20 Best Biopics of All Time, Ranked

20.The Disaster Artist

Director(s): James Franco

Cast: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogen

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 1hr 43m

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% (Critics), 85% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Stream on Cinemax

“You’re tearing me apart, Lisa!” is a line fans of the so-bad-it’s-good cult classic The Room will have etched in their brains for the rest of their lives. In The Disaster Artist, director James Franco (who also stars as The Room director/writer/producer/star Tommy Wiseau) brings the film’s creation to life in one of the most bizarre biopics ever made.

Throughout it all, the film remains a testament to the magic of Hollywood and why anyone would tough it out in the entertainment industry. James Franco nails it as Tommy.

19.Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

Director(s): Eric Appel

Cast: Danielle Radcliffe, Evan Rachel Wood, Rainn Wilson

Genre: Comedy, Music

Rating: TV-14

Runtime: 1hr 48m

Rotten Tomatoes: 85% (Critics), 79% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Stream on the Roku Channel

“Weird Al” Yankovic made a name for himself by parodying musical giants ranging from Michael Jackson to Coolio and Nirvana, so why wouldn’t his “biopic” be a parody loosely-inspired by his life? Al indeed got an accordion from a traveling salesman and recorded one of his songs in a bathroom, but the love affair between him and Madonna… well, you can probably guess.From start to finish, you’ll have no idea how it’s going to zig and zag toward its zany conclusion. And with Daniel Radcliffe portraying him, things are even funnier.

18.Ford v Ferarri

Director(s): James Mangold

Cast: Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal

Genre: Sports, History

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2hr 32m

Rotten Tomatoes: 92% (Critics), 98% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Stream on Hulu

Whether or not you’re a car enthusiast, there are plenty of thrills to be found in this biopic about automotive designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and racer Ken Miles (Christian Bale) as they work to build a vehicle to rival the racecars of Ferrari. Set in the 1960s, the cinematography perfectly captures the era, as well as the exhilarating rush of racing.

With great action, great drama, and great performances from Damon and Bale, Ford v Ferrari has plenty of rewatchability.

17.Spencer

Director(s): Pablo Larrain

Cast: Kristen Stewart, Sally Hawkins, Timothy Spall

Genre: Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 1hr 51m

Rotten Tomatoes: 83% (Critics), 52% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Stream on Netflix

Do you prefer historical accuracy when it comes to the lives of the Royal Family? If so, you may prefer watching Netflix’s The Crown over Pablo Larrain’s imaginative take on several days during the Christmas holidays at one of the Queen’s estates. That being said, even with its creative liberties, Spencer deserves to be on this list thanks to an absolutely transformative performance by Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana.

If you only know Stewart for her somewhat-flat reading of Bella Swan in the Twilight movies, do yourself a favor and experience her understatedly fine-tuned descent into anxiety and claustrophobia.

16.Into the Wild

Director(s): Sean Penn

Cast: Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt

Genre: Drama, Adventure

Rating: R

Runtime: 2hr 29

Rotten Tomatoes: 83% (Critics), 89% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Available to rent on Amazon Video or AppleTV

Set in the 1990s, Into the Wild follows the unique journey of Christopher McCandless, a top student who abandons all his worldly possessions and travels to Alaska to live in the wilderness away from society. In a world filled with generative AI, billionaires, and divisive politicians, it’s hard not to romanticize the film’s premise, even if it’s an objectively dangerous idea. But thanks to soaring visuals that capture the rugged beauty of North America, alongside a strong performance from lead actor Emile Hirsch, the film showcases the valuable lessons Chris learns from others along his travels. It’s an earnest character study that ends with enough ambiguity for you to draw your own conclusions.

15.Ed Wood

Director(s): Tim Burton

Cast: Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 2hr 4m

Rotten Tomatoes: 92% (Critics), 88% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Available to rent on Amazon Video or AppleTV

Oddball Hollywood outcast Ed Wood, Jr.’s low-budget B-movie sci-fi films are often candidates for some of the worst movies ever made. Wood’s life, however, is ripe for the biopic genre, as evidenced by Tim Burton’s moving portrait of an eccentric filmmaker with dreams of bringing his stories to life.

Frequent Burton collaborator Johnny Depp is a strange and perfect match for Wood, with Martin Landau’s turn as Bela Lugosi a memorable performance as well. Burton is the perfect director to make it all work, mining his traditional love for the weird and wonderful alongside the emotional highs of movies like Big Fish. It’s as inspiring as it is entertaining.

14.Ali

Director(s): Michael Mann

Cast: Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight

Genre: History, Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 2hr 38m

Rotten Tomatoes: 69% (Critics), 65% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Available to rent on Amazon Video or AppleTV

One of two boxing biopics on this list (and, no, we don’t mean Sydney Sweeney’s Christy), Ali got mixed reviews when it was first released. In part, that has to do with trying to encapsulate one of sports’ most influential and recognizable names: Muhammad Ali. Also known as “The Greatest,” depicting Ali’s life is a tall order, but something that succeeds in large part due to the charisma and commitment of Will Smith.

Smith may have lost to Denzel Washington in the Best Actor race at the Oscars in 2001, but his performance is just as deserving more than two decades later. It’s a performance that doesn’t pull punches, making the whole film a real knockout.

13.Frida

Director(s): Julie Taymor

Cast: Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, Geoffrey Rush

Genre: Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 2hr 3m

Rotten Tomatoes: 77% (Critics), 85% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Available to rent on Amazon Video or AppleTV

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Mexican painter Frida Kahlo is one of the most recognizable artists of all time. It’s no surprise, then, that her distinct approach to art-making, not to mention her relationship with Diego Rivera, is ripe for film adaptation. In Frida, Salma Hayek brings the passionate painter to life with a memorable performance as Frida travels to America and endeavors to express herself through her artwork.

Directed with winning visual flourishes by Julie Taymor (Across the Universe), viewers are treated to Kahlo’s emotional and creative life in exciting ways. It’s a wholly unique approach to a wholly unique artist. And it works beautifully.

12.Ray

Director(s): Taylor Hackford

Cast: Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Regina Hall

Genre: Music, Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2hr 35m

Rotten Tomatoes: 79% (Critics), 87% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Stream on Starz

What makes a good music biopic? Many would say that you need a solid acting performance and enjoyable (and believable) renditions of their musical performances. While both of these elements matter, Ray, a stirring biopic about soul musician Ray Charles, succeeds for another, third reason. It doesn’t shy away from the greatness and human weaknesses of its protagonist.

Thankfully, that’s a challenge that actor Jamie Foxx is up for. In Ray, he gives a career-best performance as he portrays Charles’s ascent in the world of jazz alongside struggles with drugs and infidelity. Getting such an intimate perspective into a towering star is what movie biopics are all about.

11.Capote

Director(s): Bennett Miller

Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Clifton Collins Jr.

Genre: History, Drama, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 1hr 55m

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% (Critics), 82% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Stream on the Roku Channel

To many, Philip Seymour Hoffman is one of America’s greatest actors, a talent lost too soon. For as clear a reason as any, look no further than Hoffman’s portrayal of famed author Truman Capote. In Capote, the author travels to Kansas to document a sensational family murder, the murder that would form the basis for his novel, In Cold Blood.

With such subtle, sensitive content at the heart of the Capote, it’s easy to see how the film’s success or failure hinged on its central performance. Hoffman’s work in the biopic won him the Academy Award for Best Actor in a highly competitive year. Coincidentally, to win the award he bested Joaquin Phoenix for another biopic: Walk the Line.

10.12 Years a Slave

Director(s): Steve McQueen

Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch

Genre: History, Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 2hr 14m

Rotten Tomatoes: 86% (Critics), 95% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Available to rent on Amazon Video or AppleTV

12 Years a Slave isn’t an easy watch, but it is one of the best-crafted historical dramas ever made. Based on American abolitionist Solomon Northup’s memoir and directed by Steve McQueen, the film’s painful attention to detail makes for a harrowing and important encapsulation of a period of history many would prefer to sweep under the rug or downplay.

Of all the movies on this list, you’re probably least likely to want to watch 12 Years a Slave more than once. It speaks to the movie’s staying power that its vivid account lasts with you so deeply even after only one watch.

9.Moneyball

Director(s): Bennett Miller

Cast: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman

Genre: Drama, Sports

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2hr 13m

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% (Critics), 86% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Available to rent on Amazon Video or AppleTV

In Moneyball, Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) takes a unique, data-fueled approach to managing his baseball team in order to try and hold his own against wealthier, more established teams. Even with its sports angle, it’s the sort of topic that could be unbelievably dry in the wrong hands. Thankfully, Moneyball’s cast features heavyweights like Brad Pitt and Philip Seymour Hoffman, as well as a surprisingly nuanced performance by Jonah Hill.

Filmmaker Bennett Miller takes his time when it comes to films, but his movies (which are frequently biopics) really stand out. Both Capote and Moneyball were directed by him, with 2014’s Foxcatcher being a worthy honorable mention for this list. Clearly, if you haven’t seen his work you should.

8.Catch Me if You Can

Director(s): Steven Spielberg

Cast: Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christopher Walken

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Crime

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2hr 29

Rotten Tomatoes: 86% (Critics), 95% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Stream on Paramount Plus

So many biopics succeed or sink because of the director behind them or the cast. Catch Me if You Can has three aces in the hole: Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Leonardo DiCaprio.

The movie tells the story of one of the youngest and most infamous conmen in American history: Frank Abagnale, Jr. It also recounts FBI Agent Carl Hanratty’s dogged quest to catch and apprehend him, making for a thrilling (and surprisingly funny) game of cat-and-mouse. If you prefer comedy to tragedy when it comes to biopics, you can’t go wrong with one of Spielberg’s best movies.

7.The Wolf of Wall Street

Director(s): Martin Scorsese

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 2hr 59m

Rotten Tomatoes: 79% (Critics), 83% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Available to rent on Amazon Video or AppleTV

The Wolf of Wall Street tells the sweeping, true story of the rise and fall of stockbroker and criminal Jordan Belfort during his rise and fall from the 1980s and into the 90s. Adapted from Belfort’s own memoir, the film is both comedy and drama, glamorizing the excessive lifestyle of sex, drugs, and money that Belfort conned his way to until the weight of it all crashes down on him. It’s a story that Scorsese and his game cast have a blast relaying, with supporting turns from Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie gleefully complementing DiCaprio’s unreliable narrator. If you like movies about the rich getting their comeuppance, The Wolf of Wall Street is worth the three-hour runtime.

6.Air

Director(s): Ben Affleck

Cast: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman

Genre: Drama, Sports

Rating: R

Runtime: 1hr 52m

Rotten Tomatoes: 93% (Critics), 97% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Stream on Prime Video

Air is a biopic as much about Michael Jordan, Phil Knight, Sonny Vaccaro, as it is the birth of the Air Jordan, making it one of the more unique historical dramas on this list. Focusing on talent scout Sonny Vaccaro, the film manages to make a business deal exciting, whether or not you’re a sneakerhead.

Of course, the combo of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon has struck gold before (most famously with Good Will Hunting) but Air illustrates that they really have the goods. It’s fast, it’s funny, and it’s a total blast to watch.

5.Raging Bull

Director(s): Martin Scorsese

Cast: Robert DeNiro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci

Genre: Drama, Sports

Rating: R

Runtime: 2hr 8m

Rotten Tomatoes: 92% (Critics), 93% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Available to rent on Amazon Video or AppleTV

Stylishly told in crisp black-and-white, Raging Bull tells the story of middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta, played by Robert DeNiro in one of the best performances of his career. The brutal boxing biopic is also one of director Martin Scorsese’s best, turning its boxing scenes into a beautifully barbaric ballet.

Outside the ring, the film focuses on LaMotta’s tumultuous relationships with his love-interest, Vickie (Cathy Moriarty), and brother, Joey (Joe Pesci). Over its course, viewers learn how Jake’s emotional outbursts and temperament ultimately lead to his rise in the ring and fall from grace. Like other movies on this list, it’s not just a great biopic; it’s a great film, period.

4.Straight Outta Compton

Director: F. Gary Gray

Cast: O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell

Genre: Biography, Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 2hr 27m

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% (Critics), 91% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Available to rent on Amazon Video or AppleTV

This 2015 biopic about the birth of hip-hop group N.W.A and their first album “Straight Outta Compton,” is an exhilarating dive into Southern LA and some of the most famous names in music. Following Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson Jr.), Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins), Eazy-E (Jason Mitchell), DJ Yella (Neil Brown, Jr.), and MC Ren (Aldis Hodge), the film is an entertaining primer on the choices the group faced as they fought the establishment and made music that spoke truth to power. While many of the biopics on this list focus on one individual, Straight Outta Compton focus on the camaraderie, chemistry, and prowess of one group makes it stand out among a crowded field.

3.Malcolm X

Director(s): Spike Lee

Cast: Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall

Genre: History, Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 3hr 21m

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% (Critics), 91% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Available to rent on Amazon Video or AppleTV

Denzel Washington’s performance as Black activist Malcolm X alone is reason enough to rank Malcolm X as one of the best biopics ever made. With epic scope and a runtime to rival the Lord of the Rings films, this dramatic historical biopic doesn’t shy away from thorny questions as it charts the evolution of one of the most famous activists to ever live.

Under the direction of Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing, BlacKKKlansman), Washington’s portrayal of Malcolm X is nuanced and utterly engaging. By exploring his public and private personas, Lee makes a movie as much about American power structures as he does about one man.

In a word? It’s riveting.

2.Oppenheimer

Director(s): Christopher Nolan

Cast: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey, Jr.

Genre: History, Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 3hr 0m

Rotten Tomatoes: 93% (Critics), 91% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Available to rent on Amazon Video or AppleTV

Christopher Nolan’s epic masterpiece dives into the ego, remorse, and earth-shattering repercussions of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s development of the first nuclear explosion, complete with an all-star cast. As the titular figure, Cillian Murphy’s haunted facial expressions and relentless drive make the film equal parts excellent character study and historical biopic.

The Barbenheimer phenomenon made hype for the already-super-hyped drama even higher, but this is a biopic that truly delivered. Featuring a supporting cast with the likes of Emily Blunt and Robert Downey, Jr., the film was uniformly well-acted as it slipped between multiple timelines on its way to a satisfying conclusion.With such massive scope and impact, it’s no wonder it won seven of the thirteen Oscars it was nominated for.

1.The Social Network

Director(s): David Fincher

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake

Genre: Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2hr 0m

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% (Critics), 87% (Audience)

Where to Watch: Available to rent on Amazon Video or AppleTV

David Fincher’s The Social Network, about Mark Zuckerberg and the founding of Facebook, is the filmmaker at his best. Taking the precise, clinical camera moves he perfected in films like Zodiac, Fight Club, and Se7en to the next level, the way he renders Harvard and the world of tech startups doesn’t just match the story he’s telling, it matches the way its central character views the world.

Anchored by the foundation of an incredible screenplay by The West Wing writer Aaron Sorkin and an intensely watchable performance by Jesse Eisenberg (not to mention a breakout performance from Justin Timberlake), The Social Network isn’t just one of the best biopics of all time, it’s a frontrunner for one of the best films of the 21st Century.

With how Facebook and Meta continue to make headlines, it’s hard to believe there’ll come a time when the film isn’t as compulsively watchable and fascinatingly relevant.