While biopics have been enjoyed for decades, this year has been a good time for the genre, especially with the success of Elvis. The film proved that the art of bringing real-life people to the screen is still thriving, and this trend is sure to continue with the highly anticipated Blonde.
The past decades have delivered some ground-breaking biopics, which have been acclaimed for not just their historical stories, but as finely crafted movies. These are some of the best biographical films of all time, as rated by users of IMDb.
Malcolm X (1992) – 7.7
Director Spike Lee did not have an easy task when tackling Malcolm X, which tells the story of the controversial black nationalist leader of the same name. Not only was Malcolm a complex man, but he led various different lives, making his story not a simple tale to tell.
Nevertheless, Lee has been praised for his direction of the biopic, which has a convoluted plot and style that is meant to reflect the complexity of Malcolm X’s life. The film is also highly acclaimed because of Denzel Washington’s stellar performance as the civil rights leader himself.
Patton (1970) – 7.9
Patton is a film centered around general George Patton during his time in the second World War. The movie has plenty of reasons for being a classic, but it is mainly revered for its great articulation of the complexities of war, and stellar representation of Patton himself.
General Patton was a man who was not entirely likable and had many sides to his story. This made George C. Scott’s performance as Patton all the more memorable, as he tackled the general’s harshness and assertiveness with impeccable skill.
The King’s Speech (2010) – 8
The King’s Speech is a more lighthearted biopic, which shows the relationship between King George IV and his speech therapist Lionel Logue. This film has earned the title of one of the highest-grossing biopics in no small part because of its inspirational story of overcoming obstacles and its popular British-drama feel.
This English biopic provides an enjoyable story told by actors that give almost a theatrical performance. It also gained recognition for supplying a new point-of-view on Britain’s royal family, as the film shows multiple sides of the seemingly perfect royals.
Gandhi (1982) 8.1
The biopic Gandhi tells the story of the nonviolent protestor of the same name. Obviously, Gandhi is well known worldwide as a vital figure for civil rights, so director Richard Attenborough had an important role to tell a story that would accurately resonate with real life.
Thankfully, critics have agreed that Gandhi does proper justice to the highly important historic figure. Part of this success is due to actor Ben Kingsley, who was little known at the time but delivered a performance that was extremely convincing and skillful.
Raging Bull (1980) – 8.2
Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull is a biopic that follows the rise and fall of real-life boxer Jake LaMotta (Robert De Niro). The film has received high critical reception for its array of impressive filmmaking techniques.
Part of the reason Raging Bull is so unique is because of its cinematography, as almost the entire film is in black in white. The film also has award-winning editing and has what is considered one of the best screenplays ever written. Along with its style, its flawed and believable characters have landed this biopic as one of the greatest ever made.
Lawrence Of Arabia (1962) 8.3
Lawrence of Arabia has been a longtime staple for classic movie fans. This biopic tells the story of English officer Thomas Edward Lawrence during his involvement in World War I. Part of the film’s importance is its portrayal of war and all the intricacies involved with it.
As one of the greatest movies ever made, Lawrence of Arabia has been stated as highly influential in the film world as well as also having great historic importance. It’s one of the greatest Hollywood movies of its era and symbolized an important time in film history when movies were made in massive productions.
Braveheart (1995) 8.4
Braveheart may have a permanent spot as one of the greatest films of all time, but it is also one of the best biopics, this time focusing on Scottish knight William Wallace. Written by and starring the legendary Mel Gibson, Braveheart is considered a masterpiece from the combination of all its cinematic details, from its storytelling to its production.
While the film isn’t entirely accurate to Wallace’s life, the massive production value and cinematography of the film have made it one of the greats. Aside from its detailed design, Braveheart is a classic because of its depth into human experience paired with the complexities of political struggle.
Amadeus (1984) – 8.4
Amadeus tells the story of classic composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through the lens of his jealous college, Antonio Salieri, which gives a unique perspective on the historical musician. Along with its other cinematic techniques, the film has been known to be just as legendary as Mozart himself.
Memorable performances from F. Murray Abraham as Salieri and Tom Hulce as Mozart are part of the reason for the film’s popularity, as well as its good pacing and compelling dialogue. While Amadeus might not be extremely accurate to the composer’s true life, it certainly makes for a well-constructed film.
Goodfellas (1990) 8.7
Goodfellas is more than just a great mobster movie: it’s also one of the highest-rated biographical films. A lot of the film’s success is due to the story derived from the novel Wiseguys written by Nicholas Pileggi, which gives great immersion into the complex life in the mob, where rich friendships and luxury are juxtaposed by cruel, illegal acts.
Writer and Director Martin Scorsese turned the real-life narrative of Henry Hill into a compelling piece of cinema. One of the great details of the film is its nonlinear storyline, which gives the film almost perfect pacing, as well as maintains audience attention.
Schindler’s List (1993) – 9
Any fan of cinema is familiar with Schindler’s List, which tells the story of Oscar Schindler, the heroic businessman who saved countless lives during the Holocaust. This film is easily considered a masterpiece, both for its storytelling and cinematic skill.
Clearly, Schindler’s List portrays deep and serious subject matter, but the film does so with grace, respect, and profoundness. It also delivers a powerful message of the impact of human agency over outside forces. This biopic easily defined its director Steven Spielberg as a legendary filmmaker.
