Ever find yourself deeply moved or motivated after watching a film? There’s something special about movies based on true stories—they’re not just tales told for entertainment but real-life dramas and triumphs played out on the big screen. Here are a few of our favorites.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
This heart-wrenching drama stars Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who becomes homeless with his young son but refuses to give up in the face of seemingly insurmountable adversity. Based on Gardner’s own autobiography, it’s a story of resilience and the power of a father’s love for his son.
Hidden Figures (2016)
Hidden Figures tells the remarkable true story of three African-American women mathematicians at NASA during the 1960s Space Race. Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe play Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, respectively, who played crucial roles in sending astronaut John Glenn into orbit.
127 Hours (2010)
Directed by Danny Boyle and starring James Franco, 127 Hours is a gripping survival drama based on the true story of Aron Ralston, a mountaineer who becomes trapped by a boulder in an isolated canyon in Utah. The film chronicles his harrowing ordeal and his extraordinary determination to survive by any means necessary.