Movies based on a true story have this magical touch to them because they remind us that incredible events do not have to merely be a work of fiction. They are very real, and can often inspire you and be soul-stirring beyond measure.
Here is an incredible list of movies based on a true story for when you need to be inspired.
8 The Intouchables
The Intouchables is based on the true story of the Frenchman Phillipe Borgo and his French-Algerian caregiver Abdel Sellou. Phillipe is an intellectual who loved life, however, he had gone through a paragliding accident that has left him quadriplegic. Aside from that, the loss of his wife has killed something in him. Now he must go on through a life that feels tasteless, but when Driss, a man who couldn’t care less about having the position of a caregiver enters his life, both individuals form a friendship full of honesty and flavored moments.
The Intouchables is an inspiring story of connection, opening yourself up to the world again, and friendship. It shows us how two people who come from completely different worlds can come to understand each other on a profound level and be what the other needs. You’ll dive into a sensitive movie of rich and poor, of humor and grief, and of surrender. It is also coupled with a beautiful score that brings out the humanness of the story.
7 Lion
Lion is a delicate movie based on the story A Long Way Home written by Saroo Brierley, who has experienced an incredible journey. At just five years old, Saroo was waiting for his brother in a train station in India so that they come back home together, however, when his brother never returns, he gets on a train, which leads him somewhere further away from home. Away from home, confused, and facing adversity, Saroo eventually gets adopted by an Australian couple who take really good care of him. Yet, as time passed, his past haunts him, and he couldn’t stop thinking about his family. Determined, Saroo set out on a journey to try to find his origins and reunite with his family.
The movie is a captivating journey that will hypnotize you from start to finish. It is layered with a range of emotions, decisions, places, and people that will undoubtedly make you feel something. On top of that it is so well woven together, from the acting, to the cinematography, to the direction and soundtrack, Lion is a movie that leaves its mark.
6 Seven Years in Tibet
Seven Years in Tibet is based on the epic true story of Austrian climber Heinrich Harrer who sets out to climb the Nanga Parbat with 11 other climbers as a means to honor his country. However, his journey is set off course when World War II breaks out and his team gets arrested by British officials.
Yet, undefeated and determined to flee, Heinrich and Peter Aufschnaiter manage to run away after several failed attempts, and they eventually make it to Tibet in disguise, a land forbidden to foreigners. They are surprisingly welcomed and provided with food and shelter. The Dalai Lama befriends Heinrich, and they form a budding and inspiring friendship where Heinrich teaches the young leader about the world, in terms of geography, science, and math, and so ever naturally, the Dalai Lama influences him with his curiosity, tolerance, patience, and kindness.
Seven Years in Tibet is a journey of expansion, wonder, adventure, and personal development. It is an eye-opening multi-layered film about different cultures, complex characters, and redemption. Together with its captivating concept, it is fueled by breathtaking visuals.
5 Chasing Mavericks
Chasing Mavericks is based on the absorbing story of surfer Jay Moriarity. When he discovers that one of the biggest waves on earth exists miles away from his Santa Cruz home, he vows to learn how to survive it and enjoy riding it. To do that, he uses the help of the local masterful surfer Frosty Hesson who helps him train for his goal. As they set out to achieve this shared goal, they discover so much about themselves, about what matters to them in life, and they go for it wholeheartedly.
It’s a story of love, fear, loss, and freedom that will make you feel truly alive. Aside from the mesmerizing and entrancing cinematography of the big beautiful blue waves, Gerard Butler and Jonny Weston had applaudable chemistry that made the story all the more real. The movie was especially inspiring for surfers, with many stating that it accurately portrayed the Santa Cruz surfing scene and excitement.
4 Lone Survivor
Lone Survivor is a biographical war film based on a book written by Marc Luttrell and Patrick Robinson. The film is set during the Afghanistan War where a Navy SEAL team is sent to capture the Taliban leader Ahmad Shah. However, when their mission proved to be unsuccessful due to being tracked by Taliban fighters, the seals start to get captured one after the other, except for one. The Navy SEALs face grueling battles that reflect the harsh reality of soldiers having to fight.
It is a token of bravery and the strong will to survive despite all obstacles and suffering. There are intense battles, which make this movie full of action that is packed with great sequences. The cinematography and sound mixing are also delivered in an impressive way. Wylie Statement was nominated for an Oscar for Best Sound Editing while Andy Koyama, Beau Borders, and David Brownlow were nominated for Best Sound Mixing. These nominations say a lot about the powerful effect the sound of the movie had on the audience. Likewise, Mark Wahlberg was particularly praised for his role in the film as Marcus Luttrell.
3 Pad Man
Pad Man is the underrated story of Indian activist Arunachalam Muruganantham, who sets out to create sanitary pads for women in rural areas who would use leaves and unhygienic rags during their menstrual cycle. When Akshay, who is deeply in love with his wife Gayatri, finds outs in the first months of their marriage how uncomfortable not having sanitary pads is and how expensive it is to afford one, he decides to defy all odds to create pads for women through a low-cost sanitary pad machine when the only one known at the time was worth millions.
Despite his dream being seemingly impossible, he is rather challenged and all the more inspired to come up with a solution that will benefit the women he badly wants to protect from any harm. The movie highlights the stigma found in some places around menstrual hygiene and the lack of education on the subject. The film’s daring subject, especially for Indian households makes it an important film with a prominent message.
2 The Swimmers
The Swimmers tells the story of the Mardini sisters, who put their lives on the line to rescue a sinking overcrowded dinghy with 18 refugees on it. Trying to escape the Syrian War in hopes to make it to Germany in order to participate in the Rio Olympics as swimmers, they have to go through a very dangerous journey. The Mardini sisters flew to Turkey and took the Dinghy from there in hopes to get to Greece, and that’s when the frightening incident happened.
Yusra, the younger sister jumps in the open water when it gets all too real, and her sister, Sarah joins, and they keep pushing through what seems like forever. Fortunately, all the refugees survive, but the journey doesn’t end there as they have to continue their fight to make it to Berlin which seems like an impossible task.
The Swimmers is an open letter to humanity and an eye-opening take on the refugee crisis and the saddening truth individuals have to through just to survive and to be accepted for something they were never a part of starting but have to pay a heavy price for. It is a powerful dream of how easy it is for dreams to be buried if one’s safety, shelter, and community are taken away from them. Yet, the film also delightfully depicts the ways in which the Mardinis stick up for each other and themselves as they discover and rewrite a new life for themselves.
1 The Lighthouse of the Orcas
The Lighthouse of the Orcas tells the fascinating true story of an autistic child, Tristan who only seems to be soothed by orcas. When a mother, Lola, sees her son react strongly to the orcas he sees on television, she makes it her mission to take him to Patagonia so that he can see them and interact with them in real life. She asks for the help of Beto, a park ranger and a man who speaks fluently to orcas and that has a unique bond with them. Reluctant to help at first in fear of putting Tristan in danger, he succumbs to the idea and becomes wholeheartedly invested in it bit by bit.
The Lighthouse of the Orcas is a unique and artistic film that gracefully encapsulates autism, parental love, and fear as well as healing through animals which makes this movie truly touching.