Sometimes the truth can be stranger than fiction. We know this to be true because of the stories that we hear about in the media and occasionally from the people we know.

A real life story is often more captivating and inspirational than something that is made up and many books and films are based on true events for this reason.

We detail 10 Famous movies which are based on real life events.

1. The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness was released in 2006 and it is a portrayal of the life of Chris Gardner who is now a successful Businessman, author and Philanthropist. The film tells the true story of Gardner’s year long with homelessness. It is a poignant and emotionally charged drama film which teaches us that success can be achieved through determination and hard work. The actor Will Smith plays Gardner in the film and Smiths son Jaden Smith debuts as Chris’s son Christopher Jr. Both father and son won a number of awards for their performance in the film and the movie was box office hit.

2. A Beautiful Mind

A Beautiful Mind is a 2001 biographical film drama which tells the story of John Nash, a Nobel Laureate in Economics. John Nash is played by the actor Russell Crowe. The film follows the gifted Nash in his scientific studies and his development of his concept of governing dynamics. The film follows his work in the faculty at MIT and touches upon his code breaking skills at the pentagon before depicting his mental breakdown during his guest lecture at Harvard University. The film was a resounding success and won four Academy Awards but it has been criticised for inaccuracies in the portrayal of Nash’s life.

3. Hotel Rwanda

Hotel Rwanda is a gritty American drama film which was adapted from a screenplay. The film is based on the events in Rwanda during early 1994 genocide. The main character is hotelier, Paul Rusesabagina and the movie follows his struggles in trying to save the lives of his family and over a thousand refuges from genocide by offering them a place to stay in his hotel. The film deals with difficult subjects such as political corruption and violence but it was favoured by the critics with both the film and its stars receiving a number of highly acclaimed awards.

4. Monster

Monster is a crime drama film which hit the movie theatres in 2003. The film deals with events in the life of serial killer and prostitute Aileen Wuornos. Aileen was executed in 2002 for the murder of six men. At the time of her conviction the case was covered heavily by the media due to the unusual and disturbed nature of the killer. The actress Charlize Theron played Aileen in the film and she was reported as having to gain a great deal of weight for the role and for having to wear prosthetic teeth. The critics favoured her performance proclaiming that her portrayal of Aileen was one of the greatest performances in the history of cinema.

5. 127 Hours

127 Hours is a recent film which was released in 2010. It was directed by the film director and producer Danny Boyle, a man known for blockbuster films such as Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire.

The plotline of 127 Hours details the real life struggle of a canyoneer Aron Ralston who became trapped by a boulder when he fell into a canyon.  The boulder trapped his arm against the wall of the gorge and after 5 days and seven hours he was left with no choice but to amputate his own arm with the blade of his dull pocket knife.

Danny Boyle added this film to a list of other successful pictures after it was highly praised by critics and film goers alike.

6. The Krays

The Krays is a film that was released in 1990. The plotline portrays the lives of real life gangster twins Ronald and Reginald Kray who were perpetrators of organised crime in London’s East end during the 1950s and 60s.

The film details the lives of the brothers from their early childhood and focuses on their relationship with their mother. It is also famous for a particularly violent scene where Ronnie attacks a man’s mouth with a knife, giving the victim a ‘permanent smile’.

7. Alive

Alive is an American drama film which tells the story of a group of survivors who cheated death when Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashed into the Andes Mountains on October the 13th 1972.

The movie begins with the story of the Stella Maris College rugby team who were on the fated Uruguayan flight. Dramatic scenes of the planes collision into the mountain follows and the survivors begin their two month struggle against starvation and adversity. The film features distressing scenes of the survivors eating the flesh of the dead to beat starvation.  These scenes are a poignant reminder of what the real life survivors had to do to stay alive.

8. Lawrence of Arabia

Lawrence of Arabia is a British film which was released in 1962. The film is based on the life of T.E Lawrence a British Army officer who was known for his influence and understanding of Middle Eastern political affairs.

The film depicts the personal struggles that Lawrence faced in his life, the trauma of war and his divided loyalties between the British Army and his Arabian allies.

The film is considered an all time classic. It was received well by the critics and the general public and it won an array of Awards after its release.

9. The Diary of Ann Frank

The Diary of Ann Frank is a film based on the true story of Anne Frank who was a Jewish girl, forced to live hidden in a secret annexe for just over two years during the Second World War. The film centres on her diary and details the events of the war based on her observations and writings. The film is highly emotive providing a window into the realities that many faced during this terrible time in history. Audrey Hepburn is reported to have turned down the role of Anne for this film because she felt that she was too old however she said that she was honoured to have been considered for the part.

10. Lorenzo’s Oil

Lorenzo’s Oil is an American film drama dating from 1992 based on the true story of Lorenzo Odone and his parents fight to find a cure for his Adenoleukodistrophy (ALD). The film details Lorenzo’s decline in health due to his condition and follows his parent’s determination in furthering the research for his condition and in trying to develop a treatment to halt his illness. Lorenzo’s parents were successful in developing a prepared oil known as Lorenzo’s oil despite the scepticism of Doctors and specialists at the time. This film tells the story of their work and of Lorenzo’s struggle against his cruel disease.