Truth surpasses fiction, as true stories naturally engage audiences more. True-story movies garner 30% more engagement than fictional ones.
True-story films are dominating awards season, garnering 42% more nominations than original scripts.
Netflix is investing 22% more in true stories because there is nothing like reality's raw, unfiltered drama that draws us in.
What's better than a movie night on the weekend? A movie night filled with unbelievable stories that make you question their authenticity. Netflix's movie schedule for 2025 features films based on true events, offering a range of stories from uplifting success tales to suspenseful narratives. Whether you're interested in history, captivated by true crime, or simply enjoy compelling narratives based on real experiences, these movies are sure to leave you feeling inspired, surprised, and entertained.
Director: Bradley Cooper
Cast: Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein, Carey Mulligan as Felicia Montealegre, Maya Hawke as Jamie Bernstein
Maestro, starring Bradley Cooper, is a film to be experienced, allowing one to become completely immersed in the work and life of the legendary composer Leonard Bernstein. Nominated for a total of seven Academy Awards, Maestro tells the story of Bernstein's meteoric rise to stardom, his tumultuous marriage, and struggles with identity and addiction. The movie builds towards a classic six-minute conducting moment, which is a sight to see and hear. Cooper's dedication to the character is notably displayed in this segment.
Director: Tobias Lindholm
Written By: Charles Cullen, Amy Loughren, and others.
Starring: Eddie Redmayne as Charles Cullen, Jessica Chastain as Amy Loughren
Like the true story of nurse Charles Cullen (at least the true story, this story proves to be the weird side of history and Cullen might be considered to be one of the most horrific and terrifying serial-killer stories ever), The Good Nurse, similarly follows nurse Amy Loughren, who ultimately faced Cullen and revealed the painful truth of what he did.
Director: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
Cast: Annette Bening (Diana Nyad), Rhys Ifans (John Bartlett), Jodie Foster (Bonnie Stoll)
This sports biopic chronicles the remarkable life and journey of Diana Nyad, who swam from Cuba to Florida at the age of 64. Annette Bening delivers a remarkable performance in Nyad, showcasing both her physical and mental fortitude. Jodie Foster, on the other hand, gives a phenomenal performance as her faithful coach and best friend.
Director: J.A. Bayona
Cast: Enzo Vogrincic (Numa Turcatti), Agustin Pardella (Roberto Canessa)
An unsettling recreation of the 1972 Andes flight disaster, Society of the Snow chronicles the survivors’ experience for 72 days under freezing conditions. Bayona juxtaposes the catastrophic realities of the flight crash and the events that followed, a state of complete horror, with inspirational connections related to humanity. Society of the Snow is one of Netflix’s top survival films of all time!
Director: George C.Wolfe
Cast: Colman Domingo (Bayard Rustin), Glynn Turman (A. Philip Randolph), Chris Rock (Roy Wilkins)
This riveting biographical drama follows the life of civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, the man charged with organizing the massive 1963 March on Washington. Colman Domingo's blistering portrayal as Rustin reminds us of all of the activist's strengths and weaknesses. His performance is almost universally being called "must-see.
Current studies indicate that real stories receive 30% more viewership than fictional ones. True dramas, such as The Good Nurse, with its psychological depth, and Nyad, which highlights physical struggles, captivate audiences. The 2025 Netflix lineup exemplifies this trend, demonstrating the popularity of this new narrative form. This past awards season, real stories received 42% more nominations compared to original scripts.
The unique talents showcased in Maestro Bernstein and the strong connections to the civil rights movement in Rustin illustrate the significant impact of these media, as they document remarkable human experiences. The extraordinary narrative presented in Society of the Snow emphasizes that real stories carry more emotional weight and result in higher emotional engagement with viewers, as supported by policy observational surveys.
What Netflix movie is based on a true story?
Lost Girls ( 2020) is based on a true story about a mother’s search for her missing daughter and the uncovering of the Long Island serial killer case.
Is Netflix's Worth based on a true story?
Worth is a 2020 American biographical film written and directed by Sara Colangelo, based on the memoir by Kenneth Feinberg, a lawyer.
Which Bollywood movie is based on a true story?
Several Bollywood movies are based on true stories. Some notable examples include Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, which tells the story of athlete Milkha Singh.
Is Mission Majnu a real story?
Mission Majnu draws heavy inspiration from the 1970s nuclear tensions, offering a dramatic retelling, not a documentary (although Siddharth Malhotra’s Swagger is 100% real).