10 Best Biopics Of All Time

Dorcas Agambila 16:18 - 06 February 2026

As anticipation builds for the Michael Jackson biopic, these 10 landmark films show how biopics continue to shape cinema through powerful performances and unforgettable true stories.

As excitement grows ahead of the forthcoming Michael Jackson biopic, cinema lovers are once again revisiting the films that have defined the biographical genre. Biopics have long moved beyond simple retellings of famous lives; at their best, they explore ambition, brilliance, failure and the human cost of greatness. In recent years especially, the genre has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence.

Here is a look at 10 of the most powerful biopics of all time, celebrated for their performances, cultural resonance and storytelling craft.

1.Oppenheimer (2023)

Defying expectations, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer became the highest-grossing biopic in cinema history, overtaking even crowd-pleasers like Bohemian Rhapsody. Rather than focusing on a pop icon, the film charts the complex life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist at the centre of the Manhattan Project.

The story explores his scientific brilliance, moral conflict and the devastating implications of creating the atomic bomb. Nolan’s meticulous direction and Cillian Murphy’s haunting performance transformed a dense historical subject into an unmissable cinematic event. The film earned 13 Academy Award nominations and won seven, including Best Picture and Best Actor.

2.Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Few biopics have captured global attention quite like Bohemian Rhapsody. Chronicling the rise of Queen and its magnetic frontman Freddie Mercury, the film became a box-office juggernaut and a pop culture moment.

While critics were divided over its narrative choices, audiences embraced its electrifying concert sequences and emotional highs. Rami Malek’s transformative performance earned him both an Oscar and a Golden Globe, cementing the film’s place in biopic history.

3.Elvis (2022)

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Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis delivered a bold, energetic portrait of one of music’s most enduring legends. The film follows Elvis Presley’s meteoric rise, examining fame, exploitation and cultural influence through a vivid, fast-paced lens.

Austin Butler’s immersive performance drew widespread praise and earned him an Academy Award nomination, while Tom Hanks was almost unrecognisable as Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis’s controversial manager. The film’s striking musical sequences helped it resonate with audiences worldwide.

4.Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)

This quietly compelling biopic tells the unusual true story of Lee Israel, a struggling writer who turned to forging letters from famous, deceased authors to survive. Unlike many biographical films, it avoids glamour, instead offering a raw and intimate character study.

Melissa McCarthy’s restrained and deeply human performance earned critical acclaim and multiple award nominations. The film was widely praised for portraying its flawed protagonist with empathy rather than celebration.

5.A Complete Unknown (2024)

Loosely inspired by the book Dylan Goes Electric!, A Complete Unknown explores a pivotal period in Bob Dylan’s career. Timothée Chalamet leads the cast, delivering a nuanced portrayal that impressed critics even though the film was not a major commercial hit.

Nominated for eight Academy Awards, the film further confirmed Chalamet’s standing as one of his generation’s most versatile actors and reinforced the enduring appeal of music-based biopics.

6.Rocketman (2019)

Unlike many musical biopics, Rocketman embraced fantasy, colour and emotional honesty. Taron Egerton’s portrayal of Elton John stood out not only for its vulnerability but also because he performed his own vocals.

His renditions of Elton John’s songs, including “I’m Still Standing”, were widely praised. The film won the Golden Globe for Best Actor and the Oscar for Best Original Song, earning its reputation as one of the genre’s most inventive entries.

7.Ford v Ferrari (2019)

Blending motorsport drama with biography, Ford v Ferrari tells the story of designer Carroll Shelby and British driver Ken Miles as they attempt to challenge Ferrari at the 1966 Le Mans race.

Directed by James Mangold, the film balances technical detail with emotional storytelling. Performances by Christian Bale and Matt Damon anchored the narrative, leading to a Best Picture Oscar nomination.

8.The Iron Claw (2023)

Few biopics are as emotionally devastating as The Iron Claw, which recounts the tragic history of the Von Erich wrestling family. Rather than focusing on fame alone, the film confronts loss, pressure and grief head-on.

Zac Efron delivered what many consider his finest performance, portraying Kerry Von Erich with heartbreaking intensity. The film was widely praised and featured prominently on year-end critics’ lists.

9.I, Tonya (2017)

This darkly comic biopic revisits the life of figure skater Tonya Harding, offering a layered perspective on a figure long defined by controversy. The film challenges public perception, examining class, media exploitation and personal trauma.

Its unconventional style and standout performances helped redefine how modern biopics could approach controversial subjects.

10.Hidden Figures (2016)

Hidden Figures shines a light on some of the overlooked heroes of the Space Race. While we've heard so many stories about the big names from those days, this gave us a look at three African American women who played a major role.

Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson were three mathematicians who worked at NASA during the '50s and '60s. They had to overcome prejudice, the unjust rules of segregation, and more to get accepted for their genius.Hidden Figures was beloved by critics, leading to a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards. Octavia Spencer got nominated for Best Supporting Actress, while Taraji P. Henson and Janelle Monáe were incredible. It's a powerful biopic that sits comfortably as one of the best in the genre.

Over the past decade, biographical films have entered a new golden era. From historic figures and musicians to athletes and misunderstood outsiders, the genre has flourished across styles and subjects. With upcoming projects such as Michael, centred on Michael Jackson, and multiple Beatles biopics on the horizon, expectations are high.

If history is any indication, the best of these future films may yet earn their place alongside the biopics that have already left an indelible mark on cinema.