When it comes to entertainment, audiences are often drawn to stories that are ripped from the headlines. These movies and TV shows take real-life events and turn them into compelling narratives that captivate viewers. From crime dramas to political thrillers, here are 25 movies or TV shows that have been inspired by true events.
“American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson”
This award-winning series delves into the trial of former football star O.J. Simpson, showcasing the legal drama and media frenzy that surrounded the case.
“Spotlight”
Based on the true story of a team of journalists from The Boston Globe who exposed the widespread child sex abuse scandal within the Catholic Church.
“Mindhunter”
This series follows FBI agents as they delve into the minds of serial killers to understand their motivations and behavior.
“Zodiac”
A thriller that follows the hunt for the notorious Zodiac killer who terrorized California in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
“Erin Brockovich”
Julia Roberts stars in this film based on the true story of a legal assistant who helped bring down a major energy corporation for polluting a small town’s water supply.
“The Social Network”
This drama chronicles the founding of Facebook and the legal battles that ensued between its founders.
“Chernobyl”
A miniseries that depicts the events leading up to and following the catastrophic nuclear disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986.
“All the President’s Men”
This classic film tells the story of the Watergate scandal and the journalists who uncovered the truth behind President Nixon’s corruption.
“The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”
Another installment in the “American Crime Story” series, this season focuses on the murder of fashion designer Gianni Versace by spree killer Andrew Cunanan.
“Fargo”
This dark comedy series is inspired by the Coen Brothers’ film of the same name and features a new story and cast each season, often drawing from true crime events.
“Moneyball”
Brad Pitt stars in this film about the Oakland Athletics baseball team’s use of sabermetrics to assemble a competitive team on a limited budget.
“The Report”
An investigative drama that follows Senate staffers as they uncover the CIA’s use of torture following the September 11 attacks.
“The Crown”
This historical drama chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, drawing from real events and scandals within the British royal family.
“The Big Short”
This film explores the events leading up to the 2008 financial crisis and follows a group of investors who predicted the collapse of the housing market.
“True Detective”
This anthology series follows different police investigations each season, drawing inspiration from real-life cases and mysteries.
“Fruitvale Station”
Based on the true story of Oscar Grant, a young Black man who was shot and killed by a transit officer in Oakland, California.
“Escape at Dannemora”
This miniseries tells the story of a real-life prison escape in upstate New York and the unlikely love triangle that led to it.
“The Insider”
This drama follows the true story of a tobacco industry whistleblower who exposes the dangers of smoking and the corruption within the industry.
“Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer”
A true crime docuseries that follows internet sleuths as they track down a man who posted videos of himself killing cats online before escalating to murder.
“The People v. Larry Flynt”
This biographical drama follows the legal battles of Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt and his fight for First Amendment rights.
“13 Reasons Why”
This controversial series tackles difficult topics such as suicide and sexual assault, drawing from the novel of the same name.
“Selma”
A historical drama that depicts the events leading up to the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by Martin Luther King Jr.
“Bombshell”
This film tells the story of the women who exposed sexual harassment and misconduct at Fox News, leading to the downfall of CEO Roger Ailes.
“Unbelievable”
This limited series follows the true story of a young woman who was charged with lying about being raped, only to have her claims proven true years later.
These 25 movies and TV shows are just a few examples of how real-life events can inspire compelling and thought-provoking entertainment. By exploring the stories behind the headlines, filmmakers and showrunners are able to shed light on important issues and bring new perspectives to audiences around the world.