Getting tired of the big franchise films ruling the box office? This fall, check out these movies that were based on true stories, instead.
Now that the big blockbuster hits of summer are all behind us, we can turn our focus to the fantastic films of fall. The later months of the year are a very special time in the film industry. This is when most of the serious Oscar contenders hit theaters, after making their mark on the festival circuit.
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Every year, a good chunk of the films that are recognized at the Oscars are based on true events, and for good reason. A story always carries an extra punch when you know it’s based on real people and circumstances.
Based on the line up of movies coming out this fall, this year’s Oscars will be no exception. There are so many upcoming films, based on true stories, that look amazing. Here are a few that you definitely shouldn’t miss!
‘Rebel in the Rye’
9/15
Rebel in the Rye tells the story of author J.D. Salinger, and the creation of his world famous novel, The Catcher in the Rye. Nicholas Hoult leads as Salinger, with Kevin Spacey and Sarah Paulson co-starring.
While early reviews for Rebel aren’t fantastic, we’re betting any hardcore Holden Caulfield fans won’t be able to resist this glimpse into the life of the reclusive author that brought him to the page. The trailer for Rebel looks great, and with such terrific actors at the helm, it’ll definitely be worth your time.
‘Battle of the Sexes’
9/22
Emma Stone and Steve Carell are sharing the screen once more to tell the story of the legendary 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. Everyone loves a good sports movie (and tennis has been tragically ignored by Hollywood thus far), but Battle of the Sexes promises to be so much more than that.
On top of the on-court battle, King is also fighting the still-present gender wage gap and struggling with her sexuality, while Riggs is desperate to regain the adoration that he knew in his youth. We’d watch Stone and Carell in pretty much anything, but Battle of the Sexes looks like it could be some of their best work, to date!
‘Stronger’
9/22
Before Orphan Black fans even have time to miss Tatiana Maslany, she’ll be hitting the big screen, alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, in Stronger. Stronger tells the true story of one man’s road to recovery, following the tragic events during the 2013 Boston marathon.
Not surprisingly, the early reviews for Stronger are extraordinary, praising the uplifting nature of the film and the performances of both Gyllenhaal and Maslany. Bring your tissues, because Stronger will be the inspiring tear-jerker that you need, this fall.
‘American Made’
9/29
Tom Cruise stars in the story of CIA pilot, Barry Seal. Based on the trailer, Seal’s rollercoaster of a career, from commercial pilot, to CIA operative, to drug smuggler, appears to be just the story that Cruise needed to return to his best form. Fans of old school Tom Cruise and hilarious crime films should definitely check out American Made.
Marshall
10/13
Take a look at the early career of the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall, in Marshall. Chadwick Boseman stars as Marshall, with Josh Gad, Kate Hudson, and Sterling K. Brown in supporting roles.
Before Marshall took on segregation in public schools, he defended Joseph Spell against his socialite employer in a segregationist court. Marshall tells the story of this, the first case that Marshall ever worked. The cast and story of Marshall couldn’t be much stronger, and it’s already getting serious Oscar buzz!
‘Goodbye Christopher Robin’
10/13
No, Goodbye Christopher Robin is not the live action Winnie the Pooh movie, before you get too excited and/or frightened. Instead, Goodbye Christopher Robin will tell the story of how A.A. Milne began to write the adventures of the Hundred Acre Wood, through his relationship with his son, Christopher Robin.
Domhnall Gleeson stars as Milne, opposite Margot Robbie, but the real star looks to be Will Tilston, who’s a perfect fit for the role of young Christopher Robin!
‘Thank You for Your Service’
10/27
If you loved American Sniper, Thank You for Your Service just might be your new favorite movie. Starring Miles Teller (and interestingly starring Amy Schumer in a supporting role), Thank You shifts its focus to what happens after the war, taking on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While being based on true events, Thank you is also based on a book of the same name, written by David Finkel.
‘Darkest Hour’
11/22
If, like the rest of the world, The Crown has you more interested than ever in the life and career of Winston Churchill, Darkest Hour is the film for you, this fall. Gary Oldman is completely transformed in the role of the Prime Minister, and it’s very likely he’ll get an Oscar nod for “Best Actor.”
Darkest Hour tells the story of Churchill’s pre-WWII struggles, when he had to make some of the most difficult decisions of his time in office, which define his leadership to this day.
‘The Current War’
11/24
The Current War will see Benedict Cumberbatch as Thomas Edison, Michael Shannon as George Westinghouse, and Nicholas Hoult as Nikola Tesla, battle it out to see whose technology will power the world. Everyone’s new favorite Avenger, Tom Holland, also stars in a supporting role. With stakes that high and a cast that skilled, The Current War is bound to be electric (pun absolutely intended).
‘The Disaster Artist’
12/1
The Franco brothers unite to tell one of the most important stories of our generation: the story of the making of 2003’s The Room. Okay, so it might not be the most serious story on this list, but it just might be one of the most entertaining films of the year.
If the trailer is any indication, The Disaster Artist, which stars James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogen, Josh Hutcherson, Alison Brie, and Zac Efron(!!!), could spin one of the worst films of all time into one of the best. Obviously, with that cast, you’ll come for the laughs, but if the early reviews are to believed, you’ll stay for the storytelling and heart of the film.