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.
15. 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.
14. 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.
13. 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.
12. 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.
11. 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.
10. The Boys in the Boat (2023)
George Clooney’s biographical drama ‘The Boys in the Boat’ tells the true story of the University of Washington rowing team and its endeavor to compete in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. The film is based on the eponymous book by Daniel James Brown. It shows how the boys, under the leadership of Coach Al Ulbrickson, tackle overwhelming odds from their rival teams and the expectations of their loved ones to claim a spot among the greatest rowing teams ever. An inspirational drama about teamwork, friendship, and the attitude of never giving up, ‘The Boys in the Boat’ offers moving performances by Joel Edgerton, Callum Turner, Peter Guinness, Jack Mulhern, and James Wolk. You can watch it here.
9. I Want to Talk (2024)
‘I Want to Talk’ is an Indian Hindi-language drama directed by Shoojit Sircar. Based on the true story of USA-based NRI (Non-Resident Indian) Arjun Sen, the slice-of-life drama explores the physical and emotional struggles of his life as a cancer-diagnosed single parent. Laryngeal cancer has caught up to Sen (Abhishek Bachchan), and many other issues are showing up, not to mention the countless surgeries. However, he keeps a strong face while dealing with the emotional tantrums of his teenage daughter, Reya (Ahilya Bamroo). As strained as their relationship appears, the undercurrents of love and care are also clear. With a powerful father-daughter relationship at its core, ‘I Want to Talk’ is an intimate drama about human strength and resilience. You can watch it here.
8. 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.
7. 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 Report’ here.
6. Free State of Jones (2016)
Gary Ross’s ‘Free State of Jones’ is set during the American Civil War and tells the true story of Southern Unionist Newton Knight and the establishment of Jones County in Mississippi. Knight left the Confederacy during the Second Battle of Corinth in 1862 and eventually led an assault against it after finding out how the Confederates were mistreating the people of the county. Recruiting fighters and getting weapons, he forms the Southern Unionist militia and starts ambushing the soldiers of the Confederacy, eventually driving the latter out. The movie is based on not one but two books, namely ‘The Free State of Jones’ by Victoria E. Bynum and ‘The State of Jones’ by Sally Jenkins and John Stauffer. Matthew McConaughey plays the role of Newton Knight in a compelling manner, providing the viewers with a thrilling re-enactment of a significant chapter in American history. You can watch the film here.
5. Sardar Udham (2021)
‘Sardar Udham’ is an Indian Hindi-language drama that is based on the life of Sardar Udham Singh, the Indian freedom fighter who assassinated Michael O’Dwyer, the man responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar, Punjab. More than a thousand people who had gathered there for a peaceful protest were shot and killed by British soldiers on O’Dwyer’s orders on April 13, 1919. The film delves into how Udham Singh (Vicky Kaushal) made his way to London and carried out his assassination plot and its aftermath. Directed by Shoojit Sircar, the film won five National Film Awards, receiving widespread acclaim for its execution, setting, and performances. A must-watch film that throws light on a lesser-known chapter of the Indian freedom struggle, ‘Sardar Udham’ can be streamed right here.
4. 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.
3. 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.
2. American Sniper (2014)
Helmed by Clint Eastwood, ‘American Sniper’ is based on the life of Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, known to be the most deadly marksman in U.S. military history. The Oscar-nominated drama showcases Kyle’s time in the field, including in Iraq after the September 11 attacks, and how it affected his family life. On one hand, we see the skills Kyle possesses, and on the other hand, we see him struggling to cope with the trauma of his actions. The movie is based on a memoir of Kyle, and Bradley Cooper does a commendable job playing the part, bringing both coldness and vulnerability to the role. You can watch it 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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