10 Gripping Movies Like 21 Hours at Munich

Description: A tense thriller centered around a hostage crisis, featuring high-stakes negotiations and a race against time, much like the gripping tension in a real-life terrorist situation.

Fact: The film's title refers to the subway train's call sign, Pelham 123, which became iconic in pop culture. It was remade in 2009 with Denzel Washington and John Travolta.

Description: Based on a true story, this film captures the chaos and intensity of a botched bank robbery turned hostage situation, emphasizing psychological tension and media frenzy.

Fact: Al Pacino's famous 'Attica!' chant was improvised. The real-life robbery was inspired by the robber's need to pay for his partner's gender confirmation surgery.

Description: A thriller about a terrorist plot during a major public event, blending political intrigue, suspense, and a ticking-clock scenario to prevent catastrophe.

Fact: The film's climax was shot during an actual Super Bowl, using real footage of the game. It was based on a novel by Thomas Harris, who later wrote 'The Silence of the Lambs.'

Description: Explores themes of terrorism on U.S. soil, martial law, and the moral dilemmas faced by law enforcement, mirroring the tension and ethical conflicts in crisis scenarios.

Fact: The film was criticized for its portrayal of Arab-Americans but gained renewed attention after the 9/11 attacks due to its eerily prescient themes.

Description: A dramatic retelling of a covert mission following a terrorist attack, focusing on the psychological toll and moral ambiguity of revenge and counterterrorism.

Fact: The film sparked controversy for its fictionalized elements, with some critics accusing it of equating Israeli operatives with their targets. It was nominated for five Academy Awards.

Description: A action-thriller about an FBI team investigating a terrorist attack in the Middle East, blending political intrigue, explosive action, and a race to uncover the truth.

Fact: The film's opening sequence provides a condensed history of U.S.-Saudi relations. Its climactic shootout was praised for its realism and intensity.

Description: A harrowing, real-time depiction of a hijacking during the 9/11 attacks, focusing on the bravery of passengers and the unbearable tension of an in-flight crisis.

Fact: The film used unknown actors and real air traffic controllers playing themselves to enhance authenticity. It was the first major studio film to tackle 9/11 directly.

Description: A gripping true-story thriller about a covert operation to rescue hostages, blending political tension, espionage, and a race against time in a hostile environment.

Fact: The film's climax used actual footage from the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The CIA declassified documents related to the operation after the film's release.

Description: A high-stakes thriller based on a real-life hijacking, emphasizing the tension between captors and hostages, as well as the logistical and emotional challenges of a rescue operation.

Fact: Tom Hanks' emotional breakdown scene in the final moments was largely improvised. The real Captain Phillips advised Hanks on his portrayal.

Description: A meticulous, tension-filled account of the decade-long hunt for a notorious terrorist leader, emphasizing intelligence work, perseverance, and the moral costs of the mission.

Fact: The film's depiction of torture sparked debate about its accuracy and ethical implications. The raid sequence was shot in near-total darkness to replicate real-life conditions.