The 17 Most Jaw-Dropping Movies Based on True Stories to Stream on Netflix Right Now

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

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.

Watch Woman of the Hour on Netflix

The Good Nurse

Eddie Redmayne earned a Golden Globe nomination for portraying serial killer Charles Cullen in The Good Nurse.

The movie centers around Cullen, who was a nurse at various hospitals and killed dozens of patients by overdosing them with drugs. Jessica Chastain plays his coworker Amy Loughern who tries to seek justice for her coworker's sinister and covert actions.

Watch The Good Nurse on Netflix

Hijack ‘93

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.

Watch Hijack ‘93 on Netflix

Boy Erased

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.

Watch Boy Erased on Netflix

Scoop

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.

Watch Scoop on Netflix

Gran Turismo

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.

Watch Gran Turismo on Netflix

Shirley

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.

Watch Shirley on Netflix

The Frozen Ground

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.

Watch The Frozen Ground on Netflix

Molly’s Game

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.

Watch Molly’s Game on Netflix

Nyad

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.

Watch Nyad on Netflix

Rustin

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.

Watch Rustin on Netflix

Against the Ice

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.

Watch Against the Ice on Netflix

Midway

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.

Watch Midway on Netflix

Dumb Money

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.

Watch Dumb Money on Netflix

The Trial of the Chicago 7

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.

Watch The Trial of the Chicago 7 on Netflix

On the Basis of Sex

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.

Watch On the Basis of Sex on Netflix

Maestro

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.

Watch Maestro on Netflix

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