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.
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. The Big Sick (2017)
Directed by Michael Showalter, ‘The Big Sick’ is a heartwarming romantic comedy that tells the real-life love story of comedian Kumail Nanjiani and his now-wife, Emily V. Gordon, who co-wrote the screenplay. Kumail, played by himself, navigates the challenges of his Pakistani-American background while falling for Emily, portrayed by Zoe Kazan.
When Emily falls seriously ill and is placed in a medically induced coma, Kumail forms an unexpected bond with her parents, portrayed by Ray Romano and Holly Hunter, as he confronts his own cultural and personal conflicts. This touching and funny film beautifully captures the ups and downs of their unconventional real-life romance and the power of love and family. You can check out the film here.
6. 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.
5. 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.
4. Honey Boy (2019)
‘Honey Boy,’ directed by Alma Har’el, is a powerful drama deeply rooted in a real-life story. The film plunges into the tumultuous life of actor Shia LaBeouf, who also wrote the screenplay and his experiences as a child actor under the intense scrutiny of Hollywood. LaBeouf plays a character inspired by his father, alongside Lucas Hedges and Noah Jupe as the younger version of himself. This poignant and autobiographical film offers a candid exploration of family dynamics, addiction, and the struggles faced by a young actor. ‘Honey Boy’ provides an unfiltered and deeply personal glimpse into LaBeouf’s life, making it a raw and emotionally charged cinematic experience. You may watch the film 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, which is 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. 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.
1. 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.
Read More: Best Real-Life Scandal Movies
