100 best biography movies

A list of the best biography films, selected by visitors to our site: Agora, All That Jazz, Elvis, Daniel, Admiral Yamamoto, The Mauritanian, Mank, Neerja, Marshall, The King
202520242023202220212020
Markimdb: 7.1
Genredrama, military, biography, history
CountrySoviet Union
Duration01:33

This film is based on the book about Vasili Ivanovich Chapaev (1887 - 1919) who was in real life the Commander of the 25th Division of the Red Army. Chapaev is an uneducated peasant and a decorated hero in the World War I and later in the Russian Civil War, that followed the Russian revolution. This man of action is fighting on the side of the poor people. His troops consist of peasants, just like him. Unable to write, he can brilliantly demonstrate various battle tactics by moving potatoes on the table. He is street smart. He never lost a battle against the experienced Generals of the Tzar's Army.

Markimdb: 7
Genredrama, crime, biography
CountryWest Germany

Having fathered an illegitimate child with his lover, Marie, feckless soldier Franz Woyzeck takes odd jobs around his small town to provide some extra money for them. One of them is volunteering for experiments conducted by a local doctor, who puts Woyzeck on a diet of peas. This serves to drive him close to madness, and the discovery that Marie is involved in an affair with the local drum major exacerbates the situation. Pushed too far, Woyzeck resorts to violence.

Markimdb: 6.3
Genredrama, biography
CountryUSA

In 1955 Florida, a Korean vet has a breakdown and is incarcerated in a "maximum security" mental health prison, where patients are abused.

Markimdb: 6.8
Genredrama, music, biography
CountryUSA
Duration02:07

In this biographical drama, Selena Quintanilla is born into a musical Mexican-American family in Texas. Her father, Abraham, realizes that his young daughter is talented and begins performing with her at small venues. She finds success and falls for her guitarist, Chris Perez, who draws the ire of her father. Seeking mainstream stardom, Selena begins recording an English-language album which, tragically, she would never complete.

Markimdb: 7.9
Genredrama, biography
CountryUSA
Duration02:35

Set in 1977, back when sex was safe, pleasure was a business and business was booming, idealistic porn producer Jack Horner aspires to elevate his craft to an art form. Horner discovers Eddie Adams, a hot young talent working as a busboy in a nightclub, and welcomes him into the extended family of movie-makers, misfits and hangers-on that are always around. Adams' rise from nobody to a celebrity adult entertainer is meteoric, and soon the whole world seems to know his porn alter ego, "Dirk Diggler". Now, when disco and drugs are in vogue, fashion is in flux and the party never seems to stop, Adams' dreams of turning sex into stardom are about to collide with cold, hard reality.

Markimdb: 6.4
Genredrama, military, biography, history
CountryFrance, Czech Republic, USA
Duration02:40

In 1429 a teenage girl from a remote French village stood before her King with a message she claimed came from God; that she would defeat the world's greatest army and liberate her country from its political and religious turmoil. Following her mission to reclaim god's dimished kingdom - through her amazing victories until her violent and untimely death.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genredrama, music, biography
CountryUSA
Duration02:41

Saxophone player Charlie Parker comes to New York in 1940. He is quickly noticed for his remarkable way of playing. He becomes a drug addict but his loving wife Chan tries to help him.

Markimdb: 6.9
Genredrama, biography
CountryRussia
Duration02:00

A tragic story of love and loneliness - this is the unknown life of the great Russian writer Ivan Bunin. The confused love story that involved Bunin, his wife Vera, the young poet Galina Plotnikova, opera singer Marga Kovtun and literary man Leonid Gurov. A work of great honesty and piercing psychology.

Markimdb: 7.7
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, Italy, France, China
Duration02:46

A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.

Markimdb: 7.2
Genredrama, music, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:54

A film about the life and career of the early rock and roll star.

Markimdb: 8
Genreaction, drama, biography
CountryHong Kong, China
Duration01:46

A semi-biographical account of Yip Man, the first martial arts master to teach the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun. The film focuses on events surrounding Ip that took place in the city of Foshan between the 1930s to 1940s during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Directed by Wilson Yip, the film stars Donnie Yen in the lead role, and features fight choreography by Sammo Hung.

Markimdb: 7.5
Genredrama, western, crime, biography, history
CountryUSA, Canada, United Kingdom
Duration02:40

Outlaw Jesse James is rumored to be the 'fastest gun in the West'. An eager recruit into James' notorious gang, Robert Ford eventually grows jealous of the famed outlaw and, when Robert and his brother sense an opportunity to kill James, their murderous action elevates their target to near mythical status.

Markimdb: 6.8
Genrebiography, history
CountryItaly, France, Spain, Germany
Duration03:00

The tumultuous and adventurous life of Michelangelo Merisi, controversial artist, called by Fate to become the immortal Caravaggio. A violent genius that will dare to defy the ideal vision of the world imposed by the Renaissance painters. A provoker that scandalized patrons and institutions, raising the altars the outcast figures he knew so well: drunkards, vagrants and prostitutes.

Markimdb: 7.7
Genredrama, biography, sport
CountrySouth Korea

20-years-old Cho-Won (Cho Seung-Woo) is young man with autism. He lives with his highly protective mother Kyung-Sook (Kim Mi-Sook) and younger brother (Baek Sung-Hyun), who sometimes resents the attention his older brother receives from his mother. Through special schooling and taking part in physical activities, Cho-Won has adjusted relatively well into society. Cho-Won also seems to have a knack for running. After placing third in a race, his mother decides to hire a proper coach to train her son. Cho-Won then decides to take part in a marathon. Cho-Won hopes to break the marathon's fastest record of three hours.

Markimdb: 6.9
Genreaction, drama, biography, history
CountrySouth Korea
Duration02:00

An account of karate competitor Choi Yeung-Eui who went to Japan after World War II to become a fighter pilot but found a very different path instead. He changed his name to Masutatsu Oyama and went across the country, defeating martial artists one after another. This film concentrates on the period when he is still young, and developing his famous karate style, Kyokushin.

Markimdb: 7.7
Genredrama, music, biography
CountryUnited Kingdom, USA, Australia, Japan, France
Duration02:02

Control is the biography of Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis, taking his story from schoolboy days of 1973 to his suicide on the eve of the band's first American tour in 1980.

Markimdb: 7.2
Genredrama, biography, sport
CountryUSA
Duration01:58

In 1966, Texas Western coach Don Haskins led the first all-black starting line-up for a college basketball team to the NCAA national championship.

Markimdb: 6.9
Genredrama, western, music, biography
CountryGermany, Canada, USA, France
Duration02:15

Six actors portray six personas of music legend Bob Dylan in scenes depicting various stages of his life, chronicling his rise from unknown folksinger to international icon and revealing how Dylan constantly reinvented himself.

Markimdb: 7.2
Genredrama, biography, history
CountrySouth Korea

The struggles of an artist. Jang Seung-up (1843-1897), also called Owon, focusing on the years 1882 to 1897, when Korea was in political upheaval, caught between China and Japan, the conservative dynasty dying, and peasant revolt at hand. Jang, born poor, has genius; a merchant, Kim, becomes his patron, finding him a teacher. Jang must convince others that a commoner can have talent, then move beyond his ability to copy old masters and find his own style. He's bedeviled by a temper and alcohol, arguments with patrons as he seeks commissions, and relationships with kisaeng, particularly Mae-hyang, that start and stop. It's the life of a restless spirit producing great art.

Markimdb: 7.7
Genredrama
CountryDenmark, Norway, Sweden

HELD FOR RANSOM tells the true story of Danish photojournalist Daniel Rye who was held hostage for 398 days in Syria by the terror organization ISIS along with several other foreign nationals including the American journalist, James Foley. The film follows Daniel’s struggle to survive in captivity, his friendship with James, and the nightmare of the Rye family back home in Denmark as they try to do everything in their power to save their son. At the center of this crisis, we find hostage negotiator, Arthur, who plays a pivotal role in securing Daniel’s release.

Markimdb: 7.5
Genredrama, biography, sport
CountryRussia
Duration02:14

Biopic of Russian ice hockey legend Valeri Kharlamov from early childhood, rising to the pinnacle of the sport and his untimely death

Markimdb: 7.2
Genredrama, biography, sport
CountryUSA
Duration02:27

The life story of Brazilian football legend, Pele.

Markimdb: 7.7
Genremelodrama, drama, biography
CountryUnited Kingdom, Japan, USA
Duration02:03

    The Theory of Everything is the extraordinary story of one of the world’s greatest living minds, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who falls deeply in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde.

    Markimdb: 7
    Genreaction, drama, biography
    CountryHong Kong, China
    Duration01:15

    When a band of brutal gangsters led by a crooked property developer make a play to take over the city, Master Ip is forced to take a stand.

    Markimdb: 6.5
    Genredrama, music, biography
    CountryCanada, USA

    The rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom.

    Markimdb: 7.2
    Genredrama, biography
    CountryAustralia
    Duration01:53

    Accompanied only by her faithful dog and four camels, an Australian satisfies her craving for solitude by embarking on a solo trip across the desert from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean.

    Markimdb: 8
    Genredrama, music, biography
    CountryIndia

    A coming-of-age story based on the lives of street rappers in Mumbai.

    Markimdb: 8.1
    Genredrama, military, biography, history
    CountryAustralia, USA
    Duration02:29

      WWII American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss, who served during the Battle of Okinawa, refuses to kill people and becomes the first Conscientious Objector in American history to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.

      Markimdb: 8
      Genrethriller, drama, military, biography
      CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
      Duration01:54

        Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, the film portrays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Britain's top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II.

        Markimdb: 7.3
        Genredrama, musical, music, biography
        CountryUnited Kingdom, USA, Canada
        Duration01:53

        The story of Elton John's life, from his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his influential and enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin.

        Markimdb: 7.3
        Genrecomedy, drama, biography, sport
        CountryUnited Kingdom, Germany, USA
        Duration02:30

        Inspired by true events, Eddie the Eagle is a feel-good story about Michael "Eddie" Edwards (Taron Egerton), an unlikely but courageous British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself - even as an entire nation was counting him out. With the help of a rebellious and charismatic coach (played by Hugh Jackman), Eddie takes on the establishment and wins the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

        Markimdb: 7.2
        Genredrama, military, biography, history, sport
        CountryUSA
        Duration02:17

          A chronicle of the life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who was taken prisoner by Japanese forces during World War II.

          Markimdb: 8
          Genredrama, music, biography
          CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
          Duration02:09

          Singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and bass guitarist John Deacon take the music world by storm when they form the rock 'n' roll band Queen in 1970. Hit songs become instant classics. When Mercury's increasingly wild lifestyle starts to spiral out of control, Queen soon faces its greatest challenge yet – finding a way to keep the band together amid the success and excess.

          Markimdb: 6.9
          Genredrama, biography, sport
          CountryUSA
          Duration01:48

          A coming of age drama following the life of Matt Hamill, the first deaf wrestler to win a National Collegiate Wrestling Championship.

          Markimdb: 7.8
          Genredrama, music, biography, history
          CountryUSA
          Duration01:35

            In 1987, five young men, using brutally honest rhymes and hardcore beats, put their frustration and anger about life in the most dangerous place in America into the most powerful weapon they had: their music. Taking us back to where it all began, Straight Outta Compton tells the true story of how these cultural rebels—armed only with their lyrics, swagger, bravado and raw talent—stood up to the authorities that meant to keep them down and formed the world’s most dangerous group, N.W.A. And as they spoke the truth that no one had before and exposed life in the hood, their voice ignited a social revolution that is still reverberating today.

            Markimdb: 6.6
            Genredrama, biography, history
            CountrySoviet Union

            A story about the creation of T-34 tank in Soviet Union during WWII.

            Markimdb: 7.5
            Genreaction, drama, biography
            CountryHong Kong, China
            Duration01:48

              Having defeated the best fighters of the Imperial Japanese army in occupied Shanghai, Ip Man and his family settle in post-war Hong Kong.Struggling to make a living, Master Ip opens a kung fu school to bring his celebrated art of Wing Chun to the troubled youth of Hong Kong. His growing reputation soon brings challenges from powerful enemies, including pre-eminent Hung Gar master, Hung Quan. However, when corrupt colonial officials stage a life-or-death contest with formidable British boxer, Twister, to humiliate the Chinese people, the masters quickly forget their differences. Soon, the eyes of the nation are on the one man capable of securing a victory-Grandmaster Ip Man!

              Markimdb: 7.6
              Genredrama, biography, sport
              CountryUSA
              Duration02:06

                The story of Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to put together a baseball team on a budget, by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players.

                Markimdb: 7.3
                Genrebiography, history
                CountryUkraine
                Duration02:09

                Story about Metropolitan of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Andrey Sheptytsky who opposed repressive totalitarian regimes of Stalin and Hitler and chose the path of service to God and people.

                Markimdb: 7.3
                Genredrama, biography
                CountryJapan
                Duration02:07

                In the early 1200s, Dogen brought Chinese Zen philosophy to Japan, and established the Japanese Zen school of Buddhism. He taught that a person was capable of realizing Buddhahood within himself, by way of Zazen. Zazen is extended hours of sitting and meditating to achieve a state of “Mu” (nothingness, or empty existence).

                MoviesList