Ranker FilmList RulesVote up the top biographical movies & films
List of the best biopics ever made, as ranked by film critics and movie fans. History is filled with remarkable individuals and stories that are worth telling over and over. People write books and create amazing art works depicting these incredible people and their lives, but no medium is more memorable than biographical films. This movie genre has been around since movies could be made, with Jeanne d’Arc in 1900. Some of the most memorable films of all times are biopics, as well as the most beloved and critically recognized performances.
This list is the answer to the question, “What are the best biographical movies of all time?” Movies like Schindler’s List, Raging Bull, and Lawrence of Arabia are often put on lists of the best movies ever made. Without even knowing about the history behind the movies, they’re as enjoyable as any made up story. Newer films like The Social Network and Lincoln swept at award shows because of their mesmerizing performances and great directing. Of course, you'll find a range of options on the list below, from inspiring athlete stories to the best African American biopics.
The films on this list range from 1928 to 2012, covering subjects like great leaders of wars to amazing musicians, and even LGBTQ+ biopics. The movies that made the list are among the best of all time in any genre.
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373128The King's Speech
Helena Bonham Carter, Colin FirthReleased: 2010
Directed by: Tom Hooper
The King's Speech is a 2010 British historical drama film directed by Tom Hooper and written... more on Wikipedia
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25298Chaplin
Robert Downey Jr., Milla JovovichReleased: 1992
Directed by: Richard Attenborough
Chaplin is a 1992 British-American biographical comedy-drama film about the life of British... more on Wikipedia3
17673Stan & Ollie
Steve Coogan, John C. ReillyReleased: 2018
Directed by: Jon S. Baird
Stan & Ollie is a 2018 British biographical film directed by Jon S. Baird. Stan Laurel (Steve... more on Wikipedia4
373214Schindler's List
Liam Neeson, Ralph FiennesReleased: 1993
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Schindler's List is a 1993 American epic historical period drama, directed and co-produced by... more on Wikipedia5
337203Goodfellas
Robert De Niro, Samuel L. JacksonReleased: 1990
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Goodfellas is a 1990 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is a film adaptation... more on Wikipedia6
317202Walk the Line
Reese Witherspoon, Joaquin PhoenixReleased: 2005
Directed by: James Mangold
Walk the Line is a 2005 American biographical drama film directed by James Mangold and based... more on Wikipedia7
434319Bohemian Rhapsody
Rami Malek, Ben HardyReleased: 2018
Directed by: Bryan Singer
Bohemian Rhapsody is a 2018 American-British biographical drama film directed by Bryan Singer.... more on Wikipedia8
8135The Imitation Game
Keira Knightley, Benedict CumberbatchReleased: 2014
Directed by: Morten Tyldum
The Imitation Game is a 2014 historical thriller film directed by Morten Tyldum, with a... more on Wikipedia9
249181Ray
Kerry Washington, Jamie FoxxReleased: 2004
Directed by: Taylor Hackford
Ray is a biographical film focusing on 30 years in the life of rhythm and blues musician Ray... more on Wikipedia10
245178Catch Me If You Can
Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprioReleased: 2002
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Catch Me If You Can is a 2002 American biographical crime drama film based on the life of... more on Wikipedia11
11869Rocketman
Taron Egerton, Jamie BellReleased: 2019
Directed by: Dexter Fletcher
Rocketman is a 2019 British-American biographical musical film directed by Dexter Fletcher.... more on Wikipedia12
13786Coal Miner's Daughter
Tommy Lee Jones, Sissy SpacekReleased: 1980
Directed by: Michael Apted
Coal Miner's Daughter is a 1980 biographical film which tells the story of country music... more on Wikipedia13
13484The Pianist
Adrien Brody, Thomas KretschmannReleased: 2002
Directed by: Roman Polanski
The Pianist is a 2002 historical drama film co-produced and directed by Roman Polanski,... more on Wikipedia14
14699The Mercy
Colin Firth, Rachel WeiszReleased: 2018
Directed by: James Marsh
The Mercy is a 2017 British biographical drama film directed by James Marsh. Amateur sailor... more on Wikipedia15
11876Casino
Sharon Stone, Robert De NiroReleased: 1995
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Casino is a 1995 American drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is based on the... more on Wikipedia16
212164A Beautiful Mind
Jennifer Connelly, Russell CroweReleased: 2001
Directed by: Ron Howard
A Beautiful Mind is a 2001 American biographical drama film based on the life of John Nash, a... more on Wikipedia17
176131Amadeus
Jeffrey Jones, Cynthia NixonReleased: 1984
Directed by: Miloš Forman
Amadeus - Directors Cut is a 1984 biography drama film written by Peter Shaffer and directed... more on Wikipedia18
209161Braveheart
Mel Gibson, Sophie MarceauReleased: 1995
Directed by: Mel Gibson
Braveheart is a 1995 epic historical medieval war drama film directed by and starring Mel... more on Wikipedia19
14610812 Years a Slave
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael FassbenderReleased: 2013
Directed by: Steve McQueen
12 Years a Slave is a 2013 period drama film directed by Steve McQueen, based on the 1853... more on Wikipedia20
175138Gandhi
Daniel Day-Lewis, Ben KingsleyReleased: 1982
Directed by: Richard Attenborough
Gandhi is a 1982 epic biographical film which dramatises the life of Mohandas Karamchand... more on Wikipedia21
142107Patton
George C. Scott, Karl MaldenReleased: 1970
Directed by: Franklin J. Schaffner
Patton is a 1970 American epic biographical film about U.S. General George S. Patton during... more on Wikipedia22
4412A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Tom Hanks, Matthew RhysReleased: 2019
Directed by: Marielle Heller
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a 2019 American drama film directed by Marielle Heller.... more on Wikipedia23
133100Elizabeth
Cate Blanchett, Daniel CraigReleased: 1998
Directed by: Shekhar Kapur
Elizabeth is a 1998 biographical film written by Michael Hirst, directed by Shekhar Kapur, and... more on Wikipedia24
9261Brian's Song
Dick Butkus, James CaanReleased: 1971
Directed by: Buzz Kulik
Brian's Song is a 1971 ABC Movie of the Week that recounts the details of the life of Brian... more on Wikipedia25
186153Lincoln
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Daniel Day-LewisReleased: 2012
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Lincoln is a 2012 American epic historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg, starring... more on Wikipedia
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