Summary
- Lifetime movies based on true stories are a mix of fact and dramatization, capturing some of the most shocking events ever.
- The
Ripped From The Headlines
series features movies on felonies and celebrity lives, with captivating performances and storylines. - From royal romances to environmental crises, Lifetime’s films offer compelling narratives that draw viewers into real-life events.
The Lifetime network produces many brilliant made-for-TV movies about all kinds of extraordinary events, but some of the best are based on true stories. There are plenty of movies that are unbelievably inspired by true stories, but Lifetime is renowned for recreating some of the most shocking events ever. However, these narratives also use a combination of fact and dramatization for the final results, and the format of Lifetime’s iconic films often varies.
Lifetime is no stranger to creating movies about real felonies that rival the best true crime TV shows on the market. The Ripped From The Headlines series, which includes movies like Girl in the Basement, is a perfect example of this. Other titles from the network delve into the lives of prominent celebrities and public figures, and some of the intricate details of their stories are blurry, so fiction and general knowledge are used to fill in the gaps. From the rich and famous to the average Joe, Lifetime’s best movies are based on true stories.
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10 Prosecuting Casey Anthony (2013)
One Of The World’s Most Famous Child Abuse Trials
Prosecuting Casey Anthony easily rivals some of the best legal drama TV shows around because of how enthralling it is. The story of Casey Anthony’s trial for neglecting her daughter, Caylee, is a widely discussed topic in the true crime community. Prosecuting Casey Anthony provides the point of view of Anthony’s prosecutors, Rob Lowe’s Jeff Ashton and Elizabeth Mitchell’s Linda Drane Burdick, and takes inspiration from their book Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony. Both Mitchell and Lowe offer great performances throughout, and because of this, it’s sometimes easy to forget that it’s not a fictional tale.
While Lowe’s portrayal in Prosecuting Casey Anthony isn’t exactly the best movie from the Brat Pack member, his commanding of the screen is gripping. The tension and pacing of the TV movie are nerve-wracking, but this is also why it’s such an endearing watch. As each new piece of information about Caylee’s death is discovered, the cracks in each of the character’s psyches become clearer, creating a truly heart-thumping response in audiences.
9 William & Kate (2011)
England’s Royal Love Story
One of England’s most famous royal couples, Prince William and Kate Middleton, are the focus of one of the most notable love stories of all time. Prince William and Kate Middleton’s relationship is also told in the Netflix drama The Crown, but William & Kate looks at the media scrutiny the pair faced in the early days of their courtship. Grey’s Anatomy star Camilla Luddington brilliantly encapsulates Kate’s journey from a member of higher society to joining the English royal family, making it effortless to resonate with her.
While Nico Evers-Swindell doesn’t share much physical resemblance to William, he receives applause for his dedicated performance as the prince. The two’s struggles at such a prominent time in their lives, leaving university and eventually becoming engaged, are amazingly demonstrated from the point of view that the British tabloids failed to communicate to the public. Even though some moments in Will & Kate are fabricated to a degree, the main essence of their tale is solid and well-structured.
8 Britney Ever After (2017)
The Rise And Fall Of Britney Spears
Sensational pop star Britney Spears’ life is one that many feel the need to keep up to date with, especially following her very public battle against her father over her conservatorship. Lifetime’s unofficial biopic, Britney Ever After, deep dives into Spears’ career from the beginning, starting with her childhood stardom in The Mickey Mouse Club alongside her future ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake, and up until her residency in Las Vegas. However, this isn’t the first film to use her past as a plotline.
Crossroads takes some inspiration from Britney Spears’ life, but from a more fictitious point of view. While there is some debate over the validity of the facts in Britney Ever After, it’s worth noting that the Lifetime movie is a loose interpretation of Spears’ work and personal life. Spears actress Natasha Bassett does a good job of putting herself in the singer’s shoes. Her portrayal of Spears’ lifestyle and daily life with mental health conditions is profound, as well as her ability to connect with audiences through her body language and facial expressions.
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7 Coco Chanel (2008)
The Life Of One Of The Biggest Names In Fashion
Lifetime’s Coco Chanel is a standout title in the network’s long list of projects. This is primarily because of Shirley MacLaine’s groundbreaking role as the titular character, receiving nominations for a Golden Globe, Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild Award for her efforts. Coco Chanel throws audiences into another era as it follows the lifetime of the famous fashion designer. The movie covers many crucial moments in her life, and Chanel grows from a young girl who falls in love with sewing, and eventually, she launches her takeover of the fashion industry in an amazingly captivating story.
Coco Chanel also looks at the darker, grittier parts of her life. Her difficulties avoiding bankruptcy, her escapades with rich, older gentlemen, and her gaining an understanding of the business world are all core moments in Coco Chanel. However, one thing that is missing from Coco Chanel that other TV shows and movies discuss is the true story of Dior and Chanel during World War II. Despite this, Lifetime’s interpretation of the legendary French designer is an enjoyable viewing.
6 Pregnancy Pact (2010)
A Group Decision To Become Parents
Pregnancy Pact is a fictionalized retelling of a group of teenage girls in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and their joint decision to become pregnant at the same time. Pregnancy Pact is told through the eyes of reporter Sidney Bloom, who discovers that her old high school is reporting an unusually high number of teen pregnancies and the things she learns about each respective mother-to-be. Sidney’s battle for accessible birth control at the school creates quite an emotional response, especially as girls like Sara are starting to derail their lives due to peer pressure completely.
Pregnancy Pact does a solid job of recreating the facts from the real story. In fact, the news footage the film uses is actually from real events, which makes it feel even more authentic and reliable. However, the best part of the Lifetime movie is its cast. While everyone offers a strong portrayal, Sara actress Madisen Beaty provides a particularly notable performance in Pregnancy Pact. The maturity she brings to the role while simultaneously instilling Sara’s immature mindset is brilliant.
5 Liz & Dick (2012)
Golden Era Hollywood’s Most Controversial Couple
One of the darkest behind-the-scenes stories from Golden Age Hollywood is the shocking affair between actors Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. The pair’s love affair is the main story of Lifetime’s Liz & Dick, and throughout the film, the two reminisce about their time together, the good and the bad. Liz & Dick kicks off with the start of their rendezvous during Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor’s filming of the 1963 release Cleopatra, but rather than just stating the facts, audiences are able to get a better understanding of the inner thoughts and feelings of the titular characters.
Burton and Taylor’s relationship is rather tumultuous, and some of the best parts of Liz & Dick take a look at their darkest days. While it’s an unusual casting, Lindsay Lohan is actually an incredible choice to play Elizabeth Taylor. Taylor’s most difficult scenes, such as her suicide attempt and when they face criticism from the Vatican, are beautifully enacted by Lohan. Her chemistry with Burton actor Grant Bowler is also striking, and Bowler’s ability to take control of the room is particularly strong.
4 Abducted: The Carlina White Story
A Kidnapped Child Reunites With Her Parents
Abducted: The Carlina White Story may be similar to movies like Vanished Into The Night, but the Lifetime film’s execution focuses on those who don’t return home as children. Abducted: The Carlina White Story recounts the events of the titular figure in her first days of life and how, 23 years after her abduction, she solves the mystery of her past and makes contact with her biological parents. White’s tale about being taken by Ann Pettway as an infant from a New York hospital is astounding, but her normal childhood in the care of her kidnapper is even more startling.
Aunjanue Ellis’ profound performance as Pettway is stellar in Abducted: The Carlina White Story. While the film doesn’t justify her actions, it offers an insight into the woman’s thought process. Keke Palmer’s excellent portrayal of Carlina White is also worth mentioning, especially in moments when she is overwhelmed with the discovery of her true identity. Even though opinions on the execution of Carlina’s story vary, there’s no doubt that this reiteration of her unusual real-life plot twist is powerful.
Abducted: The Carlina White Story (2012) PGDramaMystery
This drama recounts the true story of Carlina White, who was abducted as an infant from a New York hospital. Raised under a false identity, Carlina eventually uncovers the truth about her origins, leading to a soul-searching quest for her biological parents and her true self.
Director Vondie Curtis-Hall Release Date October 6, 2012 Cast Aunjanue Ellis , Keke Palmer , Sherri Shepherd , Roger Cross Runtime 90 minutes Studio(s) Pilgrim Studios Writers Elizabeth Hunter Main Genre Drama Expand
3 Betty And Coretta (2013)
The Women Behind Martin Luther King Jr. And Malcolm X
Betty and Coretta’s star-studded cast includes Mary J. Blige and Angela Bassett as the titular characters, respectively, in a film about the wives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Despite the two men being huge historical figures, the Lifetime movie instead focuses on the fallout of their assassinations, and how Betty and Coretta’s lives pan out after. The film uses an amazing blend of fact and fiction to piece together their points of view during one of the most shocking moments in political history.
While Betty and Coretta‘s timeline is accurate, the true focus is on the pair’s friendship after meeting at a convention. The movie’s pacing is great, but the acting from Blige and Bassett is even better. Even though there is a lot of content about civil rights in Betty and Coretta, the relationship between the two widows is the true driving force of the film. The ins and outs of their connection are thrilling and intriguing, and overall, Betty and Coretta depict the pair as even more fascinating than their late husbands.
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2 Flint (2017)
The Biggest Environmental Crisis Of A Generation
While there are plenty of documentaries about climate change, Flint delves into the lives of the individuals it directly impacted the most. The film looks at the 2014 water crisis in Michigan through the eyes of three normal women who fear for the safety of their families. Iza, Melissa, and LeeAnne’s fight against political forces in an attempt to get some sort of solution to the dangers is compelling throughout, and Flint allows audiences to understand the reality of the events properly.
One of the best factors of Flint is its representation because of the primarily black character base, which is representative of the area and the local community. Queen Latifah’s portrayal of Iza is distinct, and while it’s not as bold as some of her other characters, it is still impactful. From the talented cast, which also includes stars such as Jill Scott and Rob Morrow, and the film’s Primetime Emmy nomination, it’s surprising that Flint is one of Lifetime’s most underrated movies.
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1 Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011)
The Power Of A Mother-Son Relationship
Taraji P. Henson is an actor many don’t expect to see in a Lifetime movie, but her role as Tiffany Rubin in Lifetime’s Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story is stellar. The titular schoolteacher’s painful journey to reunite with her 7-year-old son is extremely moving, and Henson’s Emmy nomination and wins at the Image, BET, and Black Reel Awards are absolutely justified. Her rapport with Terry O’Quinn as Mark Miller is notable, but the best parts of her performance are in scenes alongside Kobe actor Drew Davis.
Rubin’s struggles as a single mother are profound enough, but when her son Kobe is kidnapped by his biological father and taken to South Korea, she finds the strength to reach out to the American Association for Lost Children. Lifetime’s retelling of Rubin’s quest to retrieve her child, sending her across the globe, is fascinating. Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story not only tugs on the heartstrings, but it’s also genuinely interesting, immersing audiences in the real-life processes that the AALC follows.