The best stories are often directly inspired by headlines. That's why, especially in recent years with a growing interest in the genre, there are many excellent films and series inspired by real crimes. Dive into the content to discover the top 10 television shows and movies based on real crimes that capture the essence of crime enthusiasts' fascination!
Summary: Directed by Aaron Sorkin, this Netflix film is based on the trial of the Chicago 7, a group of activists arrested and accused of conspiracy following the 1968 Democratic National Convention debacle. The film stars Sacha Baron Cohen as radical activist Abbie Hoffmann and Jeremy Strong as Jerry Rubin, the co-founder of Yippie.
Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Alex Sharp, Sacha Baron Cohen
Director: Aaron Sorkin
Summary: After Christine's son goes missing, she reaches out to the LAPD to find him. However, when they try to pass off an imposter as her son to calm public protests, she refuses to accept him or give up hope.
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Colm Feore, Amy Ryan
Director: Clint Eastwood
Summary: This 1967 film is adapted from Truman Capote's groundbreaking true crime book of the same name and is arguably responsible for sparking our national obsession with true crime. For those unfamiliar with the story, it is based on the true story of a family murdered in Holcomb, Kansas, originally believed to be a robbery.
Cast: Robert Blake, Scott Wilson, John Forsythe
Director: Richard Brooks
Summary: President John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963. Lee Harvey Oswald is arrested for the crime and is later shot by Jack Ruby in a supposed act of vengeance for the President. The investigation concludes that Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby acted alone in their crimes, but Louisiana district attorney Jim Garrison is skeptical. Garrison assembles a trustworthy group of individuals to conduct his own investigation, leading to strong reactions from powerful government and political figures.
Cast: Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Jack Lemmon
Director: Oliver Stone
Summary: Based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., who managed to successfully swindle millions of dollars posing as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and lawyer before turning 19. An FBI agent makes it his mission to put him behind bars. However, Frank not only evades capture but also enjoys being pursued.
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken
Director: Steven Spielberg
Summary: Taking its name from the 'spotlight' team at the Boston Globe, this film depicts a group of journalists trying to uncover a child sexual abuse scandal within the Catholic Church that later earned the institution a Pulitzer Prize. The film, starring Stanley Tucci, Mark Ruffalo, and Rachel McAdams, won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams
Director: Tom McCarthy
Summary: Based on a true investigation into a series of sexual assaults in Colorado and Washington, 'Unbelievable' tells the story of a woman accused of lying about being sexually assaulted after authorities refuse to believe her. However, the truth is much more complex and is only uncovered through thorough reporting.
Cast: Kaitlyn Dever, Toni Collette, Merritt Wever
Directors: Susannah Grant, Michael Chabon, Ayelet Waldman
Summary: 'The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story' chronicles the famous trial of O.J. Simpson for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman in 1994. The series dramatically portrays the police investigation that followed the murders and the subsequent high-profile trial. It captures the societal and legal impacts of the case, along with the atmosphere and complexity of the time.
Cast: Sarah Paulson, Sterling K. Brown, Nina Jacobson
Director: Ryan Murphy
Summary: In the late 1970s, two FBI agents expand the field of criminal science by investigating the psychology behind murders and ultimately come close to real-life monsters.
Cast: Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv
Director: Joe Penhall
Summary: Director Ava DuVernay's critically acclaimed series 'When They See Us' is both gripping and devastating. Based on the true story of five men wrongly accused of a sexual assault in New York in 1989, the series offers a bold look at the injustices often seen in the American criminal justice system.
Cast: Asante Blackk, Caleel Harris, Ethan Herisse
Director: Ava DuVernay