The silver screen is a faithful and loyal servant to a good biographical film; the genre is undisputedly the darling of both the Academy Awards and Tinseltown, with over a dozen biographical dramas winning Best Picture and numerous actors winning for their portrayals of real-life historical figures. Biopics are a tried and true style of movie-making that are more often than not slam dunks with both the box office and critics alike. Despite the genre being brought to the big screen more frequently in recent years, its effectiveness and impact remains consistent.
Whether depicting the life of an esteemed physicist, Wild West outlaws, or even United States President Abraham Lincoln himself, biopics are the cream of the crop in Hollywood cinema. Many of these films helped skyrocket the careers of both their director and actor duos, serving as stepping stones in their lucrative and successful careers. These are some of the best biopics ever made.
Updated July 4, 2024: This list has been updated by Rachel Johnson with even more great biopics featuring stellar performances that movie lovers should check out.
19 Capote
Capote
Reading of the murder of a Kansas family, New York City novelist Truman Capote (Philip Seymour Hoffman) decides to cover the story himself, and travels to the small town with his childhood friend, aspiring novelist Harper Lee (Catherine Keener). When Perry Smith (Clifton Collins Jr.) and Dick Hickock (Mark Pellegrino) are arrested and charged, Capote forms an emotional bond with Smith during his jailhouse interviews despite the young criminal’s apparent guilt.
- Release Date
- September 30, 2005
- Cast
- Allie Mickelson , Kelci Stephenson , Philip Seymour Hoffman , Craig Archibald , Bronwen Coleman , Kate Shindle
- Runtime
- 110
The late and great Philip Seymour Hoffman was undeniably one of Hollywood’s most illustrious performers, brilliantly transforming himself for every role he took on. Hoffman knocked it out of the park when he appeared as famed American novelist Truman Capote in the engrossing biopic Capote that chronicled the writer’s research and creation of his trailblazing true crime hit In Cold Blood. Capote travels to the small Kansas town where the gruesome Clutter family murders occurred in 1959, doing so with fellow writer and friend Harper Lee (Catherine Keener) to investigate the shocking crime.
Hoddman Soared as Truman Capote
Hoffman masterfully commands the screen and completely embodies the peculiar Capote, spending four months preparing and researching for the role in an effort to capture his distinct voice and mannerisms. The gifted star felt it was extremely important to “express the vitality and the nuances” of Capote and stayed in character the entire time during production. Hoffman’s dedication to the role ultimately paid off, as he was the recipient of numerous prestigious accolades, like an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA for his performance, and he became deeply regarded as one of the cinema’s most talented actors because of it.
18 Chaplin
Chaplin
- Release Date
- December 17, 1992
- Runtime
- 143
Depicting the fascinating life of worldwide film icon Charlie Chaplin, 1992’s Richard Attenborough biopic Chaplin stars Robert Downey Jr. as “The Little Tramp” in a searing performance. The film features an elderly Chaplin as he recollects his incredible life journey for his autobiography, from his poverty-stricken roots to worldwide success. With a talented supporting cast including Dan Aykroyd, Marisa Tomei, and even Chaplin’s real life daughter Geraldine Chaplin, the movie was released on the fifteenth anniversary of the beloved star’s death.
Chaplin Is One of Downey Jr.’s Best Roles
Despite mixed reviews for the biopic itself, Downey Jr.’s performance was lauded and garnered critical acclaim. It is arguably his finest role to date (outside of his Oscar-winning role in Oppenheimer) and won him the BAFTA Award for Best Actor, along with an Academy Award nomination. The Los Angeles Times wrote, “Downey becomes Chaplin, re-creating his character and his chilly soul so precisely that even the comedian’s daughter Geraldine, a featured player here, was both impressed and unnerved.”
17 12 Years a Slave
The Steve McQueen-directed poignant and deeply powerful drama 12 Years a Slave tells the devastating true story of Solomon Northup, a free African-American who was brutally kidnapped by two white men and sold into slavery in Louisiana in 1841, leaving his beloved wife and two children behind in New York. Chiwetel Ejiofor was fantastic as Northup, who experienced unfathomable violence and cruelty at the hands of one of his owners, Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender), before eventually finding an unexpected savior in Canadian abolitionist Samuel Bass (Brad Pitt) who would help grant him his freedom.
12 Years a Slave Made History
Both McQueen and the producers went to painstaking lengths to ensure that 12 Years a Slave was historically accurate, utilizing the help of African-American culture and history scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. to consult on the film. According to the data and visual blog Information is Beautiful, the drama was 88.1% accurate, with the publication summarizing: “While there are a touch of dramatic license here and there, the most gut-wrenching scenes really happened.” 12 Years a Slave garnered universal acclaim and made cinema history when McQueen won Best Picture, becoming the first black filmmaker to win the Academy Award.
16 The Pianist
The Pianist
In this adaptation of the autobiography “The Pianist: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man’s Survival in Warsaw, 1939-1945,” Wladyslaw Szpilman (Adrien Brody), a Polish Jewish radio station pianist, sees Warsaw change gradually as World War II begins. Szpilman is forced into the Warsaw Ghetto, but is later separated from his family during Operation Reinhard. From this time until the concentration camp prisoners are released, Szpilman hides in various locations among the ruins of Warsaw.
- Release Date
- September 17, 2002
- Cast
- Adrien Brody , Emilia Fox , Michal Zebrowski , Ed Stoppard , Maureen Lipman , Frank Finlay
- Runtime
- 149
Adapted from the autobiographical book of the same name, Roman Polanski’s The Pianist stars Adrien Brody as Polish-Jewish composer and pianist Władysław Szpilman, who is forced to live in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II and was heartbreakingly separated from his family, spending two years in hiding after the invasion of Poland. Szpilman evaded capture by the Nazis multiple times during this horrific period, finding an ally in German officer Wilm Hosenfeld (Thomas Kretschmann) as the war raged on around him.
The Director’s Personal Connection Made For a Spectacular Movie
Polanski himself had escaped from the Kraków Ghetto as a child after losing his mother during the war and being separated from his father, finding refuge in a Polish farmer’s barn. Polanski felt a deep connection with Szpilman and his story and wanted to pay his respects to the Holocaust survivor by directing the film, doing so spectacularly. The Pianist premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and took home the highly-coveted Palme d’Or, and the drama also went on to win three Academy Awards, including Best Director. Polanski’s vision, Brody’s raw performance, and the screenplay attracted widespread praise from fans and critics alike.
15 The Theory of Everything
2014’s critically acclaimed biopic The Theory of Everything is a poignant portrayal of the relationship between renowned physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife, Jane. The film was adapted from Jane Hawking’s 2007 memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen, and she provided input and insight for the script. The Theory of Everything stars Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones as the famous couple, with the former spending six months researching Hawking’s life and mastering his accent and speech patterns.
A Great Movie About the Hawkings
Though some creative liberties were taken surrounding the early days of Stephen and Jane’s relationship and the renowned physicist’s temperament, the biopic was a massive hit both commercially and critically, with Redmayne specifically receiving immense praise and winning the Academy Award for Best Leading Actor. Director James Marsh described the essence of the biopic’s story as, “a very unusual love story in a very strange environment, a very strange sort of landscape… It is how these two characters, these two real people transcend all the complications and curveballs that life throws at them.”
14 The Last King of Scotland
The Last King of Scotland
While in Uganda on a medical mission, Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) becomes the personal physician and close confidante of dictator Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker). Although at first Dr. Garrigan feels flattered by his new position of power, he soon comes to realize that Amin’s rule is soaked in blood, and that he is complicit in the atrocities. Garrigan faces the fight of his life as he tries to escape Amin’s grasp.
- Release Date
- January 12, 2006
- Runtime
- 121
Touting a phenomenal ensemble cast led by Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, and Kerry Washington, the captivating historical drama The Last King of Scotland recounts the life and legacy of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. After overthrowing President Milton Obote, he assumes power and begins a reign of terror that lasts from 1971 to 1979. McAvoy appears as the fictional character Dr. Nicholas Garrigan, who serves as Amin’s private physician in the film and witnesses the disturbing atrocities committed by the ruthless leader.
The Last King of Scotland Features Whitaker in a Chilling Role
Garrigan was inspired by two real-life figures: Amin’s associate and colonial officer Bob Astles and Scottish doctor Wilson Carswell, both of whom saw firsthand the violence and blood Amin left in his wake. In The Last King of Scotland, Whitaker was a force to be reckoned with, delivering a chilling and downright brutal performance as the notorious dictator. He became the fourth Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, and The Daily Mail wrote in their review that he “fully captures the menace of the man who murdered more than 300,000 of his fellow citizens, but also – and this is the difficult part – his humor, charm and charisma.”
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13 Walk the Line
Telling the story of famous American country musician Johnny Cash, James Mangold’s 2005 biopic, Walk the Line sees Joaquin Phoenix take on the role of the “Ring of Fire” singer. The film uses two of Cash’s autobiographies as the basis for the script, 1975’s Man in Black: His Own Story in His Own Words and 1997’s Cash: The Autobiography, and details the late singer-songwriter’s rise to fame, his two marriages, and his addiction to drugs.
Joaquin Phoenix in One of His Best Roles
Co-starring Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Robert Patrick, the movie was a box office hit and gained rave reviews from critics. It also earned five Academy Award nominations, with Phoenix taking home the award for Best Actor. Though the film is solid, like many biopics, it’s the performance of the leading man that makes Walk the Line truly great. Phoenix completely transforms into Cash, even managing to expertly imitate the singer’s infamous voice. It is a subtle yet charismatic performance that stands out as among the best of Phoenix’s career.
12 The Elephant Man
The Elephant Man
Dr. Frederic Treves (Anthony Hopkins) discovers Joseph (John) Merrick (John Hurt) in a sideshow. Born with a congenital disorder, Merrick uses his disfigurement to earn a living as the “Elephant Man.” Treves brings Merrick into his home, discovering that his rough exterior hides a refined soul, and that Merrick can teach the stodgy British upper class of the time a lesson about dignity. Merrick becomes the toast of London and charms a caring actress (Anne Bancroft) before his death at 27.
- Release Date
- October 10, 1980
- Runtime
- 2hr 4min
- Studio
- Brooksfilms
1980’s The Elephant Man tells the real-life story of an English man, Joseph Merrick, who adopted the cruel nickname “The Elephant Man” owing to his severe facial deformities as a result of a rare genetic disease. Set in Victorian London, the film portrays the friendship between Merrick (John Hurt) and Frederick Treves, a surgeon who rescues Merrick from a freak show and who sees the disfigured man for the kindhearted and intelligent person he truly is.
A Haunting Tale From David Lynch
Directed by David Lynch, the film garnered critical acclaim upon its release and went on to receive eight Academy Award nominations at the 53rd annual ceremony. Hurt’s performance, in particular, was lauded by critics, with Vincent Canby of The New York Times calling his portrayal “truly remarkable.” The Elephant Man is a haunting yet beautifully moving tale of compassion, acceptance, and seeing beyond another’s appearance.
11 Straight Outta Compton
When it was released in cinemas in 2015, F. Gary Gray’s Straight Outta Compton almost instantly became a financial success and a modern-day classic. Set in Los Angeles in the mid-1980s, the film revolves around the formation and break-up of the hip-hop group N.W.A, whose members consist of rappers Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, MC Ren, and DJ Yella. Titled after the group’s debut album, it depicts their early success in the music industry, their rise to mainstream popularity, and the feuds, disputes, violence, and deaths that surrounded the group.
Straight Outta Compton Is a Provocative Biopic
Straight Outta Compton is different from the average musical biopic. In fact, it’s so much better. With N.W.A members Ice Cube and Dr. Dre serving as producers, along with Eazy-E’s widow, Tomica Woods-Wright, the film is raw, honest, and provocative, and doesn’t shy away from the more unpleasant aspects of hip-hop culture. Ultimately, though, it is a well-acted and superbly directed celebration of the genre.
10 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Starring two of Hollywood’s most talented and revered actors, Paul Newman and Robert Redford, 1969’s American western Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was initially met with a mixed response but, over time, has become a distinguished classic. Loosely based on Wild West outlaws Robert LeRoy Parker (Butch Cassidy) and Harry Longabaugh (the “Sundance Kid”), it features the infamous duo on the run from a crack US posse after an extensive string of train robberies.
One of the Greatest Western Films of All Time
Numerous A-list actors were initially tied to the iconic picture, such as Jack Lemmon, Warren Beatty, and Steve McQueen, but it was Newman and Redford who nabbed the roles and dished up iconic performances as the American legends. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is now regarded as being among the greatest Westerns of all time and its screenplay has also been singled out as one of cinema’s finest, with screenwriter William Goldman taking home the Oscar for his dazzling contributions.
9 Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer
5/5
- Release Date
- July 21, 2023
- Cast
- Cillian Murphy , Matt Damon , Robert Downey Jr. , Emily Blunt , Florence Pugh , Gary Oldman , Josh Hartnett , Jack Quaid , Kenneth Branagh , Rami Malek , Alex Wolff , Matthew Modine
- Runtime
- 180 Minutes
- Studio
- Universal Pictures, Atlas Entertainment, Syncopy
Acclaimed director, Christopher Nolan, is no stranger to taking on films that deal with real-life figures or events. After all, he previously directed 2017’s Dunkirk, which told the story of the Dunkirk evacuation of World War II, as well as 2006’s The Prestige that, although largely a fictional story, featured real-life inventor Nikola Tesla, among its main characters. 2023’s Oppenheimer, however, can be classed as Nolan’s first true biopic.
What Makes It Great
Based on the 2005 biography American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, the Oscar-winning film depicts the life and career of theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), the inventor of the nuclear bomb. Told across several different timelines in a non-linear style, it follows the titular character’s early life in academia, his recruitment to the Manhattan Project and the development of the nuclear bomb, the bomb’s use in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and subsequent hearings that see Oppenheimer accused of communist sympathies.
A three-hour R-rated biopic about the father of the nuclear bomb should’ve been alienating to a general audience. However, with Nolan’s attachment, an all-star cast, rave reviews, and its link to the social media phenomenon known as “Barbenheimer,” Oppenheimer has become one of the highest-grossing biopics ever. Fortunately, it lives up to the hype.
8 Gandhi
Gandhi
This acclaimed biographical drama presents major events in the life of Mohandas Gandhi (Ben Kingsley), the beloved Indian leader who stood against British rule over his country. Dedicated to the concept of nonviolent resistance, Gandhi is initially dismissed by English officials, including the influential Lord Irwin (John Gielgud), but eventually he and his cause become internationally renowned, and his gatherings of passive protest move India towards independence.
- Release Date
- November 30, 1982
- Runtime
- 188
Detailing the life of the lawyer who would go on to become the famed leader of the nonviolent revolts against British rule, 1982’s Gandhi stars Ben Kingsley in the titular role. The biopic focuses on Mahatma Gandhi’s life from a defining moment in 1893, in which he was thrown off a South African train for being in a whites-only compartment. The film concludes with his tragic assassination and subsequent funeral in 1948.
Gandhi Is Historically Accurate
The stunning picture was praised for its historical accuracy upon its release, as was Kingsley’s outstanding performance and production values. It received 11 Academy Award nominations and won eight, including Best Actor (for Kingsley), Best Picture, and Best Director. Gandhi is a deeply moving and enlightening epic that features an emotionally driven performance by Ben Kingsley and beautifully depicts the civil rights leader’s riveting life.
7 The Social Network
The Social Network
- Release Date
- October 1, 2010
- Runtime
- 120
- Studio
- Columbia Pictures (Sony)
When David Fincher’s The Social Network was released in 2010, the social media platform Facebook had only been around for six years. In that time, the website had amassed an impressive 500 million global users and had become the third-largest web company in the US. A film that documented the company’s meteoric rise was, therefore, a no-brainer. With a script by Aaron Sorkin, the movie depicts Harvard University student Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), who initially develops a website called “Facemash” that allows users to rate the attractiveness of female students on campus. This soon grew in popularity, spreading to other colleges and attracting the attention of wealthy investors.
The Social Network Is Expertly Crafted
The Social Network is a gripping story that is surprisingly small and contained, given the scale of its subject matter. Though a few artistic liberties were clearly taken, Fincher’s direction, Sorkin’s script, and Eisenberg’s lead performance ensure the film is an expertly crafted and entertaining one, even if it’s not always historically accurate. And with an Academy Award-winning score by Nine Inch Nails members Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, The Social Network is undoubtedly one of the best biopics of the twenty-first century that still has a lot of relevance today.
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6 Malcolm X
Spike Lee’s epic biography Malcolm X portrays the life of the controversial and highly influential Black Nationalist leader, from his beginnings as a small-time gangster to his ministry as a member of the Nation of Islam. The dynamic Denzel Washington stars as the infamous African-American activist and features the additional talent of Hollywood greats Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, and Al Freeman Jr.
Malcolm X Is an Amazing Biopic
Spike Lee told The New York Times that he never envisioned any other actor in the lead role, saying that Denzel “really captured Malcolm” in his Off-Broadway portrayal of him. Largely based on the 1965 book The Autobiography of Malcolm X, the film earned rave reviews, with famed critic Roger Ebert raving that the biopic was “one of the great screen biographies, celebrating the sweep of an American life that bottomed out in prison before its hero reinvented himself.”
5 Lincoln
Lincoln
- Release Date
- November 9, 2012
- Runtime
- 120
Heavily regarded as one of the most diverse and gifted actors of all time, Daniel Day-Lewis added another feather to his impressive cap when he starred as United States President Abraham Lincoln in the 2012 historical biopic Lincoln. Known famously for his method acting approach, Day-Lewis spent a year preparing for the role, reading over 100 books on Lincoln and speaking in his voice throughout the entire shoot.
Lincoln Combines the Best of Spielberg and Day-Lewis
The dynamic star teamed up with renowned director Steven Spielberg for Lincoln, which was lauded upon its release, with Day-Lewis and his co-star Sally Field garnering particular praise for their exceptional work. The actor’s dignified and regal portrayal of the 16th president was impressive and inspiring, and he would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, once again proving to the masses how unparalleled he is as a leading man. Lincoln is heavily cited as one of Spielberg’s best films and was a shining moment for both the legendary director and actor.
4 Goodfellas
Goodfellas
- Release Date
- September 12, 1990
- Director
- Martin Scorsese
- Runtime
- 145
- Studio
- Warner Bros.
Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece biographical crime film Goodfellas narrates the rise and fall of mob associate Henry Hill, covering his relationship with wife Karen Hill and his ill-fated ties with mob partners Tommy DeVito and Jimmy Conway. Some of the silver screen’s finest stars headline the film, with Ray Liotta portraying Henry Hill, Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito, and Robert De Niro as Jimmy Conway.
Goodfellas Is Full of Suspense and Authenticity
Depicting 25 years of the mobster’s life from 1955 to 1980, Goodfellas is jam-packed full of suspense, degradation, and intense violence that is critical to the authenticity of the biopic. The powerful performances of its talented cast and Scorsese’s masterful storytelling and directing were celebrated, and Goodfellas is heavily regarded as one of the greatest films ever made and a trailblazing feat in the gangster genre.
3 Raging Bull
Raging Bull
- Release Date
- November 14, 1980
- Director
- Martin Scorsese
- Runtime
- 129
- Studio
- United Artists
The biographical sports drama Raging Bull is another Martin Scorsese knockout that is considered the gifted director’s magnum opus. The classic film depicts the life of boxer Jake LaMotta, an Italian-American middleweight whose temper and violence led him to extreme success in the ring but destroyed his life outside it. Robert De Niro iconically leads the drama as LaMotta, and trained extensively with the real-life boxer in preparation for the role.
Raging Bull Put Joe Pesci on the Map
Frequent future Scorsese collaborator Joe Pesci co-stars as Jake’s younger brother and manager, Joey LaMotta. Pesci, at the time, was a struggling actor and was scouted by De Niro himself. Raging Bull debuted to an initial lukewarm response, mostly due to its violent content. Despite such a reception, De Niro’s performance garnered widespread acclaim, and he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. The drama was also ranked as the fourth-greatest American movie of all time by the American Film Institute.
2 Schindler’s List
Steven Spielberg’s heart-wrenching 1993 historical drama Schindler’s List is based on the Thomas Keneally novel Schindler’s Ark and follows German industrialist Oskar Schindler, who helped save more than a thousand Polish-Jewish refugees from the Holocaust. Spielberg approached Schindler’s List as a documentary and shot the film in black and white, despite his reservations on whether he was mature enough to create such a picture.The esteemed director famously forwent a salary for the project, declaring it “blood money.”
Schindler’s List Received Universal Acclaim
Liam Neeson took on the lead role of Oskar Schindler and was cast in part because he was a relative unknown; Spielberg did not want an actor’s star quality to overpower the character. Schindler’s List received universal critical acclaim with its atmosphere, directing, performances and tone heralded. It was the recipient of seven Academy Awards and is considered one of the best films in cinema history, with The New Yorker calling it a picture that “will take its place in cultural history and remain there.”
1 Lawrence of Arabia
Lawrence of Arabia
- Release Date
- December 11, 1962
- Director
- David Lean
- Runtime
- 227
- Studio
- Columbia Pictures
The 1962 epic British historical drama Lawrence of Arabia details the life of T.E. Lawrence, an English officer who triumphantly united and led the often tumultuous Arab tribes during World War I. Acting great Peter O’Toole stars as Lawrence, and the film stunningly depicts his emotional struggles with the violence of war and his conflicted allegiance with his home of Britain and his Arabian comrades.
Lawrence of Arabia Is a Groundbreaking Biopic
Lawrence of Arabia was an adored phenomenon among critics and viewers alike, with its screenplay, visuals, and performance by O’Toole all lauded. The groundbreaking biopic is considered a cinematic masterpiece and rightfully won seven Academy Awards. It is regarded as one of the most influential films ever crafted, with O’Toole’s portrayal touted as one of the finest in all cinema history, perfectly tapping into what makes a biographical performance great.
