Top 100 Biography Movies List

#100 Biography Movie

Breach (2007) PG-13

FBI upstart Eric O'Neill enters into a power game with his boss, Robert Hanssen, an agent who was put on trial for selling secrets to the Soviet Union.

Director:

Billy Ray

Writers:

Adam Mazer, William Rotko

Stars:

Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe, Dennis Haysbert

#99 Biography Movie

Quills (2000) R

In a Napoleonic era insane asylum, an inmate, the irrepressible Marquis De Sade, fights a battle of wills against a tyrannically prudish doctor.

Director:

Philip Kaufman

Writers:

Doug Wright

Stars:

Geoffrey Rush, Kate Winslet, Joaquin Phoenix

#98 Biography Movie

Shine (1996) PG-13

Pianist David Helfgott, driven by his father and teachers, has a breakdown. Years later he returns to the piano, to popular if not critical acclaim.

Director:

Scott Hicks

Writers:

Jan Sardi, Scott Hicks

Stars:

Geoffrey Rush, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Justin Braine

#97 Biography Movie

Bronson (2008) R

A young man who was sentenced to seven years in prison for robbing a post office ends up spending three decades in solitary confinement. During this time, his own personality is supplanted by his alter-ego, Charles Bronson.

Director:

Nicolas Winding Refn

Writers:

Brock Norman Brock, Nicolas Winding Refn

Stars:

Tom Hardy, Kelly Adams, Luing Andrews

#96 Biography Movie

42 (2013) PG-13

This movie is about Jackie Robinson and his journey to becoming a Brooklyn Dodger and his life during that time.

Director:

Brian Helgeland

Writers:

Brian Helgeland

Stars:

Chadwick Boseman, T.R. Knight, Harrison Ford

#95 Biography Movie

Hunger (2008)

Emperor Kuzco is turned into a llama by his ex-administrator Yzma, and must now regain his throne with the help of Pacha, the gentle llama herder.

Director:

Steve McQueen

Writers:

Enda Walsh, Steve McQueen

Stars:

Stuart Graham, Laine Megaw, Brian Milligan

#94 Biography Movie

The Devil's Double (2011) R

A chilling vision of the House of Saddam Hussein comes to life through the eyes of the man who was forced to become the double of Hussein's sadistic son.

Director:

Lee Tamahori

Writers:

Michael Thomas, Latif Yahia

Stars:

Dominic Cooper, Ludivine Sagnier, Raad Rawi

#93 Biography Movie

Freedom Writers (2007) PG-13

A young teacher inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school.

Director:

Richard LaGravenese

Writers:

Richard LaGravenese, Freedom Writers

Stars:

Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey

#92 Biography Movie

Love and Mercy (2014) PG-13

In the 1960s, Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson struggles with emerging psychosis as he attempts to craft his avant-garde pop masterpiece. In the 1980s, he is a broken, confused man under the 24-hour watch of shady therapist Dr. Eugene Landy.

Director:

Bill Pohlad

Writers:

Oren Moverman, Michael A. Lerner

Stars:

John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks

#91 Biography Movie

Malcolm X (1992) PG-13

Biographical epic of the controversial and influential Black Nationalist leader, from his early life and career as a small-time gangster, to his ministry as a member of the Nation of Islam.

Director:

Spike Lee

Writers:

Alex Haley, Malcolm X

Stars:

Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Delroy Lindo

#90 Biography Movie

Frida (2002) R

A biography of artist Frida Kahlo, who channeled the pain of a crippling injury and her tempestuous marriage into her work.

Director:

Julie Taymor

Writers:

Hayden Herrera, Clancy Sigal

Stars:

Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, Geoffrey Rush

#89 Biography Movie

Invincible (2006) PG

Based on the story of Vince Papale, a 30-year-old bartender from South Philadelphia who overcame long odds to play for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles in 1976.

Director:

Ericson Core

Writers:

Brad Gann

Stars:

Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth Banks

#88 Biography Movie

Charlie Wilson's War (2007) R

A drama based on a Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects.

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers:

Aaron Sorkin, George Crile

Stars:

Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman

#87 Biography Movie

American Splendor (2003) R

An original mix of fiction and reality illuminates the life of comic book hero everyman Harvey Pekar.

Director:

Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

Writers:

Harvey Pekar, Joyce Brabner

Stars:

Paul Giamatti, Shari Springer Berman, Harvey Pekar

#86 Biography Movie

My week with Marilyn (2011) R

Colin Clark, an employee of Sir Laurence Olivier's, documents the tense interaction between Olivier and Marilyn Monroe during the production of The Prince and the Showgirl (1957).

Director:

Simon Curtis

Writers:

Adrian Hodges, Colin Clark

Stars:

Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh

#85 Biography Movie

The Great Debaters (2007) PG-13

A drama based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school's first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship.

Director:

Denzel Washington

Writers:

Robert Eisele

Stars:

Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise

#84 Biography Movie

Jarhead (2005) R

A psychological study of operations desert shield and desert storm during the gulf war; through the eyes of a U.S marine sniper who struggles to cope with the possibility his girlfriend may be cheating on him back home.

Director:

Sam Mendes

Writers:

William Broyles Jr., Anthony Swofford

Stars:

Jake Gyllenhaal, Jamie Foxx, Lucas Black

#83 Biography Movie

Fearless (2006) PG-13

A biography of Chinese Martial Arts Master Huo Yuanjia, who is the founder and spiritual guru of the Jin Wu Sports Federation.

Director:

Ronny Yu

Writers:

Chris Chow, Richard Epcar

Stars:

Jet Li, Li Sun, Yong Dong

#82 Biography Movie

Rush (2013) R

The merciless 1970s rivalry between Formula One rivals James Hunt and Niki Lauda.

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers:

Peter Morgan

Stars:

Daniel Brühl, Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde

#81 Biography Movie

Milk (2008) R

The story of Harvey Milk, and his struggles as an American gay activist who fought for gay rights and became California's first openly gay elected official.

Director:

Gus Van Sant

Writers:

Dustin Lance Black

Stars:

Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch

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