10 Best Movies About Famous People That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Movies About Famous People

This list includes 10 of the most memorable cinematic performances of famous persons by award-winning actors, from Freddy Mercury to Ray Charles!

Movies have shown a wide range of significant figures from the past: from artists to actors to sports to leaders, heroes, lecturers, and innovators. In addition to revealing more about the stars, these films frequently cast other well-known actors in legendary roles.

These are the ten most memorable stories involving well-known celebrities and including well-known actors. You can’t go wrong with any of these 10. These are the 10 you should know, watch, replay, and adore.

1. Margot Robbie As Tonya Harding

I, Tonya (2018)

We all know Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan, the two legendary figure skaters. In 2017, a biopic about their lives was released. Margot Robbie starred in and co-produced the film, which was titled I, Tonya. Additionally, Allison Janney, Sebastian Stan, and Bobby Cannavale starred in the film

As a result of this film’s nominations and wins at many award ceremonies, including the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and the British Academy Film Awards, it helped bring the events of 1994 back to life for a new generation.

2. David Oyelowo As Martin Luther King Jr.

The 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights marches were the subject of the film Selma, which came out in 2014.

James Bevel (Common), John Lewis (Stephan James), Hosea Williams (Wendell Pierce) and Lyndon B. Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) were all represented by well-known performers in this historical drama, as was David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most well-known characters of all time.

3. Rami Malek As Freddie Mercury

Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody, a biopic about Queen, was released in 2018 and has since become a cultural touchstone. The major character of Freddie Mercury was played by Rami Malek, who received critical acclaim for his portrayal.

In reality, it was one of the year’s highest-grossing films, garnering four Academy Award nominations as well as a new record for a biopic and a drama. Fans also appreciated the musical performances, which featured well-known classic rock tunes.

4. Tom Hanks As Fred Rogers

Fred Rogers, creator and host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, is another important character of the past. “Can You Say… Hero?” was the headline of an Esquire piece about him in 1998. Moreover, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood was launched in 2019.

It starred the legendary Tom Hanks, was hailed as one of the year’s best films, and received high accolades from both audiences and reviewers alike for its portrayal of a sympathetic character by a sympathetic actor.

5. Bradley Cooper As Chris Kyle

American Sniper

In 2014, the movie American Sniper was released, based on the story of Chris Kyle, an Iraq War sniper who was credited with 255 kills.

As a result, it was the year’s top grossing film, a record for Clint Eastwood, and the biggest grossing war film ever made. Bradley Cooper’s portrayal of Chris Kyle in American Sniper was particularly well received.

6. Michelle Williams As Marilyn Monroe

My Week with Marilyn, a film on Marilyn Monroe’s life, is another well-known example of a period piece. Eddie Redmayne, Emma Watson, Judi Dench and Michelle Williams all appeared in the 2011 film, which also starred Judi Dench.

It was shot in the same studio as the 1956 film The Prince and the Showgirl, which starred this singer/actress. As Monroe, Williams won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture–Comedy or Musical and was nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture–Broadway or Off-Broadway for her performance.

7. Denzel Washington As Malcolm X

Malcolm X

Denzel Washington starred in Spike Lee’s 1992 film Malcolm X as the film’s titular character. It was based on Alex Haley’s 1965 book, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, which documented the life of one of the most important figures of the 20th century, as well as the life of one of the most important activists.

For his performance in Malcolm X, Washington was nominated for and won honors, and many years later, the Library of Congress preserved it in the National Film Registry.

8. Joaquin Phoenix As Johnny Cash

Films about music giants like Walk the Line from 2005 are sometimes subject to biographical movies, as well. For those interested in learning more about Johnny Cash’s early life and career, this film is an excellent resource.

Since Joaquin Phoenix’s remarkable Cash performance, this film has been nominated for five Academy Awards, including one for Best Actor. A whole new generation was exposed to his greatest hits as a result of this.

9. Leonardo DiCaprio As Jordan Belfort

The Wolf of Wall Street.

There may have been few individuals who knew about Jordan Belfort prior to Leonardo DiCaprio’s portrayal of him in The Wolf of Wall Street. DiCaprio was a producer on this 2013 release, which also starred Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Kyle Chandler, Matthew McConaughey, Jon Bernthal, and Jon Favreau, among others.

The Wolf of Wall Street was nominated for a few of industry awards in part because of its thrilling plot, amusing sequences, and profane language (it set a Guinness World Record for the most profanity in a film).

10. Jamie Foxx As Ray Charles

Jamie Foxx’s portrayal of Ray Charles was also memorable. Ray, a biographical film about the musician, was released in 2004. Furthermore, for his performance, Foxx received prizes from the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild and Critics’ Choice Awards.

To put this in perspective, he is only the second actor to win accolades for a starring part from all five of these major groups/organizations/shows (as well as this flick and this famous man from history).