Movies based on real people are a reminder of the grey space between actual life and movie. It may be an eerie expertise to know that the characters depicted on the display reside human beings who exist past the compressed 90 minutes of a movie and are at the moment having real-life impacts even because the credit roll.
These movies additionally act as a reflective medium to hint the beginnings of widespread figures in comparison with the legacy they’ve at current. For instance, The Social Community explains the apathy behind digital communications at current by means of Zuckerberg’s insecurities depicted within the movie. Listed below are 10 movies primarily based on individuals who nonetheless exist from varied walks of life.
10 Air (2023) – Sonny Vaccaro

Air (2023)
- Launch Date
- April 5, 2023
- Director
- Ben Affleck
- Solid
- Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Chris Messina, Viola Davis, Chris Tucker, Jay Mohr
- Ranking
- R
- Fundamental Style
- Drama
Air reveals how the path-breaking partnership between basketball participant Michael Jordan and Nike modified sports activities tradition eternally. The movie is directed by Ben Affleck, who additionally performs Phil Knight, the co-founder and CEO of Nike. Air reveals what went behind the making of the Air Jordan model and the way it modified Jordan’s profession and Nike’s enterprise, setting a benchmark for the connection between companies and gamers.
Why It is a Should-Watch Movie
The movie has a star-studded solid involving Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Viola Davis, and Chris Tucker, all standing out for his or her highly effective performances. Davis performs Jordan’s mom and was applauded for the depth she delivered to her character, who’s protecting of her son’s skills and legacy. Furthermore, the movie shines in its simplicity and is a seamless journey down reminiscence lane.
Stream it on Prime Video
9 The Wolf of Wall Road (2013) – Jordan Belfort

The Wolf of Wall Street
- Launch Date
- December 25, 2013
- Director
- Martin Scorsese
- Solid
- Leonardo DiCaprio, Matthew McConaughey, Margot Robbie, Jonah Hill, Cristin Milioti, Jon Bernthal
- Ranking
- R
- Fundamental Style
- Crime
The Wolf of Wall Road was directed by Martin Scorsese and talks in regards to the lavish lifetime of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, performed by Leonardo DiCaprio. The movie is predicated on the memoir written by Belfort, which recounts his adrenaline-induced life as a stockbroker in New York Metropolis and his downfall attributable to corruption, habit, home violence, and fraudulent offers.
The movie additionally stars Jonah Hill as Belfort’s enterprise companion and buddy, Donnie Azoff, and Margot Robbie in her profession breakthrough efficiency as Belfort’s second spouse.
Why It is a Should-Watch Movie
The movie is the fifth collaboration between DiCaprio and Scorsese and garnered immense essential acclaim and 5 Academy Award nominations. Belfort applauded the film’s accuracy in greedy the “total feeling” of his erratic years and his friendship with Azoff. In keeping with Belfort, the truth was a lot worse than proven within the movie, and he was hooked on 22 completely different medicine at his lowest.
Stream it on Apple TV+
8 The Catastrophe Artist (2017) – Tommy Wiseau

The Disaster Artist
- Launch Date
- March 12, 2017
- Director
- James Franco
- Solid
- Alison Brie, Zoey Deutch, James Franco, Lizzy Caplan, Zac Efron, Bryan Cranston
- Ranking
- R
- Genres
- Drama, Biography, Comedy, Documentary, Historical past
The Catastrophe Artist goes behind the making of The Room, infamous for being one of many worst movies ever made. Actor James Franco directs the biographical comedy-drama, which tries to make sense of director Tommy Wiseau, and captures his ardour for making the self-funded movie, which is usually listed amongst ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ films.’ The movie doesn’t mock Wiseau, performed by Franco who additionally stars. As a substitute, it empathizes with failed filmmakers who’re unable to make it within the trade regardless of being gifted.
Why It is a Should-Watch Movie
Franco is especially often called a dramatic actor, and he impressed critics and audiences alike together with his directorial debut. He received the Golden Globe Award for Finest Actor for his efficiency and was accompanied by the true Tommy Wiseau as he obtained the award. Wiseau additionally seems within the post-credits scene as a party-goer. The movie’s irony lies in Tommy being assured in his craft and financially safe however missing in “expertise” when many filmmakers fail due to a scarcity of funds and help.
Stream it on Apple TV+
7 Erin Brockovich (2000) – Erin Brockovich
Erin Brockovich was directed by Steven Soderberg and stars Julia Roberts because the titular character. This biographical authorized drama dramatizes the occasions when Brockovich investigated a cover-up involving contaminated water in a local people. Later, she initiated a authorized case in opposition to the Pacific Gasoline and Electrical Firm for contaminating groundwater that negatively impacted the well being of residents dwelling close to the plant.
Why it’s a must-watch movie
The movie is entertaining even when it offers with a essential challenge. Roberts characterizes Brockovich as a strong-spirited lady unafraid to make use of her charming look to win over males who belittle her.
The true-life Brockovich disagrees with deliberately charming males to place her case ahead however agrees her bodily attributes might need helped in her investigation. She added that the occasions proven within the movie are “most likely 98% correct,” and he or she even appeared as a waitress within the movie. Roberts won the Academy Award for Finest Actor for her feisty portrayal of Erin, some of the memorable performances within the actress’s filmography.
Stream it on Apple TV+
6 Catch Me If You Can (2002) – Frank Abagnale Jr.

Catch Me If You Can
- Launch Date
- December 25, 2002
- Director
- Steven Spielberg
- Solid
- Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Nathalie Baye, Amy Adams
- Ranking
- PG-13
- Fundamental Style
- Biography
Catch Me If You Can tells the unbelievable story of ex-conman Frank Abagnale Jr., performed by Leonardo DiCaprio. Steven Spielberg directs the movie and adapts the screenplay from a semi-autobiographical guide written by Abagnale. The movie chronicles his days of conman mastery when he disguised himself as a health care provider, a lawyer, and a co-pilot earlier than he turned 18. After he efficiently robs a financial institution at 17, FBI Agent Carl Hanratty, performed by Tom Hanks, begins a cat-and-mouse chase between the authorities and Frank.
Why It is a Should-Watch Movie
DiCaprio was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Finest Actor in a Movement Image for his efficiency because the unethical however prodigal conman. The true-life Abagnale was not concerned within the movie however believed Spielberg was the one filmmaker who may do justice to his story.
The movie not solely focuses on Abagnale’s tips but in addition offers perception into how damaged households result in delinquent behaviors in youngsters and the way individuals have been extra reliable within the ‘60s.
Stream it on Apple TV+
5 Lion (2016) – Saroo Brierly
Talking of the net world, Lion tells an equally riveting story. The movie is predicated on the guide A Lengthy Means House by Saroo Brierly, who was separated from his household in India and later adopted by an Australian couple. He makes use of Google Earth to seek for his household 25 years later. The movie was directed by Garth Davies and starred Dev Patel as Saroo. The movie is a unprecedented story of reminiscence, nostalgia, and looking for one’s dwelling.
Why It is a Should-Watch Movie
The movie was a joint manufacturing between Australia and the UK and is among the highest-grossing Australian movies of all time, making $140 million worldwide. The movie was nominated for six Academy Awards, together with Finest Actor for Patel and Finest Supporting Actress for Nicole Kidman, who performed Saroo’s adoptive mom. In 2019, the real-life Saroo set out on one other journey to seek for his father, who deserted his household when he was younger.
Stream it on Apple TV+
4 The Social Community (2010) – Mark Zuckerberg

The Social Network
- Launch Date
- October 1, 2010
- Director
- David Fincher
- Solid
- Jesse Eisenberg, Rooney Mara, Bryan Barter, Dustin Fitzsimons, Armie Hammer, Joseph Mazzello
- Ranking
- PG-13
- Fundamental Style
- Biography
David Fincher’s The Social Community goes behind the tumultuous saga of Fb. The movie’s tagline explains it greatest: “You don’t get to 500 million pals with out making a couple of enemies.” The movie chronicles the making of Fb from its shady conceptualization to its epic launch, with Jesse Eisenberg embodying Mark Zuckerberg. In keeping with the movie, Fb was Mark’s means of dealing with dejection and his incapacity to maintain his real relationships.
Why It is a Should-Watch Movie
The movie is predicated on the guide The Unintentional Billionaires, which seems to be at Fb’s fiasco by means of the angle of its co-founder, Eduardo Savarin. Eisenberg’s exceptional efficiency earned him an Academy Award nomination, as he captures the fast-talking, emotionally-stunted techie with finesse.
The screenplay was written by Aaron Sorkin, which received him the Academy Award for Finest Screenplay. The film successfully captures the genesis of the digital communications firm from inside the dorm rooms of Harvard College, even when it does take some fairly sweeping liberties in adapting Zuckerberg’s actual life backstory for the massive display.
Stream it on Netflix
3 The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) – Chris Gardner

The Pursuit of Happyness
- Launch Date
- December 14, 2006
- Director
- Gabriele Muccino
- Solid
- Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Brian Howe, James Karen, Dan Castellaneta
- Ranking
- PG-13
- Fundamental Style
- Biography
- Genres
- Biography, Documentary, Drama
The Pursuit of Happyness tells the unbelievable real-life story of a failed gross sales agent who went from homelessness to being a multi-millionaire. The movie was directed by Gabriele Muccino and tells the story of Chris Gardner, performed by Will Smith, who was evicted from his condominium and compelled to stay within the streets together with his five-year-old son. The movie reveals Gardner’s ordeal juggling fatherhood and an unpaid internship whereas looking for shelter for a yr.
Why It is a Should-Watch Movie
The movie was primarily based on the guide of the identical title written by Gardner and Quincy Trope. Gardner was an integral a part of the movie’s capturing and even appeared in direction of the tip of the movie. A number of inventive liberties have been taken within the movie, equivalent to Gardner’s real-life son being a toddler as an alternative of the 5-year-old younger boy performed by Jaden Smith, as proven within the movie.
The Pursuit of Happyness is a tribute to Gardner’s undying spirit and is symbolic of the American dream, the place a chance can flip anybody’s life round. Will Smith was nominated for an Academy Award for Finest Actor for his emotionally and bodily demanding efficiency.
Stream it on Apple TV+
2 The Large Brief (2015) – Michael Burry

Big Short
- Launch Date
- December 11, 2015
- Director
- Adam McKay
- Solid
- Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Karen Gillan, Marisa Tomei
- Ranking
- R
- Fundamental Style
- Drama
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy, Documentary
The Large Brief investigates the harrowing 2007 housing market crash in america of America by following the people who benefitted from it. The darkish comedy is directed by Adam McKay and is predicated on the guide The Large Brief: Contained in the Doomsday Machine. The movie stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt as the first characters primarily based on real-life Wall Street opportunists who became millionaires from the financial collapse.
Why It is a Should-Watch Movie
The movie is fast-paced and stylistic and effortlessly balances capitalist dystopia and comedy. Journalist David McCandless declared the movie 91.4% correct and applauded its realism. The movie is heavy with monetary jargon and expects the viewers to maintain up with it. Nonetheless, the dearth of melodrama within the movie accentuates the detachment of the grasping characters.
Stream it on Apple TV+
1 Rocketman (2019) – Elton John

Rocketman
- Launch Date
- Could 22, 2019
- Director
- Dexter Fletcher
- Solid
- Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard, Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Alison Ball, Jamie Bacon
- Ranking
- R
- Fundamental Style
- Drama
- Genres
- Drama, Biography, Documentary, Household
Rocketman is the biopic of musical icon Elton John, passionately portrayed by Taron Egerton, and was directed by Dexter Fletcher. The movie follows how a younger Reginal Dwight from Nineteen Fifties London grew to become the larger-than-life “Elton John,” whereas shedding mild on his relationship with Bernie Taupin, his turbulent relationship together with his household, and his habit.
Why It is a Should-Watch Movie
The movie takes a number of inventive liberties however is a must-watch for fans of Elton John’s music. The title of the movie is taken from John’s tune, capturing the essence of his extraordinary life. Egerton oscillates between theatrical and emotionally weak, incomes him a Golden Globe Award for his emotionally and bodily demanding efficiency.
Stream it on Apple TV+