With the new reimagining of American folk and rock icon Bob Dylan starring Timothée Chalamet set to hit theatres in December this year, it seems as though celebrity biopics are coming out one after the other and taking over the Hollywood screen. In honor of the upcoming release of ‘A Complete Unknown’, let’s take a look at the most accredited celebrity biopics of all time.
Oppenheimer (2023)
Earning over $950 million at the global box office after its release in July 2023, Oppenheimer takes the number 1 spot as the highest-grossing biopic ever released. Oppenheimer follows the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, an American theoretical physicist who was monumental in the development of nuclear bombs, with the film reaching atomic success and raving reviews after its release. The star-studded cast features the likes of Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh, Emily Blunt and Robert Downey Jr.
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
The 2018, Brian Singer directed ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, spans the period of 1970 to 1985, recounting events from Queen’s formation to their legendary show at Live Aid in Wembley Stadium. The film starring Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, Ben Hardy as Roger Taylor, Gwilym Lee as Brian May, and Joseph Mazzello as John Deacon, amassed over $900 million at the global box office. Bohemian Rhapsody was a smash hit, staying at the top of the biopic charts up until the 2023 release of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.
The Great Showman (2017)
Finally, the last film featured on our list and the only with a PG rating, The Greatest Showman from Michael Gracey grossed almost $440 million at the global box office. Released December 20, 2017, The Greatest Showman tells the chronicles of world-famous circus director P.T. Barnum, creator of the Barnum & Bailey circus and played by Hugh Jackman. The musical set in the early 1800s holds the number five spot in our list of the highest grossing celebrity biopics of all time.
American Sniper (2014)
Holding the spot for third highest grossing celebrity biopic of all time is Clint Eastwood’s 2014 “American Sniper”. The film has been considered one of the best war movies ever released, following the story of Chris Kyle, a U.S. Navy S.E.A.L sniper and his horrifying experiences of war and what followed. Starring Bradley Cooper, the film grossed over $547 million at the global box office.
The King’s Speech (2010)
Set in 1936, the Academy Award winning, Tom Hooper directed story of King George VI drew in a massive $480 million at the global box office after it’s September 2010 release. Colin Firth as lead tells the story of King George VI’s triumphant rise to the throne alongside the grappling journey of overcoming his stammer with the assistance of a speech therapist. Helena Bonham Carter, Derek Jacobi and Richard Dixon are among the prominent cast.
