Greatest biographical movies

Capturing Lives: Six Biopics That Resonate


---

Cinema often brings us closer to remarkable figures by shining a light on their struggles, brilliance, and humanity. Here’s a spoiler-free look at six biographical films, each distinct in tone and ambition, along with how they landed with critics and audiences.


---

12 Years a Slave

IMDb: ~8.1/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 95%


This harrowing drama tells the true story of Solomon Northup, a free Black man kidnapped and sold into slavery. Director Steve McQueen doesn’t shy away from the brutality and moral degradation of the system, yet his film also suggests strength and dignity in the face of unimaginable oppression. Chiwetel Ejiofor delivers a quietly powerful central performance, surrounded by a cast that brings nuance even to the darkest moments. It’s not easy viewing, but it stays with you long after the credits roll.


---

The Man Who Knew Infinity

IMDb: (7+)

Rotten Tomatoes: 63%


This film profiles the Indian mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan and his mentor G. H. Hardy as they navigate academic and cultural divides in early 20th-century Cambridge. Dev Patel and Jeremy Irons anchor the film with earnest performances, but critics generally see it as a somewhat conventional biopic that underplays deeper tensions. While it doesn’t reinvent the formula, its respectful treatment of intellect and friendship makes it worth watching for fans of quiet, character-driven storytelling.


---

The Imitation Game

IMDb: ~8.0/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 90%


A dramatized account of Alan Turing’s role in cracking Nazi Germany’s Enigma code, this film melds suspense, social commentary, and personal tragedy. Benedict Cumberbatch dominates as Turing, imbuing his character with brilliance and vulnerability. The movie balances its thriller elements with the injustices Turing faced later in life. That said, it takes creative liberties and condenses historical complexity, so it’s best viewed as a compelling dramatization rather than literal biography.


---

The Theory of Everything

IMDb: (widely known) ~7.7–7.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 80%


Focusing on the life of physicist Stephen Hawking and his relationship with his wife Jane, this film is part romance, part scientific biopic. Eddie Redmayne’s portrayal of Hawking’s gradual paralysis and intellectual vitality earned critical acclaim, bolstered by strong direction and visual storytelling. Some critics find it formulaic, yet its emotional core and performances carry it.


---

Hidden Figures

IMDb: (7+)

Rotten Tomatoes: (90%)


This uplifting film centers on a trio of African-American women mathematicians at NASA who played crucial roles during the space race, but whose contributions were historically marginalized. It blends social drama, triumph, and camaraderie, and is often praised for balancing inspirational themes with real historical obstacles. Some critics note it can feel tidy or even somewhat “safe,” but its positive energy and focus on overlooked heroes make it engaging.


---

Dog Day Afternoon

IMDb: ~8.0/10+ (classic status)

Rotten Tomatoes: ~96%


Though older than the others on your list, Dog Day Afternoon is a fascinating true-crime drama: Al Pacino plays a conflicted bank robber whose motivations extend beyond mere money and whose hostage situation becomes a media spectacle. It’s taut, unpredictable, with sharp character work and social undertones. Many regard it as a near masterclass in tension and moral ambiguity.


---

Final Thoughts

Each of these six films offers a unique doorway into real lives—some fraught with injustice, others with scientific wonder or social struggle. Some lean into style or drama, others toward restraint. Their critical reception ranges from universally acclaimed (12 Years a Slave) to more mixed recognition (The Man Who Knew Infinity), but all of them provoke reflection.