You won’t believe the true stories behind these popular movies. They are all inspired by real-life events.
Read further to know what these facts are. A few may surprise you!
Chicago: Inspired by Real-Life Murder Trials
The Academy Award-winning musical Chicago, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, and Richard Gere, follows the story of two murderers who become celebrities in the 1920s. Maurine Dallas Watkins, who wrote the 1926 play, was a reporter covering the 1924 trials of Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner.
She loosely based the play on her experiences covering these trials, which involved women using their notoriety to gain fame and fortune. The film adaptation brilliantly captures the essence of Watkins’ play, inspired by real-life events.
50 First Dates: A Romantic Comedy with a Real-Life Connection
50 First Dates may seem like an unlikely romantic comedy to be based on reality, but the love story between Henry (Adam Sandler) and Lucy (Drew Barrymore) has a genuine connection. The film’s premise arises from the condition experienced by Michelle Philpots, known as the “Woman with 24-Hour Memory.”
In 1985 and 1990, Michelle suffered head trauma from motorcycle accidents, resulting in severe amnesia. Despite her memory not extending beyond 1994, Michelle has been married to her husband Ian since 1997, inspiring the film’s heartwarming narrative.
Cocaine Bear: From Drug Smuggling to Bear Mayhem
Cocaine Bear’s bizarre plot has its roots in the real-life story of drug smuggler Andrew Thornton in 1985. Screenwriter Jimmy Warden revealed that the first five minutes of the movie are true, depicting Thornton, the leader of a drug smuggling ring, falling to his death from a plane.
A parachutist then tossed bags of cocaine out of the plane, and a black bear consumed the contents. It explores the hypothetical scenario of what could happen if the bear had lived after ingesting the cocaine.
The True Bear Behind Cocaine Bear
Did you know that the real-life bear that inspired Cocaine Bear was named Pablo Eskobear? Although weighing only 175 pounds, Pablo Eskobear’s story captured the imagination of screenwriters and filmmakers.
The bear was taxidermied and remains on display at the “Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall” to this day. It serves as a reminder of the bizarre incident that inspired the movie’s wild premise.
Good Will Hunting: Matt Damon’s Brother’s Contribution
While the movie is widely fictional, one integral scene in the screenplay’s narrative was inspired by Matt Damon’s brother, Kyle. During a graduation ceremony at M.I.T. in 2016, Damon shared an anecdote about his brother writing an elaborate, fake equation on the blackboards lining the Infinite Corridor.
The equation was so convincing that it remained untouched for months, leading to its inclusion in the film as a pivotal moment.
Almost Famous: Cameron Crowe’s Autobiographical Inspiration
It’s been over 20 years since the beloved Almost Famous hit theaters. The film’s roots lie in writer/director Cameron Crowe’s own teenage years.
The coming-of-age story is about an aspiring journalist (Patrick Fugit) going on tour with a rock band was inspired by Crowe’s personal experiences. Kate Hudson’s character was based on a real woman named Pennie Ann Trumbull, adding authenticity to the film’s depiction of the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle.
Rear Window: Inspired by Real-Life Murders
Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller Rear Window is partially based on the short story “It Had to Be Murder” by Cornell Woolrich. The master of suspense also drew inspiration from two real-life murder cases.
The first was the case of Patrick Mahon, known as “The Bungalow Murderer,” who killed and dismembered his mistress in England. The second was the infamous case of Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen, accused of poisoning his wife with a sleeping agent.
Cheaper by the Dozen: The Gilbreth Family’s Legacy
How many of you knew that the beloved story of Cheaper by the Dozen? Adapted into several movies, the movie was inspired by a real family.
The Gilbreth family, with siblings Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, penned the original novel based on their own upbringing. Their parents, who married in 1903, welcomed 12 children into their family, providing the foundation for the enduring tale of a large, chaotic, yet loving household.
It Could Happen to You: A Lottery Ticket Twist
Have you ever wondered if the Nicolas Cage film It Could Happen to You is based on real story? The story is about a police officer agreeing to share his lottery winnings with a waitress instead of tipping her, had any basis in reality.
Surprisingly, the movie was inspired by the true story of Robert Cunningham, a cop who married Phyllis Penzo. Penzo was a waitress in New York City. Sometimes, life can be stranger than fiction.
