Netflix has produced a wide array of original films and series based on true stories, offering audiences a diverse range of real-life dramas, historical events, and true crime tales. These productions are known for their compelling storytelling, meticulous attention to detail, and strong performances, bringing true events to life in captivating ways.
Sometimes, the truth is stranger (and often more inspiring) than fiction. Netflix offers a treasure trove of movies based on real-life events, allowing you to experience history firsthand, or at least a Hollywood version of it. So, grab your popcorn and cuddle up with these ten incredible Netflix films that blur the lines between entertainment and education. Here are ten notable Netflix Originals based on true stories
Director: Aaron SorkinThe Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Eddie Redmayne, Mark Rylance, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Release Date: September 25, 2020
Key Themes: Civil rights, justice, political protest
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Story:: In 1968, anti-Vietnam War protests during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago lead to violent clashes with police. Seven prominent activists, including Abbie Hoffman (Sacha Baron Cohen) and Tom Hayden (Eddie Redmayne), are charged with conspiracy and inciting a riot.
The trial becomes a media spectacle, highlighting the era’s political and cultural divides. As defense lawyer William Kunstler (Mark Rylance) battles to expose the trial’s political motivations, the defendants’ diverse personalities and ideologies clash and converge. Aaron Sorkin’s film underscores the tension between protest and government authority, illustrating the enduring struggle for civil rights and justice.
Director: Aaron SorkinDa 5 Bloods (2020)
Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Eddie Redmayne, Mark Rylance, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Release Date: September 25, 2020
Key Themes: Civil rights, justice, political protest
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Story:: Four African American veterans—Paul (Delroy Lindo), Otis (Clarke Peters), Eddie (Norm Lewis), and Melvin (Isiah Whitlock Jr.)—return to Vietnam decades after the war to retrieve the remains of their fallen squad leader, Norman (Chadwick Boseman), and a hidden cache of gold.
As they trek through the jungle, old wounds resurface and their mission becomes a journey of redemption and reckoning. Paul, haunted by PTSD, confronts his demons while Otis reconnects with a lost love. Directed by Spike Lee, the film delves into themes of war, racial injustice, and the lasting impact of conflict on soldiers’ lives.
Director: Bryan FogelIcarus (2017)
Cast: Bryan Fogel, Grigory Rodchenkov
Release Date: August 4, 2017
Key Themes: Doping, international conspiracy, investigative journalism
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Story:: Filmmaker Bryan Fogel sets out to explore the world of doping in sports, initially aiming to enhance his own performance in amateur cycling. However, his journey takes a dramatic turn when he meets Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, the head of Russia’s anti-doping laboratory. Rodchenkov reveals a state-sponsored doping program that has corrupted international sports for years.
As the scandal unfolds, Fogel documents Rodchenkov’s dangerous whistleblowing efforts, leading to global repercussions and Rodchenkov’s flight to the U.S. for safety. The documentary exposes the scale of the conspiracy and raises profound questions about ethics in sports and government corruption
Directors: Susannah Grant, Michael Chabon, Ayelet WaldmanUnbelievable (2019)
Cast: Kaitlyn Dever, Toni Collette, Merritt Wever, Danielle Macdonald
Release Date: September 13, 2019
Key Themes: Sexual assault, justice, trauma
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Story:: Based on true events, “Unbelievable” follows Marie Adler (Kaitlyn Dever), a teenager who reports being raped but is disbelieved by the police and even charged with lying. Her traumatic experience is juxtaposed with the determined efforts of two detectives, Karen Duvall (Merritt Wever) and Grace Rasmussen (Toni Collette), who investigate a series of similar cases years later. As they uncover evidence linking the assaults, they expose systemic failures in the justice system and ultimately vindicate Marie. The miniseries highlights the importance of believing survivors and the profound impact of sexual violence on victims’ lives.
Creator: Peter MorganThe Crown (2016)
Cast: Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Imelda Staunton, Matt Smith, Tobias Menzies, Helena Bonham Carter
Release Date: November 4, 2016
Key Themes: Monarchy, history, politics
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Story:: “The Crown” chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Imelda Staunton), starting with her ascension to the throne in 1952. The series portrays significant historical events, such as the Suez Crisis, the Apollo 11 moon landing, and the Falklands War, alongside personal dramas within the royal family.
Elizabeth navigates political challenges, familial tensions, and public scrutiny while striving to maintain the monarchy’s relevance. With meticulous attention to detail and powerful performances, the series offers an intimate look at the intersection of personal duty and national identity
Director: John Lee HancockThe Highwaymen (2019)
Cast: Kevin Costner, Woody Harrelson, Kathy Bates, John Carroll Lync
Release Date: March 29, 2019
Key Themes: Crime, law enforcement, American history
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Story:: Former Texas Rangers Frank Hamer (Kevin Costner) and Maney Gault (Woody Harrelson) are called out of retirement to capture the notorious outlaws Bonnie and Clyde. As they track the criminals across the country, Hamer and Gault employ old-school detective work, facing various challenges and reflecting on their pasts.
The film shifts the perspective from the glamorized criminals to the lawmen who pursued them, highlighting their determination and the moral complexities of their mission. “The Highwaymen” provides a gritty, humanized look at the end of Bonnie and Clyde’s crime spree.
Director: Martin ScorseseThe Irishman (2019)
Cast: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano
Release Date: November 27, 2019
Key Themes: Organized crime, loyalty, betrayal
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Story:: Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), a World War II veteran, becomes a hitman for the Bufalino crime family. As he rises through the ranks, he forms a close bond with union leader Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino). Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film spans several decades, showcasing Sheeran’s involvement in pivotal historical events and his participation in Hoffa’s mysterious disappearance.
The story explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of a life steeped in crime. The narrative’s reflective tone is underscored by the use of de-aging technology to depict the characters across different periods.
When They See Us (2019)
Director: Ava DuVernay
Cast: Asante Blackk, Caleel Harris, Jharrel Jerome, Ethan Herisse, Marquis Rodriguez, Niecy Nash
Release Date: May 31, 2019
Key Themes: Racial injustice, legal system, wrongful conviction
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Story:: This miniseries tells the true story of the Central Park Five—five teenagers wrongfully convicted of a brutal rape in 1989. Directed by Ava DuVernay, the series portrays the intense pressure and coercion the boys faced during their interrogations, the media frenzy that followed, and the profound impact on their families. Years later, the actual perpetrator’s confession exonerates them.
“When They See Us” sheds light on the systemic racism and failures within the criminal justice system, emphasizing the boys’ enduring struggle for justice and the lasting repercussions of their wrongful convictions.
Creator: Shonda RhimesInventing Anna (2022)
Cast: Julia Garner, Anna Chlumsky, Laverne Cox, Arian Moayed, Katie Lowes
Release Date: February 11, 2022
Key Themes: Fraud, identity, social ambition
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Story:: Julia Garner stars as Anna Sorokin, a Russian con artist who poses as wealthy socialite Anna Delvey in New York City. Through charm and deceit, she defrauds banks, hotels, and friends, convincing them she is a German heiress. Her elaborate ruse unravels as journalist Vivian Kent (Anna Chlumsky) investigates her story.
The series explores themes of ambition, identity, and the allure of wealth, portraying Anna’s manipulation and the societal fascination with status and privilege. Based on real events, “Inventing Anna” reveals the complexities of deception and the consequences of living a lie.
Creator: Joe Penhall (based on the book by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker)Mindhunter (2017-2019)
Cast: Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv, Cameron Britton
Release Date: October 13, 2017
Key Themes: Criminal psychology, serial killers, law enforcement
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Story:: In the late 1970s, FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) team up with psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv) to interview imprisoned serial killers and develop criminal profiling techniques. Their groundbreaking work, based on real events, helps to understand the motives and behaviors of some of history’s most notorious murderers.
The series delves into the agents’ personal and professional challenges as they push the boundaries of traditional law enforcement. “Mindhunter” offers a chilling, in-depth look at the early days of criminal psychology and the minds of serial killers..
These Netflix Originals showcase the platform’s commitment to bringing true stories to a global audience, offering gripping narratives that entertain, inform, and provoke thought.