Best biography movies of all time
In the following page, you will see a ranking of the best biography movies of all time. We have gathered the ratings of Imdb, Metacritic, Filmaffinity and crafted our own algorithm and generated the following ratings.
Order by:
- Bmoat
- Imdb
- Metacritic
- Filmaffinity
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1. Schindler's List (1993)
Schindler's List (1993) dramatizes Oskar Schindler's true story: a German businessman who risks everything to save over 1,100 Jews using his factory and a list. Stark, black‑and‑white, emotionally harrowing; contains disturbing violence. read more
Genres: Biography, Drama, History
8.6
/10
95
/100
9.0
/10
9.0
/10
2. Goodfellas (1990)
Goodfellas follows Henry Hill’s rise in an Italian‑American crime family, portraying the seductive thrills, brutal violence and ultimate unraveling of mob life with kinetic, darkly comic storytelling. read more
Genres: Biography, Crime, Drama
8.4
/10
92
/100
8.7
/10
8.8
/10
3. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) follows T.E. Lawrence’s transformation from desk officer to desert leader uniting Arab tribes; epic vistas, moral ambiguity, isolation, and powerful performances. read more
Genres: Adventure, Biography, Drama
8.0
/10
100
/100
8.3
/10
8.8
/10
4. Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022)
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022) portrays ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan—his rocket and cryogenic work, the 1994 false espionage case, and his protracted fight for vindication. read more
Genres: Biography, Drama
8.7
/10
8.7
/10
5. Oppenheimer (2023)
Oppenheimer follows J. Robert Oppenheimer from university to leading the Manhattan Project and its aftermath, exploring his genius, moral conflicts, political fallout, and the human cost of the atomic bomb. read more
Genres: Biography, Drama, History
90
/100
8.3
/10
8.7
/10
6. The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928): an austere silent film focused on Joan’s 1431 trial and execution. Stark close-ups and minimalist sets intensify her faith, humiliation and the court’s cruelty. read more
Genres: Biography, Drama, History
8.3
/10
98
/100
8.1
/10
8.7
/10
7. The Pianist (2002)
Polanski’s The Pianist (2002) follows Władysław Szpilman (Adrien Brody), a Jewish pianist surviving Nazi Warsaw. Stark, intimate, and harrowing, it emphasizes silence, piano motifs and human endurance. read more
Genres: Biography, Drama, Music
8.2
/10
85
/100
8.5
/10
8.4
/10
8. Raging Bull (1980)
Raging Bull portrays two turbulent decades of boxer Jake LaMotta: brilliant in the ring, self-destructive and jealous off it. Scorsese and De Niro deliver a visceral, intimate, morally complex study of rage, fame and isolation. read more
Genres: Biography, Drama, Sport
8.1
/10
90
/100
8.1
/10
8.4
/10
9. My Left Foot (1989)
My Left Foot tells Christy Brown’s true story: born with severe cerebral palsy and able to control only his left foot, he’s long misunderstood but learns to write and paint with his foot and becomes a celebrated artist amid family hardship. read more
Genres: Biography, Drama
7.6
/10
97
/100
7.8
/10
8.4
/10
10. Amadeus (1984)
Amadeus: a period drama told by an aging Salieri who obsessively envies and claims to have ruined Mozart. It contrasts Mozart’s genius and revelry with Salieri’s faith, jealousy and tragic revenge. read more
Genres: Biography, Drama, Music
7.7
/10
87
/100
8.4
/10
8.3
/10
11. Hamilton (2020)
Hamilton is a filmed live capture of the original Broadway musical about Alexander Hamilton. It blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and show tunes, pairing kinetic choreography and close-up cinema for a powerful, emotional retelling. read more
Genres: Biography, Drama, History
7.9
/10
88
/100
8.3
/10
8.3
/10
12. 12 Years a Slave (2013)
12 Years a Slave recounts Solomon Northup’s true story: a free Black man kidnapped in 1841, sold into Southern slavery for twelve brutal years. The film is harrowing yet honors resilience, dignity and the fight for freedom. read more
Genres: Biography, Drama, History
7.3
/10
96
/100
8.1
/10
8.3
/10
13. Persepolis (2007)
Persepolis is a bittersweet animated coming-of-age drama adapting Marjane Satrapi’s memoir: a young Iranian woman’s journey through revolution, exile, identity, family ties, humor and pain. read more
Genres: Animation, Biography, Drama
7.8
/10
90
/100
8.0
/10
8.3
/10
14. The Cove (2009)
The Cove (2009) follows Ric O'Barry and filmmakers who covertly expose Taiji’s dolphin captures and slaughter, combining espionage-style investigation, personal testimony, public-health warnings and a call to action. read more
Genres: Biography, Crime, Documentary
7.9
/10
84
/100
8.4
/10
8.2
/10
15. Downfall (2004)
Downfall (2004) recreates Hitler's final days via his secretary Traudl Junge in the Berlin bunker. Claustrophobic, historically detailed, it shows the regime's collapse, fanaticism, despair and moral ruin. read more
Genres: Biography, Drama, History
82
/100
8.2
/10
8.2
/10
16. Spotlight (2015)
Spotlight dramatizes the Boston Globe's investigation into decades of Catholic priest abuse and cover-up, showing methodical journalism, emotional testimony, and a sobering call for accountability. read more
Genres: Biography, Crime, Drama
7.3
/10
93
/100
8.1
/10
8.2
/10
17. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly portrays Jean‑Dominique Bauby’s locked‑in struggle as he dictates a memoir by blinking. Poetic, claustrophobic and moving, it reveals memory, imagination and courage. read more
Genres: Biography, Drama
7.4
/10
92
/100
8.0
/10
8.2
/10
18. Waltz with Bashir (2008)
Waltz with Bashir (2008) is Ari Folman's animated documentary reconstructing lost 1982 Lebanon War memories. Surreal animation, interviews and archival footage explore trauma, guilt and collective responsibility. read more
Genres: Animation, Biography, Documentary
7.5
/10
91
/100
8.0
/10
8.2
/10
19. Spartacus (1960)
Spartacus (1960) follows Thracian slave Spartacus as he leads a massive slave revolt against Rome. Epic battles, political intrigue, romance and tragedy explore freedom, power and sacrifice. read more
Genres: Adventure, Biography, Drama
8.0
/10
87
/100
7.9
/10
8.2
/10
20. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Bonnie and Clyde (1967) dramatizes the real-life crime spree of lovers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow: romantic thrills, bank robberies and car chases that escalate into brutal notoriety and a harrowing climax. read more
Genres: Action, Biography, Crime
86
/100
7.7
/10
8.2
/10
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