10 Survival Drama Films Based on True Stories

Society of the Snow: A Riveting Tale of Survival

Society of the Snow is the latest survival drama film that draws upon real-life events, similar to films like The Impossible and Apollo 13. Society of the Snow, directed by J. A. Bayona, is about the 1972 Andes flight accident. The film's main source is a book of the same title by Pablo Vierci which provides first-hand details about the crash from its survivors. The Old Christians Club rugby team members, and some of their family and friends, boarded the Uruguayan Air Force Flight, making their way to Chile for a match. The plane crashed into the Andes mountains and the rugby team and other passengers would have to survive for 72 days before being rescued. Society of the Snow has already received much acclaim. Many other acclaimed dramas have been inspired by real-life events, including another film based on the 1972 Andes crash, Alive.

Apollo 13 1995

Alive (1993) An early account of the 1972 Andes Flight Disaster. Alive is the survival drama film directed by Frank Marshall that tells the story of the 1972 Andes flight crash, the same story depicted in Society of the Snow. Aside from the true story each film is based on, the directors are similarly praised for their handling of the story. Much like the compliments given to J. A. Bayona, critics praised Marshall for his ability to focus on the humanity among the survivors, rather than sensationalizing their story. Additionally, the survivors were asked to work on the films. Nando Parrado worked on Alive as a technical advisor and a few of the real-life survivors acted in Society of the Snow.

Naomi Watts and Tom Holland stuck in a flood, holding onto one another and onto a tree trunk

The Revenant: A Tale of Determination and Revenge

The Revenant is loosely based on the novel of the same name by Michael Punke. The film follows the journey of a fur trapper and mountain man in the 1800s, Hugh Glass, after he is attacked by a bear, comes close to death, and seeks revenge for those who've left him behind. The film also introduces a familial aspect to Glass' character, providing more fuel to his need for revenge after his son is killed, though historically, no son has been recorded. Similar to the survivors in Society of the Snow, Glass makes his way through rigorous weather conditions, motivated by others to survive and keep going.

leonardo dicaprio angrily holding up weapon

Cast Away: A Tale of Inspiration and Research

Unlike other films mentioned, Cast Away, starring Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland, is not based on one real-life event but is rather inspired by multiple sources. Chuck is a FedEx worker whose plane crashes as he's on his way to Malaysia for work. Hanks was inspired to make Cast Away after questioning what would happen if the real-life aircraft that flies FedEx packages over the Pacific Ocean were to crash. Cast Away and Society of the Snow are similar in the way preparation and research were done before the films were made.

Tom Hanks writing on stone rock