Movies are indeed reflections of the real world. In fact, many movies are based on actual real-life crimes. Hence here’s the list of top 10 crime movies inspired by real-life crimes.
Top 10 Movies Based on True Crime: A Deeper Look
1. Goodfellas (1990)
The Life of Henry Hill, a notorious mob associate turned government informant. The film will go into themes like loyalty and betrayal and the price one pays for a life of crime.
It is regarded as being one of the crime movies of all time, prized for its authentic crime scenery and unforgettable heroes. Every fan of crime drama and cinema classics must watch Goodfellas. The movie provides us with such marvelous possibilities to think that nothing is actually crimes, that everything is full of glamour and glitter.
2. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
A film that dramatizes the exploits of the couple but also the violence and consequences of their criminal activities.
The Great Depression portrays this because the film has been appreciated as realistic to violence and psychologically focused on the American psyche.
3. Zodiac (2007)
A film of an investigation into a series of gruesome crimes amd murders that terrorized Northern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
This revived interest in the case of the Zodiac Killer and brought many theories on who that killer might have been.
4. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
By Thomas Harris. It’s the story of a young FBI trainee, who wanted the guidance of a brilliant, imprisoned serial killer to catch another one.
It has been acclaimed for suspenseful storytelling, great performances, and graphic violence. One even described the film as “one of the finest crimes films ever made”.
5. All the President’s Men (1976)
The Watergate scandal. Join the journey of two Washington Post journalists who report on a break-in at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee and see how Nixon’s administration managed to hush it all up.
The movie has been classified among the great political thrillers of all times. Huge applause to its research and in the way the movie went into the actual scenario to bring up real-life journalism investigation. All the President’s Men is the powerful and thought-provoking cinema that, of course, captures the drama and suspense of the Watergate scandal in gripping detail. It’s something everyone who is a fan of political thriller and journalism should really not miss.
6. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Biographical tale of the stockbroker who tore everything around him with frauds and crimes. Climbing the corporate ladder and the subsequent fall. Themes of greed and excess and the American Dream abound.
It can be ascribed that the directions in the film are dynamic and the scripting is terse, apart from the Scorsese’s direction. Its criticisms were its explicit violence, drugs consumption and sex-related topics.
[ Also Read: Exploring Martin Scorsese’s Departure: A Breakdown of His Latest Film Beyond Mobster Themes ]
7. Catch Me if You Can (2002)
Loosely based on a true Story Frank Abagnale Jr., con man who pretended to be a doctor, a lawyer, an airline pilot, among others. This film is also an allegory of warning about fraudulence and crimes and the value of family.
8. Memories of Murder (2003)
Suspenseful crime thriller film that bases on solving complications found in serial murder.
Memories of Murder is a film held in great esteem among the best South Korean film productions ever. They have garnered massive accolades for its thrilling plot, powerful performances and great social commentary. It’s a pretty intense movie that will make you think about people as well and crimes.
9. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Based on the 1973 bank robbery and hostage crisis that took place in New York City.
Screenplay written from an article in Life magazine entitled “The Boys in the Bank” by P. F. Kluge and Thomas Moore. The feature film tells about the 1972 robbery/very brief but infamous hostage crisis at one of the Brooklyn Chase Manhattan branches led by John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile.
10. In Cold Blood (1967)
It is a story about the Kansas murders and crimes and their investigation as well as the trial that came after.
The book goes into great detail about the murder, the investigation, and the trial. The two murderers, Richard Hickock and Perry Smith, were fostered on by Capote as he interviewed them in depth, gaining their trust and listening to what really happened in their lives and the motivations that led these two from out in Kansas into murder of the elderly, John and Kathryn Clutter.
All of these films are giving a feel to the darkness and cold hearts in human nature and dabble into complex issues that exist pertaining to crime and justice. All are highly acclaimed and regarded as one of the greatest of all time within their genre.