10 True Crime Films You Can’t Miss

Description: This film recounts the true story of Jeffrey Wigand, a former tobacco executive who became a whistleblower against the tobacco industry, and the journalist who helped him expose the truth.

Fact: The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Al Pacino and Russell Crowe starred in this gripping drama.

Description: Based on the 1971 Baker Street robbery in London, this film follows a group of amateur thieves who plan to rob a bank, only to find themselves entangled in a web of political intrigue and blackmail.

Fact: The film suggests that the robbery was hushed up because it involved compromising photos of Princess Margaret. The real details of the heist remain classified.

Description: Based on the life of George Jung, one of the biggest cocaine smugglers in the United States during the 1970s and early 1980s, this film explores the highs and lows of his criminal empire.

Fact: Johnny Depp, who played Jung, was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance. The film was based on Bruce Porter's book "Blow: How a Small-Town Boy Made $100 Million with the Medellin Cocaine Cartel and Lost It All."

Description: Based on the life of Frank Abagnale Jr., who successfully performed cons worth millions of dollars by posing as a pilot, doctor, and lawyer, this film is a thrilling cat-and-mouse game between a con artist and an FBI agent.

Fact: Frank Abagnale Jr. was involved in the film's production, ensuring accuracy. Leonardo DiCaprio played Abagnale, and the film was nominated for two Academy Awards.

Description: This film explores the hunt for the Zodiac Killer, an infamous serial killer who terrorized San Francisco in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It's a meticulous portrayal of the investigation and the impact on those involved.

Fact: Director David Fincher spent years researching the case, and the film uses real locations and details from the investigation. The film's script was based on Robert Graysmith's books about the Zodiac case.

Description: This film chronicles the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who engaged in corruption and fraud on Wall Street. It's a wild ride through excess, greed, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

Fact: The film was based on Belfort's memoir of the same name. Leonardo DiCaprio, who played Belfort, also served as a producer on the film, which was nominated for five Academy Awards.

Description: This film tells the story of Mark Whitacre, an executive who blew the whistle on his company's price-fixing scheme, only to reveal his own bizarre behavior and lies during the investigation.

Fact: The film is based on the book "The Informant" by Kurt Eichenwald. Matt Damon gained weight for his role to portray Whitacre's physical transformation.

Description: This movie explains the build-up to the 2007-2008 financial crisis through the eyes of several financial experts who predicted and profited from the housing market collapse. It's both an educational and entertaining look at financial crime.

Fact: The film uses celebrity cameos to explain complex financial terms, making the subject matter accessible. It won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Description: This film delves into the FBI's Abscam operation of the late 1970s and early 1980s, where con artists were used to catch corrupt politicians. It's a tale of deception, ambition, and the blurred lines between right and wrong.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life events of the Abscam scandal, and the characters are based on real people, though their names were changed. Christian Bale gained 43 pounds for his role as Irving Rosenfeld.

Description: This dark comedy is based on the true story of a group of bodybuilders in Miami who engaged in a series of crimes including kidnapping, extortion, and murder in an attempt to achieve the American Dream.

Fact: The film was based on a series of articles published in the Miami New Times. Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson starred in this Michael Bay-directed film.