Harsh Vardhan
Dive into the captivating realm of real-life narratives with our curated list of the best true-story movies on Amazon Prime. Uncover the remarkable tales that have inspired, amazed, and moved audiences worldwide, all conveniently accessible on one of the most popular streaming platforms. From gripping biopics to heartwarming accounts of human resilience, these films offer a front-row seat to history’s most extraordinary moments. Join us as we explore the power of truth through the lens of cinema, celebrating the indomitable spirit of individuals and the events that shaped our world. Embark on a cinematic journey where reality meets the silver screen on Amazon Prime, leaving you both enlightened and entertained.
13. Back to Black (2024)
Sam Taylor-Johnson’s ‘Back to Black’ is based on the life of Pop icon Amy Winehouse (Marisa Abela), with a special focus on the years between the success of her 2003 album ‘Frank’ and the blowup of the titular album in 2006. We also get to see her tumultuous relationship with actor Blake Fielder-Civil (Jack O’Connell), his drug addiction and her alcoholism acting as opposing forces that collide, only to make things worse for the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, who eventually passed away in 2011 at the age of 27. A story as tragic as it is glamorous, ‘Back to Black’ is a must-watch for Winehouse fans and those who want a closer look at the star’s life. The film can be streamed here.
12. Joe Bell (2020)
The painful biographical drama follows a father’s cross-country walk as a tribute to his 15-year-old dead son (Reid Miller), who kills himself due to bullying for being gay. On his journey, Joe Bell (Mark Wahlberg) talks to anyone who will listen about the real consequences of bullying and why it needs to be addressed and stopped.
An intimate father-son relationship story that transcends death, ‘Joe Bell’ is saved by Wahlberg’s performance, which is one of his best. The film falls under the umbrella of ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ whose writers wrote this one too, and is a compelling movie based on a true story. It can be streamed here.
11. Maidaan (2024)
This brilliant Bollywood biographical drama is directed by Amit Sharma. It tells the story of Syed Abdul Rahim, an Indian football player and coach who is known as the architect of modern Indian football. He coached the Indian football team from 1950 to 1962, a tenure that is now called the golden age of Indian football. The film shows Rahim forming a new team after its underperformance at the 1952 Summer Olympics, scouting and picking players from across the huge country, players who would go down as legends in Indian football, including Chuni Goswami, Peter Thangaraj, and Tulsidas Balaram. What follows is a compelling portrayal of the Indian team’s performance at the 1956 Summer Olympics, the 1960 Summer Olympics, and the 1962 Asian Games, underscored by Abdul Rahim’s determination and love for his country, earning it admiration in the game internationally. Ajay Devgn plays the role of Syed Abdul Rahim. The rest of the cast includes Priyamani, Gajraj Rao, and Rudranil Ghosh. You can watch ‘Maidaan’ here.
10. The Burial (2023)
The Maggie Betts directorial is loosely based on a breach of contract lawsuit filed by funeral home owner Jeremiah Joseph O’Keefe against Raymond Loewen of the Loewen Funeral Group in 1995. Raymond Loewen was trying to keep O’Keefe from coming into the funeral markets by making a deal with him. Loewen was found guilty. This would eventually lead to the collapse of the Loewen Funeral Group, which filed for bankruptcy in 1999. In the film, Tommy Lee Jones plays the role of Jeremiah Joseph O’Keefe, Jamie Foxx plays O’Keefe’s lawyer, Willie E. Gary, and Bill Camp plays Raymond Loewen. You can watch it here.
9. American Animals (2018)
‘American Animals,’ directed by Bart Layton, is a gripping heist thriller that blurs the lines between documentary and narrative filmmaking. Starring Evan Peters, Barry Keoghan, Blake Jenner, and Jared Abrahamson, the film follows the true story of a group of college students who plan an audacious library robbery. What sets it apart is its unique blend of cinematic storytelling and real-life interviews with the actual individuals involved in the heist. The film intricately weaves the on-screen drama with their perspectives, creating a compelling exploration of truth, fiction, and the consequences of reckless ambition, making ‘American Animals’ a truly engaging and thought-provoking cinematic experience. You can watch the movie here.
8. Beautiful Boy (2018)
‘Beautiful Boy,’ directed by Felix Van Groeningen, boasts of a stellar performance by Timothée Chalamet. The film portrays the harrowing journey of a father (Steve Carell) as he grapples with his son’s addiction to methamphetamine, portrayed by Chalamet. This emotionally charged drama is based on the real-life memoirs of father and son David and Nic Sheff. Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Nic’s struggle with addiction is both raw and compelling, earning critical acclaim. The movie poignantly delves into the complexities of addiction and the enduring love between a father and son. It’s a gripping adaptation of the Sheffs’ powerful true story. Feel free to check out the movie here.
7. By the Grace of God (2019)
Directed by François Ozon, ‘By the Grace of God’ (French: ‘Grâce à Dieu’) is a poignant French-Belgian drama featuring an ensemble cast including Melvil Poupaud, Denis Ménochet, and Swann Arlaud. The film portrays the harrowing journey of three survivors of sexual abuse by a Catholic priest as they come together to shed light on the concealed wrongdoing within the Catholic Church. Inspired by true events, this compelling narrative unearths the painful truths and enduring strength of those affected by the abuse, offering a powerful exploration of resilience and the pursuit of justice. You can watch ‘By the Grace of God’ here.
6. One Night in Miami… (2020)
‘One Night in Miami…‘ is a compelling drama based on a true story. Set in 1964, the film imagines a fictionalized meeting between legendary figures: Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Muhammad Ali (Eli Goree), Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge), and Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.). After Ali’s surprise win over Sonny Liston, the four friends gather in a hotel room for a night of intense discussions about their roles in the civil rights movement and their responsibilities as influential Black men.
Directed by Regina King, the movie explores themes of race, identity, and activism, capturing a pivotal moment in history. With outstanding performances from the cast, ‘One Night in Miami…’ brings to life this remarkable encounter, shedding light on the social and political struggles of the time. You may watch it here.
5. Shershaah (2021)
This is an Indian Hindi-language (Bollywood) biographical drama based on the inspiring life of Indian army officer Captain Vikram Batra, who sacrificed his life while occupying Point 4875, which would eventually end the Kargil War of 1999 fought between India and Pakistan. Vikram Batra is a posthumous recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor. Sidharth Malhotra plays Captain Batra and his twin brother Vishal. Kiara Advani plays Dimple Cheema, Vikram Batra’s girlfriend. ‘Shershaah’ is directed by Vishnuvardhan. It can be streamed here.
4. The Report (2019)
Based on the true account of a former United States Senate investigator, Daniel Jones, who investigated the CIA’s torturous interrogation methods in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, ‘The Report’ showcases the efforts of Jones during the Bush administration to dig deeper and those during the Obama administration to release what he has found out. The over-500-page executive summary that was released in 2015 upon the Senate’s order is what serves as the basis for the film’s plot. Inefficient, brutal, and kept a secret from the American people, the so-called enhanced interrogation techniques (EITs) seemed to be nothing more than an attempt by the US government to provide the country with a face or faces that they could blame for the disaster. Adam Driver plays the role of Daniel Jones. You can watch the ‘The Report’ here.
3. Oppenheimer (2023)
Christopher Nolan’s Oscar and BAFTA-winning biographical drama ‘Oppenheimer’ is based on American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer’s development of the atomic bomb during World War II. Based on the non-fiction book ‘American Prometheus’ by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, the film delves deep into the events that occurred during the development and into Oppenheimer’s personal and professional life during that period. A dialogue-heavy drama, ‘Oppenheimer’ co-stars Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, and Florence Pugh. You can watch the film here.
2. Raazi (2018)
‘Raazi’ is an Indian Hindi-language (Bollywood) film directed by the multi-talented Meghna Gulzar and stars Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Soni Razdan, Shishir Sharma and Rajit Kapur. It is based on Harinder Sikka’s 2008 novel ‘Calling Sehmat’ which tells the true account of a female Indian spy (an agent of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s external intelligence agency) who agreed to marry into a Pakistani Brigadier’s family. This was so that she could pass intel to India about what would eventually lead to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Alia Bhatt plays the role of Sehmat, while Vicky Kaushal plays the role of the Pakistani military officer Iqbal Syed, the guy Sehmat is married to. An emotionally riveting film with top-notch performances, ‘Raazi’ is a must-watch. You can do so right here.
1. Air (2023)
A must-watch Ben Affleck directorial, ‘Air’ tells the true story behind the creation of the iconic Air Jordan shoes in the 1980s. It was a mammoth task for Nike, as a lot of effort had to be put in, a lot of strings had to be pulled, and a lot of risks had to be taken. All of these had Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), Nike’s basketball talent scout, at their forefront. He realized the young Michael Jordan’s potential and reached out to his mother, Deloris (Viola Davis), to talk her into onboarding Nike’s plan. Affleck plays the role of Nike co-founder Phil Knight, who was also crucial for the plan to take shape.
With brilliant performances and a captivating screenplay, ‘Air’ does a great job of shedding light on perhaps one of the greatest inventions in sports history, one that revolutionized the sports shoe industry. You can watch the film here.
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