Top Movies Based on True Stories
It’s not surprising that many of our favorite films are based on real-life events. From drama to action to romance and even horror, some of the greatest movies ever made tell the stories of people who actually lived and remarkable events that actually happened.
At Philo, we have thousands of movies for you to enjoy live and on-demand, many of which are based on true stories. Here’s our list of the top movies available for you to stream right now that are based on actual events.
The Best Movies Based on True Stories:
American Gangster (1958)
Denzel Washington stars as Frank Lucas, a chauffeur to one of Harlem’s leading mobsters. After his boss dies, Frank uses his own ingenuity and strict business code to become one of the inner city’s most powerful crime bosses. That is until veteran cop Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) senses a change in the mob’s power structure and looks for ways to bring them to justice.
Watch American Gangster on-demand with MGM+ Hits (add-on) on Philo.
Blackberry (2023)
Witness the rise and fall of the company behind the first smartphone – the BlackBerry.
Watch Blackberry on-demand with AMC+ on Philo.
Freedom Hair (2013)
When a mother decides to start a natural hair braiding business to achieve financial independence, she must overcome obstacles imposed by a powerful cosmetology cartel and the state of Mississippi.
Watch Freedom Hair on-demand with STARZ (add-on) on Philo.
Beauty Mark (2017)
When an impoverished young mother and her toddler are evicted, she is forced to turn to the only one she knows who has any money—the man who abused her as a child.
Watch Beauty Mark on-demand with Crackle for free on Philo.
Selma (2014)
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his followers embarked on an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, and their efforts culminated in President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Watch Selma on BET with Philo.
Short Term 12 (2013)
Oscar-winners Brie Larson and Rami Malek star alongside LaKeith Stanfield in the story of a staff member at a treatment facility for teens who connects with a new resident.
Watch Short Term 12 on-demand with Fandor (add-on) on Philo.
Spotlight (2015)
In 2001, editor Marty Baron (Liev Schreiber) of The Boston Globe assigned a team of journalists to investigate allegations against a priest accused of molesting more than 80 boys. Led by editor Walter “Robby” Robinson (Michael Keaton), reporters Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Matt Carroll, and Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams)interview victims and try to unseal sensitive documents. The reporters make it their mission to provide proof of a cover-up of sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church.
Watch Spotlight on-demand with STARZ (add-on) on Philo.
Girl in the Box (2023)
In May of 1977, Colleen, a 22-year-old hitchhiker, is kidnapped by a young couple and spends the next seven years being their slave and babysitter.
Watch Girl in the Box on-demand with Lifetime on Philo.
Captain Phillips (2013)
Tom Hanks stars as the captain of a ship that gets overtaken by Somali pirates seeking millions of dollars. Phillips must protect his crew and use his wits to make sure everyone survives and returns home safely.
Watch Captain Phillips on-demand with AMC on Philo.
Holiday Road (2023)
A group of stranded holiday travelers agrees to rent a van for a road trip to Denver. When their unexpected journey leads them into uncharted territory, they must navigate a series of misadventures that bring them closer together.
Watch Holiday Road on-demand with Hallmark+ (add-on) on Philo.
Moneyball (2011)
Brad Pitt plays Billy Beane, general manager of the financially strapped Oakland A’s, who is forced to reinvent his team by recruiting bargain-bin players that the scouts overlooked.
Watch Moneyball on-demand with AMC on Philo.
A Night to Remember (1958)
Before there was “Titanic,” there was this tense British drama about the supposedly unsinkable ship. Despite numerous warnings about ice, the ship sails on. When the doomed vessel finally hits an iceberg, the crew and passengers discover that they lack enough lifeboats to save everyone on board.
Watch A Night to Remember on-demand with HDNet Movies (add-on) on Philo.
6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain (2017)
Former professional hockey player Eric LeMarque (Josh Hartnett) finds himself stranded on a mountain during a fierce snowstorm. Coming to terms with his personal demons, he soon rediscovers the power of faith while fighting for survival.
Watch 6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain with Movie Sphere by Lionsgate for free on Philo.
Raging Bull (1980)
Martin Scorcese’s true story of the rise and fall of middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta (Robert DeNiro). He falls in love with a gorgeous girl from the Bronx, but his inability to express his feelings enters the ring, and eventually, he’s sent into a downward spiral that costs him everything.
Watch Raging Bull on-demand with MGM+ (add-on) on Philo.
Apollo 13 (1995)
After leaving Earth’s orbit, astronauts Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks), Fred Haise (Bill Paxton), and Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon) find everything going according to plan. However, when an oxygen tank explodes, the scheduled moon landing is called off. Tensions continue to mount as numerous technical problems threaten both the astronauts’ survival and their safe return to Earth.
Watch Apollo 13 on-demand with AMC on Philo.
Arthur the King (2024)
Desperate for one last chance to win, Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg) convinces a sponsor to back him and a team of athletes for the Adventure Racing World Championship in the Dominican Republic. As the team gets pushed to the outer limits of endurance, a dog named Arthur comes along for the ride, redefining what victory, loyalty, and friendship truly mean.
Watch Arthur the King on-demand with STARZ Kids & Family on Philo.
Lion (2016)
Five-year-old Saroo gets lost on a train that takes him thousands of miles across India, away from home and family. He must learn to survive alone in Kolkata before ultimately being adopted by an Australian couple. Twenty-five years later, armed with only a handful of memories, his unwavering determination, and a revolutionary technology known as Google Earth, he sets out to find his lost family and finally return to his first home.
Watch Lion with Movie Sphere by Lionsgate for free on Philo.
Bugsy (1991)
New York mobster Benjamin Bugsy Siegel (Warren Beatty) leaves New York City to dip into the glamour of Hollywood, and to build up syndicate gambling rackets. Bowled over by actress Virginia Hill (Annette Bening), the dapper Siegel courts her despite having a wife and children.
Watch Bugsy on-demand with MGM+ (add-on) on Philo.
What are add-ons?
Philo has a whole world of entertainment for you to explore, and if you haven’t checked out our premium add-ons like MGM+, STARZ, Hallmark+, ALLBLK, and our Movies & More package, then you’ve barely scratched the surface.
And the best part? All of our add-ons are available for a 7-day free trial! Click HERE to learn how you can get even more of the movies and shows you love with Philo.
Note: At the time of publication, all of the above movies were available on demand. We’re constantly striving to bring you the best content for the best price, so, for that reason, some content offerings are subject to change based on network availability. Check out our What’s New post to see the top shows and movies coming soon to Philo.
