True story movies in 2024 have captured viewers’ hearts by turning history and personal experiences into a cinematic ride that resonates with the viewer on an intimate level. The best films of the year (the vast majority of which focus on history in some capacity) are not simply presenting history, they are allowing us to live it through other people—they offer you a story that you feel and see unfold before your very eyes. In every genre from grueling courtroom dramas to survival stories, and funny takes on cultural phenomena, these films transcend their genres to distribute dramatic weight and history that stick in your figurative crawl long after the credits have rolled.
So, if you are interested in stories that hit a bit closer to home, here we have five of the best true-story films of 2024 well worth sitting through as they promise both a step back in time and an undeniably impactful viewing experience.
Saturday Night (IMDb 7.4/10) — Disney+
Saturday Night, directed by Jason ReitmanServlets summons up the frenzied genesis of Saturday Night Live capturing the 70’s uproar around New York City. The film tells the story of how creator Lorne Michaels tried to get a new type of live TV off the ground while facing doubtful studio execs. The series chronicles the behind-the-scenes events of the show, with Saturday Night’s roots in biographical comedy-drama that ratchets tension in key moments — for example, Andy Kaufman’s now-legendary Mighty Mouse sketch. The movie received positive reviews, scoring 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, honed for pacing and its depiction of early television’s pioneering spirit.
Ordinary Angels (IMDb 7.4/10) – NETFLIX
Ordinary Angels, directed by Jon Gunn, is a drama set amidst the crippling 1994 North American cold wave that highlights themes of community, resilience and compassion. The story follows little more than that of Sharon Stevens, a hairdresser from small-town America whose act of heroism is to help raise money for the liver transplant of a fatherless daughter. Hilary Swank plays Stevens, the story carries her as she constantly works hard and shows kindness. Receiving an amazing 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, Ordinary Angels is a story about how ordinary people step up to help in extraordinary circumstances and is one of the feel-good films of the year.
The Apprentice (IMDb 7.3/10) – Amazon Prime
Ali Abbasi presents a more subtle view of early Donald Trump real estate work in The Apprentice. Starring Sebastian Stan as Trump, and Jeremy Strong as lawyer Roy Cohn, the film explores how Cohn guides a young Trump in learning how to handle the press and legal situations associated with high stakes real estate. Scoring an 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film was praised for its performances and for exploring Trump’s upbringing. With The Apprentice, can be described as a character study that meets historical drama. It’s the analysis of the controversial relationships that helped set Trump on his career path.
Maria (IMDb 6.8/10) – Netflix
Maria, a biographical drama that stars Angelina Jolie as the famed opera singer Maria Callas during the latter part of her life was directed by Pablo Larraín. Trained as a singer for two years to be able to replicate Callas’s unique voice—she wasn’t just another soprano, after all—Jolie imbues the role with the gargantuan burden of living life in the public eye as a groundbreaking gentile woman attempting to make her mark on an industry dominated by men while also somehow navigating and coming to terms with her unflattering reputation as one half of an internationally famous couple alongside shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis.
The film deftly intersperses historical context with almost total use of Callas’s original recordings. Maria, with a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 77% and accolades from many film festivals, pays touching tribute to the final years of an icon.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (IMDb 6.8/10)- Amazon Prime
During this time, Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is based on Damien Lewis’s Churchill’s Secret Warriors and centers around a group of WW2 operatives undertaking covert action against the Nazis. Led by Henry Cavill and Eiza González, this historical thriller highlights the risks of audacious spy methods, feuds and fatalities when an ill-equipped bunch performs its work amid greater-than-usual challenges. If you’re an aficionado of WWII thrillers, the film features high-stakes action and war-era intrigue and currently contains a Rotten Tomatoes score of 69%.
Conclusion
The best true story movies of this year turned complicated events from real life into thrilling cinema. New Zealand wars (2014), The daring days of the Catholic priests(2021). Each film captures a unique perspective through immersive storytelling, these films are a window into how all great stories take place during potentially big moments in history — making them must-watches for 2024.
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