There have been several dark moments in history that have affected, even destroyed, the lives of millions. Disaster can strike when you least expect it, leaving you to pick up the pieces. Throughout history, natural disasters, war, and terrorism have shaped the world that we currently live in. At the same time, in situations such as these, we can see many rise to the occasion. After the tragic Boston Marathon Bombing, for example, we saw the city of Boston band together to show that terrorism won’t break them. Tragedies can happen in a single moment, or they can last for several years.

Cinema has done a great job of capturing these tragic moments in history. In a way, cinema is a driving factor to make sure that these events are not forgotten. Some filmmakers add fictional situations to the stories, such as Jack and Rose in James Cameron's Titanic. Paul Greengrass has likewise become iconic in showcasing tragic events with films such as 22 July and United 93. History is important, and cinema is a great way for people to be informed about real-life events, even if they are tragic. It takes a certain type of filmmaker to tell these delicate stories effectively. Let's take a look at the best films based on real-life tragedies.

Related: Best Disaster Movies of the 2000s

9 The Impossible

J.A. Boyona's The Impossible tells the incredible story of survival during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The film follows a family on holiday who are separated during the deadly tsunami. It is a story about perseverance and fighting to survive at all costs. At the same time, it focuses on the power of love and family. The cast includes Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, and a young Tom Holland.

8 Patriots Day

Patriots Day follows the moments before, during, and following the Boston Marathon Bombing. There are several intertwining stories told in the film, including the story of the two terrorists. This film shows us the city pride within Boston and how the area banded together during this terrifying moment. The film is thrilling, tragic, and inspirational all at the same time. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross deliver an amazing soundtrack.

7 Fruitvale Station

Acclaimed filmmaker Ryan Coogler wrote and directed Fruitvale Station, depicting the tragic shooting and death of Oscar Grant by a police officer. There are several themes tackled in this film, including racism and police brutality. Michael B. Jordan gives a stellar performance as Grant, and the pacing and atmosphere of the film was brilliant. The cast also includes Melonie Diaz, Kevin Durand, and Octavia Spencer.

6 Hotel Rwanda

Hotel Rwanda tells the heartbreaking story of the Rwandan genocide of 1994 and how a hotel manager, Paul Rusesabagina (played by Don Cheadle), saved many lives by providing them shelter in his hotel. Cheadle gives one of the greatest performances of his career and even earned an Oscar nomination. It is a fascinating look into African politics and history, and it is a very emotional story.

5 Munich

Steven Spielberg's film Munich is an account of true events that happened after the Munich Massacre at the 1972 Olympics. During the tragic event, eleven members of the Israeli Olympic team were killed by a Palestinian terrorist group. Spielberg handled this film with precision to tell the story with accuracy. It is a fascinating look into espionage and terrorism.

Related: These Are the Best Steven Spielberg Films, Ranked

4 12 Years A Slave

12 Years A Slave is an Academy Award-winning film from acclaimed filmmaker Steve McQueen. This heartbreaking story follows Soloman Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) after he is kidnapped and sold into slavery. Every part of this film is top-notch, including the screenplay, performances, and cinematography. The film shows a detailed look into the evils of slavery during that time in history. The cast also includes Paul Dano, Michael Fassbender, and Lupita Nyong'o.

3 Titanic

James Cameron's Titanic was a monumental achievement in filmmaking. Cameron went to great lengths to make sure that he gave a detailed and accurate depiction of the sinking of the Titanic. At the same time, he incorporated a romantic story between two passengers, played of course by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. The third act of the film is brilliant, with groundbreaking special effects that showcased the tragic night that the Titanic sank.

2 United 93

Paul Greengrass's United 93 depicts one of the darkest moments in history. Greengrass focuses on the passengers of Flight 93 who fought back against the terrorists on board and tragically crashed in Pennsylvania, leaving no survivors. At the same time, it shows you the point of view of the air traffic controllers. Greengrass' direction is fantastic in every frame of this film, to the point that you feel as if you are on the plane.

1 Schindler’s List

Steven Speilberg's Schindler's List is unquestionably one of the greatest films ever made. The film depicts the tragic and heartbreaking events of the Holocaust, from the ghettos to the concentration camps. The story focuses on Oscar Schindler (Liam Neeson) who saves over one thousand Jews from death by employing them as factory workers. Everything in this movie is done with precision, and you can see that Speilberg's heart and soul went into every frame.