Biopics have been around since the times of silent cinema, but have become increasingly popular over the decades for their commitment to recounting stories of real people. There is particular demand for these stories in Hollywood as they are typically centered around famous or well-known people from the past or the present day that had a unique story to be remembered.
In addition to stories of fame, biopics also tell audiences stories of those who were unrecognized in their lives or achievements who contributed massively to society. The films featured in this list highlight the contributions of the people portrayed within them. They are significant for accurately portraying the authentic stories of the real-life protagonist.
10 The Imitation Game (2014)
Benedict Cumberbatch leads this biopic in the retelling of British mathematician Alan Turing's story. With a team of cryptographers in the British intelligence service, they sought to decipher the German enigma code during the Second World War. The focus on the film is to highlight Turing's significant impact towards winning the war, as well as his troubled personal life as a gay man.
The film not only commemorates Turing's achievements to British society, but also to the injustice of him being so poorly remembered. As his work during the war was classified, nobody knew of his legacy until much later. He was also convicted of 'indecency' for his homosexuality, and died by suicide in 1954.
9 The Theory of Everything (2014)
Released in the same year, The Theory of Everything recounts the successful life of scientist Stephen Hawking despite being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. The biopic conveys his life at Cambridge University and his romance with his first wife, Jane, before his diagnosis. It then goes on to continue portraying his family life as well as his professional successes.
Although there have been suggestions that the film does not accurately depict Stephen and Jane's marriage, it does well to show how brilliant Hawking's achievements were in his life. Interestingly, both Stephen and Jane were still alive upon the film's release and so were able to speak to the life events portrayed on screen.
8 I, Tonya (2017)
I, Tonya is a biographical sports film that recounts the ice skating career of Tonya Harding, who was banned from competitive skating for life. The film speaks on her life from childhood to the end of her skating career, after being accused of orchestrating an attack on fellow competitor, Nancy Kerrigan.
Directed by Craig Gillespie, the film does well to break the fourth wall and reframe a well-known narrative. With this biopic in the mockumentary black comedy style, the viewer must decide if the film is truth of a source of unreliable narration by Harding. Margot Robbie ultimately excels as the troubled Tonya Harding, who suffers abuse and mental health struggles.
7 Colette (2018)
Headlined by the incredible Keira Knightley, Colette is based on the real life of French novelist Colette who fought for creative ownership of her work. With an impressive cast and a storyline that exposes an intriguing reality of Paris, this biographical film points to a challenging time period for women to have and manage their own careers.
Colette herself writes a series of Claudine à l'école books, but is never given credit for them as her well-known husband reaps the successes. The film charts the intriguing and exciting journey from being trapped within a marriage to Colette's own personal enjoyment and success as a recognized writer in her own right.
6 Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021)
Residing on Netflix, Lin Manuel Miranda's Tick, Tick... Boom! is a true story adapting the musical by Jonathan Larson, with many parts of the film accurate to Larson's real life and posthumous success with Rent. Featuring Andrew Garfield as Larson, the film captures a complex yet powerful narrative of an up-and-coming artist.
Viewers get the overwhelming experience of Jonathan Larson's beautifully written and produced music throughout the film. His musical talents and successes were mostly underrated during his life, with Rent debuting on the day of his death. Miranda's film pays a beautiful tribute to the life and legacy of Larsen with his own music.
5 Miss Potter (2006)
Set in London and the Lake District in early 1900s England, Miss Potter pays tribute to the legacy of children's book author Beatrix Potter. Not only noted for her creation of famous children's books such as Peter Rabbit, her commitment to the landscape of Northern England ensured that countryside land remains protected still.
Portrayed by Renée Zellweger, this biopic recounts the story of Potter's life from her childhood interest in animals, to her autonomy as a successful author. This is a charming, innocent biopic that recounts the wonderful, yet at times tragic, life of a woman committed to seeing the beauty of the world.
4 Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Rami Malek is incredible in his realistic portrayal of Queen singer, the late Freddie Mercury. The film speaks of his real-life successes as he as part of the Queen band rose to incredible stardom. However, the film also portrays Mercury's struggles with his sexuality and illness in a touching tribute to a great musician. The film contains impressive color and overwhelming production value, to capture the electric feeling at the time of a new band taking the spotlight.
Rock biopics are typically a triumph in part due to the incredible music that is showcased within them. With the music of Queen dominating the screen, as well as Malek's true-to-life performance, Bohemian Rhapsody is undoubtedly a hit film.
3 Mary Queen of Scots (2018)
This complicated and complex film sees the real life story of Tudor Queens, Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots, as Queen Mary seeks to overthrow Queen Elizabeth and claiming to be the rightful monarch of both the English and Scottish thrones.
The film acts as a reminder that England and Scotland once had separate monarchies, which ended when Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603 and Queen Mary's son, King James VI of Scotland, also became King James I of England. Starring Margot Robbie and Saoirse Ronan, this is a fantastic film that pays attention to these affluent women struggling to maintain their regal authority. The viewer feels greater sympathy for these figures as they are brought to life.
2 Milk (2008)
Sean Penn stars as well-loved and famous gay rights activist and politician, Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. The film is a powerful legacy to his life's work, as it charts his life up until his assassination in 1978 and how much work he did for LGBTQ+ equality.
Milk helped pass a gay rights order in San Francisco that prohibited anti-gay discrimination in housing and employment. He has been described as the most famous and significant openly LGBTQ+ official ever elected in the United States, and the film successfully commemorates this.
1 Hidden Figures (2016)
By far one of the most important and accurate biopics ever made, Hidden Figures tells the true tale of the three female African-American mathematicians who played a very important role in astronaut John Glenn's launch into orbit. The film seeks to pay a long overdue tribute and historical recognition to Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, as well as highlighting the racist and sexist discrimination they faced at work.
With its original script and powerful performances from Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monáe, and Octavia Spencer, this biopic is vibrant and bold. Each of the women has their own fully-fleshed out storyline, with clear character direction, which does even more to pay important tribute to these women.