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Movies Based on True Stories

An elderly woman sitting next to a framed portrait in a well-decorated room.

Maria Altmann: The Real Story Behind ‘Woman in Gold’

Learn about the Jewish refugee whose painting of her aunt was stolen by Nazis and inspired the 2015 movie starring Helen Mirren.
By Catherine McHugh
Pan Am Flight 103 Nose Cone In Lockerbie, Scotland

The True Story of ‘The Bombing of Pan Am 103’

By Catherine Caruso
Young George Washington during French and Indian War

George Washington’s Defeat at Fort Necessity

By Tyler Piccotti
Kevin Bacon And Tom Hanks In 'Apollo 13'

The Rocky Onscreen History of Apollo 13

By Tyler Piccotti
TTS audio available10 min
movie scene showing a man in a green shirt holding another at gunpoint as police officers look on

The Real Story of Tony Kiritsis, Dead Man’s Wire

By Tyler Piccotti
TTS audio available9 min
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Truth Behind the Movies We Love

On the set of Goodfellas

Henry Hill and the Real-Life GoodFellas: The True Story Behind the Movie

Marlon Brando In 'The Godfather'

The True Stories Behind 'The Godfather'

A man raising his hand in a courtroom, while another person seated appears to take an oath.

Danny Rolling: The True Story Behind the Killer Who Inspired 'Scream'

andrew scott stars as captain james stagg in director anthony maras' pressure, a focus features release about d-day invasion

The True Story of James Stagg and Pressure

enzo ferrari looking ahead at a camera as he opens a car door to exit

The Tragic True Story of the Ferrari Movie

Miles Teller plays John Branca in the Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael,' also starring Jaafar Jackson

Who Is John Branca, Michael Jackson’s Adviser?

two young girls and their parents sit and stand on the porch of a house right outside the front door

Real Haunting Inspired ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’

TTS audio available9 min
Jaafar Jackson attends the "Michael" Global Fan Premiere at Uber Eats Music Hall on April 10, 2026 in Berlin, Germany.

Get to Know ‘Michael’ Star Jafaar Jackson

More Stories Behind the Stories

Katherine Johnson At NASA Langley Research Center

NASA’s Hidden Figures: The Unsung Women You Need to Know

Martin V Acuna

The True Story of Boxer Christy Martin

street gang members walking in formation as snow falls

Who Were the Real Peaky Blinders?

still from the netflix documentary kidnapped elizabeth smart

7 Must-Watch True Crime Series and Documentaries on Netflix

"the iron claw" los angeles premiere red carpet

‘The Iron Claw’ Leaves Out a Von Erich Brother

kevin von erich mimics the iron claw grapple for a photo while standing on a red carpet, he wears a gray suit jacket, white collared shirt and black pants, behind him is a large movie poster for the iron claw

Where Is Kevin Von Erich Today?

fictionalized von erich brothers from the iron claw posing for a photo in front of a white fence

‘The Iron Claw:’ The Von Erich Family’s True Story

father gabriele amorth, the vatican's leading exorcist, wages everyday a ruthless war against satan.

The True Story of Pope’s Exorcist Gabriele Amorth

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