With the upcoming Elvis movie from director Baz Luhrmann set to be released on June 24, 2022, it’s clear that biopics and movies based on true stories aren’t going away anytime soon. Whether it be the sweeping cinema of Lawrence of Arabia or the jukebox musical stylings of Rocketman, these types of movies have always been popular, and for good reason.
There’s something about the tangibility of these stories, the fact that they actually happened, which makes them so appealing to audiences. It astonishes many that these events played out in real life, and with such a vast array of films based on true stories, it’s helpful that Ranker has given filmgoers a guide for viewing the best of the best.
Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
Loosely based on the experiences of AFRS radio DJ Adrian Cronauer, Good Morning, Vietnam sees Robin Williams play the radio DJ in a comedy set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War. Despite the strife and turmoil of the setting, the film is remembered for its hilarious hijinks and the passionate performance by Williams.
What makes Good Morning, Vietnam so special is not the comedy itself, but the way it’s utilized. Thematically, it serves the purpose of reprieve from the horrors of war, thus enhancing the story’s themes of censorship during strife. Just as important, it never erases the travesties of the Vietnam conflict, and that key detail is what makes this Barry Levinson film an Oscar-nominated classic, rather than a tasteless chuckle fest.
Cool Runnings (1993)
Inspired by the Jamaican national bobsleigh team’s formation and performance at the 1988 Winter Olympics, Cool Runnings was the last movie to be released during John Candy’s lifetime. Despite how close this film was to his death, John Candy still delivers the charm and chuckles one would expect without getting in the way of the story or the actual protagonists, the Jamaican bobsled team.
Though the bobsled team doesn’t quite have the same lasting presence as John Candy’s character, their dynamic is still delightful. They occasionally bicker and brawl, but at the end of the day, the audience roots for them because the team put aside their differences to pursue success. It’s this focus on changing minds and proving oneself in the face of adversity – most notably when the bobsled crashes – that defines the movie.
The Blind Side (2009)
Based on the book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis, The Blind Side stars Quinton Aaron as Michael Oher, an American football player who overcame an impoverished upbringing to play in the NFL. The film also stars Sandra Bullock in an Oscar-winning performance as Oher’s adoptive mother.
The reason the movie is beloved is because of Bullock. She absolutely nails the role of an energetic mother who will stop at nothing to support Oher. So nuanced is her take on the character that it becomes easy to forgive the cookie cutter plot and simply follow along on her journey to raise Oher.
A League Of Their Own (1992)
From director Penny Marshall, A League of Their Own offers a fictionalized telling of the creation of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) during the 1940s. In this sense, the film is not based on a true story given that the characters are completely made up for the film, but it’s still inspired by reality given that the AAGPBL was 100 percent real.
At the heart of this movie is the relationship between sisters Kit and Dottie, who start out playing on the same team and grow close to their teammates before Dottie becomes the face of the league and Kit gets traded. The subsequent rivalry is one that hits close to home for many, but it never borders on cynical. There’s always warmth to be had in the dynamic between these two characters, along with the supporting players, thus making A League of Their Own one of the most charming baseball movies of all time.
Remember The Titans (2000)
Led by the dynamic Denzel Washington, Remember the Titans tells the tale of Herman Boone and his attempt to integrate the T. C. Williams football team in 1971. Amidst discrimination and interpersonal strife, the team ultimately comes together to win the championship.
Though Washington is the star of this film with his hardened take as Boone, the emotion of the piece is found in the team. In real life, they were a professional unit that won almost every game with ease, but in the film, they’re portrayed as barely scraping by at most of the matches. It’s a choice that emphasizes both the struggle the team faced on account of race, as well as the camaraderie of the players.
Glory (1989)
1989’s Glory tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the Union Army’s earliest Black regiments. Featuring Denzel Washington in an Oscar-winning role, the film does not shy away from the racism and discrimination the 54th faced from its superiors, as evidenced by their lower pay and lack of supplies.
What makes Glory so poignant and inspiring is that it’s a tale of underdogs. The Black regiment were practically spat upon by their white comrades, yet they managed to go from nothing to a successful fighting unit. And though their story ends in tragedy, their sacrifice inspired the Union to create other Black regiments and military units, leading toward the path of emancipation and civil rights.
Tombstone (1993)
One of several films to portray the events of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Tombstone stars Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer as famed gunslingers Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday. Like any good western, there’s action, romance, and a healthy dose of brotherly melodrama.
What elevates the film above other adaptations of the almost-mythical showdown in Tombstone, AZ, are the performances. With Kurt Russell in the lead role, Earp becomes more than a simple knight in shining armor but a flawed man who has to answer the call of responsibility. Similarly, Val Kilmer milks the darkness lurking beneath the calm demeanor of a man slowly nearing death. These performances, along with those of the rest of the cast, are what make the film so memorable.
Goodfellas (1993)
From director Martin Scorsese, Goodfellas follows the rise and fall of mob associate Henry Hill and his colleagues. With Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, and Lorraine Bracco rounding out the lead roles, the film was nominated for six Oscars.
Often cited as one of the greatest films ever made, Goodfellas goes beyond the basic biopic beats and brilliantly weaves a complex story of love, desire, and betrayal across two and a half hours. Add in classic scenes and lines like “I’m funny how, I mean funny like I’m a clown? I amuse you?” and it’s no wonder the film is beloved by critics and casual audiences alike.
Apollo 13 (1995)
“Houston, we have a problem.” That’s just one of many quotes recreated on the big screen in Ron Howard’s magnum opus, Apollo 13, a film that follows the crew of the titular spacecraft as they seek to make it back to Earth alive.
Beyond the gripping drama of the premise, the main selling point of the film is the dynamic between the leads. There’s no competition to see who can outperform one another. Instead, the likes of Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton embody the spirit of their characters and work together to ensure the ship lands.
Schindler’s List (1993)
Led by Liam Neeson in an Oscar-nominated performance, Schindler’s List is not just one of director Steven Spielberg’s best movies, but it is also largely considered one of the greatest films ever to be made. The movie follows Oscar Schindler as he goes from a man trying to make a fortune to someone who tries to save as many lives as possible after witnessing the horrors of the Holocaust.
What makes Schindler’s List such a powerful movie is its refusal to shy away from its subject matter. The atrocities of the Holocaust are on full display, the film refuses to show any sympathy for Amon Goth or any of the other Nazi higher-ups, and the script even acknowledges Oscar Schindler’s faults as a person. It’s brutal and absolutely not something one can pop on at any time, but there is no denying the film’s greatness.
