My Favourite Biographical Films of All-Time

Not many genres have built a legacy as iconic as the biopic. Since the 1950’s, the biopic genre has produced unforgettable movies. Whether its powerful political leaders, inventors or raging boxers, the biopic genre has produced several characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best biopics ever made that deserve to be celebrated.

1. A Beautiful Mind

Schizophrenia is a devastating disorder that always fascinated my teacher. In high school, I formed a relationship with a psychology professor that was interested in a mental disorder which was cruel. I remember my teacher was often fascinated with mental disorders placing lives in grave danger. He always sought to educate his students in class about a grim illness causing people to deteriorate. Fascinated with disorders that affected the mind, my teacher was always determined to leave a lasting legacy behind. Few biopics I have ever seen have captured the impact of illness on the mind of a genius as powerfully as “A Beautiful Mind”. Ever since its release in 2001, Ron Howard’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest biographical film ever made. With the greatest film of his career, Howard used innovative cinematic techniques to capture the life of a mathematician that faced despair. Howard uses stunning unreliable narration to capture the mind of a genius. For instance, the scene in which John Nash faces a tense breakdown when he realizes that his roommate is a figment of his imagination causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a great role by Russell Crowe, capturing a genius that achieved fame years ago. Ultimately, what makes “A Beautiful Mind” my favourite biographical film of all-time is its bold appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with John Nash to appreciate it. It delivers a bold message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after the release of a classic film about a mathematician with a beautiful mind whose mental health declined, its a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured movies which have left a legacy behind.

2. Gandhi

Gandhi is a great historical figure that shaped my grandfather’s identity. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a grandfather admiring a political leader with courage. I recall with nostalgia fond memories of a grandfather appreciating a political leader in India. He believed Gandhi was an inspirational leader that deserved to be celebrated for feats he achieved. In 1982, Richard Attenborough did an extraordinary job celebrating the political leader that changed Indian history in his movie “Gandhi”. Attenborough has always had an aptitude for telling stories of historical figures, and “Gandhi” showcased his strengths. For instance, the scene in which Gandhi delivers an inspirational speech towards crowds of spectators in a political rally is one of the greatest moments of the biopic genre. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance from Ben Kingsley, who embodied a legendary political figure. Ultimately, what makes “Gandhi” a commemorated biopic is its message. The film delivers a heartwarming message about political leaders which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the history of India to appreciate it. An incredible tribute towards a political leader that changed India, it’s an awe-inspiring reminder of a genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies that attract audiences towards Cinema.

3. Judas and the Black Messiah

Fred Hampton is a legendary African-American politician that earned my friend’s appreciation. I remember a close classmate that was fascinated with the black political leader. He would always speak fondly about a messiah that fought racism during the segregation era. My friend always admired a political leader with wisdom that was determined to overcome racism. In 2021, Shaka King honoured the iconic black politician that became a messiah in his movie “Judas and the Black Messiah”. King used captivating montages capturing the hardships that a black political leader that fought discrimination was facing. For instance, the scene in which Fred Hampton delivers a speech to his followers about racism in America is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Daniel Kaluuya, who portrayed a black political leader that changed America. Ultimately, what makes “Judas and the Black Messiah” a masterpiece is its appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with history to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. A powerful tribute towards a black leader with charisma that changed America, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has made memorable movies attracting audiences towards Cinema.

4. The Pianist

The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that has fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught about the Holocaust by a professor with immense knowledge. Several years ago, I was taught about the genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. He always believed movies were an art that couldn’t capture genocides that tore lives apart. As someone treasuring a teacher that was fascinated with Holocaust figures he loved to list, I adored “The Pianist”. Released in 2002, Roman Polanski’s breathtaking biopic captured the life of a Jewish pianist that survived WWII. With the most personal film of his career, Polanski drew from his personal experiences to celebrate a pianist that overcame warfare. Polanski has always excelled at using point-of-view shots in his movies, and his strengths are evident in “The Pianist”. For instance, the scene in which Szpilman breaks down in tears after he is separated from his parents is one of the the greatest moments of the biopic genre. Ultimately, what makes “The Pianist” a great biopic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about the Holocaust, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a profound message about survival which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a brave Jewish pianist miraculously managed to survive frightening ghettos in WWII, it’s a bold reminder of a great genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to captivate making memorable movies audiences commonly value.

5. The Social Network

Facebook is a legendary social networking company that my cousin always loved dearly. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a cousin that adored the company which changed social media. A huge fan of Facebook, he would always praise ambitious founders of a company that changed his outlook. He would often yearn to see the social media company depicted in Cinema. In 2010, David Fincher honoured the ambitious entrepreneurs that formed the social network in his movie “The Social Network”. Fincher used captivating non-linear storytelling capturing the ambitious entrepreneurs that formed a company which revolutionized social networking. For instance, the scene in which Mark is accused by the twins of stealing their idea for Facebook causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Jesse Eisenberg, who embodied the ambitious founder of a social network. Ultimately, what makes “The Social Network” a masterpiece is its appeal. Viewers don’t need to be Facebook users to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular tribute to a company that changed social media, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a celebrated genre manufacturing commemorated movies commonly attracting audiences towards Cinema.

6. Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer is a legendary historical figure that changed the world forever. A physicist with lasting legacy, Oppenheimer designed an atomic bomb causing catastrophe. Oppenheimer’s bomb invention made him a controversial figure in history. In 2023, Christopher Nolan honoured the iconic inventor in his Oscar-winning movie “Oppenheimer”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Oppenheimer” stand out is its complex storytelling. Nolan deviates from the traditional three act structure of biopics telling the story in a unique non-linear style. Assisted by Cillian Murphy who is extraordinary in the lead role, Nolan honoured Oppenheimer’s legacy. 90 years after Oppenheimer designed an atomic bomb with consequences that were tragic, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a great genre that has built a legacy which is iconic.

7. My Week With Marilyn

Marilyn Monroe is a legendary actress that built a lasting legacy. With her attractive looks, charming personality and strong demeanour, Monroe gained a huge following in the 1950’s. In 2011, Simon Curtis honoured the iconic actress in his movie “My Week With Marilyn”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “My Week With Marilyn” stand out is its depiction of Hollywood. Curtis effectively uses gorgeous production-design to capture the life of a movie-star whose fame rarely managed to decline. Assisted by Michelle Williams who is magnificent in the lead role, Curtis honoured a legendary movie-star’s legacy. A marvellous tribute towards the legacy of Marilyn Monroe, it’s a magnificent reminder of a commemorated genre that has always manufactured memorable movies about historical figures giving audiences dreams to follow.

8. The King’s Speech

When it comes to the most beloved figures in the royal family, it’s worth discussing King George V. A troubled leader, George V suffered from severe speech impediments affecting his ability to guide the country. In 2010, Tom Hooper honoured the iconic political leader with speech disabilities in his movie “The King’s Speech”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The King’s Speech” stand out is its depiction of speech impediments. Hooper uses captivating montages capturing a royal figure that suffered from speech disabilities that are frightening. Assisted by Colin Firth who is amazing in the lead role, Hooper honoured the king’s legacy. As strong as King George V’s desire to overcome speech disabilities that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making memorable movies which are definitely worth celebrating.

9. Darkest Hour

Winston Churchill is a commemorated prime minister that guided Britain. During WWII, Churchill became a prime minister that citizens of Britain would value. In 2017, Joe Wright honoured the iconic political leader facing his darkest hour in his movie “Darkest Hour”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Darkest Hour” stand out is its makeup. Wright uses captivating makeup to recreate a president that guided his country in ways that are inspiring. Assisted by Gary Oldman who is extraordinary in the lead role, Wright honoured Winston Churchill’s legacy. Nearly 90 years after Winston Churchill became a prime minister changing history forever, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable films about the lives of larger-than-life historical figures which audiences commonly treasure.

10. Vice

Dick Cheney is a controversial president in American history. While some supported his policies, others criticized Cheney’s war against terrorism. In 2018, Adam McKay honoured the vice-president in his movie “Vice”. McKay used captivating satire to capture a political leader in America. Assisted by Christian Bale who is superb in the lead role, McKay honoured Cheney’s legacy. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of a political leader abusing his authority has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. 30 years after Dick Cheney became a vice-president changing America as a country, it’s a captivating reminder of a genre making great movies about historic figures which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.