Top 10 Thrillers Based on True Stories

Description: This film tells the story of Jeffrey Wigand, a former tobacco executive who turned whistleblower, and his subsequent battle with CBS to air his revelations about the tobacco industry's practices.

Fact: Al Pacino and Russell Crowe both received Academy Award nominations for their performances. The film's script was based on a Vanity Fair article.

Description: Based on the book by Sebastian Junger, this film recounts the tragic tale of the Andrea Gail, a fishing boat caught in the titular storm, highlighting the bravery and tragedy of the crew.

Fact: The film's storm scenes were created using a combination of practical effects and CGI, with real water tanks and wind machines.

Description: This film delves into the chilling investigation of the Zodiac Killer, a serial murderer who terrorized San Francisco in the late 1960s. Its meticulous attention to detail and the psychological tension make it a standout in true crime cinema.

Fact: The film uses real-life police files and interviews to recreate the investigation. Robert Graysmith, the cartoonist who wrote the book on which the movie is based, makes a cameo appearance.

Description: This film provides a minute-by-minute account of the events on board United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, where passengers and crew heroically attempted to regain control from hijackers.

Fact: The film was made with the cooperation of the families of the passengers and crew. It was shot in real-time, adding to the intensity of the experience.

Description: Based on the memoir by Jordan Belfort, this film captures the wild rise and fall of a stockbroker who engaged in rampant corruption and excess. It's a thrilling ride through the excesses of Wall Street's dark side.

Fact: Leonardo DiCaprio improvised many of his lines, including the famous "I'm not leaving!" scene. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards.

Description: This film recounts the daring CIA operation to rescue six American diplomats from Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis by posing them as a Canadian film crew. The tension and ingenuity of the mission make it a must-watch.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture. The real Tony Mendez, the CIA agent portrayed by Ben Affleck, was initially skeptical about the film's accuracy.

Description: This film tells the harrowing true story of Aron Ralston, a mountain climber who becomes trapped by a boulder in an isolated canyon in Utah, forcing him to make unimaginable decisions to survive.

Fact: James Franco was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Ralston. The film was shot in the actual Blue John Canyon where the incident occurred.

Description: This movie explains the complex financial instruments that led to the 2008 financial crisis in an engaging and accessible way, focusing on the few who saw it coming and bet against the market.

Fact: The film breaks the fourth wall to explain financial jargon, using celebrities like Margot Robbie and Selena Gomez in cameos to simplify complex concepts.

Description: Based on the true story of a family caught in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, this film captures the raw emotion and survival instinct in the face of overwhelming natural disaster.

Fact: The real family, the Belóns, were involved in the production, ensuring the film's authenticity. The tsunami scenes were recreated with practical effects.

Description: This film follows The Boston Globe's "Spotlight" team as they uncover the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese. It's a gripping tale of investigative journalism.

Fact: The film was shot in the actual Boston Globe newsroom. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture.