10 Movies About Real People Who Are Still Alive

Movies based on real people are a reminder of the gray area between real life and film. It can be an eerie experience to know that the characters depicted on the screen are living human beings who exist beyond the compressed 90 minutes of a film and are currently having real-life impacts even as the credits roll.

These films also act as a reflective medium to trace the beginnings of popular figures compared to the legacy they have at present. For example, The Social Network explains the apathy behind virtual communications at present through Zuckerberg’s insecurities depicted in the film. Here are 10 films based on people who still exist from various walks of life.

10 Air (2023) – Sonny Vaccaro

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Air reveals how the path-breaking partnership between basketball player Michael Jordan and Nike changed sports culture forever. The film is directed by Ben Affleck, who also plays Phil Knight, the co-founder and CEO of Nike. Air shows what went behind the making of the Air Jordan brand and how it changed Jordan’s career and Nike’s business, setting a benchmark for the relationship between corporations and players.

Why It’s a Must-Watch Film

The film has a star-studded cast involving Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Viola Davis, and Chris Tucker, all standing out for their powerful performances. Davis plays Jordan’s mother and was applauded for the intensity she brought to her character, who is protective of her son’s talents and legacy. Moreover, the film shines in its simplicity and is a seamless journey down memory lane.

Stream it on Prime Video

Related: 10 Inspiring Movies About a Character Rebuilding Their Life

9 The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) – Jordan Belfort

The Wolf of Wall Street

Release Date

December 25, 2013

Director

Martin Scorsese

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio, Matthew McConaughey, Margot Robbie, Jonah Hill, Cristin Milioti, Jon Bernthal

Rating

R

Main Genre

Crime

The Wolf of Wall Street was directed by Martin Scorsese and talks about the lavish life of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. The film is based on the memoir written by Belfort, which recounts his adrenaline-induced life as a stockbroker in New York City and his downfall due to corruption, addiction, domestic violence, and fraudulent deals.

The film also stars Jonah Hill as Belfort’s business partner and friend, Donnie Azoff, and Margot Robbie in her career breakthrough performance as Belfort’s second wife.

Why It’s a Must-Watch Film

The film is the fifth collaboration between DiCaprio and Scorsese and garnered immense critical acclaim and five Academy Award nominations. Belfort applauded the film’s accuracy in grasping the “overall feeling” of his erratic years and his friendship with Azoff. According to Belfort, the reality was much worse than shown in the film, and he was addicted to 22 different drugs at his lowest.

Stream it on Apple TV+

8 The Disaster Artist (2017) – Tommy Wiseau

The Disaster Artist

Release Date

March 12, 2017

Director

James Franco

Cast

Alison Brie, Zoey Deutch, James Franco, Lizzy Caplan, Zac Efron, Bryan Cranston

Rating

R

Genres

Drama, Biography, Comedy, Documentary, History

The Disaster Artist goes behind the making of The Room, notorious for being one of the worst films ever made. Actor James Franco directs the biographical comedy-drama, which tries to make sense of director Tommy Wiseau, and captures his passion for making the self-funded film, which is often listed among ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ films.’ The film does not mock Wiseau, played by Franco who also stars. Instead, it empathizes with failed filmmakers who are unable to make it in the industry despite being talented.

Why It’s a Must-Watch Film

Franco is mainly known as a dramatic actor, and he impressed critics and audiences alike with his directorial debut. He won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance and was accompanied by the real Tommy Wiseau as he received the award. Wiseau also appears in the post-credits scene as a party-goer. The film’s irony lies in Tommy being confident in his craft and financially secure but lacking in “talent” when many filmmakers fail because of a lack of funds and support.

Stream it on Apple TV+

7 Erin Brockovich (2000) – Erin Brockovich

Erin Brockovich was directed by Steven Soderberg and stars Julia Roberts as the titular character. This biographical legal drama dramatizes the events when Brockovich investigated a cover-up involving contaminated water in a local community. Later, she initiated a legal case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company for contaminating groundwater that negatively impacted the health of residents living near the plant.

Why it is a must-watch film

The film is entertaining even when it deals with a critical issue. Roberts characterizes Brockovich as a strong-spirited woman unafraid to use her charming appearance to win over men who belittle her.

The real-life Brockovich disagrees with intentionally charming men to put her case forward but agrees her physical attributes might have helped in her investigation. She added that the events shown in the film are “probably 98% accurate,” and she even appeared as a waitress in the film. Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actor for her feisty portrayal of Erin, one of the most memorable performances in the actress’s filmography.

Stream it on Apple TV+

6 Catch Me If You Can (2002) – Frank Abagnale Jr.

Catch Me If You Can

Release Date

December 25, 2002

Director

Steven Spielberg

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Nathalie Baye, Amy Adams

Rating

PG-13

Main Genre

Biography

Catch Me If You Can tells the unbelievable story of ex-conman Frank Abagnale Jr., played by Leonardo DiCaprio. Steven Spielberg directs the film and adapts the screenplay from a semi-autobiographical book written by Abagnale. The film chronicles his days of conman mastery when he disguised himself as a doctor, a lawyer, and a co-pilot before he turned 18. After he successfully robs a bank at 17, FBI Agent Carl Hanratty, played by Tom Hanks, starts a cat-and-mouse chase between the authorities and Frank.

Why It’s a Must-Watch Film

DiCaprio was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture for his performance as the unethical but prodigal conman. The real-life Abagnale was not involved in the film but believed Spielberg was the only filmmaker who could do justice to his story.

The film not only focuses on Abagnale’s tricks but also provides insight into how broken families lead to delinquent behaviors in teenagers and how people were more trustworthy in the ‘60s.

Stream it on Apple TV+

5 Lion (2016) – Saroo Brierly

Speaking of the online world, Lion tells an equally riveting story. The film is based on the book A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierly, who was separated from his family in India and later adopted by an Australian couple. He uses Google Earth to search for his family 25 years later. The film was directed by Garth Davies and starred Dev Patel as Saroo. The film is an extraordinary tale of memory, nostalgia, and searching for one’s home.

Why It’s a Must-Watch Film

The film was a joint production between Australia and the United Kingdom and is one of the highest-grossing Australian films of all time, making $140 million worldwide. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Patel and Best Supporting Actress for Nicole Kidman, who played Saroo’s adoptive mother. In 2019, the real-life Saroo set out on another journey to search for his father, who abandoned his family when he was young.

Stream it on Apple TV+

4 The Social Network (2010) – Mark Zuckerberg

The Social Network

Release Date

October 1, 2010

Director

David Fincher

Cast

Jesse Eisenberg, Rooney Mara, Bryan Barter, Dustin Fitzsimons, Armie Hammer, Joseph Mazzello

Rating

PG-13

Main Genre

Biography

David Fincher’s The Social Network goes behind the tumultuous saga of Facebook. The film’s tagline explains it best: “You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.” The film chronicles the making of Facebook from its shady conceptualization to its epic launch, with Jesse Eisenberg embodying Mark Zuckerberg. According to the film, Facebook was Mark’s way of coping with dejection and his inability to sustain his genuine relationships.

Why It’s a Must-Watch Film

The film is based on the book The Accidental Billionaires, which looks at Facebook’s fiasco through the perspective of its co-founder, Eduardo Savarin. Eisenberg’s remarkable performance earned him an Academy Award nomination, as he captures the fast-talking, emotionally-stunted techie with finesse.

The screenplay was written by Aaron Sorkin, which won him the Academy Award for Best Screenplay. The film successfully captures the genesis of the virtual communications company from within the dorm rooms of Harvard University, even if it does take some pretty sweeping liberties in adapting Zuckerberg’s real life backstory for the big screen.

Stream it on Netflix

3 The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) – Chris Gardner

The Pursuit of Happyness

Release Date

December 14, 2006

Director

Gabriele Muccino

Cast

Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Brian Howe, James Karen, Dan Castellaneta

Rating

PG-13

Main Genre

Biography

Genres

Biography, Documentary, Drama

The Pursuit of Happyness tells the unbelievable real-life story of a failed sales agent who went from homelessness to being a multi-millionaire. The film was directed by Gabriele Muccino and tells the story of Chris Gardner, played by Will Smith, who was evicted from his apartment and forced to live in the streets with his five-year-old son. The film shows Gardner’s ordeal juggling fatherhood and an unpaid internship while searching for shelter for a year.

Why It’s a Must-Watch Film

The film was based on the book of the same name written by Gardner and Quincy Trope. Gardner was an integral part of the film’s shooting and even appeared towards the end of the film. A few creative liberties were taken in the film, such as Gardner’s real-life son being a toddler instead of the 5-year-old young boy played by Jaden Smith, as shown in the film.

The Pursuit of Happyness is a tribute to Gardner’s undying spirit and is symbolic of the American dream, where an opportunity can turn anyone’s life around. Will Smith was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his emotionally and physically demanding performance.

Stream it on Apple TV+

2 The Big Short (2015) – Michael Burry

Big Short

Release Date

December 11, 2015

Director

Adam McKay

Cast

Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Karen Gillan, Marisa Tomei

Rating

R

Main Genre

Drama

Genres

Drama, Comedy, Documentary

The Big Short investigates the harrowing 2007 housing market crash in the United States of America by following the individuals who benefitted from it. The dark comedy is directed by Adam McKay and is based on the book The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine. The film stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt as the primary characters based on real-life Wall Street opportunists who became millionaires from the economic collapse.

Why It’s a Must-Watch Film

The film is fast-paced and stylistic and effortlessly balances capitalist dystopia and comedy. Journalist David McCandless declared the film 91.4% accurate and applauded its realism. The film is heavy with financial jargon and expects the viewers to keep up with it. However, the lack of melodrama in the film accentuates the detachment of the greedy characters.

Stream it on Apple TV+

Related: 15 Movies About Greedy Businessmen

1 Rocketman (2019) – Elton John

Rocketman

Release Date

May 22, 2019

Director

Dexter Fletcher

Cast

Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard, Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Alison Ball, Jamie Bacon

Rating

R

Main Genre

Drama

Genres

Drama, Biography, Documentary, Family

Rocketman is the biopic of musical icon Elton John, passionately portrayed by Taron Egerton, and was directed by Dexter Fletcher. The film follows how a young Reginal Dwight from 1950s London became the larger-than-life “Elton John,” while shedding light on his relationship with Bernie Taupin, his turbulent relationship with his family, and his addiction.

Why It’s a Must-Watch Film

The film takes several creative liberties but is a must-watch for fans of Elton John’s music. The title of the film is taken from John’s song, capturing the essence of his extraordinary life. Egerton oscillates between theatrical and emotionally vulnerable, earning him a Golden Globe Award for his emotionally and physically demanding performance.

Stream it on Apple TV+