Kidnapping Movies Based On True Stories

Kidnapping is a crime that despite being rare, is among those that strike the most fear when it happens. The mystery of kidnapping stories and the heroic rescues that come with them have given way to some thrilling movies over the years. In this list, we review kidnapping movies based on true stories and which ones deserve your attention the most.

These movies don’t only show tragic and harrowing stories on tv screens. They teach us how human resilience, perseverance, and hope can be victorious against all odds. We will also explore how well these movies have been adapted from real-life events and how close they follow the true stories.

Kidnapping Movies Based on True Stories

Horror movies often lose some of their thrill, as the audience knows they are pure fantasy. However, with the movies on this list, the curiosity of finding out what happens to the character in the movie is directly associated with what happened to someone in real life.

So get ready to be on the edge of your seat, as we take you through our 10 noteworthy picks for kidnapping movies based on true stories.

1. Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey (2018)

Based on a true story of a girl of the same name, “The Abduction of Lisa McVey” follows the life of a young woman who is faced with many challenges in her life. Despite living with her grandmother, Lisa is being abused by her grandmother’s live-in boyfriend.

She works at a doughnut shop and even the money she earns is taken away by her abuser. Her mother and grandmother both know what is happening but they seem to be indifferent to the situation.

One night, after leaving the doughnut shop after a late shift, Lisa is abducted and taken to her abductor’s home where he continues to abuse her. However, she uses her intelligence and manipulation skills to turn the tables on her abuser, ultimately convincing him to spare her life. Through her actions, not only does she save herself, but she also helps to bring about the downfall of her abuser and potentially save others from experiencing similar.

The story is a powerful and inspiring one, showcasing the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Though the film might not have a large budget, the script and performances are noteworthy and worth watching.

2. Abducted in Plain Sight (2017)

The 2017 documentary film „Abducted in Plain Sight“ tells the story of Jan Broberg Felt and her family’s experience with longtime family friend Robert Berchtold, who used a series of elaborate methods to isolate Jan from her family and molest her repeatedly.

The film, directed and produced by Sky Borgman, was based on Jan’s mother Mary Ann Broberg’s 2003 book „Stolen Innocence: The Jan Broberg Story“. Borgman interviewed the Broberg family members, as well as the FBI agent who investigated the case and Berchtold’s brother.

The film made rounds on the festival circuit and was later picked up by Netflix, garnering much attention and discussion. The film focuses on the victims and survivors, but it also leaves the sense that certain aspects of the story have been compressed or omitted for the sake of not overwhelming the audience. Borgman wanted to dive into other elements of the story, such as Broberg’s connections to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but felt it would’ve diverted too much focus away from the core of the story.

The film does leave some questions about Berchtold unanswered, such as how he cultivated a “semi-normal” family life for himself. Despite these gaps, the film is a powerful, compelling retelling of the events that call attention to the levels of planning and psychological manipulation used by predators on not only children but also their families.

3. Cleveland Abduction (2015)

The drama film “Cleveland Abduction” is based on the true story of Ariel Castro, who over the course of more than ten years kidnapped Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus. The film primarily focuses on the relationship between Castro and his first victim, Michelle Knight.

The film does a good job of capturing the imprisonment and mental and physical torture of the three young girls, and how they were threatened with beatings if they attempted to escape.

Although the film avoids graphic violence and, it still effectively portrays the heinous acts that were committed by Ariel Castro. The film also highlights the friendship and sense of family that the three girls shared which made their situation more bearable. It is a powerful reminder of the evil that men can do when they have no conscience.

The performances of the actors in this film are noteworthy. One may question how the perpetrator was able to evade detection for such an extended period of time. However, it is easy to pass judgement with the benefit of hindsight. Overall, “Cleveland Abduction” is one of the most thrilling abduction movies based on true stories.

4. 3096 Tage (2013)

The film is based on the true story of Natascha Kampusch, an Austrian girl who at the age of 10 was kidnapped by an unemployed man named Wolfgang Priklopil, and kept in a secret cellar for 8 years. Viewers should be aware that the film contains disturbing and explicit content.

It’s important to note that the film is not meant to be entertaining, but rather to reveal the harsh truth of the incident, and the perspective of the victim. Natascha’s story is one of an ordinary girl who did not exhibit any heroic behavior during her captivity, but her bravery at the end of the film led to her freedom. The title of the film gives away most of the story, but it is still impactful to watch it unfold as it actually happened.

Wolfgang Priklopil was a smart and shrewd kidnapper, who read Natascha’s character and behavior perfectly. He attempted to give her freedom within the boundaries he set, and tortured her to believe she was under his control. However, his overconfidence ultimately led to his downfall.

Actress Antonia Campbell-Hughes gave a strong performance as Natascha, both as a child and an adult, and it was reported that she lost a significant amount of weight for the role. This film is not meant to be enjoyable, but rather to remind viewers of the disturbing reality of crimes like this that occur in society, it is not a movie for everyone. But, it is a must-see for those who can handle the distressing content.

5. Abducted: The Carlina White Story (2012)

In the fifth place of abduction movies based on true stories is the story of Carlina White. It is a heart-wrenching and unbearable tale that is based on a real incident that occurred in the late 1980s in New York City.

Carlina was a missing baby who was finally reunited with her biological parents after 23 years. At just two weeks old, Carlina White was taken from her parents by a woman named Ann Pettway. Pettway, who had suffered three miscarriages, was desperate to have a child and decided to kidnap Carlina and raise her as her own, giving her the name Nejdra ‘Netty’ Nance. Carlina’s real parents never gave up the search for their missing child, and after two decades they finally found her.

But the story doesn’t end there. Ann Pettway had to face the consequences of her actions. Carlina White found herself in a state of confusion, as she had spent her entire life as Netty, and now had to adjust to a new identity and life with strangers who were her biological parents.

The story is told from the perspective of all the characters involved, including the parents who lost their child, the kidnapper, and the grown-up baby. In terms of kidnapping movies based on true stories, this film ranks highly and is one that should not be missed.

6. Stolen (2009)

“Stolen” is a low-budget film that addresses the serious issue of child abduction and the relentless search for a missing child, even after many years have passed. The film, written by Glenn Taranto and directed by Anders Anderson, tells two parallel stories of kidnapping and murder. They are separated by fifty years and connected in a psychologically unsettling way.

The main story follows police officer Tom Adkins, Sr, played by Jon Hamm, who ten years ago left his son in a diner for a moment, only to return and find him missing. His guilt as a “negligent” father and his determination to find his son erodes his life and his marriage. A body is found in a box, and Tom Sr immediately thinks it is his son, but investigation reveals that it is the body of a child that has been dead for fifty years.

The film then tells a story of a young father named Matthew Wakefield, played by Josh Lucas, who lost all of his money and home and faced the suicide of his wife. He must place his three children with relatives, leaving his mentally challenged son, John, to live with him. The film then follows Matthew as he works at a construction site and forms friends with Diploma and Swede, but during a sexual liaison, John is abducted. The plot becomes a bit murky at this point it becomes clear that the murders are connected.

The acting is solid and the commitment to telling these tragedies on the part of all involved makes the film noteworthy, especially considering it is the work of a relatively inexperienced writer and director.

7. All the Money in the World (2017)

“All the Money in the World” tells the true story of the 1973 kidnapping of J. Paul Getty III, played by Charlie Plummer. The kidnappers assume that since the boy’s grandfather is J. Paul Getty, the richest man in the world, he would have no problem paying the exorbitant ransom they demanded.

However, they soon realize that Getty Sr, played by Christopher Plummer, is a notorious cheapskate and skinflint who first refuses to pay any ransom and then tries to negotiate it down to only an amount that is tax deductible. This causes frustration for the boy’s mother, Gail Harris played by Michelle Williams, who works with Getty’s family security chief Fletcher Chase, played by Mark Wahlberg to safely get the boy home.

The film’s director, Scott, keeps the story moving swiftly and offers various snapshot flashbacks to moments in the Getty family’s past to help illustrate the unique familial ties. The acting performances are noteworthy, especially from Michelle Williams and Christopher Plummer, who received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Also, the film’s shooting was a controversial topic as Kevin Spacey was originally cast but was later replaced by Christopher Plummer in a last-minute reshooting. His portrayal of the soulless Getty patriarch was highly praised by critics. “All the Money in the World” definitely deserves a spot among best kidnapping movies based on true stories.

8. The Abduction (1996)

“The Abduction” portrays the story of Kate Findlay, played by Victoria Principal, a Boston college assistant who is stalked by her ex-husband, Paul Olavsky played by Robert Hays.

Their marriage fell apart when Paul was injured as a police officer and was forced to retire, leading him to take his frustrations out on Kate, ultimately driving her to divorce him. The principal gives a powerful performance as a mother, particularly in a scene where she is hospitalized after Paul assaults her.

The teleplay by Marshall Goldberg, which is based on a true story, uses flashbacks throughout the narrative to show Paul’s progressive abuse. Kate believes the police are not doing enough to have Paul arrested, despite him violating a protection order. Kate’s new live-in boyfriend, Dan, played by Christopher Lawford, is also subject to Paul’s harassment and a violent encounter before the titular act against Kate.

The director Larry Peerce presents Robert Hays in a change of image role and relies on Victoria Principal’s reactions to keep the narrative moving. He uses effective editing to move from the memory of Kate being cold in her house because Paul has turned down the heat to save money, to Kate freezing in the snow where she has run to escape Paul. It highlights the contrast between Paul’s frugality and Kate’s desperation to escape from him.

9. Kidnapped: The Hannah Anderson Story (2015)

“Kidnapped: The Hannah Anderson Story ” is a well-made thriller about the true story of the rescue of San Diego teenager, Hannah Anderson.

The film starts with Hannah’s rescue, then delves into the tragic way her behavior after the ordeal was misinterpreted by the press. Hannah attempts to clear her name, which she does on the Today Show.

We see the tragic story of a teenager victimized by a family friend, Jim DiMaggio, and his creepy crush on her, which leads to the murder of her mother and brother. The final third of the film is the chase and rescue as the FBI closes in on DiMaggio, who has taken Hannah to an Idaho forest.

Terrific performances by Scott Patterson and Jessica Amlee bring an emotional core to the film. Though there are a few solid thriller moments, it’s mostly about a girl trying to survive both the kidnapping and the turmoil that followed.

The film sticks closely to Hannah’s own accounts and holds back from some of the more brutal aspects of the case, but is still a very good movie that will likely hold the viewer’s attention and leave a lasting impression.

10. The Elizabeth Smart Story (2003)

“The Elizabeth Smart Story” is a TV film about the 2002 kidnapping of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart by Brian David Mitchell.

Mitchell was a religious fanatic who took her as his wife and enslaved her. Elizabeth was found 9 months later only 16 miles away from her home, but Mitchell did not stand trial for over 7 years.

The film focuses on her family and Mitchell but omits the multiple assaults Elizabeth suffered. It is made not only as a historical document but for a wider audience. The filmmakers may have taken some liberties with the story, but it is clear that Elizabeth has become a remarkable young woman who endured shocking suffering and managed to rise above it.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it – our 10 picks for kidnapping movies based on true stories. These films showcase the incredible power of human resilience and spiritual strength that can inspire all of us. Whether you are a fan of true crime or simply enjoy watching thrilling, nail-biting dramas, we believe you will find a movie suited for you here.

Do you have your own picks that have not been included here? Let us know and we will make sure to update the list accordingly.

Kidnapping Movies Based On True Stories – Top 10 List