Lion (2016)

Director: Garth Davis
Writers: Luke Davies (screenplay by)
Stars: Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara

Based on the seemingly impossible true story, the film followed the story of Saroo Brierley who found his way back to his biological mother from Tasmania, Australia to the bylanes of Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh with the help of Google Earth. A six-year-old Saroo gets adopted by an Australian couple after getting lost in Howrah and spending some time on the streets and orphanages.

Schindler’s List (1999)

Director: Steven Spielberg
Writers: Thomas Keneally (book), Steven Zaillian (screenplay)
Stars: Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley

One of Spielberg’s best films, even within a filmography of distinguished achievements, is based on the real life story of Oskar Schindler. A businessman during the Nazi regime of Adolf Hitler, he sold off his last possessions to buy the freedom of 600-odd Jew prisoners. The film went on to win the top honours that year.

The Way Back (2010)

Director: Peter Weir
Writers: Keith R. Clarke (screenplay)
Stars: Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris, Colin Farrell

With a star-studded cast including Ed Harris, Colin Farell, Saroise Ronan and Jim Sturgess, the film directed by Peter Weir traces the journey of a bunch of war prisoners who walked close to 4000 miles to win their freedom during World War II. Many suggested the harrowing nature of the movie makes it a difficult watch but the pay-off is immense.

October Sky (1999)

Director: Joe Johnston
Writers: Homer H. Hickam Jr. (book), Lewis Colick (screenplay)
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, the film based on Sky of Stone by Homer Hickam, told the story of a young boy filled with wonder after seeing the launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik. This inspires him to find out everything about rockets, hence helping him make his way from the coal mines of West Virginia to becoming a NASA engineer.

Eddie The Eagle (2016)

Director: Dexter Fletcher
Writers: Sean Macaulay (screenplay), Simon Kelton (screenplay)
Stars: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Tom Costello

Based on the true life of British Ski-jumper Eddie Edwards, the film follows the underdog story template to the tee. However, a moving and sincere central performance by Taron Egerton ensures that even the cliches of this sports drama are heartfelt. The story involves a less-than-talented Eddie making it to the Winter Olympics through sheer perseverance.