Top 10 Best Movies Based on Historical Events or People

Names may have been changes, events may have been fictionalized, but the movies are good, and historically grounded.
The Top Ten
1 Schindler's List

I did my school project on Schindler when I was in Junior High. Watched this movie... Got an A plus.

Great story about a brave and generous man in the middle of a dark time in Nazi Germany.

A movie every adult should watch someday.

2 Braveheart

Beautiful movie - Mel Gibson was magnificent in the role. You could really believe he was this heroic, charismatic historical figure. One of the greatest movies ever!

One of my favorite movies. Mel Gibson is great in it and should have been nominated for best actor. It is in my top 10 favorite films.

Greatest film ever made. Certain aspects may not be real historically, but I think it portrays the courage of a hero who stands up. Fantastic.

3 Gladiator

Gladiator is much viable as a motion picture, though not what is considered the most intelligent depiction of Rome. Not the Colosseum itself, or the equipment of the gladiators, even the fight in the ring. It is the senseless slaughter that brings into question their sanity. The movie is awesome, most of it though.

Although this movie is excellent, it is only third on the list due to the only thing that is historical is the games, and some of the names. Gladiators existed, Marcus Aurelius existed, Commodus existed, and that is all that is really known. But, that's enough to put it on our list!

4 Titanic

Titanic was a mix of suspense, romance, and tragedy. It was very romantic. However, I didn't really like the ending. I mean, everyone ends up dying except the female main character, and usually, there are supposed to be happy endings in movies. But since this was based on a true story, it makes sense that there wasn't a happy ending. There is only a 5% chance of someone getting a happy ending in life.

I love the movie. It is so sweet, and every time I watch it, it makes me cry. It is my favorite movie. When I saw Leo, I thought he was the cutest thing ever, and Kate is so pretty.

5 Saving Private Ryan

Saving Private Ryan is the best WWII and best Normandy movie ever. I heard that a vet who fought at Omaha said the only thing missing from the opening battle scene was "the smell."

On the other end of the spectrum is "Pearl Harbor." This laughable "movie" should only be on one list: "Worst WWII Movies of All Time." There were so many factual, visual, and technical mistakes in this "movie" it should never have been allowed to open in theatres. The name of the director escapes me right now, but once again, he was more concerned about big explosions and mass appeal (to make more money) than he turned out yet another P.O.S. Why did he make a boring teenage love story wrapped around December 7th, 1941?

"American Outlaws" isn't based on anything factual, other than they spelled Jesse James correctly. I almost died laughing. Oh yeah, every woman who lived in the Midwest in the late 19th century teased their hair...

6 Gone With The Wind

It's the best movie I've ever seen with regards to expressions, acting, and everything. The love for soil and the roots where a person belongs is beautifully reflected through it.

I couldn't believe this wasn't in the top ten. This is based on the most important historical history in the US. Come on now, and it's the best historical book or movie ever made. It's still watched and talked about. So let's get this movie to where it is supposed to be, guys.

7 300

Truly one of the greatest movies ever. We use quotes from this movie in our huddle to get fired up before football games. "This is where we fight, this is where they die! Tonight, we dine in hell. Knights, are you ready? Awoo, awoo, awoo!" I'm fired up right now. When's my next game?

All the important characters in this movie were real. I'm not sure it's the best on this list but it deserves a load of credit.

It's wonderful, guys, I loved it. I think this movie is very informative and the young generation must watch that kind of stuff.

8 Kingdom of Heaven

A story very close to history, with an inspiring philosophy behind it. Really, a classical movie about historical events, which have influence until present times. And the best cast, especially Orlando Bloom in the leading role, that may be found for it.

The Leper King Baldwin wins at chess against the Islamic Saladin. This movie has more than might complain about. The Templars are against the Muslims, the Crusaders are against the Saracens. Lastly, King Baldwin is the archrival of Saladin. Base teams are fine and set, this movie remains awesome. Good stuff!

9 Platoon
10 Lawrence of Arabia

Not one of my personal favorites, I can appreciate this movie for its historical quality, and that it was very well-liked by many people when it came out. This movie's classic status puts it at the top of the historical movie list.

It may be overly long, but it's still the epic of all epics. The historical setting adds to the richness and accentuated the detail to perfection.

One of the best movies of all time.

The Contenders
11 Troy

It is proven that Ilium (Troy) really existed, and this story has been in circulation for thousands of years. Then, they turned around and made a truly epic movie about it. They took an age-old story and brought it to life with Troy.

Achilles rushes real fast, and darn does he smash the giant with speed, grace, agility, intellect, and bold instinct. Awesome movie. Their team did perfect just about.

Achilles has awesome glory and people have perfect body language in their characters. I watched it 4 times.

12 Goodfellas

One of the greatest films of all time and the most entertaining, exhilarating, and detailed biopic about the rise and fall of mob associate Henry Hill. The movie shows the brutal truth of everyday life in the Mafia.

Best gangster movie ever made. Goodfellas >. Godfather, Scarface, Pulp Fiction, The Untouchables, Donnie Brasco, and on and on.

13 Full Metal Jacket
14 Glory

This could also be classified as a war movie, but I think the historical significance of this movie makes it a movie that needs to be on the list.

This movie is so heartwarming and moving. I could watch this a hundred times.

15 Ali
16 The Great Escape

A hilarious movie about World War 2. Fairly accurate too. It's pretty surprising how it's a comedy about a horrible prison camp.

This is an AMAZING movie. I first saw it when I was about 9. Ever since then, I've loved it!

An instant classic. A great film.

17 Ray

Amazingly acted. Awesome story of a real man. Jamie Foxx was well rewarded for his performance.

18 Fahrenheit 9/11
19 Remember the Titans

This showed the struggle after schools became desegregated. It is a wonderful story. It showed me a lot.

20 Pirate Radio

Also known as The Boat That Rocked, this was set in the 1960s, a time when the BBC banned rock and roll on the airwaves, so these pirate radio stations smuggled in the tunes.

This was the true story about regular British guys who caused a rebellion against the government and the BBC by airing rock and roll on boats.

Nick Frost, Gemma Arterton, Chris O'Dowd, Rhys Ifans, Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh, Jack Davenport, and the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman. How can you say no to that ensemble? Let's have a tune. I'm sick of this silence.

21 The Aviator

Howard Hughes had a crazy life.

22 Ben-Hur

Wow, this was a cool movie back then, and it's a cool movie now. A lot like Gladiator, mostly historical are the races themselves.

23 The Patriot

Some of the names have been changed in this movie, but most of the people actually existed, including Mel Gibson's main character, and the bad guy too! The point is, it's historical, and it's a great movie.

One of the best films ever made!

24 The Sound of Music

I love that. It is my favourite movie ever.

Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, they are a good match.

25 The Passion of the Christ

The single most important event in history, portrayed very well. Whether you're one of us believers or not, Christianity has shaped the world for 2000 years.

My Jesus is my savior... Bless you all.

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