Top 15 Biographical Movies That Inspire and Captivate Audiences

A biography is more than just a life story—it’s a journey through struggles, triumphs, and lasting impact. Biographical movies bring these powerful narratives to life, making history, fame, and personal battles feel real.

From the rise of music legends to the courage of historical icons and even the downfall of infamous figures, biopics let us step into their world. Whether you seek inspiration, drama, or pure entertainment, these films offer a front-row seat to extraordinary lives.

This comprehensive guide contains 15 biographical movies that captivate, inspire, and stay with you long after the credits roll.

List of Best Biographical Movies

15: Trial by Fire

Directed by: Edward Zwick

Cast: Jack O’Connell, Laura Dern, Emily Meade

Genre: Biographical Drama

Original Language: English

Running Time: 127 minutes

Release Date: May 17, 2019

Box Office: $148,504

Trial by Fire is a gripping tale of justice and tragedy.

What if the system failed you? Trial by Fire brings to life the true story of Cameron Todd Willingham, a man sentenced to death for a crime he may not have committed.

Starring Jack O’Connell, Laura Dern, and Emily Meade, the film follows Willingham’s desperate fight for justice, from the tragic fire that killed his daughters to the legal battles that ignored mounting evidence of his innocence.

With powerful performances and a searing critique of the justice system, Trial by Fire is a heartbreaking yet necessary watch, reminding us of the flaws, failures, and human costs of wrongful convictions.

14: Queen of the Ring

Directed by: Ash Avildsen

Cast: Emily Bett Rickards, Josh Lucas, Tyler Posey, Francesca Eastwood, Marie Avgeropoulos, Deborah Ann Woll, Cara Buono, Adam Demos, Martin Kove, Kelli Berglund

Genre: Biographical, Sports Drama

Original Language: English

Running Time: 140 minutes

Release Date: March 7, 2025

Box Office: $555,000

Queen of the Ring is the untold story of wrestling’s trailblazer.

Queen of the Ring is a sports drama directed by Ash Avildsen, chronicling the life of legendary female wrestler Mildred Burke. Based on Jeff Leen’s book, it captures her struggles, triumphs, and impact on professional wrestling.

Starring Emily Bett Rickards as Burke, alongside Josh Lucas, Walton Goggins, and Francesca Eastwood, the film delves into Burke’s rise in a male-dominated industry.

The movie is notable for its intense performances and historical accuracy, featuring real-life wrestlers in key roles. With its evocative soundtrack and unique blend of personal storytelling, Queen of the Ring remains one of the best biographical movies.

It won nine AACTA Awards and an Oscar nomination for visual effects, which further cemented its place in the entertainment industry.

13: Benedetta

Directed by: Paul Verhoeven

Cast: Virginie Efira, Charlotte Rampling, Daphné Patakia, Lambert Wilson, Olivier Rabourdin, Louise Chevillotte, Hervé Pierre, Clotilde Courau

Genre: Biographical, Psychological Drama

Original Language: French

Running Time: 132 minutes

Release Date: July 9, 2021

Box Office: $4.3 million

Benadetta is all about a nun’s faith, desire, and scandal.

Benedetta tells the true story of a 17th-century nun who experiences religious visions while secretly falling for another nun—challenging both the Church and society.

Based on Judith C. Brown’s book Immodest Acts and directed by Paul Verhoeven, the film stars Virginie Efira, Charlotte Rampling, and Daphné Patakia. Mixing history, passion, and power struggles, Benedetta is as thought-provoking as it is controversial.

Premiering at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, the film received praise for Efira’s intense performance and Verhoeven’s fearless storytelling, proving once again that some stories are too bold to be ignored.

12: Queer

Directed by: Luca Guadagnino

Cast: Daniel Craig, Drew Starkey, Jason Schwartzman, Henrique Zaga, Lesley Manville

Genre: Period, Romantic Drama

Original Language: English, Spanish

Running Time: 137 minutes

Release Date: November 27, 2024

Box Office: $5.4 million

Queer is a haunting tale of love and obsession.

Set in 1950s Mexico City, Queer is a romantic drama directed by Luca Guadagnino, based on William S. Burroughs’ 1985 novella.

The film tells the story of an American expatriate (Daniel Craig) who becomes obsessed with a younger man (Drew Starkey). Featuring Jason Schwartzman, Lesley Manville, and Henrique Zaga, it explores themes of love, identity, and loneliness.

Premiering at the Venice Film Festival, Queer received high praise from critics and earned nominations at the European Film Awards and Golden Globes. Guadagnino’s beautiful visuals, combined with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ haunting music, create a dreamlike and emotional experience.

With its striking imagery and deep emotions, Queer is a powerful and unforgettable film.

11: Saturday Night

Directed by: Jason Reitman

Cast: Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O’Brien, Emily Fairn, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Nicholas Braun

Genre: Biographical, Comedy-Drama

Original Language: English

Running Time: 109 minutes

Release Date: September 27, 2024

Box Office: $9.8 million

Saturday Night highlights the chaos behind an iconic premiere.

Saturday Night, directed by one of the famous Canadian movie directors, Jason Reitman, depicts the chaotic night leading up to the premiere of NBC’s Saturday Night.

Gabriel LaBelle stars as Lorne Michaels alongside Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O’Brien, and Willem Dafoe. The film captures the tensions among the cast, creative clashes, and last-minute struggles before the iconic show aired.

Blending sharp humor with behind-the-scenes drama, Saturday Night offers a nostalgic yet intense look at a pivotal moment in television history. LaBelle’s portrayal of Michaels was widely praised, earning him a Golden Globe nomination.

10: The Apprentice

Directed by: Ali Abbasi

Cast: Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova, Martin Donovan

Genre: Biographical, Drama

Original Language: English

Running Time: 122 minutes

Release Date: October 11, 2024

Box Office: $17.3 million

The Apprentice is all about Donald Trump’s rise to power.

How did Donald Trump build his empire? The Apprentice, directed by Ali Abbasi, takes a deep dive into Trump’s early years in the cutthroat world of New York real estate during the 1970s and 1980s.

The film explores his mentorship under notorious attorney Roy Cohn and the ruthless ambition that shaped his career.

With gripping performances and intense political undertones, The Apprentice offers a bold, unfiltered look at power and corruption. Premiering at Cannes to an eight-minute standing ovation, the film sparked controversy, legal battles, and critical acclaim.

Nominated for Golden Globe and BAFTA Awards, The Apprentice is a must-watch for those fascinated by politics, ambition, and the forces that shape history.

9: Better Man

Directed by: Michael Gracey

Cast: Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman

Genre: Biographical, Musical, Drama

Original Language: English

Running Time: 135 minutes

Release Date: December 25, 2024 (United States)

Box Office: $20.3 million

Better Man is a surreal take on Robbie Williams’ life.

What if Robbie Williams told his life story—but as a CGI chimpanzee? Better Man, a bold and unconventional musical biopic, reimagines the British pop icon’s journey through fame, self-doubt, and redemption in an entirely new way.

Better Man is about the life of British pop star Robbie Williams. The film uniquely presents Williams as a CGI-animated anthropomorphic chimpanzee, voiced by both Williams and Jonno Davies, who also performs the motion capture. Featuring Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman, and Damon Herriman, Better Man explores fame, self-worth, and redemption themes.

The film combines musical performances with surreal storytelling, depicting key moments from Williams’ life, including his rise with Take That, solo stardom, struggles with addiction, and ultimate redemption.

8: Maria

Directed by: Pablo Larraín

Cast: Angelina Jolie, Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, Kodi Smit-McPhee

Genre: Biographical, Psychological Drama

Original Language: English, Greek

Running Time: 124 minutes

Release Date: November 27, 2024 (United States)

Box Office: $22.1 million

Maria exhibits the final days of an Opera icon.

In her final days, Maria Callas—the legendary opera singer—reflects on fame, love, and loss in Maria, a gripping psychological drama starring Angelina Jolie. Set in Paris, the film captures Callas’s inner turmoil and fading stardom as she faces the end of her journey.

With a stellar cast including Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, and Kodi Smit-McPhee, Maria delves into fame’s loneliness, the weight of artistic genius, and the price of success.

Jolie’s haunting performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination, while the film’s stunning cinematography received recognition at the Academy Awards. Premiering at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival, Maria competed for the Golden Lion before reaching audiences worldwide on Netflix.

A deeply moving tribute, Maria offers an intimate glimpse into the life of an icon who lived for music—but paid a heavy price for greatness.

7: I’m Still Here

Directed by: Walter Salles

Cast: Fernanda Torres, Selton Mello, Fernanda Montenegro

Genre: Political, Biographical, Drama

Original Language: Portuguese

Running Time: 138 minutes

Release Date: November 7, 2024

Box Office: $33.9 million

I’m Still Here is a powerful tale of resistance and loss

I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui) is a political drama directed by Walter Salles, based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s memoir. The film follows Eunice Paiva (played by Fernanda Torres and Fernanda Montenegro), a mother and activist coping with the forced disappearance of her husband, dissident politician Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello), during Brazil’s military dictatorship.

The film aired at the Venice International Film Festival in 2024, received critical acclaim, and won Best Screenplay.

Grossing $33.4 million, I’m Still Here became the highest-grossing Brazilian film post-pandemic. The film received Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards and earned Torres a nomination for Best Actress. With its gripping performances and emotional storytelling, the film is a landmark in Brazilian cinema.

6: Goodfellas

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Cast: Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Lorraine Bracco, Joe Pesci, Paul Sorvino

Genre: Crime, Thriller

Original Language: English

Running Time: 146 minutes

Release Date: September 19, 1990

Box Office: $47.1 million

Goodfellas is about the rise and fall of a Gangster.

Goodfellas on Nicholas Pileggi’s 1985 book Wiseguy follows Henry Hill as he rises through the Mafia ranks from the 1950s to the 1980s. Starring Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, and Robert De Niro, the film explores power, loyalty, and betrayal through Martin Scorsese’s masterful storytelling.

With its fast-paced narrative, immersive cinematography, and unforgettable performances, Goodfellas redefined the gangster genre. Joe Pesci’s chilling portrayal of Tommy DeVito won an Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor), while the film’s influence shaped countless crime dramas.

The movie was also chosen for the National Film Registry (2000), making it a timeless classic in biographical cinema.

5: Bonnie and Clyde

Directed by: Arthur Penn

Cast: Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Michael J. Pollard, Gene Hackman, Estelle Parsons

Genre: Crime, Biographical, Drama

Original Language: English

Running Time: 111 minutes

Release Date: August 13, 1967

Box Office: $70 million

Bonnie and Clyde is about love, crime, and rebellion.

“They’re young, they’re in love… and they kill people.” That tagline wasn’t just catchy—it defined a cinematic revolution.

Arthur Penn’s Bonnie and Clyde brings the infamous outlaws Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker to life against the backdrop of the Great Depression. Starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, alongside Gene Hackman and Estelle Parsons, the film masterfully blends romance and crime in a way that redefined cinema.

Upon release, it earned 10 Academy Award nominations, winning Best Supporting Actress and Best Cinematography. Its gritty storytelling, fast-paced editing, and shocking finale revolutionized Hollywood’s portrayal of violence, shaping the New Hollywood era and inspiring future filmmakers.

Widely regarded as one of America’s greatest films, Bonnie and Clyde was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1992, solidifying its status as a landmark in biographical cinema.

4: A Complete Unknown

Directed by: James Mangold

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, Scoot McNairy

Genre: Biographical, Musical, Drama

Original Language: English

Running Time: 141 minutes

Release Date: December 25, 2024

Box Office: $127.4 million

A Complete Unknown showcases Bob Dylan’s electrifying transformation.

A Complete Unknown is about Bob Dylan, one of the best songwriters of all time. The movie exhibits his journey from folk icon to rock revolutionary. Based on the book Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald, the film captures the cultural upheaval of the 1960s.

Starring Timothée Chalamet as Dylan, alongside Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, and Monica Barbaro, the film explores Dylan’s rise to fame, his romantic struggles, and the controversy surrounding his electric transition.

The film’s raw performances and immersive period setting make it a compelling portrait of artistic reinvention. Chalamet’s portrayal of Dylan and a meticulously recreated 1960s folk scene add depth to the story. It received critical acclaim, earning multiple Oscar nominations and solidifying its place as one of the standout biographical movies in the list.

3: Schindler’s List

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Cast: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall, Jonathan Sagall, Embeth Davidtz

Genre: Historical Drama, War

Original Language: English

Running Time: 195 minutes

Release Date: December 15, 1993

Box Office: $322.2 million

Schindler’s List is about faith, desire, and forbidden love.

Few films leave an impact as profound as Schindler’s List. This historical biographical film, inspired by Thomas Keneally’s novel Schindler’s Ark, recounts the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who rescued over a thousand Polish-Jewish individuals during World War II by providing them employment in his factories.

With Liam Neeson as Schindler, Ben Kingsley as his loyal accountant Itzhak Stern, and Ralph Fiennes as the terrifying SS officer Amon Göth, the film delivers powerful performances that bring history to life.

Shot in black and white for a documentary-like realism, Schindler’s List is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. It won seven Academy Awards (including Best Picture and Best Director), while John Williams’ haunting score, featuring violinist Itzhak Perlman, remains unforgettable.

A cinematic masterpiece, the biographical film is a heartbreaking yet inspiring reminder of the power of one person to make a difference.

2: The Wolf of Wall Street

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Favreau, Jean Dujardin

Genre: Biographical, Crime, Black Comedy

Original Language: English

Running Time: 180 minutes

Release Date: December 25, 2013

Box Office: $407 million

The Wolf of Wall Street is a film that portrays the rise and fall of stockbroker Jordan Belfort.

With that bold opening, The Wolf of Wall Street throws viewers into a wild, adrenaline-fueled world of greed, excess, and corruption. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this black comedy crime film is based on Jordan Belfort’s memoir, bringing to life his meteoric rise and catastrophic fall.

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio (one of the Oscar-winning actors) as Belfort, the film follows a young stockbroker who builds a fraudulent empire at Stratton Oakmont, living a life of outrageous wealth, unchecked ambition, and absolute debauchery.

With a powerhouse cast including Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, and Matthew McConaughey, Scorsese blends dark humor, crime, and high-energy storytelling into a film that never slows down.

Becoming Scorsese’s highest-grossing film with $407 million worldwide, The Wolf of Wall Street sparked both praise and controversy for its unfiltered look at financial crime and excess.

The movie was nominated for five Academy Awards – Best Picture and Best Actor for DiCaprio. It remains a modern classic—a thrilling, jaw-dropping ride through the dark side of the American Dream.

1: Oppenheimer

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Cast: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck

Genre: Biographical, Thriller, Historical Drama

Original Language: English

Running Time: 180 minutes

Release Date: July 21, 2023

Box Office: $976 million

Oppenheimer is a cinematic explosion of history and ethics.

Oppenheimer is a 2023 biographical thriller by Christopher Nolan (one of the best British movie directors) about the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer (physicist) behind the atomic bomb. Based on American Prometheus, the film explores his role in the Manhattan Project and its consequences.

Starring Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., and Emily Blunt, it delves into the ethical and political fallout of nuclear warfare.

Shot in IMAX 65mm, the film features Nolan’s signature practical effects. Oppenheimer was a critical and commercial success, grossing $976 million. The film earned seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor (Murphy), cementing its legacy as one of the best biographical films

More than just a film, Oppenheimer is a thought-provoking journey into the mind of a man who changed the world—forever.