Even though rom-coms are entertaining, there is no greater (or more dramatic) feeling than watching a crazy movie and realizing that it was all based on a true story. You grab your phone and quickly start Googling to find out more information as your mouth starts to drop. You must be familiar with every detail of this story because the producers almost always had to cut out some of it in order to fit the story into a respectable feature-length film.

 

Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

Eddie Murphy delivers the laughs (and the drama) in this comedy about filmmaker turned stand-up comedian Rudy Ray Moore, despite true-crime movies not typically being known for their humor. Dolemite is Moore’s stage persona, as you might have guessed. Due to his eccentric persona, he becomes famous and decides to make a kung-fu, anti-establishment movie. This may sound strange, but trust us when we say it works. Once you see it, you won’t be able to stop watching because Eddie Murphy is so amazing in this role.

22 July (2018)

Currently, the phrase “Norway’s deadliest terror attack” may not mean anything, but after watching this powerful movie, it will. The tragic incident involving a right-wing extremist who murdered 77 people at a political youth summer camp served as the inspiration for the film. Even though it takes some effort, it’s well worth your time if you’re a fan of true crime.

Lost Girls (2020)

Fans of true crime, gather round; this story is based on the true story of a serial killer who lived and worked on Long Island, New York, in the early 2000s. His name is still a mystery. The movie is based on the same-named book, which details his victims’ disappearances, whereabouts, and eventual discovery of their remains.

The Imitation Game (2014)

The British government hired Alan Turing, a mathematician, cryptanalyst, and all-around grandfather of artificial intelligence, to decipher German espionage signals during World War II. Isn’t that thrilling? The truth about Turing’s struggle to conceal his homosexuality at the time is a painful one.

Moneyball (2011)

Everyone enjoys a good underdog tale, and since this one stars Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, it must be good. It is based on Michael Lewis’ book about how the Oakland Athletics changed baseball through the use of analytics and metrics. You’ll enjoy it even if you’re not a huge sports fan because, once again, Brad Pitt is in it.

The Social Network (2010)

Have you ever wondered how the website that continues to provide your crazy relatives with news came to be? Mark Zuckerberg and the Winklevoss twins, played by Armie Hammer and Jesse Eisenberg, are present to fill you in on all the details.

Walk. Ride. Rodeo. (2019)

You don’t have to love horses to appreciate a great true horse story. This one is about competitive barrel racer Amberley Snyder, who was severely injured in a car accident and is now paralyzed from the waist down. She is a fierce rider, though, so it doesn’t deter her. Within a year of her mishap, she gets back on the horse and resumes winning. THIS IS IT if you’re looking for inspiration.

Lion (2016)

One of those strange stories that seems too good to be true is this one. At the age of five, Saroo Brierley unintentionally travelled 930 kilometers from his home in India by train. He was found by police, taken into custody, and adopted by an Australian couple while his mother searched for him. He therefore set out to find his former family 25 years later, armed with very little knowledge. I’m sorry, but I have to make you watch this one to find out what happens.

Concussion (2015)

Until you see this, if you thought football was tough before, think again. Will Smith played the lead role in a movie about the NFL’s efforts to stifle Dr. Bennet Omalu’s investigation into CTE, the terrible disease that results from repeated head trauma in professional football players.

The Little Hours (2017)

The Decameron, a collection of historic Italian tales, served as the inspiration for The Little Hours. The most realistic scenario may not sound like a bawdy comedy about a convent full of nuns always wanting to get along with the farmhand, but it is. Even though the profanity-filled speech isn’t historically accurate, it adds to the fun of the movie.