8 Movies Based On True Stories That You Should See At Least Once In Your Lifetime

Queue up your streaming service of choice, because it’s time to watch the most important movies based on true stories.

You may have a Letterboxd account stacked with movies you want to watch but never get around to seeing. I get it–the film industry has pumped out a lot of gems in the last century. Still, there are some movies you just have to see. Today, we’re talking about the often dramatic stories of real life people and the incredible lives they’ve led. If you haven’t seen these movies based on true events, you no longer have any choice not to. And just to sweeten the deal, I’ll also tell you exactly where to watch them.

The Sound of Music (1965)

At first glance, this classic just looks like a cute little musical about some Austrian kids and their governess. But behind the yodeling songs about goatherds and an unforgettable tune that’ll forever help you remember the scales is a heartbreaking story about a family fleeing through the Alps from a Nazi German takeover. Yes, this really happened, and you can watch it on Disney+.

A Beautiful Mind (2002)

A Beautiful Mind follows real-life Nobel Laureate in Economics, John Nash (played by Russell Crowe) as he attempts to navigate being a math genius as well as someone struggling with profound mental illness. Considering his story takes place in the 1940s and ’50s–a time not exactly known for its treatment of those with a mental illness–and you can imagine just how difficult his life was. (It’s also got a bit of a twist.) Watch it on Amazon Video.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

What would you do to create a safe and happy life for your child? This film follows the trials and tribulations of single father Chris Gardner as he makes his way out of poverty and homelessness in the early 1980s. It stars real-life father and son, Will Smith and Jaden Smith. If you feel like crying, this movie will do it to you. Then again, that’s par for the course with this list. Watch it on Amazon Video.

Hidden Figures (2016)

It turns out it wasn’t just a bunch of bespectacled white men who got NASA astronauts into space. Hidden Figures tells the story of the real human “computers” who did the intricate math to make these spacecrafts work along with the racism and sexism they went through as black women. It’s an inspiring piece of American history that shouldn’t be ignored, and you can watch it on Amazon Video.

The Big Sick (2017)

Not every true story has to have high stakes or a sad ending. Some are just about people falling in love, like Kumail Nanjiani’s The Big Sick, in which he tells the true story of how he and his real-life wife met and fell in love. When she goes into a coma after their breakup, Kumail must deal with his own latent feelings. It sounds sad, but trust me, it’s the most uplifting movie on the list. Watch it on Prime Video.

A League of Their Own (1992)

If you haven’t already seen this gem, you’re in for a treat. It’s set during World War II when women played in baseball leagues while so many men were called to the front lines to battle for the country. There are sweet stories, sad stories, and lots of crying in baseball, no matter how much Tom Hanks wants them to stop. Watch this on Tubi.

Fruitvale Station (2013)

Fruitvale Station follows the tragic final day of 22-year-old Oscar Grant III before his fatal shooting at the Fruitvale BART station that took place in 2009. With a masterful performance by Michael B. Jordan, it’s a heart-wrenching look at what Black men still have to fear even in 21st century America. Watch it on Amazon Video.

I, Tonya (2017)

If you need something a bit lighter after this marathon of true stories, try the story of Tonya Harding. It goes through her life coming from lower-class America and her rise and fall in Olympic figure skating. If you ever wondered if Margot Robbie is a good actor, you’ll get your answer in this often funny depiction that’s still grounded in reality. Watch it on Tubi.