17 Jaw-Dropping Movies Based on True Stories to Stream on Netflix Now
March 16, 2025 | by ltcinsuranceshopper

They say truth is stranger than fiction, and sometimes it’s way more interesting too.
There’s something special about seeing a larger-than-life tale on-screen, all while knowing it actually happened. And, thanks to Netflix’s massive library of films, the streaming service has tons of films based on true stories — many of which have been nominated (or even won) Oscars.
The acclaimed Diana Nyad biopic Nyad earned both Jodie Foster and Annette Bening Academy Award nominations, and the civil rights biopic Rustin scored star Colman Domingo a Best Actor nom.
For a great film, and an even better true story behind it, check out some of the best movies inspired by real people that are streaming on Netflix right now.
Woman of the Hour
Leah Gallo/Netflix
Anna Kendrick directed and starred in Netflix’s hit thriller Woman of the Hour. The movie tells the true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, also known as the Dating Game Killer because of his appearance on The Dating Game during his murder spree.
During the episode’s filming, he met Cheryl Bradshaw (Kendrick), who quickly realized something was wrong. The film follows Bradshaw’s interactions with Alcala and what becomes of her after the show is over.
Hijack ‘93
Netflix
Netflix’s Nigerian action film Hijack ‘93 tells the true story of the 1993 hijacking of a Nigerian Airways plane.
The film dramatizes the very real effects of a group of young men protesting corruption in Nigeria’s government by hiding guns aboard a plane and taking it over in the air. This edge-of-your-seat thriller follows the perpetrators and victims during the attack.
Boy Erased
Focus Features
Boy Erased is based on a memoir by the same name and follows author Garrard Conley’s experience of being forced to attend the infamous Love in Action camp, which was investigated by the Tennessee government for allegedly operating “unlicensed mental health supportive living facilities.”
The film had a robust cast with Lucas Hedges portraying Conley (who is named Jared Eamons in the film). Also in the cast are Nicole Kidman, Joel Edgerton, Russell Crowe, Troye Sivan and Flea from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Scoop
PETER MOUNTAIN/NETFLIX
In 2019, BBC’s Emily Maitlis sat down with Prince Andrew for a televised interview about his friendship with Jefferey Epstein and the allegations that the Prince was part of his sex trafficking ring, which he vehemently denies.
Scoop recounts the infamous interview with Gillian Anderson playing Maitlis and Rufus Sewell portraying Prince Andrew. But the film also reveals all the drama and negotiations that went into making the interview happen in the first place.
Gran Turismo
Gordon Timpen /Columbia Pictures / Courtesy Everett
Gran Turismo tells the incredible story of Jann Mardenborough, a young man from England who became a professional racecar driver despite having no professional experience.
Instead, he learned everything he knew from racing games like Gran Turismo. Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe) was able to accomplish his goal by enrolling at the GT Academy, a center that helped train talented players and gave them the chance to begin a professional racing career.
The film also stars Djimon Hounsou, Orlando Bloom and Geri Halliwell.
Shirley
Glen Wilson/Netflix
In the Netflix original film Shirley, Regina King took on the role of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to be elected to Congress.
The film focuses on Chisholm’s 1972 presidential campaign, marking the first time a Black candidate ran for a major party in American history. King was heralded for her performance in the movie and earned an NAACP Image Awards nomination.
The Frozen Ground
EMMETT/FURLA FILMS / Alamy
In The Frozen Ground, state trooper Jack Halcombe (Nicholas Cage) tries to track down a serial killer whose MO seems to be hunting women in the Alaskan woods.
The film is based on the true story of Robert Hansen, who murdered at least 17 women before being caught. Joining Cage in the cast are 50 Cent, Vanessa Hudgens and John Cusack.
Molly’s Game
Photo 12 / Alamy
Adapted from the memoir of the same name, Molly’s Game sees Jessica Chastain as the real-life former professional skier Molly Bloom. After suffering a serious injury while competing in the Olympic qualifiers, Molly’s ski career is over and she starts running illegal poker games.
As her notoriety grows, so does the status of her clients and she eventually finds herself dealing with the mob. The exciting movie earned two Golden Globe nominations.
Nyad
Kimberley French/Netflix
In Nyad, Annette Bening plays long-distance swimmer Diana Nayd who wants to swim from Cuba to the US at the age of 60. To get her closer to achieving her dream, Diana enlists her friend Bonnie Stoll (Jodie Foster) as her coach.
This Oscar-nominated biopic gives viewers a glimpse at the swimmer’s struggles and successes before seeing if she’s able to finally complete the swim.
Rustin
Parrish Lewis/Netflix
Colman Domingo received an Oscar nomination for his role as gay civil rights leader Bayard Rustin in this namesake biopic.
The ’60s icon worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement but also faced ostracization for his sexuality. The movie follows Rustin’s life as an advocate, and the struggles he faced, including being accused of being a communist during the Lavender Scare.
Against the Ice
Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy
Against the Ice tells the shocking true story of two explorers in the early 1900s. At the beginning of the film, the men head to Greenland’s arctic region to find lost documents from a doomed Danish expedition that took place a few years prior.
But bad weather and a missing crew force the explorers to survive on their own for two years. This dramatic retelling brings to life the harrowing realities of surviving in the middle of nowhere.
Midway
Reiner Bajo / © Lionsgate / Courtesy Everett Collection
2019’s Midway tells the story of America’s involvement in the “Pacific Theater” of World War II. The film picks up with the attack on Pearl Harbor and leads into the Battle of Midway, which took place in the summer of 1942 between the US and Japan.
Midway also has a strong cast, including Dennis Quaid, Mandy Moore and Woody Harrelson.
Dumb Money
Claire Folger/ Netflix
Dumb Money tells the story of the 2021 GameStop stock fiasco. After a man spends his life savings on GameStop stock, a group of Reddit users decided to use apps like Robinhood to invest in the company, causing its stock prices to boom more than 1700%.
But soon, hedge funds and corporations began to complain, leading to lawsuits and even a congressional hearing. Dumb Money stars Paul Dano, Seth Rogen and America Ferrera, among others.
The Trial of the Chicago 7
© NETFLIX/Entertainment Pictures
Earning six Oscar nominations, including for Best Picture, The Trial of the Chicago 7 centers around a real-life group of protesters who were accused of inciting riots in 1968 while protesting the Vietnam War.
The movie mainly covers their case, but it also recounts the events leading up to it and the questions their activism raised. The film had an ensemble cast including Sacha Baron Cohen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Eddie Redmayne, among others.
On the Basis of Sex
© Focus Features / courtesy Everett Collection
Felicity Jones starred as a young Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the biopic On the Basis of Sex.
The film depicts Ginsburg’s final years in law school and the early cases she worked on as a lawyer, including the landmark Moritz v. Commissioner trial, which became her first major victory.
Maestro
Jason McDonald/Netflix
Directed by, written, produced and starring Bradley Cooper, Maestro centered on the life of famed composer Leonard Bernstein, best known for composing the music for West Side Story.
The film follows Bernstein’s illustrious yet tumultous life that was filled with great success, but also affairs, substance abuse and marital problems. Cooper ended up receiving three Oscar nominations for Maestro, including Best Actor, Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.
RELATED POSTS
View all