The Top 5 Highest Grossing Biopics of All Time!

As Oppenheimer makes Box Office history by becoming the Highest Grossing Biopic of all time here are five must-see ones that broke the records before it!

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer starring Cillian Murphy as the titular scientist is slowly inching towards another milestone grossing over $900 million at the worldwide box office and it’s still going strong.

The biopic is an adaptation of American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin which chronicles the life and career of the father of the atomic bomb and Nolan brought the story to life in the IMAX resolution to give an intimate look at his thought process and make fans feel his moral conundrum. But before Oppenheimer blew our minds there were other biopics that gave fans a good look at the life of some iconic people.

Bohemian Rhapsody

Director Bryan Singer’s 2018 biographical musical drama starring Rami Malek as Rock and Roll icon Freddie Mercury was a massive hit among fans garnering $910.8 million on the global box office. The movie covered the events from the formation of Queen in 1970 to their 1985 Live Aid performance at the original Wembley Stadium. Malek channels Mercury to the T and garnered an Academy Award for his performance. The music, performances, and Singer’s larger-than-life vision make this feature a compelling watch.

American Sniper

The war drama directed by Clint Eastwood, sees Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, the deadliest marksman in U.S. military history with a kill count of 255 from four tours in the Iraq War. The feature is based on the memoir of the U.S. Navy SEALs’ sniper and chronicles the toll of his official tours on his personal and family life. Cooper elaborates on Kyle’s internal conflicts with utmost empathy and precision and garnered much praise for his portrayal of the war hero. The movie was not only a commercial success garnering $547.4 million at the global box office but was also critically acclaimed and bagged six Oscar nominations and won one. The war drama, entangled in empathy and inspiring duty, is worth a watch for its themes and performances.

The Greatest Showman

A singing and dancing Hugh Jackman is everyone’s favorite, nonetheless, the actor took the showmanship to another level with the 2017 movie about P. T. Barnum, the famous entertainer who founded the Barnum & Bailey Circus with James Anthony Bailey. The musical features nine original songs and chronicles Barnum’s journey along with the lives of its star attractions. The movie gives a great insight into its various characters as well as the society at large. The movie was praised for its performances, production design music, and visuals putting it on the global stage garnering $435.7 million worldwide. If you just need a fun, fresh, melodious watch, look no further than this feature.

The King’s Speech

Once upon a time, the script written by David Seidler was on the Black List, meaning despite being brilliant it was difficult to produce. Nonetheless, this gem was brought to life by director Tom Hooper in 2010 and has become a must-watch if you’re looking for some inspiration. The movie follows the rise of King George VI who, to cope with a stammer, is encouraged by his wife Queen Mary to see Lionel Logue, a speech and language therapist. The movie focuses on the relationship between George and Lionel as the former prepares his first wartime radio broadcast upon Britain’s declaration of war on Germany in 1939. The movie went on to not only garner critical acclaim and awards but also made $427.3 million at the global box office.

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The Wolf of Wall Street

Who’d want to miss a movie by Martin Scorsese featuring Leonardo DiCaprio? While the duo has given many smashing blockbusters, The Wolf of Wallstreet, took their craftsmanship to another level as DiCaprio effortlessly plays Jordan Belfort, a New York stockbroker who was engaged in rampant corruption and fraud on Wall Street, leading to his downfall. The movie has some great performances by the supporting cast which includes Margot Robbie, Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey, and more. The movie not only garnered critical acclaim and a plethora of nominations but also made $406.9 million at the global box office, making it Scorsese’s highest-grossing film. While the direction and performance are one thing, the movie needs to be seen just for the mind-bending story of Belfort’s deeds.

About the Author

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Shrishty Mishra

Shrishty is a decade-old journalist covering beats ranging from politics to pop culture but movies are her first love. When she is not busy writing or reading she can be found daydreaming about making her own movies someday.