10 Must-See Movies and Shows Based on True Stories Premiering in 2024

Undaunted heroes who fight to safeguard those who cannot protect themselves. Man’s best friend on an incredible endurance race. Famous Civil Rights activists with conflicting viewpoints pitted against one other in doctrine and practice. A celebrated author willing to scandalize his friends for clout. A founding father who plays a game of seduction as America’s independence hangs in the balance. Letters filled with hilarious profanities make their way through a conservative town in England. All these stories — from the comical and cooky to the gritty and grave — are all true (or at least dramatized versions of the lesser-entertaining truth) and will premiere in 2024. 

‘Feud: Capote vs the Swans’ | FX | January 31, 2024

Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans is the second installment in Ryan Murphy’s Feud anthology, which first premiered in 2017 and chronicled the cantankerous relationship between Golden Age actors Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. The upcoming season traces the relationship between author Truman Capote and the New York City socialites he called his “Swans.” Based on the novel Capote’s Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era by Laurence Leamer, the story follows Capote as he becomes a confidante to these elite and distinguished members of society — with more money than imaginable — only to betray their trust and air out their dirty laundry via thinly-veiled fictionalizations of their juicy lives in an Esquire piece. 

The series stars Tom Hollander as Capote with Naomi Watts, Molly Ringwald, Demi Moore, Calista Flockhart, and Chloë Sevigny as the various “Swans.” Written for TV by Jon Robin Baitz, the series was directed by Gus Van Sant, Max Winkler, and Jennifer Lynch.

‘MLK/X: Graduation’ | February 1 | National Geographic (Next Day: Hulu) 

The latest installment in the Genius series, MLK/X explores the activists’ formative years, where their identities and approaches to injustice forged as a result of their familial dynamics and traumatic experiences. The docu-drama will offer intimate looks into their lives as husbands and fathers and reveal aspects of the men often dismissed in historical accounts. Aaron Pierre portrays Malcolm X and Kelvin Harrison Jr. portrays Martin Luther King Jr. Channing Godfrey Peoples directs with a script from Jeff Stetson.

‘The New Look’ | February 14 | Apple TV+

Inspired by true events, The New Look navigates the fashion endeavors of Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Pierre Balmain, and Cristóbal Balenciaga against the backdrop of World War II. How did they launch modern fashion at such a time in history? The series from creator Todd A. Kessler (known for his work as a writer on The Sopranos and Damages) stars Ben Mendelsohn as Christian Dior, Juliette Binoche as Coco Chanel, Thomas Poiteven as Pierre Balmain, and Nuno Lopes as Cristóbal Balenciaga. The series also features Glenn Close as former Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s Bazaar Carmel Snow and John Malkovich as prominent French courtier Lucien Lelong. 

‘Franklin’ | Release Date TBD | Apple TV+

Based on the novel A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America by Stacy Schiff, the upcoming eight-episode miniseries explores one of Ben Franklin’s riskiest career gambles. At age 70, the Founding Father (with zero diplomatic training under his belt) convinced France to underwrite America’s democratic experiment. The series stars Michael Douglas in the titular role and Noah Jupe (A Quiet Place) as his grandson, Temple. 

‘Bob Marley: One Love’ | February 14 | Theaters

Another musical biopic following in the footsteps of Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, Judy, and Elvis, Bob Marley: One Love is shaping to be an intimate exposé of the legendary reggae performer’s rise to stardom as he navigates hardships, political adversaries, and even attacks on his life. The trailer spotlights his relationship with his family, as well as the significant impact he had on his community. 

Kingsley Ben-Adir takes on the titular role in what’s likely to be an Oscar-nominated performance with James Norton, Lashana Lynch, Michael Gandolfini, and Micheal Ward rounding out the primary ensemble. Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard, We Own This City) directs with a screenplay he co-wrote alongside Terence Winter, Frank E. Flowers, and Zach Baylin. 

‘Wicked Little Letters’ | February 23 | Theaters

Wicked Little Letters is based on an outlandish true story that shook the conservative small England town of Littlehampton in the 1920s. When the townsfolk begin to receive letters filled with unspeakable — yet no less hilarious — profanities, the rowdy Irish migrant Rose is accused of the crime. However, something seems amiss. Something feels too easy. Could it be that the conservative Edith has it in for Rose and set her up? The movie stars Olivia Colman as Edith and Jessie Buckley as Rose. Timothy Spall and Eileen Atkins also star in the film from director Thea Sharrock (Me Before You, The Hollow Crown) and writer Jonny Sweet (Gap Year).

‘Cabrini’ | March 8 | Theaters

Cabrini recounts the true story of the Italian-American religious sister Frances Xavier Cabrini, who arrived in New York City in the late 1800s where she was greeted by crime, disease, and poverty-stricken children. She set out on a mission to convince the Mayor to secure housing and health care for society’s most vulnerable. With limited English-speaking ability and in poor health, she forged a foundation of hope via an entrepreneurial mind and an unfettered spirit. Cristiana Dell’Anna (The King of Laughter, Trust) stars as Cabrini alongside John Lithgow as Mayor Gould. Alejandro Monteverde directs with a screenplay from Rod Barr. 

‘Arthur the King’ | March 15 | Theaters

Based on the non-fiction novel Arthur – The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home by Mikael Lindnord, the film stars Mark Wahlberg as adventure racer Mikael, who picks up a stray dog named Arthur to accompany him on an epic 400-mile endurance race that includes climbing, biking, kayaking and running. In the trailer, Arthur somehow seems to know exactly where to go to lead Mikael and his teammates to success. The film also stars Simu Liu, Nathalie Emmanuel, Michael Landes, and Rob Collins. 

Simon Cellan Jones (The Family Plan, Some Voices) directs with a screenplay from Lindnord and Michael Brandt. 

‘One Life’ | March 15 | Theaters

One Life stars two-time Academy-Award-winning actor Anthony Hopkins as British humanitarian Nicholas Winton, who helped save hundreds of Central European children from the Nazis on the eve of World War II. James Hawes directs with a script from Lucinda Coxon and Nick Drake. The talented ensemble also includes Harry Potter alumnus Helena Bonham Carter, The Two Popes star Jonathan Pryce, and Johnny Flynn of Emma as a young Winton. 

‘Unsung Hero’ | April 24 | Theater

From Lionsgate Pictures, Unsung Hero follows David Smallbone, who moves his rather large family from Australia to America in search of a brighter future after his successful music company collapses. David, his pregnant wife Helen, and their seven children set out to build a life with nothing more than a couple of suitcases and an unbridled love for music. David and Helen come to realize that their children are mega-talented and, with their personal careers on hold, work to lay the groundwork for their kids’ futures as the five-time GRAMMY Award-winning artists for KING + COUNTRY and Rebecca St. James. The inspiring true story stars Daisy Betts, Joel Smallbone, Jonathan Jackson, Kirrilee Berger, and Lucas Black. Richard L. Ramsey and Joel Smallbone direct the adapted screenplay they co-wrote.