It’s been a while since a biopic like “Crazy Sexay Cool” made us fall in love with a girl group all over again. Let’s take a look back at some of the best biopics to hit the big and small screens. If we’ve left your favorite out, put us on to the movie in the comments section.
Malcolm X
Why Denzel Washington didn’t win an Oscar for his roll as Malcolm X, we’ll never know. This Spike Lee joint is one of the best biopics of all time.
The Temptations
“Ain’t nobody coming to see you Otis!” This is one of our favorite Motown Musicals. Most of us have watched it so much that we can sing all of the songs and recite half of the script.
What’s Love Got to Do With It
The most moving biopics are always about the drama going on behind the music that we love. And we love to watch Laurence Fishbourne play ish-talking Ike as much as we love rooting for Angela Bassett to finally get tired of his mess and beat him with a boot in the back of that limo.
Ray
This was the movie that put Jamie Foxx on the map as a serious actor. Jamie brought Ray Charles’ story to life and made us all feel the struggle behind the music. And it’s worth another watch to see Kerry Washington lend her own acting chops to this bio-classic as Della Bea.
The Hurricane
There are few movies as moving as “The Hurricane.” In it, Denzel Washington plays boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter who is in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. This movie has come under fire for its factual inaccuracies, but it’s still one of our favorite tear jerkers and maybe Denzel’s best performance to date.
Betty & Coretta
While not a biopic in the true sense of the word, if you haven’t seen “Betty & Coretta” yet, you’re missing out. Angela Bassett and Mary J. Blige team up to play Betty Shabazz and Coretta Scott King in a story about two powerful women who keep the dream alive after their husbands are gone.
Lady Sings the Blues
“Lady Sings the Blues” features Diana Ross as Billie Holiday, Billy D. Williams as Louis McKay and Richard Pryor as the Piano Man. Together they tell the tragic story of Billie Holiday’s struggle with heroin during her journey to become a music legend. It’s sad and beautiful and belongs near the top of anyone’s must-watch movie list.
Cadillac Records
“Cadillac Records” tells the story of the rougher side of the music industry. Beyonce steals the show as Etta James, and her cover of “At Last” earned her a Grammy nomination.
Notorious
This is the biopic for Biggie fans to watch. It shines a light on the softer side of the man that remains one of the biggest names in rap. It’s one of our favorite bottom-to-the-top stories and it’s definitely worth a watch.
The Pursuit of Happyness
“The Pursuit of Happyness” is so good it belongs in it’s own category. It’s the story of Chris Gardner and his journey from homelessness to millionaire status. Even if biopics aren’t your thing, you’ve got to watch Will and Jaden Smith make one of the best father-son acting teams of all time.
Ali
Will Smith worked himself into the best shape of his life to play Muhammad Ali. And if that’s not enough reason to watch, Will’s acting chops are. He plays Ali so well, you’ll have to do a double take to make sure you’re not watching the man himself.
Antwone Fisher
This movie is so good, it’s hard to watch. It tells the sad story of Antwone Fisher — a marine struggling to deal with the abuse in his childhood. Denzel Washington stars in it and directs it. And Derek Luke — Dr. Miles Bourdet in “Hawthorne” — steals the show as Antwone Fisher himself.
Dream Girls
Dream Girls isn’t exactly a biopic, but it is loosely based on the story of Motown Records and the Supremes. Plus it has Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce, Jamie Foxx and one of the best soundtracks we’ve ever heard. If you haven’t seen this one yet, you need to get to Netflix right now.
The Jacksons: An American Dream
It might be too soon for some Michael Jackson fans to watch this one again. This was the movie that let us in on the real Joe Jackson and made us all feel for little Michael and the rest of the Jackson clan.
Bird
This is one of the best biopics that a lot of people slept on. Forest Whittaker plays jazz legend Charlie “Bird” Parker and it’s some of the best acting we’ve ever seen. Watch it if you love jazz, movies, Forrest Whittaker or great performances. It really shouldn’t be missed.
