Life is messy and confusing and rarely has a satisfying narrative arc. Biopic movies fix this thorny issue by presenting the (somewhat) true stories of real people through the lens of a Hollywood blockbuster. Here are the ten best biopics you can watch right now. Do you think Timothee Chalamet’s upcoming Bob Dylan biopic will break into this top 10?
Amadeus
Musicians and composers make for great biopic subjects, such as the 1984 film Amadeus. Unsurprisingly, this film follows the life of Mozart, but it also focuses on his admirer and friend Antonio Salieri—who was, contrary to the film’s narrative, not a rival to the famed composer.
The Elephant Man
It’s hard to believe that The Elephant Man is only David Lynch’s second directorial outing. This biopic centers on the story of Joseph Merrick, a man who suffered from physical deformities caused by an unknown illness. John Hurt plays Merrick with sorrow, kindness, and depth that make it a heartbreaking watch.
Walk the Line
James Mangold’s fantastic Johnny Cash biopic, Walk the Line, stars Joaquin Phoenix in one of his most interesting roles of the 00s. This one is also a tour de force for Reese Witherspoon, who plays June Carter and is absolutely captivating in the role.
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters focuses on the controversial poet Yukio Mishima, played by the inimitable Ken Ogata. Mishima, an author and Japanese nationalist, remains divisive in Japan due to his extremist right-wing views and the dramatic, incendiary way he ended his own life while occupying a military base in Tokyo. The film uses an avant-garde style to present the complicated, compromised author.
Schindler’s List
Schindler’s List is one of Spielberg’s best movies, starring Liam Neeson as the real-world Oskar Schindler. Schindler was a Nazi party member who realized how awful German treatment of Jews was and helped smuggle 1,200 people to safety during the Second World War. Spielberg’s movie condenses and simplifies some of the historical facts, but it remains a moving and effective piece of filmmaking.
The Social Network
It’s interesting that The Social Network was created in 2010 given how much Mark Zuckerberg’s creation still impacts modern society. Zuck himself is a controversial and enigmatic figure, so Jesse Eisenberg’s nuanced portrayal of the (not-so-heroic) inventor of “The Facebook” is an intriguing look into the mind of a man who has defined our current cultural climate.
Lawrence of Arabia
Lawrence of Arabia is such a good biopic that it’s actually easy to forget it’s a biopic. Peter O’Toole plays T.E. Lawrence, an interesting historical figure who has a complicated legacy due to his actions in Greater Syria during the First World War. It’s also a beautiful movie, reminding viewers just how breathtaking the landscape of the Middle East is and showing how supposedly peaceful people like Lawrence can get swept into violent conflict.
Malcolm X
Spike Lee’s Malcom X is a definitive record of the life and death of one of the most divisive Civil Right activists. Denzel Washington is unmistakably in top form as Malcolm X, ably bringing his subject to life through subtleties in a career-defining performance.
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Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer is Christopher Nolan’s towering achievement, easily one of the best movies of 2023 and a sobering tale about the hubris of modern man. The film focuses on J. Robert Oppenheimer, portrayed by a genuinely perfect Cillian Murphy. Oppenheimer led the team that would create the first atomic bomb, reshaping modern warfare and introducing humanity to the atomic age.
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Raging Bull
Scorsese and DeNiro turned the memoir of middleweight boxing champ Jake LaMotta into an unforgettable movie with Raging Bull. The movie is so influential and excellent that many people might have not realized it was a biopic. It’s a gripping, breathless movie that might be among one of Scorsese’s best.
