25 Intense and Heartbreaking Movies Based on True Events (2024)

Unfortunately, misfortune is no stranger to history, and movies about real-life tragedies are actually pretty popular in the drama genre. Because there have been countless devastating events throughout the years, it is only natural that the film industry brings those poignant moments to light while simultaneously paying homage to those involved. Whether it be a tragic true tale of hope, courage, and bravery like 2017's Stronger or a cinematic depiction of a hero soldier in a warzone in 2016's six-time Academy Award-nominated Hacksaw Ridge, heartbreaking true-story movies can range in a wide variety.

From survival stories and epic war dramas to natural disasters and terrorist attacks, movies have, for decades now, held the power to bring audiences to nothing more than a sobbing mess with gut-wrenching portrayals of heroism to disastrous occurrences. These are some of the most impactful and poignant movies based on real-life events and disasters.

25 'Gorillas in the Mist' (1988)

Directed by Michael Apted

Directed by Michael Apted and starring Aliens' iconic actor Sigourney Weaver, Gorillas in the Mist tells the true story of Dian Fossey, a scientist who comes to Africa to study the vanishing mountain gorillas, later fighting to protect them in Rwanda.

This jungle adventure is undoubtedly a sad movie that portrays the challenges its protagonist faced while attempting to save the animals that she was quite passionate about. With profound acting and great cinematography, Gorillas in the Mist is indeed emotional, with a standout aspect being Fossey's tragic closure, which remains unsolved to this day. Animal lovers, or fans of good acting and captivating narratives, are probably going to enjoy giving this Apted picture a try.

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24 'Foxcatcher' (2014)

Directed by Bennett Miller

Based on the true story of U.S. Olympic champions and brothers Mark and Dave Schultz, portrayed by Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher sees the two joining “Team Foxcatcher” and training for the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. However, the self-destructive behavior of the team leader (Steve Carell) threatens to consume them.

Foxcatcher is a powerful but rather hard-to-watch film because it portrays the tragic real-life events involving the relationships between the wrestlers and their sponsors, mainly focusing on themes of loneliness and psychological manipulation. The movie’s shocking twist is heartbreaking and unsettling, leaving a strong imprint on audiences. The stellar performances from its talented cast, in addition to the great direction by Bennett Miller, elevate this intense and psychologically complex story to higher levels.

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23 'Brian's Song' (1971)

Directed by Buzz Kulik

Buzz Kulik’s Brian’s Song — which has paved the way for other films in the genre in how it addresses the emotional, harsh truths of sports — illustrates the real-life friendship between Chicago Bears teammates Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams), highlighting how their bond was strengthened when Piccolo discovered he had a fatal disease.

This tear-jerker but heartfelt tribute is definitely a sports movie worth watching if audiences are on the lookout for films that are equally heartbreaking and based on true stories, featuring powerful performances and incredible chemistry between the two leads. The genuinely affecting Brian’s Song sheds light on the highs and lows of friendship and how it resists adversity, though it also focuses on the impact that illness has on relationships.

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22 'Alpha Dog' (2006)

Directed by Nick Cassavetes

Written and directed by John Cassavete’s son Nick, Alpha Dog is based on the true story of the kidnapping and murder of Nicholas Markowitz in 2000. Johnny (Emile Hirsch) and his pals kidnap Jake's 15-year-old brother Zach (Anton Yelchin) and assign his buddy Frankie to be Zach's minder. While they develop a brotherly friendship and Zach parties with his captors, things begin to spin out of control.

Part of why Alpha Dog works has to do with its realistic filmmaking and storyline. It’s a powerful depiction of a real-life event anchored by great performances. Both sad (especially the ending) and compelling, Cassavetes’ film will not leave anyone indifferent — the fact that it is actually based on a true story just makes the viewing experience even more unforgettable.

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21 'Breathe' (2017)

Directed by Andy Serkis

Undoubtedly a film to tug on the heartstrings, 2017's Breathe stars Andrew Garfield as Robin Cavendish, a man paralyzed by Polio from the neck down when he was just twenty-eight years old. Cavendish's son, Jonathan, produced the movie as a way to tell his father's story and the inspirational impact Robin had on the lives of people with disabilities at the time.

Robin had the idea of installing a built-in respirator on a chair. That idea went on to accomplish at the time unimaginable steps in improving the lives of people in the same situation as himself. With more chairs distributed, the quality and quantity of life of those in his position greatly improved. Following a bittersweet goodbye to his friends after starting to suffer heavy bleeding from the respirator, Robin died with Diana and Jonathan by his side. While not a must-see, Breathe makes for an intriguing viewing experience for those who are looking for a well-crafted film based on real-life stories.

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20 'Only the Brave' (2017)

Directed by Joseph Kosinski

Featuring an ensemble cast, including Josh Brolin, James Badge Dale, Jeff Bridges, Miles Teller, Alex Russell, Taylor Kitsch, and Ben Hardy among others, Joseph Kosinski's Only the Brave, based on the GQ article "No Exit" by Sean Flynn, focuses on the true story of a group of elite firefighters, known as Granite Mountain Hotshots, who risk everything to protect a town from a life-changing wildfire.

Despite being a commercial flop and grossing just $26.3 million worldwide against a $38 million budget, Only the Brave was met with generally positive reviews. Its narrative is gripping and touching, managing to tell a difficult tale of fatherhood, duty, and bravery quite well. It's not a groundbreaking movie. However, the fact that it is based on a true story makes it all the more meaningful.

Only the Brave

R

Comedy

Horror

Where to Watch

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Release Date

October 20, 2017

Director

Tyler MacIntyre

Cast

Kevin Durand , Nicky Whelan , Josh Hutcherson , Brianna Hildebrand , Jack Quaid , Alexandra Shipp

Runtime

90

19 'Boys Don't Cry' (1999)

Directed by Kimberly Peirce

Starring Hilary Swank in an Oscar-winning role, Boys Don't Cry dramatizes the real-life story of a young man named Brandon Teena as he navigates love, life, and being transgender in rural Nebraska, ending up falling victim to a brutal hate crime perpetrated by two male ex-convicts. Chloë Sevigny also stars as Brandon's girlfriend, Lana Tisdel.

Boys Don't Cry is a controversial movie in this niche subcategory for the way it handles the sensitive topics it tackles, including trans identities. Although divisive, it is impossible to deny how utterly heartbreaking and difficult to watch Kimberly Peirce's film is, making it one of the saddest films based on real-life stories. While many elements make Boys Don't Cry an impactful feature (including the film's devastating ending), Swank's amazing performance is definitely a major highlight.

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18 'Everest' (2015)

Directed by Baltasar Kormákur

When it comes to great natural disaster movies based on true stories, 2015s Everest is a good pick. As the title suggests, the film is based on the 1996 Mount Everest disaster and focuses on the journey of hope, faith, courage, and bravery between two expedition groups as they attempt to descend from the summit during treacherous weather conditions, having made it to the top of the tallest mountain in the world.

The film stars Josh Brolin, Jason Clarke, and Jake Gyllenhaal to name a few, and depicts the heartbreaking story of the eight people who lost their lives during the third deadliest Everest expedition. From Beck Weathers' (Brolin) miraculous survival to Rob Hall's (Clarke) gutwrenching goodbye to his wife and unborn daughter as he dies, Everest wasn't lacking in the emotional scenes, even if some feel it would've been a better documentary than a film. The movie ends with a clip of the real Beck Weathers, having lost both hands and his nose due to severe frostbite, and reveals that Rob Hall's body sadly remains on Everest.

Everest

PG-13

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Release Date

September 10, 2015

Director

Baltasar Kormakur

Cast

Jason Clarke , Ang Phula Sherpa , Thomas M. Wright , Martin Henderson , Tom Goodman-Hill , Charlotte Bøving

Runtime

150

Main Genre

Drama

17 'Glory' (1989)

Directed by Edward Zwick

Based on the true story of the Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first Black units to fight for the Union in the Civil War, Glory sees Robert Gould (Matthew Broderick) lead the all-Black company and fight prejudice while standing tall among it all.

Edward Zwick’s war epic features powerful performances from Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, who bring to life two nuanced and three-dimensional characters. It explores themes of courage and sacrifice through its emotionally impactful narrative. Glory ’s racial and social commentary is one of its most prominent aspects, as well as one of the most heartbreaking — it is quite difficult to remain indifferent to Edward Zwick’s true story adaptation and the way it depicts the bravery of Black soldiers fighting for a great cause and putting their lives on the line.

Glory (1989)

R

Historical

War

Drama

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Release Date

December 15, 1989

Director

Edward Zwick

Cast

Matthew Broderick , Denzel Washington , Cary Elwes , Morgan Freeman

Runtime

122

16 'Deepwater Horizon' (2016)

Directed by Peter Berg

This great must-see disaster movie follows the events leading up to and the aftermath of the explosion and oil spill of the Deepwater Horizon. An inextinguishable fire resulted, and the rig sank after burning for over a day. The incident resulted in approximately 200 million gallons of oil spilling into the ocean over 87 days, eleven deaths, and is the worst oil disaster in United States history.

Starring Mark Wahlberg and Kurt Russel as Mike Williams and Jimmy "Mr. Jimmy" Harrell, there aren't many movies like Deepwater Horizon; the nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat film was nominated for two Oscars. Deepwater Horizon is filled with tense scenes and life-threatening experiences, culminating in a heartbreaking scene with the survivors reuniting with their families and a shaken Mike having a panic attack while being comforted by his wife and daughter. Before the credits roll, footage of the rig and pictures of the eleven people who died play out on screen.

Deepwater Horizon

PG-13

Drama

Action

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Release Date

September 29, 2016

Director

Peter Berg

Cast

Mark Wahlberg , Dylan O'Brien , Kurt Russell , Kate Hudson , Gina Rodriguez , John Malkovich

Runtime

107 minutes

15 'The Impossible' (2012)

Directed by J. A. Bayona

Starring Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, and a young but talented Tom Holland in his film debut, 2012's The Impossible follows one family's incredible journey to find each other after being separated during the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. The movie was considered one of the best films of 2012 and received highly positive reviews for its acting and directing, becoming one of the most well-known true disaster movies.

Throughout its entirety, The Impossible is chock-full of incredibly hard-hitting emotion and doesn't lack tough-to-watch scenes. From losing loved ones in such a tragic way to that heartbreaking reunion scene, The Impossible left viewers reeling from the devastation depicted and the trauma that thousands experienced from the natural disaster that killed over 200,000 people. Its impact on the disaster genre is undeniable.

The Impossible

PG-13

Drama

History

Thriller

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Release Date

January 4, 2013

Director

Juan Antonio Bayona

Cast

Naomi Watts , Ewan McGregor , Tom Holland , Samuel Joslin , Oaklee Pendergast , Marta Etura

Runtime

114 minutes

14 'The Iron Claw' (2023)

Directed by Sean Durkin

Starring Zac Efron, The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White, and Harris Dickinson among other talented stars, A24’s incredible drama movieThe Iron Claw is easily one of the best films released in 2023. The story follows the three real-life inseparable Von Erich brothers, illustrating how they made history in the competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s.

This devastating portrayal of a doomed family known for their triumphs and tragic downfalls is guaranteed to make viewers reach out for tissues. The Iron Claw benefits from astounding direction from Sean Durkin and nuanced performances from its talented cast, capturing both the engaging sports drama and the emotional, tragic side of the brothers’ personal struggles, providing audiences with an intimate outlook inside the lives of its captivating and undeniably iconic protagonists.

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13 'Changeling' (2008)

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Starring Angelina Jolie in one of her best movie performances (it earned her her second Academy Award nom), Clint Eastwood's intense Changeling is based on the real-life events surrounding the 1928 Wineville Chicken Coop murders in Mira Loma, California. It focuses on a woman who is reunited with a boy who she then realizes is not really her missing son, depicting her struggles as she is vilified as delusional.

The critically acclaimed feature is undoubtedly a must-see film based on real-life events, especially given the powerfully poignant messages it sends about the anxieties of being a woman and a mother and the constant begging to be believed that comes with it. The heartbreaking Changeling is impactful and recommendable, though the faint of heart may find it difficult to sit through it all.

Changeling

R

Drama

Crime

Mystery

Thriller

Where to Watch

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Release Date

January 30, 2008

Director

Clint Eastwood

Cast

Angelina Jolie , Gattlin Griffith , Michelle Gunn , Michael Kelly , Jan Devereaux , Erica Grant

Runtime

141 minutes

12 'Hacksaw Ridge' (2016)

Directed by Mel Gibson

Desmond Doss was a combat medic who refused to carry a firearm or weapon of any kind and heroically saved the lives of an estimated seventy-five soldiers during the World War II Battle of Okinawa. Directed by Mel Gibson and starring Andrew Garfield in the lead role, 2016's Hacksaw Ridge is a biographical drama that follows the story of Doss, who became the first conscientious objector to win the Medal of Honor.

Throughout this heartwrenching film, Doss was often looked down upon for refusing to bear arms, earning him zero respect from his fellow soldiers. His sergeant and Captain put him through intense labor to get him to quit, his fellow soldiers beat him up, and he faced potential imprisonment. Despite everything, Doss saved dozens of lives and became a hero in the face of treacherous conditions. There is no doubt that Hacksaw Ridge is an incredibly touching film based on real-life events.

Hacksaw Ridge

R

Drama

Biography

History

War

Where to Watch

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Release Date

November 4, 2016

Director

Mel Gibson

Cast

Andrew Garfield , Richard Pyros , Jacob Warner , Milo Gibson , Darcy Bryce , Roman Guerriero

Runtime

139 minutes

11 'United 93' (2006)

Directed by Paul Greengrass

United 93, which is among the most popular terrorism movies based on a true story, is a docudrama written and directed by Paul Greengrass that tells the harrowing story of the only hijacked plane that didn't reach its intended target during the 9/11 attacks. While Flights 11, 77, and 175 devastatingly hit their targets, Flight 93 didn't. Instead, it crashed into a Pennsylvania field due to the bravery of the flight crew and passengers on board.

The two-time Academy Award-nominated film follows the passengers and crew as they attempt to retain control from the al-Queda terrorists after a violent hijacking. The heartbreaking reality of Flight 93 remains instilled in the hearts and minds of the people directly impacted and the world. What could've added thousands of losses to the death toll was prevented by the forty courageous people who sadly lost their lives aboard Flight 93 on that tragic day.

United 93 (2006)

R

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Release Date

April 28, 2006

Director

Paul Greengrass

Cast

J.J. Johnson , Gary Commock , Polly Adams , Opal Alladin , Starla Benford , Trish Gates

Runtime

93

Main Genre

Action

10 'Stronger' (2017)

Directed by David Gordon Green

Those who enjoy movies like Patriots Day should check out 2017's Stronger. It follows the events surrounding the Boston Marathon bombings that happened on April 15th, 2013. However, unlike Patriots Day, which follows the investigative side of things, Stronger is a biographical drama that highlights the impact it had on one man who was hailed a hero after identifying one of the bombers involved.

Based on Jeff Bauman and Bret Witter's memoir of the same name, the movie emotionally depicts the personal struggles faced by Jeff (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) as he adjusted to life after losing both legs in the attack. Jeff struggled greatly with his mental health, and PTSD and had flashbacks to the day of the bombings, not helped by the constant media attention. But, despite his mental health conditions (depicted with precision), he overcame the challenges he faced, learned how to walk again, and became an inspiration to thousands. With that being said, Stronger is easily one of the most encouraging and captivating films about real-life events.

Stronger

R

Drama

Biography

Where to Watch

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Release Date

September 22, 2017

Director

David Gordon Green

Cast

Jake Gyllenhaal , Tatiana Maslany , Miranda Richardson , Clancy Brown

Runtime

119 minutes

9 'Hotel Rwanda' (2004)

Directed by Terry George

Based on the Rwandan genocide twenty years before the film's release, Hotel Rwanda is a multi-award-nominated movie that follows the events that took place between April 7th and July 15th, 1994, and resulted in an estimated 500,000 to 800,000 Tutsi deaths over a timeline of just one hundred days.

The film pursues the story of Paul Rusesabagina and his wife Tatiana (played by Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo) as they embark on saving the lives of their family and over a thousand other Hutu and Tutsi refugees during the Rwandan civil war. Hotel Rwanda is full of chilling and tear-jerking scenes. It's among the best sad movies based on true stories, with the real-life conflict that inspired the heartbreaking but high-rated film remaining as one of the most difficult to fathom for many.

Hotel Rwanda

PG-13

Biography

Drama

History

War

Where to Watch

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Release Date

March 4, 2004

Director

Terry George

Cast

Xolani Mali , Don Cheadle , Desmond Dube , Hakeem Kae-Kazim , Tony Kgoroge , Rosie Motene

Runtime

122 minutes

8 'Captain Phillips' (2013)

Directed by Paul Greengrass

Directed by Paul Greengrass and starring America's dad Tom Hanks as the title character, this 2013 biographical drama follows the story of Captain Richard Phillips and his hostage-taking during the Maersk Alabama hijacking in 2009. With a screenplay inspired by Phillips' book, the film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Captain Phillips certainly isn't lacking in intensity and hard-to-watch scenes. From nail-biting confrontation and negotiation to Hanks' incredibly emotional performance as Phillips, the film was a critical success. In the aftermath of his kidnapping, Richard Phillips became an author and returned to sea just over a year later until his retirement in 2014. If you're looking for sad true story movies, this might be worth a shot.

Captain Phillips

PG-13

Biography

Action

Crime

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Release Date

October 11, 2013

Director

Paul Greengrass

Cast

Tom Hanks , Barkhad Abdi , Barkhad Abdirahman , Catherine Keener , Faysal Ahmed , Mahat M. Ali , Michael Chernus , David Warshofsky

Runtime

134 Minutes

7 'Titanic' (1997)

Directed by James Cameron

Possibly the most famous of the bunch, James Cameron's highly popular drama was inspired by the events of the sinking of RMS Titanic in 1912, a British-registered ship that was launched on May 31, 1911. After striking an iceberg, the Titanic broke apart and sank to the bottom of the ocean. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the lead roles, depicting their ill-fated, timeless love story.

Although it contains both historical and fictionalized aspects, the iconic 1997 movie is indeed a widely appreciated one. For the date it was released, the heartwrenching Titanic featured a massive budget and high production, which ultimately made the whole viewing experience extremely immersive, especially in movie theaters.

Titanic

PG-13

Drama

Romance

Epic

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Release Date

November 19, 1997

Director

James Cameron

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio , Kate Winslet , Billy Zane , Kathy Bates , Frances Fisher , Gloria Stuart

Runtime

194 minutes

6 'The Elephant Man' (1980)

Directed by David Lynch

Based on the life of Joseph Merrick ("John" in the film), The Elephant Man tells the heartbreaking story of a severely deformed man who lived in London in the late 19th century. The story was adapted from Frederick Treves' The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences and Ashley Montagu's The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity.

As expected from the filmmaker, David Lynch’s acclaimed movie is incredibly well-directed and stylish. Some even name it the most accessible of all his complex body of work. The black-and-white cinematography is also top-notch, perfectly mirroring the dark themes of exploitation and other complicated situations its protagonist is put through. At its core, The Elephant Man reflects on integration and humanity, highlighting that there is no such thing as limits when it comes to compassion.

The Elephant Man

PG

Drama

Biography

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Release Date

October 10, 1980

Director

David Lynch

Cast

Anthony Hopkins , John Hurt , Anne Bancroft , John Gielgud , Freddie Jones , Michael Elphick , Hannah Gordon

Runtime

124 Minutes