8 Classic Biopics About Historical Figures From Abraham Lincoln to Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Lives of historical figures often get cinematic treatment to tell sweeping tales of real life events, and Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice captures former president Donald Trump in a key moment before the 2024 presidential election. Starring Sebastian Stan as Trump, Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn and Maria Bakalova as Trump’s first wife Ivanka, the film marks the latest in a catalog of films that explore the lives of political people. From United States Presidents to their wives and First Ladies, to Supreme Court Justices to scientists and brilliant minds, nobody is off limits, especially if the stories are triumphant. Others have more tragic endings.
The 2024 Academy Awards showed just how popular a biopic can be amongst voters with Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer netting Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. Actors and actresses do almost anything to become the real-life person they portray in a biopic, from working with movement coaches to wearing prosthetics and makeup to enhance their facial features.
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Those looking to learn about influential men and women over the years can find a list of historical biopics can read on for an immersive selection.
The Imitation Game (2014)
Based on Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges, The Imitation Game stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the cryptanalyst tasked with cracking the German Enigma Code during World War II. Graham Moore adapted the script with Morerten Tyedum’s direction. Keira Knightley stars as Joan Clarke, and Matthew Goode plays Hugh Alexander. Allen Leech plays John Cairncross. The Imitation Game is available to stream with subscriptions to Netflix, Prime Video, Roku, Tube, Hoopla more.
On the Basis of Sex (2018)
Felicity Jones portrayed icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg in On the Basis of Sex shortly before the Supreme Courth Justice died in 2020. Mimi Leder (Shameless, The Morning Show) directed the biopic, which captures Ginsberg’s true life story, her struggles for equal rights and helping her husband in law school and ultimately, the cases that led to her nomination and confirmation to the Supreme Court. On the Basis of Sex is currently streaming on Netflix, and it is available to rent via Apple TV+, Amazon and more.
The Apprentice (2024)
Directed by Ali Abbasi and written by Gabriel Sherman, The Apprentice, now out in theaters, focuses on the relationship between a young Donald Trump and notorious lawyer Roy Cohn. Sebastian Stan portrays Trump, and Succession star Jeremy Strong portrays Cohn. The film also stars Maria Bakalova as Trump’s first wife Ivanka, Martin Donovan as Fred Trump, Catherine McNally as Mary Anne Trump, Charlie Carrick as Freddy Trump, Ben Sullivan as Russell Eldridge, Mark Rendall as Roger Stone and more.
The Theory of Everything (2014)
Written by Anthony McCarten and Jane Hawking and directed by James Marsh, The Theory of Everything (2014) follows the life of physicist Stephen Hawking, who was diagnosed with motor neuron disease at the age of 21. Felicity Jones plays his first wife Jane, who helps him defy the odds and garner great success. The Theory of Everything is available to stream on Netflix.
Lincoln (2012)
Daniel Day Lewis brings the U.S. president to life in Lincoln (2012), directed by Steven Spielberg. Sally Field plays Mary Lincoln alongside him, and the cast also features David Strathairn as William Seward, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Robert Lincoln, James Spader as W.N. Bilbo, Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddues Stevens, Tim Blake Nelson as Richard Schell, Hal Holbrook as President Blair, Jared Harris as Ulysses S. Grant and Lee Paces as Fernando Wood.
Oppenheimer (2023)
Cilian Murphy won the Oscar in the Best Actor category for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, the Best Picture winner was directed by Christopher Nolan. Oppenheimer is available to stream on Peacock.
Jackie (2016)
From director Pablo Larraín and writer Noah Oppenheim came Jackie 2016) starring Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy, wife of President John F. Kennedy (Caspar Phillipson). Portman portrays the First Lady’s life after JFK’s assassination. Peter Sarsgaard plays Bobby Kennedy, Greta Gerwig plays Nancy Tuckerman and Billy Crudup portrays the journalist. While not currently streaming anywhere, Jackie is available to rent via Apple TV.
Napoleon (2023)
Joaquin Phoenix, who also helmed Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line (2004), starred in Ridley Scott’s Napoleon as the French emperor. The film traces Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise to power and fall with a focus on his relationship to his wife Josephine (Vanessa Kirby). Napoleon is available to stream on Apple TV+.
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