The 2006 film World Trade Center, directed by Oliver Stone, is a powerful and emotional retelling of the true story of two Port Authority police officers who became trapped in the rubble of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. The movie captures the horror and heroism of that tragic day, while also exploring themes of courage, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bonds of family and friendship.
If you were moved by World Trade Center and are looking for more films that depict real-life tragedies with sensitivity and depth, here are 15 gripping movies that are sure to leave a lasting impact:
1. United 93 (2006)
Directed by Paul Greengrass, United 93 is a heart-pounding and gut-wrenching account of the events aboard United Airlines Flight 93, one of the four planes hijacked on 9/11. The film follows the passengers and crew as they realize the gravity of their situation and make the courageous decision to fight back against the terrorists, ultimately crashing the plane in a field in Pennsylvania before it can reach its intended target in Washington D.C.
Shot in a gritty, documentary-style with largely unknown actors, United 93 feels chillingly authentic. It doesn’t shy away from depicting the sheer terror and chaos of that day, but it also highlights the incredible bravery of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. Like World Trade Center, it is a difficult but important film that honors the memory of those who lost their lives.
2. Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
Controversial filmmaker Michael Moore takes a critical look at the Bush administration’s actions in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in this provocative documentary. Fahrenheit 9/11 argues that the government used the tragedy to push forward an agenda of unjust wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
While the film has been criticized for its political bias and occasional stretches of the truth, it remains a fascinating and infuriating examination of a pivotal moment in American history. For those interested in a different perspective on 9/11 and its aftermath, Fahrenheit 9/11 is essential viewing.
3. Remember Me (2010)
On the surface, Remember Me seems like a fairly standard romantic drama. It stars Robert Pattinson as Tyler, a troubled young man who falls in love with Ally (Emilie de Ravin), a fellow college student struggling with her own family issues. But the film packs an emotional wallop with its haunting final act.
The story builds to a devastating revelation that recontextualizes everything that came before it, making Remember Me a poignant reflection on love, loss, and living life to the fullest in a world that can change in an instant. Though not directly about 9/11 like World Trade Center, the film uses that tragedy as a backdrop to explore its characters’ grief and resilience.
4. Flight 93 (2006)
Not to be confused with United 93, this made-for-TV movie also dramatizes the story of the ill-fated Flight 93. Though it lacks the visceral intensity of Greengrass’ film, Flight 93 still offers a moving portrait of the passengers and crew who gave their lives to prevent further destruction.
The film benefits from strong performances by an ensemble cast, including Jeffrey Nordling as passenger Tom Burnett and Brennan Elliott as Todd Beamer, who uttered the famous rallying cry “Let’s roll” as the passengers prepared to take back the plane. Flight 93 may be a more conventional telling than United 93, but it is no less heartfelt in its tribute.
5. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011)
Based on the novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close follows a young boy named Oskar (Thomas Horn) who loses his father (Tom Hanks) in the 9/11 attacks. Struggling to process his grief, Oskar embarks on a quest across New York City to find the lock that fits a mysterious key left behind by his dad.
Though the film received mixed reviews, with some finding Oskar’s precocious narration grating, it undeniably captures the pain and confusion of a child grappling with unimaginable loss. Like World Trade Center, it uses 9/11 as a prism to explore a very personal story of love and healing.
6. The Walk (2015)
The subject matter of The Walk may seem frivolous compared to the heavy drama of World Trade Center, but this high-wire act is actually a loving tribute to the Twin Towers. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film tells the incredible true story of French tightrope walker Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and his daring (and illegal) 1974 stunt walking between the towers.
With its meticulous recreation of 1970s New York and dazzling visual effects, The Walk is a technical marvel. But it’s also a poignant reminder of the Towers’ place in the city’s history and identity. The film’s final moments, which flash forward to 2001, will leave a lump in your throat.
7. 25th Hour (2002)
Spike Lee’s 25th Hour, released just a year after 9/11, was one of the first films to address the attacks, if only obliquely. Edward Norton stars as Monty, a drug dealer enjoying his last day of freedom before beginning a seven-year prison sentence. As he wanders around New York City saying goodbye to friends and family, the specter of 9/11 looms in the background.
In one unforgettable scene, Monty gazes out at the altered skyline, the towers conspicuously absent. Though not directly about the tragedy like World Trade Center, 25th Hour captures the wounded but resilient spirit of New York in the immediate aftermath. It’s a mournful but ultimately hopeful film.
8. The Guys (2002)
Another early post-9/11 film, The Guys is a small-scale drama based on a true story. Sigourney Weaver plays Joan, a journalist who helps Nick (Anthony LaPaglia), a fire captain, write eulogies for the men he lost on 9/11. As they work together, they form a deep bond, grappling with survivor’s guilt, grief, and the struggle to find meaning in the face of tragedy.
With its focus on the intimate, human cost of 9/11, The Guys echoes the emotional core of World Trade Center. It’s a quiet but powerful tribute to the first responders who gave their lives that day, and the loved ones they left behind.
9. Reign Over Me (2007)
In Reign Over Me, Adam Sandler gives a rare dramatic performance as Charlie, a man who lost his wife and daughters on 9/11 and has been adrift ever since. When he reconnects with his old college roommate Alan (Don Cheadle), Charlie begins to confront his grief and slowly rebuild his life.
Though it has moments of humor, Reign Over Me is ultimately a somber meditation on trauma and healing. Like World Trade Center, it grapples with the long-term impact of 9/11 on those who experienced unthinkable loss. Sandler is revelatory in the lead role, bringing depth and nuance to Charlie’s pain.
10. Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty chronicles the decade-long hunt for Osama bin Laden in the wake of 9/11. Jessica Chastain stars as Maya, a CIA analyst doggedly pursuing leads to track down the al-Qaeda leader, a mission that culminates in the Navy SEAL raid on bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan.
While Zero Dark Thirty has been criticized for its depiction of torture, it remains a gripping and complex look at the far-reaching consequences of 9/11. Like World Trade Center, it honors the sacrifices and dedication of those who worked tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice.
11. Rescue Me (TV series, 2004-2011)
Though not a movie, the FX series Rescue Me deserves a mention for its raw and unflinching portrayal of New York City firefighters in the years after 9/11. Denis Leary stars as Tommy Gavin, a veteran firefighter haunted by the ghosts of those he lost in the attacks, including his cousin and best friend.
Over seven seasons, Rescue Me explores the ongoing trauma of 9/11 on first responders, as well as the daily challenges and triumphs of life in the FDNY. With its dark humor and searing emotional honesty, the show is a fitting companion piece to films like World Trade Center.
12. Worth (2020)
Based on true events, Worth stars Michael Keaton as Kenneth Feinberg, the lawyer appointed to oversee the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Tasked with determining how much each victim’s life was “worth” financially, Feinberg faces moral dilemmas and bureaucratic obstacles as he fights to bring some measure of justice to the families.
Like World Trade Center, Worth grapples with the impossible task of making sense of senseless tragedy. It’s a sobering but ultimately uplifting film about the power of empathy and the resilience of the human spirit.
13. The Looming Tower (TV miniseries, 2018)
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Lawrence Wright, The Looming Tower traces the rising threat of al-Qaeda in the late 1990s and the rivalry between the FBI and CIA that may have inadvertently set the stage for 9/11. Jeff Daniels and Tahar Rahim lead an all-star cast.
While not directly about the attacks like World Trade Center, The Looming Tower provides essential context for understanding the events of that day and the intelligence failures that preceded it. It’s a gripping and infuriating look at a tragedy that might have been prevented.
14. DC 9/11: Time of Crisis (2003)
This little-seen TV movie offers a glimpse into the White House in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. Timothy Bottoms stars as President George W. Bush, struggling to respond to the attacks and comfort a grieving nation.
Though it occasionally veers into hagiography, DC 9/11 provides an interesting counterpoint to films like World Trade Center, which focus on the experiences of ordinary citizens. It’s a reminder of the enormous challenges facing our leaders in times of crisis.
15. September 11 (2002)
Released just a year after 9/11, this unique film is an anthology of short pieces by 11 directors from around the world, each reflecting on the impact of the tragedy. Contributors include Alejandro González Iñárritu, Ken Loach, and Mira Nair.
With its global perspective, September 11 offers a kaleidoscopic view of how 9/11 reverberated far beyond the United States. Like World Trade Center, it grapples with themes of loss, resilience, and the search for meaning in the face of incomprehensible horror. It’s a moving tribute to our shared humanity.
These 15 films, like World Trade Center, remind us of the power of cinema to help us process tragedy, honor those we’ve lost, and find hope in the darkest of times. They are testaments to the enduring strength of the human spirit, and the ability of art to bring us together in the face of unimaginable adversity.
