Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer took the Box Office by storm this summer (adding pink to the mushroom cloud may have helped the hype), and Ridley Scott’s upcoming epic, Napoleon, promises to take moviegoers back to the turbulent 18th Century France. A biographical picture can bring to life the remarkable people who were previously collecting dust in history books. It can show audiences glimpses from long-gone eras and even inspire a few to dust off those stuffy books and learn more about history’s most noteworthy moments.
While some biopics are less inspiring, the genre still has plenty of noteworthy titles to enjoy while waiting for Napoleon to hit the big screens. These are the best biopics that bring long-forgotten history to life.
A Hidden Life (2019)
- Director: Terrence Malick
- Starring: August Diehl, Valerie Pachner, Maria Simon
Official synopsis: Watch A Hidden Life for the powerful tale of Franz Jägerstätter, a man who chose faith and family over fear. He refused to fight for the Nazis during World War II despite the threat of execution.
Milk (2008)
- Director: Gus Van Sant
- Starring: Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch
Official synopsis: Milk chronicles the remarkable journey of American gay activist Harvey Milk. Defying societal norms, he advocated for gay rights and became the first openly gay official elected in California.
Malcolm X (1992)
- Director: Spike Lee
- Starring: Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Delroy Lindo
Official synopsis: Malcolm X is an impactful biopic chronicling the life of the influential African-American leader. From experiencing his father’s death by the Ku Klux Klan to his transformation during prison from a gangster to a preacher of the Nation of Islam, the film culminates with his pilgrimage to Mecca, his conversion to Sunni Islam, and his tragic assassination.
Capote (2005)
- Director: Bennett Miller
- Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Clifton Collins Jr., Catherine Keener
Official synopsis: The film delves into the intriguing narrative of Truman Capote, who upon learning of a Kansas family’s murder in 1959, decides to write a book about the incident. As he gathers material for his famed novel In Cold Blood, he forms an unexpected connection with one of the condemned killers.
Lincoln (2012)
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn
Official synopsis: The film portrays the story of President Abraham Lincoln’s determined efforts in 1865 to pass a landmark amendment abolishing slavery in the United States. As the Civil War nears its end, Lincoln must navigate a race against time and his conscience, torn between achieving peace to save thousands of lives or securing freedom for all.
Gandhi (1982)
- Director: Richard Attenborough
- Starring: Ben Kingsley, John Gielgud, Rohini Hattangadi
Official synopsis: Gandhi paints a compelling portrait of the life and legacy of Mohandas K. Gandhi. From his early days combating racial laws in South Africa with non-violent protests to his return to India as a beloved figurehead, Gandhi catalyzed a non-violent rebellion for India’s independence from Britain.
The King’s Speech (2010)
- Director: Tom Hooper
- Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter
Official synopsis: The King’s Speech follows the story of Prince Albert’s transformation into King George VI despite a speech impediment. His wife, Elizabeth, enlists the help of Lionel Logue, an Australian actor and speech therapist. As Logue employs unorthodox methods to help the King overcome his stammer, a remarkable friendship develops between the two.
The Pianist (2002)
- Director: Roman Polanski
- Starring: Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay
Official synopsis: The Pianist is a gripping adaptation of the autobiography by Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish Jewish pianist whose life changes dramatically with the onset of World War II. Forced into the Warsaw Ghetto and later separated from his family, Szpilman embarks on a desperate struggle for survival, hiding in various locations within the war-torn city.
Frida (2002)
- Director: Julie Taymor
- Starring: Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, Geoffrey Rush
Official synopsis: Frida illustrates the life of iconic artist Frida Kahlo, who unapologetically navigates the art world with her husband Diego Rivera. The story delves into her complex relationship with Rivera, her scandalous affair with Leon Trotsky, and her audacious romantic encounters with women.
Chaplin (1992)
- Director: Richard Attenborough
- Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Geraldine Chaplin, Paul Rhys
Official synopsis: This biopic presents a captivating take on the life of the remarkable filmmaker. Following his evolution from his early years in England to immense success in America, the film offers a deep dive into Chaplin’s life, work, and love. Amid the laughs his characters brought to the screen, Chaplin is portrayed as a man haunted by a sense of loss.
Schindler’s List (1993)
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Starring: Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley
Official synopsis: Schindler’s List is a powerful film that portrays the real-life heroism of Oskar Schindler. Initially driven by greed and vanity, Schindler becomes an unexpected savior during the horrific Nazi reign, transforming his factory into a sanctuary for Jews and saving about 1100 lives from Auschwitz.
Elizabeth (1998)
- Director: Shekhar Kapur
- Starring: Cate Blanchett, Liz Giles, Rod Culbertson
Official synopsis: The movie offers a compelling look into the early reign of Queen Elizabeth I. It follows the monarch through her ascent to the throne, the ongoing attempts by her council to secure her marriage, the storm of Catholic animosity she faces, and her romantic relationship with Lord Robert Dudley.
The Iron Lady (2011)
- Director: Phyllida Lloyd
- Starring: Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent, Richard E. Grant
Official synopsis: Set against the backdrop of Margaret Thatcher’s twilight years, the film delves into the memories of Britain’s first woman prime minister. As she sifts through her late husband Denis’s clothes, she starts reflecting on her political journey and her rise to power.
JFK (1991)
- Director: Oliver Stone
- Starring: Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Jack Lemmon
Official synopsis: This film explores the controversy surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Skeptical of the official reports that Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby acted alone, Louisiana district attorney Jim Garrison gathered a group of trusted individuals to conduct a separate investigation, facing immense opposition from powerful governmental and political quarters.
The Young Victoria (2009)
- Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
- Starring: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany
Official synopsis: The Young Victoria explores the fascinating early life of Queen Victoria, centered around her ascension at the age of 18. Navigating through political motivations, she finds herself falling for her German cousin Albert, whose shared philanthropic values bolster her reign. Amid her loyalties, potential constitutional crises, and Albert’s unwavering support, Victoria emerges as a reformist queen.
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