Top 10 Biographical Pursuit Films

Description: This classic film details the investigation by Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein into the Watergate scandal, a pursuit that ultimately led to President Nixon's resignation.

Fact: The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning four, including Best Supporting Actor for Jason Robards as Ben Bradlee.

Description: Jeffrey Wigand's decision to expose the tobacco industry's secrets leads to a high-stakes pursuit of truth by journalist Lowell Bergman, showcasing the personal and professional risks of whistleblowing.

Fact: The film is based on a true story and features real-life interviews with Wigand and Bergman, adding authenticity to the narrative.

Description: This film follows the life of Frank Abagnale Jr., a master of deception who impersonated a pilot, doctor, and lawyer, all before turning 21. It's a cat-and-mouse game with FBI agent Carl Hanratty hot on his trail.

Fact: The real Frank Abagnale Jr. was a consultant on the film, and many of the events depicted are based on his own accounts, though some liberties were taken for dramatic effect.

Description: Based on the true story of the Zodiac Killer, this film delves into the investigation by a cartoonist, a journalist, and two detectives as they attempt to unmask the elusive serial killer who taunted police with cryptic messages.

Fact: The film uses real police files and letters from the Zodiac Killer, providing an authentic look into the investigation.

Description: Chris Gardner's journey from homelessness to becoming a successful stockbroker is a testament to the human spirit's pursuit of happiness and success against all odds.

Fact: Will Smith's son, Jaden Smith, plays his on-screen son, and their real-life bond adds depth to their characters' relationship.

Description: Jordan Belfort's rise and fall as a stockbroker is a wild ride of excess, fraud, and the relentless pursuit of wealth, eventually leading to his downfall.

Fact: The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and Leonardo DiCaprio's performance was widely praised.

Description: This film explores the financial crisis of 2007-2008 through the eyes of several investors who bet against the housing market, a pursuit that was both risky and prophetic.

Fact: The movie uses celebrity cameos to explain complex financial concepts, making the pursuit of understanding the crisis accessible to a broader audience.

Description: The Boston Globe's "Spotlight" team uncovers the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, a pursuit that shook the foundations of the institution.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, highlighting the importance of investigative journalism.

Description: This documentary recounts Philippe Petit's daring high-wire walk between the Twin Towers in 1974, a pursuit of a dream that defied both gravity and the law.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, and Petit's story inspired the film "The Walk" in

Description: The Washington Post's race to publish the Pentagon Papers, a pursuit that challenged the government's secrecy and led to a landmark Supreme Court decision on freedom of the press.

Fact: The film was directed by Steven Spielberg and features Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, adding star power to this historical drama.