the movie.
If you’re more into dance movies, check out our top movies about dance here!
