6 Netflix Movies Based on True Stories That Will Leave You Speechless

What if the most gripping Netflix dramas were actually pulled straight from real-life headlines? True stories always have a special place in the audience’s hearts as they give an insight into real events from a different angle. The dramatizations are close to reality, which lets us get deeply connected with the character on another level. 

These are the lives of real people that create a unique impact that no other film might be able to. That is why we have a list of Netflix movies based on true stories that are considered a treasure. 

Scoop (2024)

This is one of the most controversial yet best Netflix true story movies of 2024, directed by Philip Martin. Scoop is a drama based on Prince Andrew and the Epstein Scandal, aired on BBC News on 16 November 2019. 

The story revolves around the brother of the UK’s King Charles III and the second son of Queen Elizabeth II, Andrew. He was allegedly and complicatedly involved in the Epstein scandal as photographs of him with a young girl came to the surface. It is reported that Andrew engaged in sexual activity with the girl, facilitated by sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 

Scoop is the dramatization of the same shocking interview between Prince Andrew and BBC host Emily Maitlis. Gillian Anderson played the gut-punching role of the BBC presenter, and Rufus Sewell was a seemingly guilty Prince Andrew.    

Society of the Snow (2023)

The story is about the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crash in the Andes mountains, where the lives of the team of Uruguay changed forever. This Netflix movie is based on real events as they were forced to live a life of cannibalism to survive.

33 survivors had to do something to stay alive, and after 72 days, they had to give up when their food items were finished. They never planned to become cannibals, but their appalling resort to this step was brilliantly documented in the film. 

Lost Girls (2020)

The film gained positive critics’ reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, which stated, 

“Raw yet rewarding, Lost Girls overcomes uneven storytelling with powerful performances and a willingness to resist easy catharsis.” [Source]

The plot highlights the story of the Long Island serial killer, who is one of the most notorious serial killers in the US, still uncaught. The killings were reported between 1996 and 2011, which included 11 women and girls- the youngest victim was a toddler. 

The feature-length drama focuses on the true story of the activist Mari Gilbert (played by Amy Ryan). She was the mother of one of the missing girls, and her emotional journey unfolded several details related to the unsolved murders. 

First They Killed My Father (2017) 

All over the world, Angelina Jolie has been a strong ambassador of humanity. His directorial attempt of 2017’s First They Killed My Father is the documentation of the cruelties narrated in the memoir of Loung Ung, who was five years old at that time.  

They were the targets Khmer Rouge’s ruthlessness during the Vietnam War that many claimed was a “difficult watch”. It is considered one of the best Netflix true stories to date.  

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)

Children have some seriously wild imaginations that can create wonders. This is an inspiring tale of a child who was moved by the food crisis faced by his neighbor’s family in Malawi. He built a windmill about which he read in a science book. 

William Kamkwamba had to leave school due to insufficient educational resources. However, he wasn’t demotivated by the said fact and went on to work on the windmill with recycled materials. He saved the community from starvation as the mill helped in the irrigation of crops. 

The Imitation Game (2014)

It is counted among the most sentimental true stories of all time. The Imitation Game is based on the biography of Alan Turing (played by Benedict Cumberbatch), who was a cryptanalyst. He helped the British government to decipher messages from German intelligence during the Second World War. 

However, he had to face persecution that came lashing towards him due to his social awkwardness and struggles with sexuality. He was convicted of being engaged in homosexual acts that contributed to his isolation and a tragic end eventually.   

Are Netflix movies based on true stories really accurate?

There are certain dramatic liberties in molding the true stories according to the platform’s will, but the accurate representation of facts is a general rule to adhere to. Netflix has done so to stay true to the original story’s core, however, fabricated conversations and altered timelines are part of the story’s requirement, just for the sake of enhanced storytelling. 

There are two types of stories in this case: ‘based on a true story’ and ‘inspired by a true story’. If the film is based on a true story, the actual characters of the story have the right to their private information being publicized. There are personal conversations that are subjected to dramatic license, and most part of the original story does not deviate from dramatization purposes. 

If the film claims that it is inspired by true events, Netflix can take the original story as a framework and mold the rest of the timeline and characters according to their wish. Significant changes are made in the story’s retelling, but the central idea remains the same. For example, the director of the upcoming horror movie Weapons claimed that the story is inspired by true events like the disappearance of the Sodder children and Etan Patz.  

Which ones of these have you watched? Which of these real-life inspired stories moved you the most? Drop your pick in the comments or share this with someone who loves a good true story.