The 15 Best TV Shows Based on True Stories That You Need to Watch In 2025

TV shows have long captivated audiences with fictional tales of mystery, drama, and action. However, some of the most compelling stories are not made up—they are inspired by real-life events. These shows offer a unique blend of entertainment and education, allowing viewers to experience history, true crime, political intrigue, and personal triumphs through cinematic storytelling. 

They take us behind the scenes of significant historical events, shocking criminal cases, and extraordinary personal journeys that shaped the world.

In this article, we delve into the 15 best TV shows based on true stories. These series have been selected based on their accuracy, storytelling quality, audience impact, and critical acclaim. 

Whether you’re a fan of crime dramas, historical narratives, or biographical tales, this list covers a diverse range of gripping real-life stories that have been transformed into must-watch television.

Why True Story-Based TV Shows Matter?

TV shows based on true stories offer more than just entertainment—they provide insight into real-world events, personalities, and cultural shifts. They help audiences connect emotionally with historical figures, understand societal injustices, and experience dramatic moments that shaped history. Whether highlighting groundbreaking legal battles, infamous criminal cases, or inspiring success stories, these series hold significant value in educating and engaging viewers.

The appeal of TV shows based on true stories lies in their ability to bring real-life events to audiences in an emotionally engaging and visually captivating way. 

From historical dramas to true crime thrillers, these series offer a fascinating look at the people and events that have shaped our world. They provide a mix of factual accuracy and creative interpretation, ensuring that even well-documented events feel fresh and compelling. 

Whether you are drawn to the political intrigue of royalty, the mind games of criminal profiling, or the harrowing survival stories of war heroes, there is something in this list for everyone. Get ready to explore the most riveting TV series inspired by real events.

Different Types of True Story-Based TV Shows

Before diving into the list, it’s important to recognize the different genres these series fall into. Some focus on historical events, while others revolve around crime investigations, corporate scandals, or personal struggles. Here are the main categories:

• Historical Dramas – Shows that depict real historical events with high accuracy.
• True Crime Stories – Series based on infamous criminal cases and investigations.
• Biographical Dramas – Dramatizations of notable public figures and their lives.
• Sports Dramas – Stories inspired by legendary athletes, teams, or competitions.
• Corporate & Political Scandals – Depictions of fraud, corruption, and power struggles.

The Best TV Shows Inspired by True Stories

The appeal of TV shows based on true stories lies in their ability to bring real-life events to audiences in an emotionally engaging and visually captivating way. From historical dramas to true crime thrillers, these series offer a fascinating look at the people and events that have shaped our world. 

They provide a mix of factual accuracy and creative interpretation, ensuring that even well-documented events feel fresh and compelling. Whether you are drawn to the political intrigue of royalty, the mind games of criminal profiling, or the harrowing survival stories of war heroes, there is something in this list for everyone. 

Get ready to explore the most riveting TV series inspired by real events.

1. Chernobyl (2019) – The Nuclear Disaster That Shook the World

Genre: Historical Drama
Storyline: A dramatized account of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, depicting the events leading up to the explosion and the subsequent investigation into its causes. This gripping miniseries highlights the failures of Soviet bureaucracy, the bravery of the first responders, and the long-term environmental and human impact of the disaster. 

With powerful storytelling and haunting visuals, Chernobyl immerses viewers in a dark chapter of modern history.

Key Details

Why Watch It? Gripping performances, historically accurate details, and a chilling atmosphere that brings one of the world’s worst nuclear disasters to life. The series also highlights how misinformation and secrecy worsened the tragedy.

2. The Crown (2016 – Present) – A Royal Journey Through History

Genre: Biographical Drama
Storyline: This award-winning series chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, offering an intimate look into the British royal family’s personal and political struggles. Spanning multiple decades, the show explores historical events such as the Suez Crisis, Princess Diana’s tragic journey, and Prince Charles’s turbulent relationship with Camilla. 

The Crown humanizes the royal family, making history accessible and deeply engaging.

Key Details

Why Watch It? Lavish production, compelling performances, and deep insight into real historical events make it one of the most popular TV shows based on true stories. Each season covers a different period, keeping the narrative fresh and engaging.

3. Narcos (2015 – 2017) – The Rise and Fall of Pablo Escobar

Genre: Crime, Biographical
Storyline: Narcos follows the rise of the notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar and the war waged against him by law enforcement. The show meticulously documents the impact of Escobar’s cocaine empire on global politics and crime. Narcos is a thrilling blend of action, history, and deep character study, offering a gripping look into the origins of the modern drug war.

Key Details

Why Watch It? An intense mix of action, drama, and real-life crime that keeps viewers hooked. It also provides valuable insight into the criminal underworld and the challenges law enforcement faces.

4. When They See Us (2019) – The Central Park Five’s Fight for Justice

Genre: True Crime Drama
Storyline: A powerful retelling of the wrongful conviction of five Black and Latino teenagers in the 1989 Central Park jogger case. The series exposes the racial bias and systemic failures that led to their imprisonment. Through raw and emotional storytelling, When They See Us delivers a heartbreaking yet necessary look into the U.S. justice system.

Key Details

Why Watch It? A deeply emotional and thought-provoking series that sheds light on racial injustice and the flaws in the legal system. It’s an eye-opener that sparks important conversations about equity and reform.

5. Mindhunter (2017 – 2019) – FBI’s Early Days of Criminal Profiling

Genre: Psychological Crime Thriller
Storyline: Mindhunter delves into the birth of criminal profiling at the FBI, following two agents as they interview serial killers to understand their psychology. Based on the true accounts of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, this gripping series sheds light on how psychological insights revolutionized criminal investigations. 

With its chilling yet fascinating subject matter, Mindhunter immerses viewers into the darkest corners of the human mind.

Key Details

Why Watch It? Dark, suspenseful, and psychologically complex, making it a must-watch for crime drama fans. The show also features real-life serial killers like Edmund Kemper and Charles Manson, adding authenticity to the chilling narrative.

6. Band of Brothers (2001) – The Untold Stories of WWII Heroes

Genre: War, Historical Drama
Storyline: This critically acclaimed miniseries follows the true story of Easy Company, a unit of American paratroopers during World War II. It chronicles their harrowing journey from training camp to the front lines of Europe, depicting the horrors of war and the unbreakable bond between soldiers. 

Based on historian Stephen E. Ambrose’s book, Band of Brothers offers one of the most realistic portrayals of war ever captured on screen.

Key Details

Why Watch It? Historically accurate, deeply emotional, and widely regarded as one of the best war dramas ever made. The series features real interviews with surviving WWII veterans, adding an extra layer of authenticity.

7. Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022) – The Infamous Serial Killer

Genre: Crime, Biography
Storyline: This psychological crime drama explores the life and crimes of Jeffrey Dahmer, one of America’s most infamous serial killers. 

Told from the perspective of his victims and their families, the series highlights the failures of law enforcement that allowed Dahmer to continue his killing spree. Disturbing yet compelling, it’s a deep dive into the mind of a monster.

Key Details

Why Watch It? Chilling and thought-provoking, it delves into the psychology of a killer while also highlighting systemic failures. The show sparked widespread discussions on the ethics of dramatizing real-life tragedies.

8. Unbelievable (2019) – The Investigation That Changed the System

Genre: Crime Drama
Storyline: Unbelievable is based on the true story of a teenage girl who was wrongly accused of lying about her sexual assault. The show follows two determined female detectives as they unravel a pattern of serial assaults, uncovering deep flaws in the criminal justice system. 

This emotionally intense drama highlights the challenges faced by survivors seeking justice and the importance of believing victims.

Key Details

Why Watch It? Powerful storytelling and outstanding performances make it a gripping watch. It sheds light on the real-life failures in investigating sexual crimes and highlights the resilience of survivors.

9. The Act (2019) – A Twisted Mother-Daughter Relationship

Genre: True Crime Drama
Storyline: The Act tells the shocking real-life story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, a young woman who was subjected to years of medical abuse by her mother, Dee Dee. Gypsy eventually discovers the extent of her mother’s lies, leading to a tragic and shocking conclusion. 

The series unpacks themes of manipulation, control, and the devastating effects of Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

Key Details

Why Watch It? Disturbing and compelling, offering a deep dive into a real-life case of psychological and medical abuse. The show keeps viewers on edge as Gypsy’s story unfolds.

10. Tokyo Vice (2022 – Present) – Inside Japan’s Yakuza World

Genre: Crime, Thriller
Storyline: Tokyo Vice is inspired by the real-life experiences of journalist Jake Adelstein, who covered Japan’s organized crime underworld. 

The series follows an American reporter navigating the complex and dangerous world of the Yakuza, exposing corruption and violence hidden beneath Tokyo’s neon lights.

Key Details

Why Watch It? A rare look into Japan’s crime world, featuring high-stakes journalism, thrilling investigations, and intense action sequences. The show offers an authentic portrayal of crime reporting.

11. The Dropout (2022) – The Theranos Scandal Unfolds

Genre: Biographical Drama
Storyline: The Dropout chronicles the meteoric rise and dramatic fall of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos. Once hailed as the next Steve Jobs, Holmes was eventually exposed for deceiving investors and the public about her revolutionary blood-testing technology. 

The show provides a gripping look at corporate fraud, ambition, and deception.

Key Details

Why Watch It? A compelling story of ambition, fraud, and downfall that serves as a cautionary tale about corporate deception and ethical responsibility.

12. Pam & Tommy (2022) – The Scandal That Rocked Hollywood

Genre: Biographical Drama
Storyline: Pam & Tommy tells the true story of the infamous leaked tape scandal of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee. The show explores the invasion of privacy, media exploitation, and the impact of the scandal on their careers and personal lives. 

It also delves into the emergence of internet culture in the late ‘90s and early 2000s.

Key Details

Why Watch It? A mix of scandal, nostalgia, and dramatic storytelling that explores themes of privacy invasion and media ethics.

13. Inventing Anna (2022) – The Fake Heiress Who Fooled New York’s Elite

Genre: Biographical Drama
Storyline: Based on the real-life story of Anna Sorokin, also known as Anna Delvey, this series follows a con artist who infiltrated New York’s elite social circles by pretending to be a wealthy heiress. 

Through manipulation, charm, and deception, she managed to swindle banks, luxury hotels, and wealthy individuals before her eventual arrest. The show provides an intriguing glimpse into the world of high society and the power of illusion.

Key Details

Why Watch It? A fascinating portrayal of deception and ambition, with sharp performances and an inside look at the flaws in the social and financial systems. The real Anna Delvey’s case continues to spark debate about privilege, con artistry, and media sensationalism.

14. Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022 – Present) – The Golden Age of NBA

Genre: Sports Drama
Storyline: This sports drama chronicles the rise of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s, a period that transformed the NBA. The show explores the team’s dominance on the court, the rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, and the business empire built around the Lakers. 

It mixes sports action with behind-the-scenes drama, capturing the excitement of one of basketball’s most defining eras.

Key Details

Why Watch It? A mix of sports history, drama, and entertainment, offering an engaging and stylish look into the rise of the Lakers dynasty. It blends real-life events with an energetic, fast-paced narrative style.

15. Black Bird (2022) – A Prison Informant’s Dangerous Mission

Genre: True Crime Thriller
Storyline: Black Bird follows the true story of a convicted drug dealer, James Keene, who is offered a chance at freedom if he can extract a confession from a suspected serial killer in prison. 

The high-stakes psychological thriller unfolds as Keene befriends the killer while trying to gather incriminating evidence, all while knowing that one wrong move could be fatal.

Key Details

Why Watch It? A high-stakes drama with psychological depth, outstanding performances, and intense suspense. The show is based on Keene’s memoir, adding authenticity to the chilling real-life events.

Final Words

True story-based TV shows captivate audiences by blending real events with masterful storytelling, offering an immersive experience that resonates deeply with viewers. Whether you love crime, history, or drama, these series provide gripping narratives that bring real-life experiences to the screen with raw emotion and authenticity. 

They offer a unique opportunity to learn about historical events, true crime cases, and compelling human stories in a way that is both educational and entertaining. The combination of drama, suspense, and realism makes them some of the most powerful storytelling experiences available on television, leaving a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.

Which of these have you watched? Let us know your favorites!