18 Best Films Based on Historical Events

2023 saw the release of the historical biopic Oppenheimer. The movie, starring Cillian Murphy in the title role, focuses on the life and work of Robert J. Oppenheimer, who is frequently credited as "the father of the atomic bomb." 

Upon release, it became one of the best-grossing movies of 2023, won five Golden Globe awards, and was nominated for three Oscars. 

Benedict Cumberbatch stars in this must-see historical film. The Imitation Game tells the largely unknown story of Alan Turing and his team, which succeeded in breaking the German Enigma code. They made it possible for the Allies to win World War II. However, the film isn't without its detractors—several historians have come forward criticizing the accuracy of certain parts.

Turing's family has complained that he was portrayed as excessively socially awkward. While he had his eccentricities, in the film he was depicted as having Autism-like traits. Additionally, some have argued that the creation of the code breaking machine was much more a group effort than how it was portrayed in the movie. 

Killers of the Flower Moon is a 2023 Western drama that focuses on the real-life discovery of oil in the 1920s in Osage territory that led to a string of fights and deaths. 

The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone and was directed by Martin Scorsese. It grossed more than $150 million dollars upon release and was nominated for several awards. 

This historical drama, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, takes place in 1757 during the French and Indian War.

The highly regarded film gives viewers a snapshot into the lives of a quickly fading Native American tribe, the Mohicans, and their reluctant involvement in the war after one of their own tribesmen betrays them.

Napoleon is a 2023 historical epic that centers around Napoleon's rise to power in France. Starring Joaquin Phoenix in the title role, the film was praised for its cinematography and battle scenes. 

While some question a few historical inaccuracies in the film, it's largely received praise from critics and viewers alike. 

Black Hawk Down, an Academy Award-winning film directed by Ridley Scott and co-produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, delivers a visceral depiction of a harrowing event in U.S. military history. The movie stars notable actors such as Ewan McGregor and Josh Hartnett, who portray the real-life Army Rangers involved in a near-disastrous mission in Somalia in 1993. 

The narrative centers on the perilous operation where nearly 100 U.S. Army Rangers were deployed with the task of capturing two top lieutenants of a renegade Somali warlord. However, the mission quickly spirals into chaos when their Black Hawk helicopters are shot down, and they find themselves in a desperate fight for survival against heavily armed forces. The film's authentic portrayal of the intense battle that ensued and the soldiers' struggle in the hostile environment of Mogadishu brings to light the courage and resilience of the individuals behind this historic event.

Blood Diamond is a riveting film that plunges viewers into the tumultuous era of the Sierra Leone civil war during the 1990s. Directed by the acclaimed Edward Zwick, the film presents a compelling narrative that intertwines the lives of a Mende fisherman (Djimon Hounsou), a resourceful smuggler (Leonardo DiCaprio), and a dedicated journalist (Jennifer Connelly).

The plot centers around their relentless quest to locate a rare pink diamond, a gem of such immense value that it has the potential to transform their circumstances dramatically. As they navigate the treacherous landscape of conflict and corruption, the film also exposes the brutal human cost of the diamond trade.

Argo took the Academy Award for Best Picture and is directed by Ben Affleck. This film covers the story of the CIA top-secret operation in Tehran to rescue six Americans during the hostage crisis in Iran in 1980. 

The information in the movie was only recently declassified a few years back, so you don’t want to be the last to know!

This movie is over three hours long, but it’s well worth it! It tells the incredible tale of Gandhi, a nonviolent man who started a movement in India to fight for independence from Great Britain. 

Gandhi inspired the likes of MLK and Nelson Mandela, so you can get a glimpse at how it all began.

The King’s Speech tells the true story of how King George VI ascended to power in England. The King had a speech impediment that derailed his confidence in his own abilities to rule. 

So, this heartwarming and inspiring tale will show you that you can do anything you put your mind to.

This historical drama stars Natalie Portman as the iconic Jackie Kennedy. This heart-wrenching film explores Jackie’s life after her husband’s death (John F. Kennedy). 

The production, acting, and costumes will make you feel as though you’ve been transported back to the 1960s.

This Ron Howard movie tells the true story of how NASA was forced to improvise and come up with a strategy to return the Apollo 13 spacecraft to Earth after it was severely damaged.

Starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Gary Sinise, this movie will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Saving Private Ryan, a critically acclaimed war drama directed by legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg, stars luminaries like Tom Hanks, Vin Diesel, and Matt Damon. 

The film chronicles the riveting tale of Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks), who bravely leads his men behind enemy lines during World War II with a singular mission: to locate and rescue Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon), amidst the chaotic backdrop of war.

This story of survival against all odds will make you feel every emotion on the spectrum. Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish radio pianist, is sent to the Warsaw ghetto. 

He is separated from his family and forced to hide and scavenge in the ruins of Warsaw until all the camps are liberated.

This drama stars Don Cheadle and gives a snapshot of the tragedy in Rwanda in the 1990s. In this movie, a man houses over a thousand Tutsi refugees as the Hutu militia bears down on them. 

It has been nominated for three Academy Awards, so it’s a must-see if you are unaware of this tragic event.

This Steven Spielberg film has been called “necessary” by Empire magazine. Schindler’s List tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who turned his factory into a refuge for Jews during World War II. 

It definitely isn’t a pretty subject, but this movie somehow gives you hope for humanity. The film was award-winning when it was released and still remains important and iconic to this day. 

Hidden Figures, starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae, is a critically acclaimed film that reveals the remarkable story of three African American women who played an instrumental role at NASA during the Space Race. 

The film has garnered praise for its engaging narrative and stellar performances, showcasing how these extraordinary women defied racial and gender barriers to develop the crucial mathematical data needed to launch astronaut John Glenn into orbit. 

Selma chronicles the story of Martin Luther King and his historic march from Selma to Montgomery during the civil rights movement in 1965.

This movie stars David Oyelowo, Oprah, and Common. It received very high praise from the likes of the New York Times and Rolling Stone.