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 The Iron Claw to Rocketman, this list will help biographical movie fans stay up to date on the most popular biopics available.
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. ‘Blow’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
Set against the backdrop of the turbulent 1970s, “Blow” (2001) tells the exhilarating, yet harrowing, true story of George Jung (played by Johnny Depp). Once a high-school football star from a mere ordinary American family, he found himself in the fast-paced, violent whirlwind of the international drug trade and rose as the world’s premier importer of cocaine. Jung’s association with Colombia’s infamous Medellin drug cartel forever shifted the life course of an entire generation. However, power and riches come at a high price; this riveting film offers a high-octane exploration of Jung’s meteoric rise and his subsequent dramatic downfall.
2. ‘Keyshia Cole: This Is My Story’
↑ 148 vs. Prior Week
Keyshia Cole: This Is My Story (2023) is a gripping tale of turbulence and triumph. The movie beautifully explores the heart-rending journey of Keyshia Cole, a girl who overcomes her tumultuous upbringing after being adopted at a young age, to become an acclaimed singer. As her career takes off, she also undertakes a personal quest, seeking a reconciliation with her estranged sisters, while enduring the pain of seeing her biological mother battle addiction in a rehab center. This biopic truly reflects the resilience of a woman fighting both her personal and professional battles with unmatched grit and determination.
3. ‘The Greatest Showman’
↑ 61 vs. Prior Week
Bringing the 19th century fireworks of entertainment to life on the screen, The Greatest Showman (2017) brings audiences into the flamboyant world of P.T Barnum. Set in the early 1800s, the richly imaginative dreamer Barnum, portrayed by the charismatic Hugh Jackman, transforms his humble beginnings into the creation of a magnificent spectacle – the Barnum & Bailey circus. The movie showcases heart-throbbing acrobatics, unique performers, and unforgettable musical numbers – encapsulating Barnum’s rise from the ground to the sparkling heights of the greatest show on Earth. The Greatest Showman is a testament to the inception of the show business, an intoxicating exuberance of a man who turned the impossible into a reality.
4. ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’
↓ 3 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. This captivating film will challenge your morality while leaving you in awe of the extravagant world of white-collar crime.
5. ‘Jim Thorpe, All American’
↑ 220 vs. Prior Week
In Jim Thorpe, All American (1951), witness the remarkable journey of athlete Jim Thorpe as he is guided by his loyal coach from being a stellar track runner to a celebrated football hero and an Olympian. Yet, as Thorpe navigates his path to becoming a professional coach, he is met with unexpected hurdles. Interwoven with the trials and tribulations of his romantic life, this biographic drama encompasses not only Thorpe’s striking accomplishments in the sports arena but also his personal struggles and the spirit to conquer them.
6. ‘The Iron Claw’
↓ 2 vs. Prior Week
Unfurling the poignant saga of the Von Erich family wrestling dynasty, The Iron Claw is wrapped in the resilience of the human spirit. It’s the real-life tale of brothers striving for the limelight in the highly competitive world of sports while caught under their imposing father and coach’s watchful eye. Each victory is followed by heartrending tragedy, yet they persist. Trapped under familial pressure and towering expectations, their journey entails not just survival but the struggle for lasting glory. Steeped in emotion and drama, this compelling narrative of triumph over trials aims straight at viewers’ hearts.
7. ‘American Gangster’
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Experience the gritty, harsh realities of 1970s Harlem in American Gangster. Starring Denzel Washington as the infamous real-life mob boss Frank Lucas, the film explores how Lucas built an empire smuggling heroin into the US in the coffins of American soldiers killed in Vietnam. The movie is not just about the criminal empire Lucas built, but also about his nemesis, the relentless investigator Richie Roberts. The two lead a star-studded cast in this tense, raw film that delves into the dark side of the American dream. Experience the high-stakes world of crime, corruption, and power in American Gangster.
8. ‘The Social Network’
↑ 5 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. ‘The Glass Castle’
↑ 5 vs. Prior Week
The Glass Castle places us into the lives of four children who are thrown to their own devices due to their unconventional parents. Reliant on vibrant but volatile 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.
10. ‘Straight Outta Compton’
↑ 2 vs. Prior Week
Straight Outta Compton offers a thrilling and emotionally charged ride through the origins of the prolific and iconic hip-hop group N.W.A. Dazzling performances by the film’s cast portray Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E, giving viewers an intense look into their lives amid the explosive rap scene of the 1980s.Viewers are taken through the harsh realities of their troubled beginnings in southern Los Angeles, culminating with their rise to become the voice of a generation, transforming them into cultural icons. The film is a moving celebration of artistic expression and a striking commentary on social issues of the era.
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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