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The 15 Best Biopics of All Time

Meryl Streep, Denzel Washington, and Robert De Niro star in some of the most enduring and enjoyable biopics.

That’s largely because the genre has gone through some pains to get here. For years, biopics were paint-by-numbers affairs, drawn up to make a quick buck and maybe score an Oscar nomination or two.

Now, most filmmakers have figured out that there are better, more cinematic ways to tell these stories. Some of the best biopics on our list still tell a person’s story from birth to death (or close to it) but do so with a grandness that reflects the way their life was lived. Others focus on a specific period, moment, or event in a person’s life and demonstrate its importance, which encourages reflection on how that particular story still resonates in the present.

This biopic renaissance didn’t happen overnight. Throughout film history, directors have taken risks that paid off in the form of timeless biopics that pushed the genre forward. These are 15 of our favorites.

Related: The Real People Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro Portray in Killers of the Flower Moon • The Tragic True Story of the Ferrari Movie • Why Michael Oher Doesn’t Like The Blind Side

Director Spike Lee takes the approach of sharing a large percentage of the life of one of America’s most well-known and impactful civil rights leaders : Malcolm X . It’s an approach that has failed more often than not, but over three hours, Lee and star Denzel Washington are able to give Malcolm’s life the richness and attention to detail it deserves in this 1992 film. The result is a fully three-dimensional portrait that follows the man from childhood to his 1965 assassination and many places in between.

Tick, Tick…Boom!

The layers in the feature film debut of director Lin-Manuel Miranda are truly one of a kind. The 2021 movie introduces us to Jonathan Larson (played by Andrew Garfield), who became best known for writing the broadway musical Rent . But in Tick, Tick…Boom! , he’s both struggling to break into the musical industry and, in a parallel but future-looking story, acting in the musical he wrote before Rent . That musical? Tick, Tick…Boom! about a writer struggling to break into the musical industry. It all makes sense—somehow—on the screen, and it’s both wildly entertaining and tinged with tragedy for people who know Larson’s fate. (He’d never get to see Rent premiere.)

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I’m Not There

Most biopics feature one primary actor depicting the portions of an individual’s life that are best known to the general public. Many others might feature a younger or older actor showing the subject at a different phase of their life. I’m Not There , meanwhile, tells the story of Bob Dylan using six very distinct actors to portray the iconic singer-songwriter in various eras of his life. Among the six in this 2007 release are Christian Bale , Richard Gere , the late Heath Ledger , and, improbably, an Oscar-nominated Cate Blanchett .

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Here, the biopic turns into a horror movie (with one of the most uncomfortable but appropriate musical scores of the last decade), as we follow former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (played by a never better Natalie Portman ) in the immediate aftermath of her husband’s assassination in 1963. In this 2017 film, Chilean director Pablo Larraín takes you deep into what was a national tragedy, but he does so in a uniquely personal way. In one of the film’s most devastating scenes, we see Kennedy trying to wash her husband’s blood off her body . From there, it flips, and we see her put in painstaking work to shape the way history will remember the 35th U.S. president .

The Wind Rises

A rare animated biopic, this 2013 stunner from Japanese legend Hayao Miyazaki (of Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke fame) is an interesting companion piece to this summer’s hottest biopic, Oppenheimer . It depicts the life and career of Jiro Horikoshi, an engineer whose aircraft designs were eventually adopted and used by Japan during World War II. While his work advanced his field tremendously, the film shows him wracked with guilt over the way it was used, while he also deals with personal tragedy. It’s a tremendous achievement that takes advantage of its presentation to become arguably the most fanciful biopic ever.

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Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most well-known figures in American history, but books and speeches can only do so much to show the person behind the ideas. Director Ava DuVernay ’s 2014 film centers around the 1965 civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, explicitly showing it wasn't the act of one man but so many, including people killed in acts of racial violence. Still, where it stands out is in its portrayal of King, who carries the hopes, fears, and memories of all these individuals on his shoulders at all times, whether he’s sitting at home with his family, in an Alabama jail cell, or in the Oval Office. The result is a portrait of an icon who’s flawed, overwhelmed, and occasionally unsure of himself.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Similar to DuVernay’s work on Selma , director Marielle Heller peels back the veil on a person famous for their goodness in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood . Her focus is Fred Rogers , the famous children’s television star, but what’s especially interesting about Tom Hanks ’ portrayal of him in the film is that his on- and off-screen personas aren’t dramatically different. The film is centered on a journalist profiling Rogers who assumes someone presenting as this kind must have another side. But in this 2019 film, we learn that while Rogers might have had feelings of sadness, anger, and anxiousness, he actively chose kindness every day, which in turn made everything else feel insignificant.

One of the more fictionalized biopics on the list, this 1984 Oscar-winning epic, adapted from a Tony Award–winning play, takes the unique approach of showing the life, work, and peculiarities (that laugh!) of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through the eyes of one of his lesser-known contemporaries, Antonio Salieri. As played by F. Murray Abraham, Salieri is consumed by jealousy, revulsion, and deep, deep admiration for his rival composer. As he gets closer to Mozart, he sees a similarly tortured soul, and for viewers, Mozart’s layers of caricature fade away.

Another biopic out of the tumult that was the United States in the 1960s, this 2001 masterpiece from director Michael Mann crosses between sports and politics with a hand as deft as its subject’s left. We see Muhammad Ali , played with remarkable complexity by Will Smith , from his first title fight to his famous knockout of George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle.” All the while, we’re shown the unforgettable details that made him one of the greatest icons of the 20th century—notably, the grace with which he moved around the ring and the acid on his tongue in a pre-fight interview—as well as the almost unbearable heaviness he carried on his shoulders that came with being Muhammad Ali.

Raging Bull

Staying in the boxing ring, this is arguably the quintessential biopic and one of the most admired films by one of cinema’s most admired directors, Martin Scorsese . In it, Robert De Niro plays Jake LaMotta , the world middleweight champion from June 1949 to February 1951. The 1980 film explores the ups and downs of his fighting career, his mob connections (including an infamously thrown fight in 1947), and the always tumultuous, often rage-filled, and violent relationships he had with his wife, Vikie, and his brother and manager, Joey. De Niro won his second Oscar for playing LaMotta—a performance for which he gained 60 pounds to play an older version of the fighter.

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In the 1960s, big, booming historical epics were all the rage. Lawrence of Arabia , Dr. Zhivago —if it had a musical overture and an intermission, people were there and all about it. (It was kind of weird.) But one biographical film that came a little later (in 1981) stands out as an especially successful epic with a number of historical figures criss-crossing at a monumentally important historical event: the start of the Russian Revolution. Among the figures profiled in the underrated Reds are Jack Reed ( Warren Beatty , who also directed the film), a journalist and activist who wrote one of the defining portraits of this period; Louise Bryant ( Diane Keaton ), his counterpart and on/off romantic partner; famous American playwright Eugene O’Neill ( Jack Nicholson ); and feminist and anarchist Emma Goldman (Maureen Stapleton). And throughout, all of the individuals featured and events chronicled are given color through real-life interviews with men and women who were actually there.

Marie Antoinette

This 2006 biopic is straight vibes. Set in pre-Revolutionary France, it features Kirsten Dunst as Marie Antoinette not even pretending to have an accent. Converse sneakers are famously seen in the background of a shot. And the soundtrack, featuring The Strokes and The Cure among others, couldn’t sound less appropriate for the period. But by severing the connection with the time period as harshly as—well, nevermind—director Sofia Coppola crafts something that’s able to gently remind viewers this movie is a relatively simple story about a young girl who embraces the luxury around her because she’s in an otherwise impossible situation.

Julie & Julia

This 2009 Nora Ephron –directed biopic earns inclusion on this list first and foremost thanks to a truly iconic performance from the great Meryl Streep as the beloved chef, author, and television personality Julia Child . She injects tremendous heart into the role without losing some of the quirky gestures that made so many people fall in love with Child, among them blogger Julie Powell ( Amy Adams ), whose journey with Child’s cooking elevates the film further into the pantheon of best biopics. It’s a unique approach that demystifies its subject by both showing us her life and showing someone else wrestling with it.

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An Angel at My Table

Janet Frame might not be a household name in America like other biopic subjects on this list, but hers was a life so full that a young New Zealand director named Jane Campion turned it into a true cinematic effort in 1990 in just her second feature film. Frame eventually became a renowned literary figure, and the film is based on three separate autobiographies she wrote covering different periods in her life, from childhood to adulthood. She suffered a number of personal tragedies early in her life and was later diagnosed (inaccurately) with schizophrenia. In the film’s most dramatic and pivotal scene, she learns that her first collection of short stories will be published just days before she’s scheduled to undergo a lobotomy.

Director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin dissect one of the most influential individuals of the past century (you’re quite possibly reading this article on one of his devices) in this 2015 biopic. When you picture Steve Jobs in your head, you probably imagine him in black on a stage introducing a product, and this film takes place on three such days across a roughly 15-year span. But while he looks the part, Michael Fassbender’s Jobs is instead shown as vain, short-tempered, and vindictive. It’s a harsh juxtaposition, but as a biopic, it’s a fascinating experiment that is also very well-acted and relentlessly paced.

John Gilpatrick is a freelance writer and film critic from the Lehigh Valley, PA. He loves movies about space and movies about oil drillers (especially when they go together). He also thinks the Star Wars prequels are mostly OK and that Ivan Reitman's Draft Day is a low-key masterpiece. He is a member of the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS). You can read more of his reviews and columns at JohnLikesMovies.com .

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79 best biographical documentaries movies to watch - a good movie to watch, biographical, documentaries, 79 best biographical documentaries movies to watch.

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Hidden Figures

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Updated: May 15, 2024

15 Best Biopics on Netflix Right Now

Biopics have now become a hot genre because there’s something about real-life stories of certain individuals that lure filmmakers. It may be an entire lifetime of a person or just a few crucial years that act as an amazing storyline for a film. It’s no surprise why biopics are able to do so well. Extraordinary stories of successful people or people who had a deeper cause to serve society, all of these inspire us to live a better life. But these stories become more impactful when they are based on the lives of real individuals. Some make us believe in ourselves and our goals while some restore our faith in humanity. The good news is that a great number of these movies are already available on Netflix. So all you have to do is scroll down and choose one of the few biopic movies that we have listed. Here’s the list of really good biopic movies on Netflix that are available to stream right now.

15. Roxanne Roxanne (2017)

Directed and written by Michael Larnell, ‘Roxanne Roxanne’ is an autobiographical musical drama film that stars Chanté Adams, Mahershala Ali, Nia Long, and Elvis Nolasco. Roxanne Shante, a young rapper from New York, has already made her reputation as one of the most feared battle emcees in the 80s. Whoever had seen her perform knew that she was all set to become a hip-hop legend. ‘Roxanne Roxanne’ recounts Shante’s inspiring story as she worked tirelessly to provide for her family and achieved musical success in the process.

14. Come Sunday (2018)

This film is based on an episode of the public radio series called ‘This American Life’. The biopic is about an internationally renowned pastor who went by the name Carton Pearson. When Carton defied the morals of the church and started preaching that there is no hell, he found himself being ostracized by his own church and the Christian community who labeled him as an unorthodox non-conformist. The film has a lot of mixed opinions when it comes to the reviews because it goes against the religious values of a lot of people. But don’t let the reviews fool you, this film is great and has some amazing cinematography with acting.

13. Milk (2008)

Starring Sean Penn and James Franco, ‘Milk’ tells the life story of Harvey Milk starting from his 40th birthday all the way up to his death. The film traces his journey as he struggles to fight for gay rights in the country as an activist and later becomes California’s first gay elected official. The biopic also highlights his relationships with two men along the way and how the death of one really moves him. ‘Milk’ is an extremely moving film and will make you truly feel the struggles of Harvey Milk and all the gay activists of that era.

12. First They Killed My Father (2017)

Directed by Angeline Jolie , this one is the true story of a 5-year-old girl named Loung Ung and her struggles with her family when the Khmer Rouge had taken over Cambodia in the year 1975. Their terrorizing rule led to the death of over 2 million Cambodians. The film shows how Ung and her siblings were sent to Labor Camps and were trained to become soldiers at such a young and delicate age. This film holds a great amount of historical accuracy and clearly, a lot of effort has been into portraying Loung Ung’s story. It does not focus too much on showing the violence and gore prevailing at that time and instead shows the underlying terror and chaos during the time which makes this one a great watch.

11. Christine (2016)

Christine Chubbuck was a TV reporter back in the 70s. This film tells her story by narrating her struggles as a working woman, pressures from her home and also her own depression . This film has been quite under the radar but deserves more appreciation. It tends to get inside your head with its depressing characters and storyline with uncomfortable slow burn throughout. Note that this movie can be triggering for those who are already going through something but overall, it’s a very good movie with some brilliant acting.

10. Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed (2021)

Featuring Bob Ross, Steve Ross, Vicky Ross, and John Thamm, ‘Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed’ is a biographical documentary film directed by Joshua Rofé. As the name suggests, the movie revolves around the rise of the titular protagonist, a brilliant painter and television host, who spread love, joy, and happiness to the millions of viewers glued to his programs on their television screens from around the world. With great success came significant financial burdens. While offering a touching overview of Bob’s inspiring life, the film immediately turns its attention towards the battle for his business empire that saddened and infuriated a lot of his fans.

9. Baggio: The Divine Ponytail (2021)

Written by Ludovica Rampoldi and Stefano Sardo, ‘Baggio: The Divine Ponytail’ is a biographical sports film that stars Andrea Arcangeli, Valentina Bellè, and Thomas Trabacch. The Letizia Lamartire directorial recounts the inspiring life story of Roberto Baggio, a former footballer who dedicated 22 years of his life to the sport. From successes to his failures and regretful mistakes, the movie captures everything. It also introduces viewers to the man behind closed doors and his relationship with his loved ones. Roberto’s affinity to Nichiren Buddhism and his adherence to its philosophy is also deeply discussed.

8. Sergio (2020)

Greg Barker’s ‘Sergio’ is a biographical drama movie produced by Wagner Moura, Brent Travers, and Daniel Dreifuss. The film focuses on Sérgio Vieira de Mello, a United Nations diplomat who, after working tirelessly on several international political programs for more than three decades, decides to do something about the American invasion of Iraq in 2003. Despite warnings not to visit Baghdad in the middle of conflict, Sérgio tries to negotiate the withdrawal of American troops so that the country can achieve freedom. However, his attempts do not go as planned as he gets trapped in the basement of a hotel after a terrorist attack.

7. Mank (2020)

Directed by David Fincher, ‘Mank’ is a black-and-white biographical drama film that revolves around the development of the popular 40s film ‘Citizen Kane’ and its screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz. It is set in the 1930s and offers an exciting insight into the Hollywood of the time. However, the films’ focus remains on the development of the iconic movie and challenges faced by Herman along the way.

6. The Dirt (2019)

Written by Rich Wilkes and Amanda Adelson, ‘The Dirt’ is a biographical comedy-drama film that is based on Neil Strauss’s book ‘The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band.’ After spending several crucial years of his early life with his abusive mother, Frank Carlton Feranna Jr. ventures into the outside world in search of his father and eventually stumbles upon the purpose of his life. When he met Tommy Lee in 1980, the musician shared his plan to form a new band, and the two joined hands to include other members in the team. After the inclusion of Mick Mars and Vince Neil, the Mötley Crüe was formed and, in just a few years’ time, became one of the most popular rock bands on the planet.

5. Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

Featuring stand-out performances by Eddie Murphy, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Epps, and Craig Robinson, ‘Dolemite Is My Name’ is a biographical comedy film written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. It revolves around a struggling artist named Rudy Ray Moore, who is desperately trying to get his music on the air in the 1970s. Unfortunately, he has had little success, and his future is still clouded in uncertainty. However, on one ordinary night, an unexpected encounter with a homeless man changes Rudy’s life as he discovers his true calling and ends up entertaining the world, albeit in his own humble and small way.

4. A Futile and Stupid Gesture (2018)

Inspired by Josh Karp’s 2006 non-fiction book of the same name, ‘A Futile and Stupid Gesture’ is a biographical comedy-drama film written by John Aboud and Michael Colton. The David Wain directorial follows Douglas Kenney, who, along with his classmate Henry Beard lays the foundations of a monthly magazine named the National Lampoon. The duo leaves the life-transforming opportunity of attending law school for their ambitious goal and, with Douglas’ big vision, manages to change the American comedy scene in innovative ways.

Read More: Best Christian Movies on Netflix

3. Schumacher (2021)

Directed by Hanns-Bruno Kammertöns, Vanessa Nöcker, and Michael Wech, ‘Schumacher’ is a German sports documentary film that focuses on the inspiring career of the titular protagonist and features Corinna Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Mika Häkkinen, Jean Todt among many others. The movie offers an intimate understanding of German Formula One racing driver Michael’s personal and professional life using unseen videos, archive footage, and interviews. From his early go-kart career to the struggle with the death of Ayrton Senna, ‘Schumacher’ paints a moving portrait of the legendary racer with an accurate depiction of his failures, successes, and fears.

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2. Barry (2016)

Directed by Vikram Gandhi, ‘Barry’ is a drama movie that centers upon Barack Obama’s college days and gives viewers a unique perspective on his life. In the early 1980s, the 44th President of the United States reached New York as a 21-year-old exchange student to Columbia University, where he made friends with his roommate, Will. Barack participated in debates about philosophy and American society and took an active interest in political affairs. ‘Barry’ gives viewers an intimate understanding of what Obama was like during his early 20s and offers a closer look at the interests that eventually made him the leader he is today.

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1. The Most Hated Woman in America (2017)

Tommy O’Haver’s ‘The Most Hated Woman in America’ is a biographical drama film that stars Melissa Leo, Peter Fonda, Sally Kirkland, and Rory Cochrane. The film centers upon Madalyn Murray O’Hair, an activist, atheist, and proponent for the separation of church from the state who fiercely advocated for his beliefs despite the challenges in her path. Unfortunately, she gets kidnapped in the mid-90s along with her son Garth and granddaughter Robin by people who detest her ideas which eventually ends tragically.

Read More: Best Suicide Movies on Netflix

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Top 27 Best Biopic Movies of Bollywood You Must Watch (Updated)

Compared to every other film industry across the globe, Bollywood films are often considered far from reality. Recently Shershah released on Amazon prime, Biopic of PVC Captain Vikram Batra did something unique and real.

We have a Hero beating the hell out of more than 10 to 15 goons and if his action sequences are not enough to impress, then he is also an excellent dancer, singer, charmer, and whatnot! The actress or the Heroine, on the other hand, is most often a glamorous, beautiful young girl who can sing, dance, and sometimes is the damsel in distress waiting to be rescued.

Well, that’s how a Bollywood film is made. There’s hardly anything realistic about most Bollywood films. Yet, there are few exceptions where filmmakers try to portray realistic characters focusing on a believable story rather than just an entertainer. Such a mindset has also inspired Bollywood filmmakers to try biographical films on popular personalities.

Best Bollywood Biopic Movies of All Time

A biopic is basically a film that features the life story of a real person or a particular incident involving the person. In Bollywood, a lot of biopic films have been produced, and most often they have gone unnoticed, thanks to lack of media coverage. However, since the new millennia, things have begun to change for Bollywood. The industry has begun acknowledging some lives and their achievements as well as take it as their responsibility to tell their life story on the big screen, of course with few exceptions.

Here is the list of best Bollywood biopic movies of all time:

S hershah (2021)

Shershah is a biopic film based on the life of PVC Captain Vikram Batra, he lost his life during the Kargil war and was awarded the Param Veer Chakra by the Army. Shershah was the code name of Vikram Batra and Sidharth Malhotra lived the role of PVC awardee. The film shares the personal life of Vikram Batra, his love interest, family, and his journey towards the bravest soldier of the Army.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is a sports biopic film based on the life of our own Flying Sikh, the great Milkha Singh. Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is first of its kind sports biopic film in India. The film stars Farhan Akhtar in the titular role as Milkha Singh.

M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)

The second on our best biopic films list is another sports biographical drama. M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story is based on the life of Indian Cricketer and former Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Directed by Neeraj Pandey, the film shares some of the unknown and interesting facts about M.S. Dhoni and his life beyond his cricketing career. Sushant Singh Rajput plays M.S. Dhoni in the film alongside Disha Patani, Kiara Advani, Bhumika Chawla, and Anupam Kher in the important roles.

Also Read: Best Bollywood Movies on Cricket

Neerja (2016)

Neerja is a Hindi biographical thriller film featuring an incident in Neerja Bhanot’s life where she valiantly saves 359 of the 379 passengers during the hijack attempt of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi, Pakistan. Directed by Ram Madhvani, the film is narrated from Neerja’s point of view and also highlights the trauma faced by her family during the whole incident. Sonam Kapoor plays the titular character of Neerja Bhanot, whereas Shabana Azmi plays her mother in the film.

Mary Kom (2014)

Here’s another sports biopic film making to our list of best biopic movies of all time. Mary Kom, as the title suggests, is based on the life of former Indian Olympic boxer Mary Kom. Directed by Omung Kumar, the film features Priyanka Chopra in the titular role of Mary Kom. The film depicts Mary Kom’s life and the struggles she faced while pursuing her passion to become a boxer and represent India at an international level.

The Dirty Picture (2011)

The Dirty Picture is not officially a biopic but it certainly resembles the life of South Indian actress Silk Smitha, popular for her erotic roles. Directed by Milan Luthria, the film actually highlights the life of Silk, played by Vidya Balan, and her journey to stardom as well as her eventual death. Alongside Vidya Balan, the film also stars Naseeruddin Shah, Emraan Hashmi, and Tushaar Kapoor.

Paan Singh Tomar (2012)

Paan Singh Tomar can also be listed under the sports biopic films on this best biopic films list. However, Paan Singh Tomar features a terrible ending compared to the other films as this movie features the life of athlete turned bandit Paan Singh Tomar. Directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, the film features Irrfan Khan in the titular role. The film depicts the story of a Gold medallist soldier from the Indian army at Indian National Games, who becomes a renowned bandit in the Chambal Valley.

Bandit Queen (1994)

Bandit Queen is another film based on a famous Indian bandit named Phoolan Devi. Directed by Shekhar Kapur, the film depicts the life and atrocities faced by Phoolan Devi where she was gang raped and abused by policemen and other men from the upper caste. The film is about her vow for revenge and her transition from Phoolan Devi to Bandit Queen. The film stars Seema Biswas in the titular character.

Dangal (2016)

Dangal is a 2016 sports biopic film featuring the life of Phogat sisters. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film tells the real life story of Phogat family and Mahavir Singh Phogat’s quest to train his daughters, Geeta and Babita, to win a Gold medal at the world stage. The film stars Aamir Khan as Mahavir Singh Phogat.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2004)

Till now, the list of best biopic films is highly dominated by sports biopic films and it’s time for a change. Here is Shyam Benegal’s 2004 war film Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero, which is, of course, a biographical film about Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. The film features Sachin Khedekar in the titular character and depicts the life of Netaji in Nazi Germany (1941-1943) as well as Japanese-occupied Asia (1943-1945) which eventually lead to the formation of Azad Hind Fauj.

Also Read: Best Movies about Indian History

Sarabjit (2016)

Directed by Omung Kumar, here’s yet another biographical film based on the life of an Indian prisoner facing a death sentence in Pakistan and his quest for justice. The film features Randeep Hooda as Sarabjit, whereas Aishwarya Rai plays his sister Dalbir Kaur. The film mainly focuses on the journey of Dalbir Kaur seeking justice for her brother and her 22 years quest to bring Sarabjit back to India.

Sardar (1993)

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also known as the Iron Man of India, is an unsung hero of India’s freedom struggle. His legacy is often overshadowed by the greatness of Mahatma Gandhi and the charisma of Jawaharlal Nehru. When Ketan Mehta directed the 1993 film Sardar featuring Paresh Rawal in the titular character, the world came to know a lot about this great legendary freedom fighter and his efforts to build an independent India.

Shahid (2013)

Shahid is a 2013 biographical film based on the life of human rights activist and lawyer Shahid Azmi, who was eventually assassinated in Mumbai in 2010. Directed by Hansal Mehta, the film features Rajkumar Rao in the titular character. The real life Shahid Azmi also defended the 2004 film Black Friday while it was struggling for a release against the Censor Board and that act influenced Anurag Kashyap to make a film about his life.

Rang Rasiya (2008)

Well, a lot of films in the list of best biopic movies are either based on sports, freedom struggle, and others. Hence, for a change, here is the 2008 historical film Rang Rasiya which is based on the life of Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma. Directed by Ketan Mehta, the film features Randeep Hooda as Raja Ravi Varma, whereas Nandana Sen plays his love interest Sugandha.

Aligarh (2016)

Directed by Hansal Mehta, Aligarh is a biographical drama that attracted a lot of controversies last year. The film starring Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role as Prof. Ramchandra Siras is primarily about homosexuality and the prejudice it suffers on moral grounds. The film also features Rajkumar Rao in a pivotal role.

The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002)

The popularity of Bhagat Singh, one of India’s prominent freedom fighters, can be anticipated by the mere fact that there was 3 biographical film released in the same year featuring his life. Well, we chose the best one of the lot starring Ajay Devgn as Bhagat Singh. Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, the film chronicles the life of the legendary freedom fighter who sacrificed his life for Indian Independence.

Manjhi: The Mountain Man (2015)

While most of the biopic films are based on legends, here’s a 2015 biographical film Manjhi: The Mountain Man which is about an ordinary villager who became a legend. Directed by Ketan Mehta, the film is based on the life of Dashrath Manjhi, popularly known as Mountain Man because he carved a path by cutting through a mountain with two simple tools: a hammer and a chisel. Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays the titular character in the film and Radhika Apte plays his wife.

Gandhi, My Father (2007)

A lot of films have been made about Mahatma Gandhi and his Satyagrahas to free India. However, very less is known about his personal life. Gandhi, My Father is a 2007 biographical film based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi’s son Hiralal Gandhi. Directed by Feroz Abbas Khan, the film features Akshaye Khanna as Gandhi’s son and Darshan Jariwala plays Mahatma Gandhi.

Budhia Singh – Born to Run (2016)

Budhia Singh – Born to Run is another sports biographical film on our list of best biopic movies of all time. Directed by Soumendra Padhi, the film tells the story of the world’s youngest marathon runner, Budhia Singh. By the age of 5, he had already run 48 marathons. The film features Manoj Bajpayee as Budhia’s coach, whereas Mayur Patole plays the titular character.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (2000)

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was a revolutionary Indian leader who fought against social discrimination against the Dalits and also worked for the rights of women and labor. In the year 2000, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Government of Maharashtra decided to give him a film tribute and funded the project titled Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Directed by Jabbar Patel, the film features Malayalam actor Mammootty in the titular character.

Main Aur Charles (2015)

Charles Shobraj was a notorious serial killer India had ever seen and hence his life became a great plot for a film. Director Prawaal Raman grabbed the opportunity and made Main Aur Charles, a 2015 film inspired by true events of the life of Charles Shobraj from the perspective of Indian cop Amod Kanth, who handles his case. The film stars Randeep Hooda in the titular character, whereas Adil Hussain plays the cop

Guru (2007)

Guru is touted as a film based on the life of India’s renowned business magnate and the founder of Reliance Industries Dhirubhai Ambani. Despite not being a biographical film, we listed Guru on the list of best biopic movies is because of its impact on the mass. For the people, Guru is a biographical film based on Dhirubhai Ambani’s life and struggle to build the trust and business called Reliance. The film is directed by Mani Ratnam and features the real-life couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as the lead pair in the film.

The Making of Mahatma (1996)

Directed by Shyam Benegal, The Making of Mahatma is one of the many films based on Mahatma Gandhi. The film is an Indian-South African collaboration and portrays the early life of Mahatma Gandhi and his 21 years of struggle in South Africa fighting against racism.

Shaheed Udham Singh (2000)

The massacre of Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar is even today considered as one of the brutal massacres in the world history. To avenge the lives of 1000s of innocent men and women, Shaheed Udham Singh spent his whole life to punish the British Lieutenant, Michael O’Dwyer, who ordered the massacre and eventually killed him. The 2000 film Shaheed Udham Singh is a biographical movie based on the life of this unforgettable revolutionary India has ever produced. The film features Raj Babbar in the titular character.

Poorna (2017)

Directed by Rahul Bose, Poorna is a biographical adventure film about Malavath Poorna, the youngest girl ever to climb Mt. Everest. The film even stars Rahul Bose as Dr. R.S. Praveen Kumar, who recognizes the talent of this young girl and helps him get the right direction to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.

Gour Hari Dastaan (2015)

Another film based on an Indian freedom fighter is the 2015 film Gour Hari Dastan. Directed by Anant Mahadevan, the film is based on the life of an Odisha freedom fighter Gour Hari Das. The film stars Vinay Pathak as Gour Hari Das, whereas Konkana Sen Sharma plays Lakshmi Das.

Few Regional Biopic Films

Well, there are not many regional biographical films made in India. However, there were a few exceptions.

Here’s a list of best biopic movies from regional cinema:

Ramanujan (2014) – A Tamil Film

There was a lot of criticism when Hollywood made a biographical film about Srinivasan Ramanujan and Bollywood didn’t. Well, if you consider the 2014 Tamil film Ramanujan, then India did acknowledge the works of this globally renowned mathematician. Directed by Gnana Rajasekaran, the film features Abhinay Vaddi in the titular character. The film is an Indo-British collaboration and was shot in Tamil and English simultaneously.

Harishchandrachi Factory (2009) – A Marathi Film

Everyone knows that the 1913 film Raja Harishchandra directed by Dadasaheb Phalke was the first Indian feature film and led to the birth of the world’s largest cinema industry comprising of so many different industries within. Harishchandrachi Factor, a 2009 Marathi film, depicts the story of the struggles faced by the legendary filmmaker and father of Indian cinema while making India’s first feature film.

Celluloid (2013) – A Malayalam Film

Celluloid is a 2013 Malayalam biopic film based on the life of Father of Malayalam Cinema, J.C. Daniel. The film basically features the early life of J.C. Daniel and his journey to produce the first Malayalam film Vigathakumaran. The film also sheds some light on the story of Vigathakumaran’s heroine P.K. Rosie. Directed by Kamal, the film features Prithviraj in the lead roles as J.C. Daniel.

Ek Albela (2016) – A Marathi Film

There are few yesteryear actors who are forgotten but their legacy is still intact. Bhagwan Dada is one of those unknown names in Bollywood, who is known to be the original creator of the popular Amitabh Bachchan dance step. As a tribute to the veteran actor, filmmaker Shekhar Sartandel made the 2016 Marathi film Ek Albela featuring Mangesh Desai as Bhagwan Dada. The film also features Vidya Balan in a cameo appearance as Geeta Bali.

Moner Manush (2010) – A Bengali Film

Moner Manush is a 2010 biographical musical drama featuring the life of Lalon, a spiritual leader, folk singer, and poet of Bengal in the 19 th century. Directed by Goutam Ghose, the film is a joint venture between India and Bangladesh. The film stars Prosenjit in the lead role as Lalan Fakir, whereas Paoli Dam plays the female lead and the disciple of Lalan.

We are waiting for the Upcoming biopic film on Sam Manekshaw’s life Sam Bahadur.

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British-born actor Cary Grant (born Archibald Leach) escaped his humble Bristol environs and unstable home life by joining an acrobatic troupe, where he became a stilt-walker. Numerous odd jobs kept him going until he tried acting, and, after moving to the United States, he managed to lose his accent, developing a clipped mid-Atlantic speaking style uniquely his own. After acting in Broadway musicals, Grant was signed in 1932 by Paramount Pictures to be built into leading-man material. His real name would never do for marquees, so the studio took the first initials of their top star Gary Cooper, reversed them, then filled in the "C" and "G" to come up with Cary Grant. After a year of nondescript roles, Grant was selected by Mae West to be her leading man in She Done Him Wrong (1933) and I'm No Angel(1934). A bit stiff-necked but undeniably sexy, Grant vaulted to stardom, though Paramount continued wasting his potential in second rate films.

Free at last from his Paramount obligations in 1935, Grant vowed never to be strictly bound to any one studio again, so he signed a dual contract with Columbia and RKO that allowed him to choose any "outside" roles he pleased. Sylvia Scarlett (1936) was the first film to fully demonstrate Grant's inspired comic flair, which would be utilized to the utmost in such knee-slappers as The Awful Truth (1937), Bringing Up Baby (1938), His Girl Friday (1939), and The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer (1947). (Only in Arsenic and Old Lace [1941] did he overplay his hand and lapse into mugging.) The actor was also accomplished at straight drama, as evidenced in Only Angels Have Wings (1939), Destination Tokyo (1942), Crisis (1950), and in his favorite role as an irresponsible cockney in None but the Lonely Heart (1942), for which Grant was nominated for an Oscar -- he didn't win, although he was awarded a special Oscar for career achievement in 1970.

Off-stage, most of Grant's co-workers had nothing but praise for his craftsmanship and willingness to work with co-stars rather than at them. Among Grant's yea-sayers was director Alfred Hitchcock, who cast the actor in three of his best films, most notably the quintessential Hitchcock thriller North by Northwest (1959). Seemingly growing handsomer and more charming as he got older, Grant retained his stardom into the 1960s, enriching himself with lucrative percentage-of-profits deals on such box-office hits as Operation Petticoat (1959) and Charade (1964). Upon completing Walk, Don't Run in 1966, Grant decided he was through with filmmaking -- and he meant it. Devoting his remaining years to an executive position at a major cosmetics firm, Grant never appeared on a TV talk show and seldom granted newspaper interviews. In the 1980s, however, he became restless, and decided to embark on a nationwide lecture tour, confining himself exclusively to small towns in which the residents might otherwise never have the chance to see a Hollywood superstar in person. It was while preparing to lecture in Davenport, IA, that the 82-year-old Cary Grant suffered a sudden and fatal stroke in 1986.

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On this list of the best artist biopics, you’ll find movies detailing the lives of painters, sculptors, visual artists, and a whole host of others spanning the centuries from the Renaissance to the present. Artists live such rich lives, full of volatile emotion and undeniable talent, making them perfect subjects for biographical films.

One of the best artist biopics of all time is Frida , starring Salma Hayek as Frida Kahlo and Alfred Molina as her husband, the artist Diego Rivera. Hayek was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance, and she set the bar high for artist biopics. Also on this list, you will find the exceptional The Agony and the Ecstasy , starring the one and only Charlton Heston as Michelangelo during his painting of the Sistine Chapel.

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25 Best Bollywood Biopic Films of all time

1. Sardar Udham

2. The Legend of Bhagat Singh

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5. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

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7. Manjhi: The Mountain Man

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13. Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior

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