Biographical History backdrop

Biographical History movies

History told through a real person’s life, focused on turning points, impact, and private tradeoffs.

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

31. Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Drama Crime Comedy History Con Artist Crime
7.1

20181h 46min

United States

Director: Marielle Heller

When a bestselling celebrity biographer is no longer able to get published because she has fallen out of step with current tastes, she turns her art form to deception.

Themes

Economic precarity, Risk and consequence, Gendered power dynamics, Forgery and authenticity, Deception ethics, Reputation vs reality

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

On the Basis of Sex

32. On the Basis of Sex

Drama History Legal Drama Biographical History
7.1

20182h

United States

Director: Mimi Leder

Young lawyer Ruth Bader Ginsburg teams with her husband Marty to bring a groundbreaking case before the U.S. Court of Appeals and overturn a century of sex discrimination.

Themes

Gender-based legal discrimination, Advocacy and pro bono work, Barriers to women in law, Strategic civil rights litigation, Incremental legal reform, Systemic bias in judiciary

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The joyous, emotional, heartbreaking celebration of the life and music of Whitney Houston, the greatest female R&B pop vocalist of all time. Tracking her journey from obscurity to musical superstardom.

Themes

Addiction and rehab, Identity under public gaze, Fame and burnout, Parental control and independence, Money mismanagement and control, Public scrutiny and criticism, Romantic entanglements and loyalty

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Hulu
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Snowden

34. Snowden

Drama History Crime Thriller Political Drama
7.3

20162h 15min

France, Germany

Director: Oliver Stone

CIA employee Edward Snowden leaks thousands of classified documents to the press.

Themes

Investigative journalism pressure, Mass surveillance ethics, Surveillance state critique, National security agency politics, Whistleblower consequences, Idealism under pressure

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Mank

35. Mank

Drama History Historical Drama Biographical History
6.8

20202h 12min

United States

Director: David Fincher

1930s Hollywood is reevaluated through the eyes of scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane.

Themes

Industry manipulation, Political influence in media, Creative credit dispute, Arts and commerce tension, Alcoholism under pressure, Old hollywood power dynamics

Available on

Netflix
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Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The King's Speech

36. The King's Speech

Drama History Historical Drama Biographical History
8.0

20101h 58min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Tom Hooper

The King's Speech tells the story of the man who became King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stutter and considered unfit to be king, Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country into war.

Themes

Speech coaching under pressure, Mentor mentee bond, Voice as authority, War time leadership pressure, Private struggle in public, Duty versus family expectations

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Corsage

37. Corsage

Drama History Historical Drama Biographical History
6.5

20221h 54min

Austria, France

Director: Marie Kreutzer

A fictional account of one year in the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. On Christmas Eve 1877, Elisabeth, once idolized for her beauty, turns 40 and is officially deemed an old woman; she starts trying to maintain her public image.

Themes

Aging beauty and public image, Marital dissatisfaction and jealousy, Quest for autonomy through body control, Rumors and reputation management, Performance pressures and public persona, Dependence on others\' gaze

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Goodbye Christopher Robin

38. Goodbye Christopher Robin

Family History Drama Biographical History Family Drama
7.1

20171h 47min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Simon Curtis

The behind the scenes story of the life of A.A. Milne and the creation of the Winnie the Pooh stories inspired by his son Christopher Robin.

Themes

Jealousy and betrayal, Publicity and family strain, Creative work under pressure, Childhood fame and privacy, War trauma shaping art, Memory as storytelling mechanism

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

House of Gucci

39. House of Gucci

Drama Crime History Biographical History Organized Crime
6.6

20212h 38min

Canada, United States

Director: Ridley Scott

A biographical story about the life of Maurizio Gucci, heir to the famous fashion house. One day he meets Patrizia, a young woman from a modest family who has always longed for a life of luxury. As a romance blossoms between them and they eventually marry, Patrizia becomes increasingly drawn into the inner workings of the family business, seeking greater power and wealth.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Social climbing, Wealth and status, Family betrayal, Inheritance and control, Decadence and revenge

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

40. The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Drama History Historical Drama Biographical History
6.6

20212h 6min

United States

Director: Michael Showalter

From the 1960s to the 1980s, evangelist Jim Baker and his ambitious wife, Tammy Faye, rose from humble beginnings to build an empire based on big-time evangelical Christianity--only for the couple to fall from grace because of some all-too-human sins.

Themes

Public scrutiny and accountability, Power struggles within institutions, Wealth and faith merging, Addiction and vulnerability, Relationships under fame, Media influence and religious branding

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.