7 True Stories Coming to the Big Screen in 2017

Updated on 4/5/2017 at 1:45 PM

Hiding among all the superhero blockbusters and big-budget comedies coming out in 2017, there's a small handful of movies based on true stories. While we can anticipate that more will come up as the year goes on, we've gathered the films that have confirmed release dates. There were 21 notable films based on true stories released in 2016, and we can imagine 2017 will have a similar number! For now, check out the seven movies already on the calendar.

The Lost City of Z

While this movie is inspired by David Grann's bestseller of the same name, the book was based on a true story. Charlie Hunnam is starring as Col. Percival Fawcett, who disappears into the Amazonian jungle in the 1920s. Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller, and Tom Holland round out the all-star cast.

Release date: April 21

Dunkirk

Writer/director Christopher Nolan is reteaming with Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy for the wartime story Dunkirk. British, Belgian, and French soldiers find themselves surrounded by the German army and desperately in need of a rescue. The Allied forces managed to evacuate the majority in a military move referred to as Operation Dynamo, aka the Miracle of Dunkirk.

Release date: July 21

Granite Mountain

In 2013, a wildfire raged across Yarnell, AZ. It killed 19 firefighters, all members of the Prescott Fire Department, known as the Granite Mountain Hotshots. Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jeff Bridges, Josh Brolin, Taylor Kitsch, and Andie MacDowell are all in this movie, which will absolutely make you cry.

Release date: Sept. 22

Darkest Hour

Gary Oldman is portraying Winston Churchill in this film, focused on the early days of WWII. Joe Wright is directing, and Lily James, Ben Mendelsohn, and John Hurt are all starring.

Release date: Nov. 24

The Greatest Showman

Here's one we can't wait for: The Greatest Showman. Hugh Jackman is playing P.T. Barnum, the infamous founder of the circus that eventually became known as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Zac Efron, Zendaya, Michelle Williams, and Rebecca Ferguson are all appearing.

Release date: Dec. 25

A United Kingdom

David Oyelowo is starring as Botswana's Prince Seretse Khama, who was exiled from his own country in 1951 for marrying a white woman. Rosamund Pike is playing his wife, London-born Ruth Williams, who actually proved to be very popular among Khama's people.

Release date: Feb. 17

The Zookeeper's Wife

Set during WWII, this drama tells the story of Antonina Zabiński (Jessica Chastain) and her husband, Jan (Johan Heldenbergh). The couple were responsible for the Warsaw Zoo, and used the property to hide hundreds of displaced Jews.

Release date: March 31