Why is it that the words "inspired by a true story" add a whole new level of intrigue to a film? Sometimes, you can be watching a movie and not even know that it's based on real events. Well, allow us to blow your mind.
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Here are 20 movies that have either come out in 2015 or will be released this year that are based on or inspired by true stories. They range from tales of gigantic whales to stories about legendary mob bosses, so whatever your fancy, there's surely something to pique your interest.
1. Pawn Sacrifice
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Release date: Sept. 18
Tobey Maguire takes on the role of real-life chess prodigy Bobby Fischer in an intense-looking biopic. The movie focuses on Fischer's highly publicized 1972 match against Russian player Boris Spassky, played by Liev Schreiber. The showdown between the United States and the USSR captured the world's attention, but the pressure got to Fischer, who later became a recluse for 17 years before undertaking a rematch with Spassky. Peter Sarsgaard and Lily Rabe are costarring in the movie.
Watch the trailer for Pawn Sacrifice.
2. Black Mass
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Release date: Sept. 18
Johnny Depp (and his creepy blue contact lenses) will play Whitey Bulger in this crime biopic about one of the country's most infamous mob bosses. After becoming an influential figure in Boston's organized crime scene in the '60s, Bulger flipped in 1975 and became an informant for the FBI. He fled for 16 years and was only arrested in 2011. He's currently in a Florida prison for being found guilty on 31 counts of racketeering, money laundering, extortion, and weapons charges.
Watch the trailer for Black Mass.
3. Everest
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Release date: Sept. 18
Everest is based on the book Left For Dead by Beck Weathers, a survivor of the 1996 mountain-climbing disaster that claimed the lives of eight hikers. Jake Gyllenhaal and Jason Clarke are playing the leaders of two different expeditions who get caught in a fatal blizzard. Keira Knightley, Josh Brolin, and Robin Wright are all starring in the film, which is sure to give you fresh fears about ever climbing a snowy mountain.
Watch the trailer for Everest.
4. Legend
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Release date: Oct. 2
Tom Hardy is taking on double duty as twins Ronald and Reginald Kray, infamous English gangsters. Though they put up a front as nightclub owners, they were actually leaders in organized crime throughout the '50s and '60s. Their story is unique in that Ronnie was openly bisexual and was rumored to have been sleeping with a psychopathic admirer (played by Taron Egerton in the film).
5. The Walk
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Release date: Oct. 2
If you've seen the documentary Man on Wire, you're already familiar with the story of Philippe Petit. He's a French high-wire artist who famously walked between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. Though the stunt was completely illegal, all charges were dismissed in exchange for Petit doing a performance for children in Central Park. The new movie, directed by Robert Zemeckis, features Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Petit.
Watch the trailer for The Walk.
6. Bridge of Spies
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Release date: Oct. 16
Steven Spielberg is directing this drama based on the story of an ordinary insurance lawyer who is sent to negotiate the release of a US prisoner of war during the Cold War. Tom Hanks is playing the lead, alongside Amy Ryan as his concerned wife.
Watch the trailer for Bridge of Spies.
7. Suffragette
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Release date: Oct. 23
This political drama centers on the women's suffrage movement of the late 19th century. Carey Mulligan plays the main character, a young political activist. While her character isn't based on anyone specifically, Meryl Streep plays Emmeline Pankhurst, who was a real leader in the movement. She founded a suffrage advocacy group, spent time in prison for getting physical with officers, and played a huge part in getting the Representation of the People Act passed. She passed away weeks before the government extended the right to vote to women over 21 years old.
Watch the trailer for Suffragette.
8. In the Heart of the Sea
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Release date: Dec. 11
You may hear that this movie is about a giant whale that sinks a boat in 1820 and think, "Oh, so it's inspired by Moby Dick." Actually, this is based on the book that was written about the true story that inspired Herman Melville's novel. Chris Hemsworth plays first mate Owen Chase, whose boat goes up against gigantic whale . . . and loses. Only eight sailors survived after the ship sunk in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Watch the trailer for In the Heart of the Sea.
9. The Revenant
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Release date: Dec. 25 (limited)
Alejandro González Iñárritu is following up Birdman with this western based on Michael Punke's novel. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Hugh Glass, a 19th century fur trapper whose team leaves him to die after he's mauled by a bear. He survives and sets out to exact revenge on his old pals.
Watch the trailer for The Revenant.
10. Joy
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Release date: Dec. 25
Director David O. Russell is again teaming up with Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper for this biopic about Joy Mangano (played by Lawrence), the inventor of the Miracle Mop. The single mother of three balanced college and several jobs throughout the '80s, and in 1990, she developed the mop. Her business took off when she regularly began selling her product on QVC, and within a few years, she was a millionaire.
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