Biopicsare inherently rich and lush in terms of narrative depth, as they are closely modeled after the life of a real person. These types of films instantly form a connection between the audience and the character, incentivizing the viewer to be more invested in their leading man or woman’s journey by adding layers of relatability through common human emotions.
Despite being around for a while, biopics have seen a resurgence in recent years, taking center stage both economically and culturally. Biopics of various personalities, known and unknown, have come to light, providing fans with a fresh perspective on some of their favorite historical figures, while also introducing them to new and fairly unknown ones. Biopics also take the fancy of filmmakers and producers due to their high economic viability, making it a high-risk, high-reward game, where winning is rewarded by millions in revenue and losing is reduced to being shamed on social media. So, without further ado, let’s look at 20 of the highest-grossing biopics that have not only excelled at the box office front, but also managed to craft an excellent story about their subjects' lives.
20Public Enemies (2009) - $214.1 Million
Public Enemies
Michael Mann’s film is based on Bryan Burrough’s non-fiction book that sees Johnny Depp star as John Dillinger, an American gangster who operated during the Great Depression. Dillinger’s charm made him an endearing personality to the downtrodden public, but it wasn’t enough to immunize him from J. Edgar Hoover and his team at the FBI, who branded him as the number one public enemy and sent one of their best agents to arrest him.
Michael Mann and Johnny Depp Make for a Profitable Duo
Public Enemiesbrings to light Mann’s ability to distill the cold-hearted nature of government institutions and pit them against endearing yet hard-boiled men, who’ve been made that way by society.Public Enemiesdoes nothing to sentimentalize the outlaws and approaches Dillinger’s life with a lot of discipline without getting lost in the gangster’s psyche or his emotional ethos. The film dims down his emotional quotient to the point where he seems like a bank-robbing enthusiast who hates the system, without thinking of himself as big enough for the system to hate him.
Stream on Netflix
19The Terminal (2004) - 219.1 Million
The Terminal
The Terminalrevolves around Mehran Karimi Nasseri’s true story, who lived in the Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport for 18 years, unable to return to his home country due to a coup, while being denied entry into France, as well.
Spielberg and Hanks Are a Match Made in Heaven
Directed by one of the greats, Steven Spielberg,The Terminalplays out as a sweet and delicate comedy that has its roots in tragedy. Tom Hanks does an exceptional job of playing Victor Navorski (Nasseri) with an inherent sense of humanity that’s very reminiscent of Chaplin and Keaton, treading the tightrope between sadness and humor. Walking on the other end of the spectrum of rigidity and empathy is Stanley Tucci, who plays the role of an immigration officer and Navorski’s primary victim. Together with a series of oddball characters, who have their own set of individual quirks, Spielberg weaves a world along the same lines of a Kafka story told at the leisurely pace of a sunny day.
Stream on Prime Video
Related:Best Tom Hanks Movies, Ranked
18The Imitation Game (2014) - $233.5 Million
The Imitation Game
The Imitation Gameis based on Alan Turing’s life and charts the cryptanalyst’s contribution to deciphering the German Enigma code, which gave Britain the upper hand in WWII. The film stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing, along with a star-studded cast of Keira Knightley, Mark Strong, and Charles Dance.
A Different Kind of World War II Thriller
Part biopic, part WWII thriller, and complete entertainment, Morten Tyldum’s film racked up a total of eight Academy Award nominations, winning one (Best Screenplay).The Imitation Gameplays out as an intense thriller about a team of Brits who raced against time to crack the Enigma code, which eventually gave Britain a significant advantage in the war. The film also examines the tragic circumstances of Turing’s life and sexuality, where rather than being acknowledged for his heroic contribution to the war, he was openly vilified for his sexuality, leading up to his taking his own life in 1954.
17Hidden Figures (2016) - $235.9 Million
Hidden Figures
Cut from a similar cloth of patriotism and science asThe Imitation Game,Hidden Figuresrevolves around the story of three Black women mathematicians who helped the USA win the Space Race. Much like Alan Turing, the three women remained fairly unnoticed for their incredible contribution, compared to their male counterparts, until Theodore Melfi’s film came out and gave them their due recognition.
Important and Educational
Hidden Figureshas a lightness to it that’s not often found in the biopic genre. Despite talking about gender inequality, the film doesn’t get overbearing or overly preachy, with every scene trying to morosely hammer home the point of un-recognition and inequality. Mefi’s approach is rather balanced and measured, picking his moments and building up to the film’s powerful third act, thereby givingHidden Figuresa well-rounded balance of entertainment, endearment, and substance.
Stream on Disney Plus
16Sully (2016) - 240.7 Million
Sullyis another biopic where Tom Hanks does a stellar job of transporting himself to the inside of his subject. This time, he plays the role of Chelsea “Sully” Sullenberger, a pilot who’s forced to crash-land into the Hudson River after his plane hits a flock of birds and damages both engines. Despite saving all the crew and passengers, Sully comes under the radar of the National Transportation Safety Board and is treated like a convict rather than a hero.
Sullyperfectly captures Tom Hanks’ embodiment of the American everyman, highlighting the patriotic sentiments of pride and commitment to duty, no matter the cost it comes at. Despite being a goody-goody film,Sullyhas moments of genuine collective panic and counteracts it with Tom Hanks’ composed and selfless demeanor. The film also adds another feather in Clint Eastwood’s hat as he steps away from his conventional comfort zone of Westerns and paints a moving picture of one of America’s most celebrated miracles.
Rent on AppleTV
15Lincoln (2012) - 275.2 Million
Lincolnis considered to be one of Spielberg’s and Daniel Day-Lewis' best works, where the two masters of their crafts teamed up and created a historical spectacle for the world to see. WithLincoln,Spielberg and Lewis explored the unseen side of one of America’smost decorated presidents, who took up the entire system to abolish slavery and fight for the equal rights of all people. The film racked up a whopping total of 12 Oscar nominations, winning two (Best Actor and Best Production Design), and was praised by the fans and critics alike.
Daniel Day-Lewis Gives an All-Time Performance
Daniel Day-Lewis’ portrayal of Lincoln was dauntingly accurate and wasn’t just confined to the physicality of his subject, rather, Day-Lewis tapped deep into Lincoln’s psyche and imbibed the spirit of his war-torn years. Janusz Kaminski’s cinematography beautifully captures the earthy tones and the muted indoor lighting of the era, accurately reflective of the state of America’s politics and policies of the era.
Related:Best Daniel Day-Lewis Movies, Ranked
14Elvis (2022) - $288.8 Million
Untitled Elvis Presley Project
In Baz Luhrmann’s first film since 2013, we get a look at the life of the legendary rock and roll star, Elvis Presley. Tom Hanks and Austin Butler star.
Read our Review
Directed by Baz Luhrmann(The Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge),Elvishas a very glamorous aesthetic appeal to it and revolves around the life of one of America’s greatest musicians, Elvis Presley. The film stars Austin Butler as Elvis and provides a closer and more intimate look into the glossy veneer of Presley’s fame, while also throwing light on the singer’s childhood trauma and insecurity.
Why Elvis Was Such a Financial Success
Butler does a phenomenal job at playing the titular role of Presley. The young actor nails Presley’s nuances and plays them out with a devilish charm, much like the parable of Presley’s own persona. Complimenting this is Luhrmann’s irreverence to the past, treating it without the rose-tinted lens of nostalgia, and shocking Elvis’ existence back to life with a jolt of loud performances and louder soundtracks.
Stream on Prime
13Dangal (2016) - $303.9 Million
Dangalrevolves around the Phogat Sisters, who went on to become India’s first world-class female wrestlers. The film documented the sister’s gruesome preparation and dedication, along with touching upon their relationship with their father and coach, Mahavir Singh Phogat.
Why We’ve Included Dangal
Dangalnails what other sports films aspire to do. It blends the trifecta of emotional perseverance, gruesome preparation and high stakes, creating a film that’s good on the eyes and moving in spirit. Nitish Tiwari’s film weaves the emotions of loss and retribution into thefabric of wrestling, while having an overarching narrative structure governed by family and values.
Dangal is not available to stream
12The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) - $307.1 Million
The Pursuit of Happyness
At this point,The Pursuit of Happinessis more a rite of passage than it is a movie. The film is based on Chris Gardner’s best-selling memoir that highlights his struggles as a homeless salesman struggling to make ends meet, while trying to raise a young son.
One of Will Smith’s Greatest Performances
Will and Jaden Smith’s heartbreaking relationship makesThe Pursuit of Happynessa difficult film to process. The movie is full of moments of sadness and grief, with some scenes of happiness and respite in the middle. One such standout scene is when Gardner has nowhere to go with his young son, and they spend the night in the bathroom of a subway station, while people incessantly knock outside. With his son asleep on his lap, Gardner is on the verge of breaking down, but somehow controls himself and soldiers on for thesake of his young son.
Related:Best Will Smith Movies, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes Score
11The Blind Side (2009) - $309.2 Million
The Blind Side
Despite not being a very technically gifted filmmaker, John Lee Hancock’s films are simple to understand and leave a good aftertaste once the credits have rolled. WithThe Blind Side,Hancock brings Michael Oher’s story to life, focusing on his tough childhood and his determination to play in the NFL.
Why The Blind Side Resonate with the Audience
The Blind Sideis a heartwarming film that’s rooted in human emotion and love. The film’s simple approach surprised everyone when it made over $300 million on a budget of $29 million, making it one of Warner Bros.’s crown jewels of the year. Hancock’s film is mainly powered by Sandra Bullock’s maternal charm and Quinton Aaron’s vulnerability. Despite stretching its message to breaking point, the film has an unwavering sense of goodness and compassion, which could explain why it seemed to resonate with people up to the tune of $300 million.
Stream on Tubi
