The Best Biographical Movies Of 2022
1Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth RogenThough not a true biopic, director Steven Spielberg based The Fabelmans on his own childhood.
The Fabelmans is a semi-autobiographical drama directed by Steven Spielberg that paints an intimate portrait of a young man's coming-of-age journey and his burgeoning love for filmmaking. The film centers around the Spielberg-inspired protagonist, Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle), mother (Michelle Williams), and father (Paul Dano); the film also stars Judd Hirsch and Seth Rogen. Set against the backdrop of post-World War II America, the film examines the dynamics of family life, the bittersweet pains of growing up, and the relentless pursuit of a cinematic dream. The film has garnered critical acclaim, including accolades for its direction, screenplay, and performances.
2Daniel Radcliffe, Evan Rachel Wood, Rainn WilsonThe unexaggerated true story about the greatest musician of our time. From a conventional upbringing where playing the accordion was a sin, "Weird Al" Yankovic rebels and makes his dream of changing the words to world-renowned songs come true. An instant success and sex symbol, Al lives an excessive lifestyle and pursues an infamous romance that nearly destroys him.
3Mark Rylance, Sally Hawkins, Rhys IfansThe Phantom of the Open tells the heartwarming and true story of Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance), a shipyard worker from Barrow-in-Furness who managed to gain entry to the 1976 British Open Golf Championship qualifying, despite a complete lack of experience playing golf. The character of Flitcroft became a folk hero for his audacious attempt and indomitable spirit. The film also features the character's supportive wife (Sally Hawkins) in the plot. The film examines themes of perseverance, optimism, and the pursuit of dreams against all odds. It presents a humorous and uplifting underdog tale that captures the essence of sporting passion and the enduring human spirit.- #91 of 102 onThe Best British Comedy Movies
- #59 of 61 onThe Funniest Movies About Sports
- #140 of 143 onThe 100+ Best Motivational Sports Movies
4Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen, Kelly MacdonaldOperation Mincemeat is a historical war drama set during World War II, based on the true story of a remarkable deception operation by the British to disguise the Allied invasion of Sicily. Two intelligence officers, Ewen Montagu (Colin Firth) and Charles Cholmondeley (Matthew Macfadyen), hatch a plan to plant false information on a corpse dressed as a Royal Marines officer, fooling Nazi Germany into believing the upcoming invasion would occur elsewhere. The film intertwines themes of espionage, sacrifice, and the fog of war. It examines the personal costs of secrecy and the burden of carrying such a consequential ruse.
5Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJongeWe can't help but fall in love with Baz Luhrmann and his glitzy musical biopic of the iconic Elvis Presley. Austin Bulter plays the King of rock 'n' roll from his early days starting out on the carnival circuit to his nights in Las Vegas. The always fabulous Tom Hanks costars as his hustler manager Colonel Tom Parker while some of music's greatest help out with the soundtrack and step in some of the supporting roles, such as Yola and Jack White.
From his rise to fame to his unprecedented superstardom, rock 'n' roll icon Elvis Presley maintains a complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker, over the course of 20 years. Central to Presley's journey and happiness is one of the most influential people in his life -- Priscilla.More Elvis
6Josephine Arendsen, Aiko Beemsterboer, Roeland FernhoutBased on the real-life relationship between Anne Frank and Hannah Goslar, from Nazi-occupied Amsterdam to their harrowing reunion in a concentration camp.
7Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, Jacki WeaverFather Stu is a biographical drama based on the true story of Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg), a former boxer who finds his calling as a priest while seeking purpose and redemption. Wahlberg undergoes a significant physical transformation to portray Long's journey through adversity and spiritual awakening. After a near-fatal motorcycle accident, Stu experiences a conversion that leads him to join the priesthood, facing skepticism and hardship along the way, including a rare degenerative muscle disease. The film highlights themes of faith, resilience, and the power of change.More Father Stu- #202 of 240 onThe 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
- #97 of 99 onThe 95+ Most Inspiring Movies
- #90 of 100 onThe Best Biopics To Watch About Real People
8Grant Gustin, Scott Wolf, Camille SullivanChasing his dream to join an elite K-9 unit, a state trooper partners with a fellow underdog: clever but naughty shelter pup Ruby. Based on a true story.
9Danielle Deadwyler, Jalyn Hall, Frankie R. FaisonTill is a poignant historical drama. The film brings to light the harrowing true story of Mamie Till-Mobley's (Danielle Deadwyler) pursuit of justice for her 14-year-old son, Emmett Till, who was brutally murdered in 1955 after being falsely accused of offending a white woman in Mississippi. Directed by Chinonye Chukwu, the film spotlights themes of racial injustice, the agony of bereavement, and the resolve of a mother's love. It presents the impact of Emmett's death which galvanized the Civil Rights Movement, making it a vital narrative about resilience in the face of unspeakable tragedy.More Till- #20 of 85 onGreat Historical Black Movies Based On True Stories
- #126 of 137 onThe 100+ Best Movies With Black Female Leads
- #99 of 102 onMovies About Racism Against Black People
10Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Joe Cole, Heida ReedExploring Greenland's vast landscape for a lost map, two men must fight to survive. Based on the true story of Denmark's 1909 polar expedition.
11Tom Prior, Nicholas Woodeson, Oleg ZagorodniiAt the height of the Cold War, a troubled soldier forms a forbidden love triangle with a fighter pilot and his female comrade amid the dangerous surroundings of a Soviet air force base.
12Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana LynchIn the 1800s, a group of all-female warriors protects the African kingdom of Dahomey with skills and fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Faced with a new threat, Gen. Nanisca trains the next generation of recruits to fight against a foreign enemy that's determined to destroy their way of life.More The Woman King- #390 of 472 onThe Best Black Movies Ever Made, Ranked
- #135 of 137 onThe 100+ Best Movies With Black Female Leads
- #16 of 16 on16 Underrated Modern Action Movies That Pack A Punch
13Matt Hookings, Ray Winstone, Russell CroweAt the turn of the 19th century, Pugilism is the sport of kings and a gifted young boxer, James Belchar, fights his way into becoming the champion of England.
14Naomi Ackie, Stanley Tucci, Nafessa WilliamsDiscovered by record executive Clive Davis, Whitney Houston rises to fame in the 1980s to become one of the greatest singers of her generation.
15Ricardo Darín, Juan Pedro Lanzani, Alejandra FlechnerThe true story of how a public prosecutor, a young lawyer, and their inexperienced legal team dared to prosecute the heads of Argentina's bloody military dictatorship.
16Ana de Armas, Bobby Cannavale, Adrien BrodyBlonde, the audacious biopic directed by Andrew Dominik, plumbs the depths of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe (Ana de Armas) and her tumultuous life, both on and off the silver screen. The film examines the fractured landscape of stardom and personal trauma. We witness Norma Jeane's metamorphosis into Marilyn, exploring her inner psyche and the conflicts between her public persona and private travails. From her volatile childhood to high-profile relationships and professional struggles, Blonde smudges the lines between fact and fiction, presenting a haunting, stylized contemplation of fame, identity, and desire, while deconstructing the myth of the ultimate blonde bombshell.
17Vicky Krieps, Colin Morgan, Florian TeichtmeisterFaced with a future of strict ceremonies and royal duties, Empress Elisabeth of Austria rebels against her public image and comes up with a plan to protect her legacy.
18Jonathan Majors, Glen Powell, Christina JacksonThe inspirational true story of Jesse Brown, the first Black aviator in U.S. Navy history, and his enduring friendship with fellow fighter pilot Tom Hudner. Helping to turn the tide in the most brutal battle in the Korean War, their heroic sacrifices ultimately make them the Navy's most celebrated wingmen.
19Dayo Okeniyi, Yetide Badaki, Maximiliano HernandezRise is a 2022 biographical sports drama that tells the inspirational true story of the Antetokounmpo family and their journey from Nigeria to Greece and eventually to the heights of global basketball stardom. The film chronicles the life of Giannis Antetokounmpo (Uche Agada) and his brothers, who overcome a multitude of obstacles as undocumented immigrants living in Greece, finding solace and purpose on the basketball court. Their determination and tight-knit family bonds drive them towards their dreams, leading to Giannis's eventual success as an NBA superstar. With a focus on family, perseverance, and the immigrant experience, this Disney+ original film captures the essence of the American Dream through the lens of sports. The film features Giannis's supportive parents (Yetide Badaki and Dayo Okeniyi) prominently.
20Jack Lowden, Peter Capaldi, Simon Russell BealeDecorated for bravery during World War I, British soldier Siegfried Sassoon returns from service and becomes a vocal critic of the government's continuation of the war. Adored by the aristocracy and the stars of London's literary and stage world, Sassoon's experiences inspire him to write poetry about the horrors of battle.
21Letitia Wright, Tamara Lawrance, Nadine MarshallThe Silent Twins is the astonishing true story of June and Jennifer Gibbons, twins from the only Black family in a small town in Wales during the 1970s and '80s. The sisters, played by Letitia Wright and Tamara Lawrance, become notorious for their refusal to communicate with anyone but each other, retreating into a rich, private world of creative imagination and teenage rebellion. Their bond leads to a spree of vandalism that results in their unjust incarceration in a psychiatric hospital. The film emphasizes themes of sisterhood, identity, and the ineffable ties that bind as the twins navigate a world that doesn't understand them.
22Major Dodson, Amy Smart, Barkhad AbdiWhen 15-year-old Tyson attends public school for the first time, his life changes forever. While helping his father clean up after the football team, he befriends champion marathon runner Aklilu. Never letting his autism hold him back, Tyson becomes determined to run his first marathon in hopes of winning his father's approval. With the help of an unlikely friend and his parents, he soon learns that anything is possible when you have faith in yourself and the courage to take the first step.
