While a big portion of the top movies are fiction, a good number of Hollywood love stories are based on true events. Understandably, most of the romantic movies we see may seem too outlandish to be true; few of them are partially or wholly based on true events. 

A break from a tough week of work or a movie date in your home, whatever may be the case, nothing can heal your mood quite like snuggling up to your couch and enjoying a romantic movie. 

While most viewers enjoy a good fictional love story that is far from reality, there are quite a few options for viewers looking to have a night on their couch watching a romantic movie based on a true story.

If you are one of those viewers looking to plan a movie night for yourself, here are 5 of the best Hollywood love stories that are inspired by true events.

1. The Theory of Everything

• Production Company: Working Title Films
• Box Office Earnings: Approximately $123.7 million

Back in 2014, Eddie Redmayne perfectly portrayed the love story of Stephen Hawking in the biopic The Theory of Everything. In this film, Eddie perfectly depicts the love story between Stephen and his wife, Jane Hawking. If there were two biggest parts of Hawking’s life, they were Science and his love for Jane. And in this film, it was perfectly portrayed. 

From Jane’s memoir, Traveling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen, the film did justice to the love story of adored scientist Stephen and his wife Jane and their collective achievements in the fields of study and medicine. From their meeting at Cambridge to the challenges they faced after Hawking’s progressive physical weakening from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, everything was portrayed perfectly, so much so Hawking himself has mentioned the film as ‘broadly true.’ 

2. Walk in Line

• Production Company: Fox 2000 Pictures, Tree Line Film
• Box Office Earnings: Approximately $186.4 million

Inspired by Johnny Cash’s relationship with June Carter, Walk in Line is a famous drama that James Mangold directs. In the film, Johnny, who Joaquin Phoenix plays, starts his early days growing up on his family farm. Under the scorn of his father, he struggles through his daily life. As the years pass, he bursts into the music scene and ends up in Memphis with his wife, Vivian. Cash was still married when he met June, played by Rees Witherspoon, on a tour. Despite their concerns about Vivian, Cash grew closer to June, and two years after his divorce from Vivian, he married Cash. They were together until 2003 when Carter died. Joaquin’s performance in this film earned him the 2005 Golden Globe award for Best Actor. Reese Witherspoon also won the 78th Academy Award for her performance in the film.

3. A Beautiful Mind

• Production Company: Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures
• Box Office Earnings: Approximately $316.8 million

A Beautiful Mind, focusing on the journey of the famous mathematician John Nash and his wife Alicia Nash, is something you cannot miss. In his early career, John made an astonishing discovery, almost granting him the national acclaim he deserved. 

During that time Alicia was one of the few women who were studying at MIT. She was enrolled in one of the courses made by John. In 1957 Alicia and John tied the knot and got married. 

After two years of marriage, John was admitted to the psychiatric ward. It was due to his mental illness. Over time, the mental illness of John grew. And marital problems between the couple led to divorce. However, they stayed friends after that. And they got married again in 2001.

4. Loving

No official trailer by Raindog Films

• Production Company: Big Beach, Raindog Films
• Box Office Earnings: Approximately $12.9 million

The film was directed by Jeff Nichols. Loving portrays the journey of an interracial couple through life. Richard and Mildred grew up in Central Point, a small town in Virginia. The couple fell in love and got married in 1958.

On their journey to build a home and start a new family, they face a big disaster. They get banished from the town. Then they move to Washington DC where they live their life. The film shows how the laws of America change because of the case of Richard and Mildred as they try to move back to Virginia where they grew up and fell in love.

5. Catch Me If You Can

• Production Company: DreamWorks Pictures
• Box Office Earnings: Approximately $352.1 million

Leonardo DiCaprio brought yet another masterpiece for his fans. This time in a romantic movie that was based on a true event. The film was directed by Stephen Spielberg. It is a perfect example of trust, redemption, and confession.

The film portrays the mischiefs and cons of Frank Abagnale Jr. In the next half of the movie, it follows his way back to redemption when he sees Brenda, a naive nurse, for the first time when he impersonates a doctor. As he falls in love with Brenda, Frank confesses to her who he is. 

In his journey to redemption, Franks asks Brenda’s attorney father for her hand in marriage. Frank also seeks his help in making arrangements for Louisiana state bar exams. He goes on to pass the exam which shows the ultimate redemption of our hero.

Looking for More Romantic Movies?

Romance films have captivated audiences for over a century, since the early days of cinema. What explains the timeless appeal of love stories told through film? In short – people relate to them. Falling in love is a universal human experience that resonates across cultures. Movie love stories portray the joy, heartbreak, complications and triumphs that real-life relationships encounter.

Hollywood is not the only global producer of love stories. There are many independently made movies that capture the hearts and minds of those who enjoy a bit of romance! For free movie streams where love is on the air, take a look at these romance movies.

Watching an on-screen romance allows viewers to escape into an idealized love story for two hours. The allure of living vicariously through a fantasy world where soulmates meet and overcome all obstacles is powerful. Movie love interests often have picture-perfect chemistry with sweeping romantic gestures. Real love is messier, but that’s what makes the fantasy so enchanting.