Hollywood Most Successful Biopics of All Time

Biographical movies, or biopics, have long been a favorite in Hollywood, drawing audiences eager to witness the real-life journeys of extraordinary individuals. Whether they depict legendary musicians, historical figures, or sports icons, biopics often achieve critical and commercial success. In this blog, we explore the 10 most successful biopics of all time based on their box office earnings and cultural impact.

1. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

• Worldwide Box Office: $910 million
• Director: Bryan Singer, Dexter Fletcher (uncredited)
• Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee
• Synopsis: This electrifying biopic follows the rise of the iconic rock band Queen and its lead singer, Freddie Mercury. With a powerful performance by Rami Malek, who won an Academy Award for Best Actor, the film became the highest-grossing music biopic ever.

2. Oppenheimer (2023)

• Worldwide Box Office: $957 million
• Director: Christopher Nolan
• Starring: Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt
• Synopsis: This epic biographical thriller chronicles the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist behind the development of the atomic bomb. A visually stunning masterpiece, the film was a box office sensation and garnered multiple Academy Awards.

3. American Sniper (2014)

• Worldwide Box Office: $547 million
• Director: Clint Eastwood
• Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller
• Synopsis: Based on the memoir of U.S. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, this gripping war drama showcases his incredible marksmanship skills and the psychological toll of war. The film became a blockbuster hit, making it the highest-grossing war biopic ever.

4. The Passion of the Christ (2004)

• Worldwide Box Office: $612 million
• Director: Mel Gibson
• Starring: Jim Caviezel, Maia Morgenstern
• Synopsis: This biblical biopic depicting the final hours of Jesus Christ’s life was a cultural phenomenon, sparking controversy and praise alike. The film remains one of the most successful R-rated movies of all time.

5. Rocketman (2019)

• Worldwide Box Office: $195 million
• Director: Dexter Fletcher
• Starring: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell
• Synopsis: Chronicling the rise of Elton John, this fantasy-inspired musical biopic brought the singer’s life and struggles to the big screen. With a stellar performance by Taron Egerton and chart-topping musical numbers, “Rocketman” was a major success.

6. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

• Worldwide Box Office: $406 million
• Director: Martin Scorsese
• Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie
• Synopsis: This raucous film portrays the extravagant and fraudulent lifestyle of stockbroker Jordan Belfort. With Leonardo DiCaprio’s charismatic performance and Martin Scorsese’s dynamic storytelling, the film became a global hit.

7. Hidden Figures (2016)

• Worldwide Box Office: $236 million
• Director: Theodore Melfi
• Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe
• Synopsis: Celebrating the contributions of African American women at NASA during the Space Race, “Hidden Figures” was both a critical and commercial triumph. It highlighted an untold yet essential part of history.

8. Schindler’s List (1993)

• Worldwide Box Office: $322 million
• Director: Steven Spielberg
• Starring: Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley
• Synopsis: This harrowing Holocaust drama tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a businessman who saved over a thousand Jewish lives. It remains one of the most powerful and successful historical films ever made.

9. Straight Outta Compton (2015)

• Worldwide Box Office: $201 million
• Director: F. Gary Gray
• Starring: O’Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell
• Synopsis: Depicting the rise of the legendary rap group N.W.A, this music biopic resonated with audiences worldwide. It offered an unfiltered look at the struggles and triumphs of the hip-hop pioneers.

10. The Social Network (2010)

• Worldwide Box Office: $224 million
• Director: David Fincher
• Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake
• Synopsis: Chronicling the controversial rise of Facebook and its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, this gripping drama captivated audiences and critics alike, earning multiple Academy Award nominations.

Conclusion

Biopics continue to dominate the box office, providing audiences with inspiring, dramatic, and sometimes controversial stories. Whether depicting the lives of musicians, war heroes, or tech giants, these films offer a window into the real lives that shape our world. With their blend of history and entertainment, they will remain a powerful force in cinema for years to come.