From musicians to mathematicians, the lives of different individuals have been adapted to the screen over the years. The biopics usually have difficulty making large profits in the theatres. But many inspirational stories with good direction have gone to keep the audience hooked. Here are the ones that had the biggest impact at the box office.
Biopics With Biggest Box-Office Collections
10. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
$316.7 Million
Directed by Ron Howard and adapted from the 1988 biography by Sylvia Nasarhe, the movie follows the story of the mathematician John Nash, played by Russell Crowe. His life and career were massively affected by schizophrenia. The film was not just a box office hit but also won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Related: Top 25 Oscar-Winning Films Of All Time
9. Green Book (2018)
$321.7 Million
From a director who has proven his expertise in comedy films, the ‘Green Book‘ was directed by Peter Farrelly. The movie follows the life of pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) as he navigates through 1960s racist America for his music tour with his white bouncer Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen). The duo’s chemistry and the setting of the movie made it a huge win at the box office, especially considering its low-budget filming. Also, the Oscar was well-deserved.
8. Schindler’s List (1993)
$322.1 Million
The historical drama is based on Thomas Keneally’s 1982 novel ‘Schindler’s Ark’. Steven Spielberg created his masterpiece in black and white. The film went on to win seven Oscars including the Best Picture and Best Director awards. Liam Neeson starred as Oskar Schindler, the Holocaust savior. The movie is considered to be one of the greatest of all time.
7. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
$352.1 Million
This masterpiece is again the work of Steven Spielberg. With Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role, the movie follows the life of Frank Abagnale Jr. He was a con artist who was chased around the world by the FBI. DiCaprio’s criminal trajectory was brilliantly brought down by FBI agent Carl Hanratty, played by Tom Hanks.
6. The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)
$407 Million
Following the life of the Wall Street broker Jordan Belford, the movie directed by Martin Scorsese is wildly entertaining. The highest-grossing release for Scorsese commenting on the pitfalls of the American Dream, the lead role is played by Leonardo DiCaprio alongside a terrific cast of A-listers like Matthew McConaughey, Margot Robbie, and Jonah Hill, among others.
5. The King’s Speech (2010)
$414.4 Million
The movie was not just a hit at the box office, but it also garnered several accolades. Directed by Tom Hooper, the movie follows future King George VI as he tries to over his stammer by consulting a speech therapist. The lead is portrayed by Colin Firth in a career-defining role.
In case you missed it: 10 Great Classic Films That Never Got A Single Oscar Nod
4. The Greatest Showman (2017)
$469 Million
The musical biopic follows the life of P.T. Barnum, an entertainer from the 1850s who created Barnum & Bailey. The biopic is full of music and color. The incredible performance by Hugh Jackman, alongside Zendaya and Zac Efron made the cinematic experience memorable.
3. American Sniper (2014)
$547.4 Million
This biographical war drama directed by Clint Eastwood follows the life and career of Chris Kyle, magnificently portrayed by Bradley Cooper. Kyle was one of the deadliest marksmen in U.S. military history. ‘American Sniper’ is an essential watch in memory of the honor, sacrifices, and courage of our military men.
2. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
$910.8 Million
This movie would be everyone’s first answer when asked for an impactful biopic. Rami Malek proved his acting skills portraying the Queen singer Freddie Mercury. The movie focussed on the singer’s life, his struggle, his sexuality, and the illness that took his life. It’s a heartbreaking watch and deserves every reward.
Related: Top 25 Movies Based On True Stories, Ranked
1. Oppenheimer (2023)
$975.8 Million
‘Oppenheimer‘ is one of Christopher Nolan’s greatest triumphs. With a star-studded cast including Cillian Murphy in the lead role, the movie begs the question regarding the price of genius. The movie lays apart J. Robert Oppenheimer’s personal life and career while working on the Manhattan Project, and the eventual fallout of his atomic creation.
