Christopher Nolan directed the epic biographical thriller movie ‘Oppenheimer’ which is adapted from Martin J. Sherwin and Kai Bird’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of 2005.
The plot follows the theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer focusing on his early studies and his direction of the Manhattan Project including his fall from grace caused by the 1954 security hearing.
Cillian Murphy portrayed Oppenheimer in the movie. Oppenheimer was released in the United States on July 21, 2023.
Following is a list of other biographical films that you might be interested in.
Also Read: Top 10 Films Like Today We’ll Talk About That Day.
Top 10 Films Like Oppenheimer.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)-
Martin Scorsese directed this American epic biographical black comedy crime movie that is adapted from the same named 2007 memoir of former American stockbroker, and financial criminal Jordan Belfort.
The plot chronicles Belfort’s career of being a stockbroker in New York City and his eventual downfall through his engagement in rampant fraud and corruption on Wall Street.
Leonardo DiCaprio portrayed Belfort in the movie. He also served as a producer of the film that marks DiCaprio’s fifth collaboration with Scorsese. The movie was released on December 25, 2013, in the United States.
The Irishman (2019)-
This epic gangster film is another direction of Martin Scorsese and is adapted from Charles Brandt’s narrative nonfiction book of 2014- ‘I Heard You Paint Houses’.
The plot follows a truck driver turned hitman Frank Sheeran (played by Robert De Niro) who gets involved with the crime family of the mobster Russell Bufalino (played by Joe Pesci) and the powerful Teamster Jimmy Hoffa (played by Al Pacino).
The movie marks Scorsese’s ninth, fourth, and first collaboration respectively with De Niro, Pesci, and Pacino.
It was nominated for ten Academy Award nominations. It premiered at New York Film Festival on September 27, 2019, and was released on Netflix on 27th November that year.
The Lost City of Z (2016)-
James Gray directed this American biographical adventure drama film that is adapted from David Grann’s same-named non-fiction book of 2009.
The plot revolves around British explorer Percy Fawcett’s adventure with his son in the Amazon rainforest where they disappear while looking for the supposed lost ancient city- the “Lost City of Z“.
Charlie Hunnam and Tom Holland portrayed Percy Fawcett and his formerly estranged son Jack Fawcett.
It premiered at New York Film Festival on October 15, 2016, and was released in the United States on April 14, 2017.
The Aviator (2004)-
This epic biographical drama film marks the second collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio. It is adapted from Charles Higham’s non-fiction book ‘Howard Hughes: The Secret Life’.
The plot follows aviation pioneer and magnate Howard Hughes through his success as director of the film ‘Hell’s Angels’ and his eventual fall into obsessive–compulsive disorder.
DiCaprio portrayed Howard Hughes in the movie. It was nominated for eleven Academy Award nominations including Cate Blanchett winning for Best Supporting Actress.
It had a limited theatrical release on December 17, 2004, and was later released widely on 25th December that year.
Schindler’s List (1993)-
Steven Spielberg directed this epic historical drama film that is based on Australian novelist Thomas Keneally’s novel of 1982- ‘Schindler’s Ark’.
The plot revolves around German industrialist Oskar Schindler who, during World War II, saved more than a thousand mostly Polish–Jewish refugees from the Holocaust by employing them in his factories.
Liam Neeson portrayed Oskar Schindler in the movie. It received twelve Academy Award nominations. The movie was released in the United States on December 15, 1993.
Michael Collins (1996)-
Neil Jordan directed this biographical period drama film starring Liam Neeson in the role of Michael Collins, the Irish freedom fighter and politician who proved himself as a leading figure in the Irish struggle for independence against Britain in the early 20th century.
The movie premiered at Venice International Film Festival on August 28, 1996, and was released in the USA on 11th October that year.
Casino (1995)-
Martin Scorsese directed this epic crime film that is adapted from Nicholas Pileggi’s non-fiction book 1995- ‘Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas’.
Primary cast members of the movie include Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci. Stone was nominated for Academy Award for Best Actress for her role. The movie was released on November 22, 1995.
The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008)-
Uli Edel directed this German drama film based on Stefan Aust’s same-named German best-selling non-fiction book.
The plot follows the early years of Rote Armee Fraktion, the West German far-left terrorist organization. The movie was released in Germany on September 25, 2008.
The Last King of Scotland (2006)-
Kevin Macdonald directed this historical drama film adapted from the 1998 novel by Giles Foden. The plot narrates the dictatorship of Ugandan President Idi Amin through the point of view of a fictional Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan.
Forest Whitaker portrayed Idi Amin in the movie with James McAvoy starring as Dr. Nicholas Garrigan.
Whitaker won Academy Award for Best Actor for his role. It premiered at Telluride Film Festival on September 1, 2006.
Black Mass (2015)-
Scott Cooper directed this biographical crime drama movie the plot of which follows criminal mobster Whitey Bulger (played by Johnny Depp) becoming one of the most fearsome gangsters after being appointed as an informant by FBI agent John Connolly (played by Joel Edgerton).
The movie premiered at Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2015.
