Upamanyu Biswas
Biopics are an aspirational genre of filmmaking that arouses feelings ranging from tragedy to triumphant joy inside all of us. They serve as a reminder of the achievements of real-life people and the hardships endured while trying to accomplish something. Naturally, we are drawn to these shining examples of endeavor, perseverance, and grit. Most biopics depict personalities who are driven by something greater than them, showing us what it means to strive for higher objectives. Their life and experiences, told through a dramatic lens, inspire us to look at our own while dissecting the complexities of theirs. As such, to cater to your need for stories about real-life figures, here is a list of the best biopics available on Netflix.
15. Roxanne Roxanne (2017)
Living in the Queensbridge housing projects during the 1980s was not easy. In the Michael Larnell-directed film, ‘Roxanne Roxanne,’ the iconic hip-hop figure, Roxanne Shanté, has to navigate the difficulties of an impoverished beginning in the projects while plotting her eventual rise to stardom amidst a whole host of challenges. The film depicts her challenges with making a name for herself in a male-dominated industry, the complexities of her interpersonal relationships, and her familial responsibilities. Roxanne’s journey presents a rousing tale of overcoming obstacles, achieving success, and aspiring to be the best no matter what. Although life is rarely easy, Roxanne showcases the determination and optimism it takes to push through the struggle. ‘Roxanne Roxanne’ can be streamed here.
14. Inspector Zende (2025)
Loosely based on the capture of serial killer Charles Sobhraj by Mumbai police officer Madhukar Zende, ‘Inspector Zende’ is an Indian Hindi-language drama that combines fact and fiction using humor. The movie shows how Zende and his team track down Carl Bhojraj, based on Sobhraj, for the second time. Zende had captured Bhojraj once earlier, but the movie begins with the latter’s escape from prison, after which the authorities reach out to Zende again. On one hand, we see Zende reach out to his sources to track down Sobhraj. On the other hand, we see Bhojraj planning to leave India. The mission for Zende is thus a race against time, as he knows that the criminal will try to leave the country as soon as possible. Starring Manoj Bajpayee as Inspector Madhukar Zende and Jim Sarbh as Carl Bhojraj and directed by Chinmay Mandlekar, ‘Inspector Zende’ is an entertaining flick rooted in truth. You can watch it here.
13. Shirley (2024)
Directed by John Ridley, ‘Shirley’ is based on the life and career of the first-ever Black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm (Regina King), who broke race and gender barriers and eventually competed against Richard Nixon in the 1972 presidential run. Be it the first black candidate to receive a major-party nomination for the presidency or the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s nomination, Chisholm has paved the way for women in politics.
The film shows the battles she fought and the stand she took against misogyny and racial differences to become one of the most significant figures in world politics. In terms of her personal life, we get to know about her relationship with her sister and Alabama segregationist governor George Wallace, both of which contributed to her becoming the woman we know and learn about today. With a powerful performance by Regina King and well-depicted events from Chisholm’s life that effectively showcase the political scenario of the time, ‘Shirley’ serves as a worthy biographical drama that you can stream right here.
12. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)
Based on the memoir by Malawian inventor/author William Kamkwamba, ‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’ is directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor. It follows a young William (Maxwell Simba) as he tries to bring water to his village of Kasungu, Malawi, by building a windmill. However, his strained relationship with his father (Ejiofor) threatens to compromise his dream to “harness the wind.” An underrated drama that offers an emotionally moving view of faith and self-belief, ‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’ is a must-watch. It can be streamed here.
11. Srikanth (2024)
The Indian Hindi-language film, ‘Srikanth,’ tells the story of successful entrepreneur Srikanth Bolla (Rajkummar Rao), who defies all odds to turn an eco-friendly products manufacturing company, Bollant Industries, into a viable, profitable business in the modern market. Director Tushar Hiranandani depicts the struggles faced by the eponymous business leader after being born visually impaired in a rural village in the former state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The film is a sparkling reminder of the perceived limitations of individuals and how Srikanth turns the adversity in his life into a force for change. The narrative brilliantly showcases his drive, motivation, and inability to give up as he fights to achieve his ambitions despite a whole world of naysayers stacked against him. It is a rousing and inspiring entry that can be watched here.
10. On the Basis of Sex (2018)
Directed by Mimi Leder, ‘On the Basis of Sex’ depicts the trials and tribulations of young fledgling lawyer Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Felicity Jones), whose personal challenges with her husband’s health and being a woman in a primarily male-led legal industry during the mid-1900s forces her to fight against the prevailing attitude to prove her worth. The film mainly revolves around Ginsburg’s early life and her work promoting gender equality through her cases. It is an insightful look into the life of a pioneering individual in a demanding field with various trappings. Ginsburg’s struggles and accomplishments form the tapestry of the film’s emotional core, further enhanced by the presence of those who helped her along the way and her growing influence as a powerful figure. You can savor the movie here.
9. Rustin (2023)
The George C. Wolfe-directed film, ‘Rustin,’ unearths the real-life story of a lesser-known figure in history named Bayard Rustin (Colman Domingo), who played an integral role in organizing the 1963 March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech. The film explores how, as a Black gay man, Rustin’s work and influence were diminished as he tried to fight against the discrimination of the time. The narrative alights upon several critical moments within the Civil Rights Movement, providing an unseen perspective into the affair through the eyes of Rustin, who makes enormous contributions to the struggle despite never gaining attention. His unending work, beliefs, vision, and optimism are faithfully brought to the fore through the prescient movie and Colman Domingo’s stellar portrayal of a complicated man torn by the forces of his time but looking ahead all the same. Stream the film here.
8. Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022)
In ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi,’ a young girl named Ganga is duped into traveling to Mumbai, India, by her boyfriend under the lure of a career in the film industry. Once there, she is sold into sex work at a brothel. However, she rises to power within the ranks and becomes the madam of the establishment, fighting for the rights of her sex workers and the equality of women who are overlooked by society. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ is an adaptation of a chapter from the non-fiction novel ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai: Stories of Women from the Ganglands’ by Hussain Zaidi. The Bhansali directorial is a powerful exploration of resilience in the darkest corners of the world as the real-life protagonist climbs her way out of obscurity to fight for the freedoms she never had. It highlights her work and how formidable she was despite the cards dealt in her favor. You can watch her journey here.
7. Maestro (2023)
‘Maestro’ chronicles the life and career of famed American conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein. Written, directed, and produced by Bradley Cooper, who also plays Bernstein, the film dives into the complexities of the composer’s inner battles with sexuality and his complicated relationship with his wife, Felicia Montealegre. His turbulent bond with her plays a pivotal role in his personal life as he tries to come to grips with his identity and musical genius. The film is an intricate mosaic examining the various facets that made Bernstein who he was, making it an intriguing watch with a sharp performance by Cooper in the lead role. While it may not have a definite plot, watching a man’s life unfold over several decades, alongside his musical ambitions, presents a sense of deep poignancy to the narration and the humanity at its center. The film is available for streaming here.
6. Blonde (2022)
‘Blonde’ tells the story of Hollywood and film industry icon Marilyn Monroe (Ana de Armas), whose rise to stardom is punctuated by internal conflicts and pressure to live up to a pristine image as she winds down a circuitous path of torment. Writer and director Andrew Dominik presents a more fictionalized version of her life based on the 2000 eponymous biographical novel by Joyce Carol Oates. Although it is not the most authentic tale owing to its deviations from the real-life story of Monroe, the film’s portrayal of mental health challenges and its uncommon narration style make it an intriguing watch for those who want an inside look into the famed actresses’ life. Separating fact from fiction is a different matter altogether, but it should not detract from an otherwise solid viewing experience. It can be streamed here.
5. Ali (2001)
Will Smith received an Academy Award nomination for his performance as boxing legend Muhammad Ali in ‘Ali.’ The Michael Mann directorial focuses on 10 years of the boxer’s life, with special focus on his personal life, including his conversion to Islam and the Vietnam War issue, and professional life, including his banishment from the sport and how he reclaimed the Heavyweight title by defeating George Foreman. Considered one of the greatest sports personalities of all time, Ali’s life is one worth knowing, especially the part outside the ring, and Mann does a commendable job of capturing what makes Ali more than just a great boxer. The captivating drama can be watched right here.
4. Spencer (2021)
In Pablo Larraín’s ‘Spencer,’ Kristen Stewart stars as a grief-stricken and frustrated Princess Diana struggling to cope with her personal issues in the aftermath of the revelation of her husband Prince Charles’ (Jack Farthing) affair. The film is set during Christmas 1991 and offers a psychological view of the international icon, showcasing the darkness behind the smile the world admired and still reminisces. While ‘Spencer’ covers a short duration of Diana’s short-lived life, it carries a heavy emotional quotient, with Stewart pulling off a compelling portrayal. You can watch the film here.
3. Tick, Tick… Boom! (2021)
In his directorial debut, ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Lin-Manuel Miranda tells the story of Jonathan Larson (Andrew Garfield), a composer in his early 30s who hears a strange ticking sound in his head that sounds akin to the expiring time limit on his life. Larson is worried about the pressures of his career, constantly wondering if he made the wrong choice. While battling his inner fears, he discovers what it means to be an artist who is caught in the web of achieving success without finding any triumph.
Based on the eponymous semi-autobiographical stage musical by the real-life Jonathan Larson, the film explores his doubts, relationships, and anxieties about an uncertain future in which nothing seems to go to plan. The narrative is a meditation on a person’s dreams and what it takes to see them through, regardless of the countless failures on the path. Larson’s life is one that many aspiring career professionals will latch on to as they find moments of levity, joy, and creativity in a story about human perseverance. Check it out here.
2. Nyad (2023)
‘Nyad’ is based on the life of world-class athlete Diana Nyad, who, after an illustrious career as a swimmer, decides to swim from Cuba to Florida, a 110-mile swim, at the age of 60. Her previous attempt had been unsuccessful, but this time, she feels ready, albeit others would say otherwise. With her best friend/coach Bonnie Stoll and a highly skilled sailing team by her side, Diana starts her attempt, which is multiplied due to unfavorable weather conditions and risks that the deep waters entail. With Annette Bening as Diana Nyad and Jodie Foster as Bonnie Stoll, ‘Nyad’ is a must-watch due to its gripping depiction of a true story, which itself is an example of the strength of the human spirit. The movie is directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin. It can be streamed here.
1. Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
‘Born on the Fourth of July’ is directed by Oliver Stone and features Tom Cruise as real-life Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic. The film itself is based on Kovic’s autobiography and showcases 20 years of his life, spanning his childhood, his time as a soldier, including his drafting in the Vietnam War, the subsequent paralysis and addiction, and his anti-war activism. All the events he undergoes seem to be connected, with one being the result of its predecessor, have been showcased in a gripping and visually stunning manner, underscored by Cruise’s powerful screen presence. The pain and trauma that Kovic carried after the war take center stage after a point and become a commentary on the Star-Spangled Banner that has become tarnished with the blot of nefarious motives. You can watch ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ here.
Read More: Best Historical Movies on Netflix
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