When one thinks about visual media based on true stories, chances are that movies are the first thing that comes to mind. However, over the course of television’s history, it has proved to be every bit as strong a means to tell dramatized versions of true events, with different and powerful ways of conveying interesting themes and stories.
Whether it’s a slightly fictionalized account of true events like in the case ofDopesick, or a more true-to-life adaptation likeChernobyl,TV shows based on true stories are all the rage on IMDb, where users praise them for their riveting narrativesand compelling commentary on their subject. After all, what better way to depict a complex real-life story than through a medium capable of spanning across years of content?
12’Feud' (2017 - )
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Feudis an FX anthology drama series focusing on famous rivalries. Though it has been running since 2017, it currently only has two seasons. The first one focuses on the rivalry betweenBette DavisandJoan Crawford, two of the most famous actresses in Hollywood history. The second season is aboutTruman Capoteand his fallout with “The Swans,” a group of New York socialites whose lives he slightly fictionalized when writing his unfinished novelAnswered Prayers.
There are plenty ofgreat historical films about infamous feuds, but not nearly enough shows dealing with the same subject.Feudis here to fill that void. On IMDb, users love both seasons of the show. They love how the firstavoids feeling like a tabloid-like gossip piece, instead diving deep into the human aspects that make the Davis-Crawford rivalry so interesting. As for the second, while universally agreed to be far weaker, it’s celebrated for its incisive look at Capote’s fascinating life and work.
Watch on Hulu
11’American Crime Story' (2016 - )
There’s a fair number of anthology series based on true stories, but they rarely get any better than the highly-acclaimedAmerican Crime Story, which has so far put out three outstanding seasons. The first, a scathing look at theO.J. Simpsontrial. The second, a complex examination of the assassination ofGianni Versace. The third, a biting dissection of the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal.
Though the show’s first season is by far its best,the following two are also phenomenal pieces of television from one ofhistory’s best true crime shows. Sporting incredible performances (sometimes anchored by stunning makeup metamorphoses, such asClive Owen’s transformation intoBill Clinton), superb writing, and really strong direction,American Crime Storyproves that historical anthology series can be as worthy of praise as any other.
American Crime Story
10’Dopesick' (2021)
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Although thecharacters of the Hulu miniseriesDopesickare somewhat fictionalized, the story is virtually entirely true. Taking viewers to the epicenter of the U.S.’s struggle with opioid addiction, it’s a gut-wrenching display of how individuals and families are affected by it. It’s not a breezy watch by any stretch, but its depiction of how one company caused such a catastrophic drug epidemic is nothing if not provocative.
There’s a clear dedication to the source material inDopesick, which is wonderfully crafted with great writing, focused directing, and potent performances from actors likeMichael KeatonandPeter Sarsgaard. Its depiction of the dangers of opioid addiction and the context that surrounds it is both sensitive and harrowing, making it impossible not to be moved by the narrative’s hard-hitting execution.
9’The Offer' (2022)
If there’s anything that could ever hope to be as entertaining asThe Godfather, lauded by many as the single greatest film ever made, that would be the story of how it came into being. That’s exactly what’s explored inThe Offer, a darkly comedic depiction of the story behind this landmark of Hollywood cinema. More particularly, the show focuses on Canadian producerAlbert S. Ruddyand his experience of gettingThe Godfathermade.
One ofthe best miniseries of the 2020sthus far,The Offeris endlessly charming and engaging even for those who haven’t seenThe Godfather. On IMDb, reviewers commend how the show condensed so much interesting material into a consistently fascinating and entertaining experience. Critics may not have likedThe Offer, but audiences responded to it magnificently.
8’Mindhunter' (2017 - 2019)
Created byJoe Penhalland run by legendary movie directorDavid Fincher,Mindhunteris a masterful psychological thriller series about two FBI agents investigating the psychology behind murder during the 1970s to broaden the realm of criminal science. With its terrifying depiction of real-life monsters, the series takes a fascinating premise, making it enthralling, insightful, and horrifying.
The show seemed to be going great, with a satisfying critical reception and a loyal fanbase. As such, its untimely cancelation was a huge shock for fans, seeing asfor the two seasons that it ran, it was one of the most interesting and finely crafted crime showson streaming. Even in spite of the tragedy, however — and regardless of whether it’s ever resurrected —,Mindhunterwill forever be remembered as an icon of its genre.
Mindhunter
Watch on Netflix
7’The Crown' (2016 - 2023)
For fans ofroyal TV drama series,The Crownis pretty much unparalleled. The show follows the personal dimension and political rivalries ofQueen Elizabeth II’s reign, paralleled with the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century. It’s a fascinating and insightful journey through not just the intimate history of British Royalty, but through the entirety of modern history.
Elegant, majestic in its attention to detail, and visually gorgeous,the show truly is worthy of its larger-than-life subjects. Always compelling in its depiction of real-life world-changing events and masterful in its execution of essential jumps in history, it’s a period drama much more addictive than one might initially assume.The Crownis a must-see for all those who enjoy TV shows in this genre, whether they’re interested in the trials and tribulations of the Royal Family or not.
6’I, Claudius' (1976)
IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
This old BBC classic period miniseries often gets lost among the rest of IMDb’s 250 highest-rated TV shows, but it stands proud and demands more attention in the top 100. Regarded by many as the network’s best-ever historical drama, the show lavishly and accurately covers the history of the early Roman Empire through the eyes of the elderlyEmperor Claudius.
Starring actors of the magnitude ofDerek JacobiandJohn Hurtat the top of their games,I, Claudiusis a brilliant interpretation of history full of riveting melodrama, tragedy, wit, and twists. It’s marvelously crafted, but its main power comes from the pristine performances and the engaging story. Those who think that ancient history is boring needn’t look any further than this show to realize just how wrong they are.
Watch on Hoopla
5’When They See Us' (2019)
Exceptionally moving and often absolutely gut-wrenching,When They See Usis a drama about five Harlem teens who get caught in a nightmare when they’re falsely accused of a brutal attack in Central Park. The true story behind the show is horrifying enough, but creatorAva DuVernaydramatizes it in such a painfully accurate and deeply compelling way that it’s made to feel all the more heartbreaking.
It’s the fact that this truly happened that makes this miniseries such a tough yet necessary watch. Drawing parallelisms to modern times and diving deep into the lives and personalities of the Harlem Five, the show is impeccably made on a technical level and absolutely flooring in every other sense. Outstanding performances, phenomenal writing, and beautiful directing all help make this one ofthe best crime miniseries of all time.
When They See Us
4’Narcos' (2015 - 2017)
Narcoshas one of thebest pilot episodes in crime televisionhistory, and it only gets better from there. It’s a chronicle of the criminal exploits of Colombian kingpinPablo Escobarand the other criminals who plagued the country through the years.Far from a sensationalist exploitation of a country’s anguish, it’s instead a gritty and realistic depictionof how far crime and corruption have gotten some of history’s most noteworthy figures.
Praised as yet another triumph by Netflix as soon as it hit screens,Narcosis suspenseful edge-of-your-seat entertainment. It shows the topic of the war on drugs in a dark, thoroughly compelling way, which is accentuated by the complex multi-layered writing and the outstanding performances by the cast. On IMDb, users commend it for its original approach to the subject matter and impressive production qualities.
3’Rocket Boys' (2022 - )
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
Rocket Boysis a Hindi-language historical drama about Independent India’s formative years in the field of science, told through the perspective of two extraordinary physicists who broke new ground and made history while building their country’s future.It’s an ambitious project for sure, but handled with such passion that the result is a thoroughly entertaining depictionof how science can make a country soar.
Viewers don’t need to be fans of Hindi shows to enjoyRocket Boys. Large in scope and rich in details that show the writers sure did their research, it’s an excellently crafted drama showing the stories of the kinds of people that don’t typically get series made about them. The performances are fantastic, and the historical details are handled in such a way that any viewer can enjoy them, no matter their nationality.
Rocket Boys is currently not available to stream, rent, or purchase in the U.S.
