100 best biography movies

A list of the best biography films, selected by visitors to our site: Blow, The Blind Side, 127 Hours, The Wolf of Wall Street, Into the Wild, The Intouchables, A Beautiful Mind, Freedom Writers, Becoming Jane, Coach Carter, The Social Network, American Gangster, Moneyball, The Revenant, Catch Me If You Can, Public Enemies, Changeling, The Pianist, The Other Boleyn Girl, Alexander
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Markimdb: 7.3
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUSA
Duration02:35

In 1839, the slave ship Amistad set sail from Cuba to America. During the long trip, Cinque leads the slaves in an unprecedented uprising. They are then held prisoner in Connecticut, and their release becomes the subject of heated debate. Freed slave Theodore Joadson wants Cinque and the others exonerated and recruits property lawyer Roger Baldwin to help his case. Eventually, John Quincy Adams also becomes an ally.

Markimdb: 5.5
Genredrama, crime, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, Japan, USA
Duration01:50

Fact and fiction are combined in this story about Jack Ruby and a stripper, Candy Cane, and how they become involved in a conspiracy to kill J.F.K.

Markimdb: 6.4
Genremelodrama, drama, biography
CountryUSA

Five years after Yippie founder Abbie Hoffman goes underground to avoid a drug-related prison sentence, he contacts a reporter to get out the story of the FBI's covert spying, harassment and inciting of violence they then blame on the Left.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genremelodrama, drama, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:51

The Whole Wide World tells the story of Novalyne Price, an attractive feisty West Texas schoolteacher and her bittersweet, romantic and turbulent relationship with Robert E. Howard, the great pulp fiction writer of the 1930's.

Markimdb: 7.7
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUSA, Japan
Duration03:22

A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the '50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride.

Markimdb: 6.6
Genredrama, military, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:50

The story of Frank W. "Spig" Wead - a Navy-flyer turned screenwriter.

Markimdb: 7.7
Genremelodrama, drama, western, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:37

Wyatt Earp and his brothers Morgan and Virgil ride into Tombstone and leave brother James in charge of their cattle herd. On their return they find their cattle stolen and James dead. Wyatt takes on the job of town marshal, making his brothers deputies, and vows to stay in Tombstone until James' killers are found. He soon runs into the brooding, coughing, hard-drinking Doc Holliday as well as the sullen and vicious Clanton clan. Wyatt discovers the owner of a trinket stolen from James' dead body and the stage is set for the Earps' long-awaited revenge.

Markimdb: 7.6
Genredrama, biography
CountryUSA
Duration02:36

In 1858 France, Bernadette, an adolescent peasant girl, has a vision of "a beautiful lady" in the city dump. She never claims it to be anything other than this, but the townspeople all assume it to be the virgin Mary. The pompous government officials think she is nuts, and do their best to suppress the girl and her followers, and the church wants nothing to do with the whole matter. But as Bernadette attracts wider and wider attention, the phenomenon overtakes everyone in the the town, and transforms their lives.

Markimdb: 5.6
Genredrama, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:07

Biography of Edgar Allan Poe and the women in his life.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genrecomedy, drama, musical, biography
CountryUSA
Duration02:23

Based on the Broadway hit about the life and times of burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee and her aggressive stage mother, Mama Rose.

Markimdb: 6.8
Genrewestern, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:51

Cattle baron John Chisum joins forces with Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett to fight the Lincoln County land war.

Markimdb: 6.5
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUSA
Duration03:45

From his birth in Bethlehem to his death and eventual resurrection, the life of Jesus Christ is given the all-star treatment in this epic retelling. Major aspects of Christ's life are touched upon, including the execution of all the newborn males in Egypt by King Herod; Christ's baptism by John the Baptist; and the betrayal by Judas after the Last Supper that eventually leads to Christ's crucifixion and miraculous return.

Markimdb: 3.7
Genremelodrama, adventure, military, biography, history
CountryUSA
Duration01:51

Mongol chief Temujin battles against Tartar armies and for the love of the Tartar princess Bortai. Temujin becomes the emperor Genghis Khan.

Markimdb: 6.7
Genredrama, crime, biography
CountryUSA
Duration02:11

Ghosts of Mississippi is a drama covering the final trial of the assassin, Bryon De La Beckwith, of the 60s civil rights leader Medgar Evers. It begins with the murder and the events surrounding the two initial trials which both ended in a hung jury. The movie then covers District Attorney, Bobby DeLaughters transformation and alliance with Myrlie Evers, wife of Medgar Evers, of the, as he becomes more involved with bringing Beckwith to trial for the third time 30 years later. Some of the characters are played by the actual participants in this story.

Markimdb: 5.6
Genredrama, crime, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:36

Trying to shake his troubled past and start a new honest life, Floyd loses his job because of that past. With nowhere to go but back home in Oklahoma he gets news that his father's been murdered and the local sheriff lets the killer off with a self-defense plea. Bent on revenge, Floyd does what he must which leads him down a dark road littered with robbing banks and loose women. Floyd's final days are anything BUT pretty!

Markimdb: 6.9
Genrewestern, crime, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:40

The origins, exploits and the ultimate fate of the James gang is told in a sympathetic portrayal of the bank robbers made up of brothers who begin their legendary bank raids because of revenge.

Markimdb: 6.2
Genredrama, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:30

"Piñero" tells the story of the explosive life of a Latino icon, the gay poet-playwright-actor Miguel Piñero, whose urban poetry is recognized as a pre-cursor to rap and hip-hop. After doing time in hard-core Sing-Sing for petty thefts and drug dealing, Piñero's prison experiences developed into the 1974 Tony-nominated play Short Eyes. The resulting notoriety and fame was too much for the Latino bad-boy genius who retreated to the darker corners of New York City.

Markimdb: 6.8
Genrecomedy, melodrama, music, biography
CountryUnited Kingdom, France, USA
Duration01:47

In 1830s France, pianist/composer Frédéric Chopin is pursued romantically by the determined, individualistic woman who uses the name George Sand.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom
Duration02:22

The death of King Henry VIII throws his kingdom into chaos because of succession disputes. His weak son Edward, is on his deathbed. Anxious to keep England true to the Reformation, a scheming minister John Dudley marries off his son, Guildford to Lady Jane Grey, whom he places on the throne after Edward dies. At first hostile to each other, Guildford and Jane fall in love. But they cannot withstand the course of power which will lead to their ultimate downfall.

Markimdb: 7
Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom
Duration01:30

In Moscow in 1983, an American journalist interviews Guy Bennett, who recalls his last year at public school, fifty years before, and how it contributed to him becoming a spy.

Markimdb: 6.9
Genreaction, drama, crime, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:47

After a shoot-out kills five FBI agents in Kansas City the Bureau target John Dillinger as one of the men to hunt down. Waiting for him to break Federal law they sort out several other mobsters, while Dillinger's bank robbing exploits make him something of a folk hero. Escaping from jail he finds Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby Face Nelson have joined the gang and pretty soon he is Public Enemy Number One. Now the G-men really are after him.

Markimdb: 6.9
Genredrama, biography
CountryAustralia
Duration02:01

Based on the true story of Lindy Chamberlain who, during a family camping trip to Ayers Rock in central Australia, claimed she witnessed a dingo take her baby daughter, Azaria, from their tent. Azaria's body was never found and, after investigations and two public inquests, she is charged with murder.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genremelodrama, drama, biography
CountryUSA, United Kingdom
Duration02:32

Out of Africa tells the story of the life of Danish author Karen Blixen, who at the beginning of the 20th century moved to Africa to build a new life for herself. The film is based on the autobiographical novel by Karen Blixen from 1937.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genredrama, biography
CountryUSA
Duration02:05

The story of Karen Silkwood, a metallurgy worker at a plutonium processing plant who was purposefully contaminated, psychologically tortured and possibly murdered to prevent her from exposing blatant worker safety violations at the plant.

Markimdb: 6.8
Genredrama, biography
CountryUSA, West Germany
Duration01:42

Paul Snider is a narcissistic, small time hustler who fancies himself a ladies man. His life changes when he meets Dorothy Stratten working behind the counter of a Dairy Queen. Under his guidance Dorothy grows to fame as a Playboy Playmate. But when Dorothy begins pursuing an acting career, the jealous Paul finds himself elbowed out of the picture by more famous men.

Markimdb: 7.2
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUSA, Canada
Duration01:39

The true story of fraudulent Washington, D.C. journalist Stephen Glass, who rose to meteoric heights as a young writer in his 20s, becoming a staff writer at The New Republic for three years. Looking for a short cut to fame, Glass concocted sources, quotes and even entire stories, but his deception did not go unnoticed forever, and eventually, his world came crumbling down.

Markimdb: 7.8
Genredrama, family, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:48

Based on the true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes, and eventually became a NASA scientist.

Markimdb: 7.5
Genrecomedy, drama, biography
CountryUSA, France, Japan, Italy
Duration02:24

An elderly Charlie Chaplin discusses his autobiography with his editor, while is depicted his amazing journey from his poverty-stricken childhood to world-wide success after the ingenious invention of the Little Tramp.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genremelodrama, drama, crime, biography
CountryUSA
Duration02:05

During his 18 years in Folsom Prison, street-gang leader Santana rules over all the drug-and-murder activities behind bars. Upon his release, Santana goes back to his old neighborhood, intending to lead a peaceful, crime-free life. But his old gang buddies force him back into his old habits.

Markimdb: 6.5
Genredrama, adventure, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, France, Spain
Duration02:34

1492: Conquest of Paradise depicts Christopher Columbus’ discovery of The New World and his effect on the indigenous people.

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

A biography of Woody Guthrie, one of America's greatest folk singers. He left his dust-devastated Texas home in the 1930s to find work, discovering the suffering and strength of America's working class.

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: 7.3
Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
CountryUSA
Duration03:15

An account of the revolutionary years of the legendary American journalist John Reed (1887-1920), who shared his adventurous professional life with his radical commitment to the socialist revolution in Russia, his dream of spreading its principles among the members of the American working class, and his troubled romantic relationship with the writer Louise Bryant (1885-1936).

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: 7.3
Genredrama, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:43

Jaime Escalante is a mathematics teacher in a school in a hispanic neighbourhood. Convinced that his students have potential, he adopts unconventional teaching methods to try and turn gang members and no-hopers into some of the country's top algebra and calculus students.

Markimdb: 6.5
Genredrama, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:45

The tragic true story of one of the worst cases of child abuse ever documented (in which a girl was locked in a room without social contact for nearly thirteen years) and what happened when she was finally rescued.

Markimdb: 7.8
Genredrama, biography
CountryUSA
Duration02:01

A high school student falls asleep while sitting in class. When he wakes up, all time is frozen, except for him.

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: 7.4
Genredrama, biography, sport
CountryUSA
Duration01:49

A prepubescent chess prodigy refuses to harden himself in order to become a champion like the famous but unlikable Bobby Fischer.

Markimdb: 6.9
Genrecomedy, drama, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:50

Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1945. Engineer Preston Tucker dreams of designing the car of future, but his innovative envision will be repeatedly sabotaged by his own unrealistic expectations and the Detroit automobile industry tycoons.

Markimdb: 6.9
Genredrama, biography, sport
CountryUSA
Duration01:05

A former University of Michigan football star (Tom Harmon) rejects an opportunity to play professional football. Instead, he marries his college sweetheart (Anita Louise) and begins a career as a college football coach.

Markimdb: 7.6
Genremelodrama, drama, biography, sport
CountryUSA
Duration02:08

The story of the life and career of the baseball hall of famer, Lou Gehrig.

Markimdb: 7.7
Genremelodrama, drama, military, biography, history
CountryUSA
Duration02:14

Alvin York a hillbilly sharpshooter transforms himself from ruffian to religious pacifist. He is then called to serve his country and despite deep religious and moral objections to fighting becomes one of the most celebrated American heroes of WWI.

Markimdb: 5.6
Genremelodrama, adventure, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:44

The Venetian traveler meets Kublai Khan and foils a plotter with fireworks in medieval China.

Markimdb: 6.8
Genremelodrama, western, military, biography, history
CountryUSA
Duration01:53

Wild Bill Hickok (Gary Cooper), Calamity Jane (Jean Arthur) and Buffalo Bill (James Ellison) go up against Indians and a gunrunner.

Markimdb: 6.5
Genrecomedy, drama, biography
CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
Duration01:38

A memoir of the lives of a family growing up on a post World War I British estate headed up by a strong disciplinarian, her daughter, her inventor husband, their ten year old son and his older sister. Through the household comes a number of suitors hoping to impress the young woman, including an aviator. When the elder woman's son shows up at the estate with his French fiancé, everything gets thrown into turmoil. The young boy takes a sudden interest in her sexual allure and his father is disturbed by his own non-Victorian feelings.

Markimdb: 7.2
Genrethriller, drama, crime, biography
CountryUnited Kingdom, Republic of Ireland
Duration02:04

In a twenty-year career marked by obsessive secrecy, brutality and meticulous planning, Cahill netted over £40 million. He was untouchable - until a bullet from an IRA hitman ended it all.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genrethriller, drama, military, biography
CountryUnited Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, USA
Duration02:13

Michael Collins plays a crucial role in the establishment of the Irish Free State in the 1920s, but becomes vilified by those hoping to create a completely independent Irish republic.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genrefantasy, drama, musical, adventure, family, cartoon, biography, history
CountryUSA, France, United Kingdom
Duration01:39

This is the extraordinary tale of two brothers named Moses and Ramses, one born of royal blood, and one an orphan with a secret past. Growing up the best of friends, they share a strong bond of free-spirited youth and good-natured rivalry. But the truth will ultimately set them at odds, as one becomes the ruler of the most powerful empire on earth, and the other the chosen leader of his people! Their final confrontation will forever change their lives and the world.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genremelodrama, drama, biography
CountryUSA, Germany
Duration01:58

Kinsey is a portrait of researcher Alfred Kinsey, driven to uncover the most private secrets of a nation. What begins for Kinsey as a scientific endeavor soon takes on an intensely personal relevance, ultimately becoming an unexpected journey into the mystery of human behavior.




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