No story holds more weight or reality than a true story. That’s why we’re always willing to dig into a good biographical movie, and if you’re like us, so are you. This list of the top 10 best biographical movies to watch on TV right now will take you deep into some of the most incredible life stories of all time.
Keep an eye on this list as it is updated with the latest and greatest biographical movies so you can be sure you’re in the loop. From PT 109 to The Glass Castle, this list will help movie lovers stay up to date on the most popular biopics available.
Watch Guide Methodology: Using proprietary viewership data, DIRECTV Insider curates lists of the most popular TV shows and movies being watched by real people, in real time, to help you pick the best trending content to watch across networks. Our rolling data collection also allows readers to see how a trending show’s ranking has changed week over week.
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TOP 10 BIOGRAPHIC MOVIES TO WATCH
Let’s get started. Here are the trending biographic movies that TV-watchers are enjoying right now, with all the information you need to check them out for yourself.
1. ‘PT 109’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
PT 109 (1963) charts the daring wartime exploits of John F. Kennedy (played convincingly by Cliff Robertson) before he ascended to the position of the US President. Directed by Leslie H. Martinson, the film brings to life Kennedy’s pivotal role as a young Navy lieutenant in charge of a PT-109 boat during the fraught times of World War II. Under his leadership, the crew surmounts perils beyond their control in the Solomon Islands, engaging in daring rescue missions. A suspenseful climax sees their boat ambushed, forcing Kennedy and his men to swim to an isolated island for survival. Relive the nerve-wracking yet inspirational journey of a future national hero.
2. ‘Ford v Ferrari’
↑ 54 vs. Prior Week
Experience the high-stakes world of auto racing in Ford v Ferrari. This exhilarating biopic depicts the real-life showdown between two automaking giants, dramatizing the strategic and creative efforts of American car designer Carroll Shelby, played by Matt Damon, and audacious British race car driver Ken Miles, played by Christian Bale.
Set against the backdrop of the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France, the duo grapples with corporate interference, their personal struggles and the unyielding laws of physics to design a car capable of defeating the formidable Ferrari. Pulsating with exciting race sequences and brimming with heart, Ford v Ferrari is a tribute to ingenuity, friendship and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
3. ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’
↑ 2 vs. Prior Week
Experience a wild ride of money, power and excess in The Wolf of Wall Street. Follow the charismatic and unscrupulous stockbroker Jordan Belfort, brilliantly portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, from his meteoric rise to wealthy and corrupt Wall Street mogul to his precipitous fall involving crime and federal scrutiny. Belfort’s life story serves as a cautionary tale in this iconic film. This captivating film will challenge your morality while leaving you in awe of the extravagant world of white-collar crime.
4. ‘Father Stu’
↑ 96 vs. Prior Week
With an outstanding cast featuring Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, and Jacki Weaver, Father Stu is a riveting biopic film that will take you on an unexpected journey of faith, transformation and resilience. Based on the incredible true story of Stuart Long, the narrative embarks on this former amateur boxer’s life post his career-ending injury. Down on his luck and living in LA, Long meets Carmen, a Sunday school teacher who overlooks his rough exterior.
When a life-altering motorcycle crash puts him on the brink, Stu finds a higher calling, leading him to faith and a life dedicated to helping others as a Catholic priest. From despair and pain to encompassing light, Father Stu is a raw depiction of the lengths one man goes to find his true purpose.
5. ‘The Greatest’
↑ 94 vs. Prior Week
Immerse yourself in the extraordinary story of The Greatest, released in 1977, showcasing the life and times of legendary Boxer Cassius Clay, later globally renowned as Muhammad Ali. Aficionados of the sport will relish the opportunity to see Ali, played convincingly by himself, train under the tutelage of stern but nurturing Angelo Dundee, portrayed by the ever-versatile Ernest Borgnine. The film explores Clay’s rise to the heavyweight championship, mapping out his journey of religious conversion to Islam. Crisp action sequences and compelling character arcs paint a vivid picture of the tumultuous era and the man who dared to be different.
6. ‘American Sniper’
↑ 68 vs. Prior Week
American Sniper tells the tale of the most lethal sniper in American history, Chris Kyle, a role brought to unforgettable life by Bradley Cooper. Documenting his four tours in Iraq, this intense war drama invites the audience into the harsh realities of war, taking us up-close into the life, risks and mental turmoil that such service members endure.
Cooper’s heartbreaking portrayal of a man torn between his duty to his comrades and his duty to his family strikes a human chord amidst the chaos of war. Searing, raw and profoundly affecting, American Sniper pays a worthy tribute to its real-life hero and his extraordinary courage.
7. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
↑ 71 vs. Prior Week
Bohemian Rhapsody, the 2018 sensation, takes you on an unforgettable rock ‘n’ roll journey, recounting the extraordinary life and career of eclectic Freddie Mercury, lead vocalist of the iconic band Queen.
Rami Malek’s portray of the defiant and larger-than-life Mercury will take your breath away as he rises through the ranks of the music world, challenging stereotypes and norms. Yet, amid massive success and popular hits, Mercury bravely ventures out as a solo artist, only to find himself drawing back to where it all began – Queen and their epic Live Aid performance. This unforgettable concert will leave you celebrating their music and Mercury’s indomitable spirit.
8. ‘The Social Network’
↑ 11 vs. Prior Week
Based on a true story, The Social Network is a riveting dive into the birth of social media and the friction it caused between its brilliant young inventors. The film chronicles the creation of Facebook by then-Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg and the bitter legal battle that ensued with his best friend, Eduardo Saverin.
Sharp and complex, The Social Network is an intoxicating tale of ambition, power and betrayal that exposes the darker side of innovation and friendship. Don’t miss this compelling saga that redefines the story behind one of the digital age’s most powerful tools.
9. ‘Respect’
↑ 3 vs. Prior Week
Immerse yourself in the soulful journey of Aretha Franklin in Respect (2020), which leaves no stone unturned, tracking her life from a child singer in her father’s church choir to a globally reckoned superstar. Jennifer Hudson phenomenally brings to life this splendid portrayal of the Queen of Soul’s tumultuous career.
This is not merely a film about Franklin’s ascendancy in the music industry but an inspiring undercurrent of resilience that underlined her struggle to gain control of her own voice. Respect yields a compelling narrative about Franklin’s triumphs and trials, leading her to world-class recognition.
10. ‘The Glass Castle’
↑ 4 vs. Prior Week
The Glass Castle places us into the lives of four children who are left to their own devices due to their unconventional parents. Reliant on fun but volatile father, Rex Walls, the kids are given unconventional life lessons, focusing on imagination and fearlessness, tangling with the harsh contrast of his destructive, alcohol-fueled antics.
Their mother Rose Mary, meanwhile, rails against domestic ideals, opting out of the familial and societal norms. This raw and emotional film uncovers the drama and charm hidden under the wreckage, revealing much more than just the shambles of a broken home.
And there you have it: the top 10 biopics to watch at home. Stay tuned for updates to come so you can keep up with the best content available right now.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Biopic?
A biopic is a movie about someone's life or a group of well-known people that is dramatized for audiences.
What are some of the most famous biopics?
'Malcolm X' (1992), 'The King's Speech' (2010), 'The Social Network' (2010), 'Lincoln' (2012), 'The Theory of Everything' (2014).
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