Best Biography Movies To Watch: Looking for inspiration? Feeling a little low? Forget Batman, Superman and Ironman. We have enough real-life heroes to look up to, who have saved lives, survived horrific conditions, made millions from nothing, and most importantly set such a fine example for us to follow.
Not all movies have happy endings but the key is what you take away from their struggles and successes. It’s up to us to make sure their lives were not lived in vain and do everything we can to make society a better place.
Watch these stories of some incredible people that make us believe humanity might have hope after all.
Into The Wild
2Hr 28 min
Imdb: 8.1/10
Christopher McCandless, a privileged young chap, gives up his rich life including his identity, just after graduation to explore nature on his own. He takes this extreme step to flee from an unkind and rigid society. Travels across the country, meets new people, finds love for the world and learns very important lessons.
People found a journal documenting his travels which later help us retrace his epic journey into the wilderness.
It’s not just a travel movie about a boy with wanderlust, but a movie with such deep roots that it leaves a lasting scar and ache in your heart. One of the best biography movies to watch.
Why to watch
- Excellent performances by the cast
- Engrossing script
- Beauty and ugliness of nature
- Travel and adventure
- True Happiness is found only when shared
12 Years A Slave
2 Hr 14 min
Imdb: 8.1/10
We live in a fairly free world. It’s quite unimaginable for us now, to think freedom was not available to certain sections of society because of color. This movie takes you through the horrifying ordeal of slavery in the 18th century.
It is the story of a free black man who is kidnapped and sold as a slave. His time spent as a slave is scarier than any horror movie. Humans are the worst beings to exist on the planet. And this movie shows you how.
The sad part is it’s the true ordeal of Solomon Northup.
It may be an old tale but it tells us how far we’ve come and we still have quite a way to go to completely rid the world of such atrocities. One of the best biography movies to watch.
Why to watch
- Slavery in its true ugly form
- Gut-wrenching scenes
- Brilliant performances
- Historic depiction of Solomon’s story
Dallas Buyers Club
1Hr 57 min
Imdb: 8/10
Ron Woodroof, a simple electrician living a typical life filled with women, booze and drugs is diagnosed with AIDS and expiry date of 30 days. This was a time when AIDS was highly misunderstood and mainly attributed to homosexual tendencies.
Tries treatment but sees that it’s making him worse. He finds an alternative to the drugs in Mexico and starts to slowly recover, seeing the opportunity, he realizes he can make a business out of it and smuggles the drugs into the country. With some useful contacts, the likes of Rayon (a transgender AIDS patient) and Dr. Eve Saks, his business takes off.
Ultimately, it’s not about the money but so much more and Ron realizes this. There is a lot of emotional connect, legal issues and unfair practices of the FDA shown.
Why to watch
- The stigma that is AIDS
- Rags to riches
- Matthew McConaughey as Ron and Jared Leto as Rayon ( Oscars for both)
- Sometimes a will to live is all you need
- Inspiring true story
- Superb character arc for Ron Woodroof
The Imitation Game
1 Hr, 54 min
Imdb: 8/10
Another fine movie set in the backdrop of World War II, tells us the story of brilliant mathematician Alan Turing.
When Germany and Britain are at war, they struggle to decode messages sent by Nazis. A team headed by Alan Turing is put together for the task of scrutinizing the enigma machine.
We learn a lot about Alan, his various issues like being a homosexual when it was considered illegal and his general demeanor that put off people.
Why are the brilliant always punished? Is it because we are threatened by them? Alan Turing suffers a great deal even though his contributions helped save millions and computer technology advanced by leaps and bounds.
This movie was important in showing us the real Alan Turing and his complicated life
Why to watch
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing
- Benedict and Keira Knightley’s amazing chemistry on screen
- Honouring the great mathematician
- Feminism and homosexuality subtly depicted
The Theory of Everything
2 Hr, 3 min
Imdb: 7.7/10
The first I ever heard of the name Stephen Hawking was in the cartoon Dexter’s Lab. As a child, I didn’t realize what this funny little cartoon in a wheelchair, with a weird voice signified.
This brilliant man specializing in Physics and Mathematics took the world by storm. At the age of 21, he was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (ALS) and was given two years to live.
He married his college sweetheart and lived a normal life for a while. Slowly his physical and communication abilities started to decline. It did nothing to stop him from becoming the man he was supposed to be. He lived till the age of 76 and gave the world many gifts in the form of his discoveries and teachings.
The movie takes us through his journey and relationship with his wife. One of the best biography movies to watch.
Why to watch
- Story of Stephen Hawking- a legend
- Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking
- The inspiring story of a genius mind
- Disability does not mean the end
- Romantic
The Pianist
2 Hr 30 min
Imdb: 8.5/10
The survival of Wladyslaw Szpilman, a musician from Warsaw, is told most beautifully in this movie. Just when everyone thought the Nazi regime is finally coming to an end, they realize it is not so.
Szpilman and his family are forced out of their home along with all the other Jews and sent to concentration camps. From then on we get to see his journey, how meeting the right people at the right time saved his life.
Why to watch
- World war II events
- Story of survival
- Simplistic depiction of historic events
- Superb acting by Adrien Brody (Best actor)
- Fantastic background score especially on the piano
Catch Me If You Can
2 Hr 21 min
Imdb: 8.1/10
We all love a good con movie that keeps us on the edge of our seats and Catch Me If You Can does just that. Frank Abagnale starts his stint as a con artist in his teens and by 21 he is nothing short of an expert. From impersonating doctors, pilots, teachers to forging cheques that look like the real thing, Frank made millions.
It inevitably gets the attention of the FBI and thus begins the cat and mouse chase between FBI agent Carl Hanratty and Frank.
Watch as this movie unfolds and has some surprising twists and turns to keep you entertained throughout.
Why to watch
- Steven Spielberg venture does not disappoint
- The super team Tom hanks and Leonardo Dicaprio
- Entertaining watch
A Beautiful Mind
2 Hr 15 min
Imdb: 8.2/10
This Russell Crowe movie needs no introduction I’m sure. It portrays John Nash, a Nobel Prize winner’s journey from his graduate days to his professional career and personal life.
Diagnosed with Schizophrenia, he still manages to lead life quite normally and achieve greatness. Watch this brilliant piece and become a part of his interesting yet disturbing life. One of the best biography movies to watch.
Why to watch
- Russell’s immaculate acting
- A great narrative
- Mental illness as an issue
- Overcome disability and difficulties
The Founder
1 Hr 55 min
Imdb: 7.2/10
An ordinary salesman, Ray Kroc becomes the owner of McDonald’s, the burger joint we all know and love. It’s quite interesting to see where McDonald’s has reached today, one of the world’s largest fast food giants.
Ray Kroc’s vision and maybe his way of doing ruthless business aided in the growth of this chain. Check out the movie and how the big Macs, McAloo tikkis, and so much more came to be. One of the best biography movies to watch.
Why to watch
- Fascinating business ideas put to work
- One man’s vision can conquer the world
- Rags to riches
- Story of McDonald’s brand
Coach Carter
2 Hr 16 min
Imdb: 7.3/10
If there was ever a feel good and inspiring movie, it is this. Ken Carter is appointed the coach of Richmond High School’s Basketball team. He finds himself having to train a very unruly and disruptive group of players.
He not only focuses on improving their game but also on their education. Even after many obstacles threaten to hamper his plans, he sticks to his guns and is determined to follow through with his mission.
A good teacher is always a blessing. This movie tells us the importance of having a good role model in the form of our teacher. Coach Carter is not just a coach but also a fine example of a good human being with good instincts. We must all aspire to live in a society where everyone is a Ken Carter! One of the best biography movies to watch.
Why to watch
- Inspiring true story based on a real teacher
- Samuel L Jackson as Ken carter
- Important life lessons
- Significance of education
- Sports, basketball
Schindler’s List
3 Hr 15 min
Imdb: 8.9/10
The true story is based on some events from World War II. Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist tries his best to save as many Jews as possible from the Nazis.
He is successful to an extent and yet regrets that he couldn’t do more. At a time when Germany was filled with ruthless Nazis, one Oskar Schindler put his life at risk to save many.
You find yourself praying why weren’t there more like him. His speech at the end feeling shame that he could have done more will make you weep buckets and hope that no one ever has to see this day again.
Why to watch
- World war II events
- Hitler’s regime and Nazis
- Steven Spielberg movie
- Liam Neeson before he was Bryan Mills
- Spectacular performances
- Humanity comes first
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