30 Best Biopics from the 2010s You Cannot Skip
The 2010s gave us a wave of biopics that made real stories feel close and personal. These films let us step into the lives of inventors, athletes, artists, leaders, and everyday people who faced extraordinary moments. Some spotlight a single turning point, others cover a lifetime, but all of them capture the spark that made these figures unforgettable.
This list rounds up the standouts that still hit hard today. You will find sharp scripts, powerhouse performances, and thoughtful direction that bring history and culture into clear focus. Settle in, pick a few, and let these stories pull you in.
‘The Social Network’ (2010)
A cool and fast moving portrait of ambition, this film traces the messy birth of a world changing platform and the friendships that cracked under pressure. The dialogue snaps, the pace never lags, and the mood keeps you glued to every choice and consequence.
The performance at the center feels sharp and unsettled, which fits the story of someone sprinting ahead of everyone around him. By the end, you feel the thrill of creation and the cost that comes with it.
‘The King’s Speech’ (2010)
This is a warm and stirring look at a leader who must find his voice when the world needs it most. The friendship that forms between the reluctant royal and his unconventional coach gives the film a human pulse.
The filmmaking stays intimate, letting small victories feel huge. It turns a private struggle into a moving story about courage and connection.
‘127 Hours’ (2010)
A gripping survival tale becomes a study in clarity and purpose. The camera locks in on a single person in an impossible spot, and somehow the story expands rather than shrinks.
The energy builds to a moment of rebirth that lands with force. You come away feeling the weight of choice and the relief of a second chance.
‘Moneyball’ (2011)
Numbers meet gut feeling in this smart and snappy front office saga. It turns strategy talks and late night calls into a tense and funny ride.
The script hums with rhythm, and the lead performance gives quiet drive to every scene. It makes change feel risky, necessary, and oddly beautiful.
‘Lincoln’ (2012)
A measured, absorbing portrait of leadership in a time of gridlock and grief. The film stays close to rooms where people argue, persuade, and shift the course of a nation.
The central performance is magnetic without showy tricks. It is about patience, empathy, and the long game of doing what is right.
‘Rush’ (2013)
Speed meets obsession in a story of rivalry that feels both thrilling and surprisingly tender. The racing scenes pop, but it is the push and pull between two very different competitors that sticks.
The film shows how drive can sharpen a person and how it can burn them too. It is loud, stylish, and full of heart.
’12 Years a Slave’ (2013)
This harrowing story is told with clarity and care. Every frame asks you to witness, not just watch, and to respect the truth of one man’s fight for freedom.
The cast brings quiet strength to scenes that could have turned blunt or rushed. The result is a powerful work that honors memory and resilience.
‘Dallas Buyers Club’ (2013)
Defiance becomes a lifeline in this moving portrait of resourcefulness and grit. The lead transformation is striking, but the film earns its impact through small moments of humor and tenderness.
It shows a system that fails people and the ways strangers can become family. You feel the wear and the hope in every scene.
‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ (2013)
A wild and biting ride through greed and charisma. The film keeps its energy high while showing the emptiness hiding under the gloss.
The central performance is fearless, and the ensemble matches that energy beat for beat. You laugh, you cringe, and you see how excess devours everything in its path.
‘Captain Phillips’ (2013)
Taut and human, this is a thriller that never loses sight of the people involved. Even in the tightest moments, the film finds empathy on both sides.
The final stretch lands with raw emotion that lingers. It is a story of duty, fear, and the thin line between control and chaos.
‘The Theory of Everything’ (2014)
A tender love story wrapped around a life of bold ideas. The film focuses on partnership, care, and how two people adapt as dreams and bodies change.
The performances feel lived in, which makes the quiet scenes glow. It celebrates curiosity without losing sight of the humans behind it.
‘The Imitation Game’ (2014)
A brilliant mind faces puzzles that go far beyond ciphers. The film balances suspense with a moving look at difference, secrecy, and sacrifice.
The pace is crisp, and the emotional beats land cleanly. It leaves you with respect for intellect and a clear sense of what intolerance costs.
‘Selma’ (2014)
This is history told with urgency and grace. It brings courage down to earth, showing the planning, doubt, and resolve behind public triumph.
The film finds strength in community, not just in a single figure. That choice makes every march feel intimate and alive.
‘American Sniper’ (2014)
The film looks at service and its ripple effects with an unblinking eye. It is less about action than the weight that action leaves behind.
The lead performance carries a steady, quiet ache. You feel the pull of duty and the strain it places on home and self.
‘Foxcatcher’ (2014)
A chilly, unsettling study of power and need. The setting feels isolated, and the mood grows heavy as paths twist toward tragedy.
Transformative performances make the slow burn riveting. It is a cautionary tale about money, control, and fragile identity.
‘Wild’ (2014)
A soul searching trek becomes a clear eyed look at grief, memory, and renewal. The journey feels physical and emotional at once.
The film treats mistakes with compassion, not judgment. By the end, the walk feels like a promise kept to oneself.
‘Steve Jobs’ (2015)
A backstage portrait told in sharp, rhythmic scenes. It captures the rush of launches and the cost of perfection.
The dialogue crackles, and the structure keeps the pressure high. It is less about gadgets and more about the people orbiting a demanding vision.
‘Straight Outta Compton’ (2015)
A music origin story that pulses with energy and community. The film honors creativity while showing the fights that shaped it.
The chemistry among the cast makes the rise feel electric. It is proud, raw, and full of momentum.
‘The Danish Girl’ (2015)
This intimate drama finds gentleness in a time of confusion and change. It focuses on love, identity, and the courage to step into the unknown.
The visuals are elegant, and the performances are open and vulnerable. It lingers in small gestures that say everything.
‘Hacksaw Ridge’ (2016)
Conviction guides a person who refuses to bend, even under fire. The film treats faith as action, not talk, and lets bravery speak for itself.
The battle scenes are intense, yet the story keeps its heart steady. It is about holding to a promise when it matters most.
‘Hidden Figures’ (2016)
A joyful and inspiring celebration of brilliance that was long overlooked. The teamwork shines, and the tone stays upbeat without losing honesty.
It turns complex work into clear and lively storytelling. You leave smiling, proud, and maybe a little taller.
‘Loving’ (2016)
Quiet and deeply felt, this is a story about a couple who simply want to live together in peace. The film avoids grand speeches and finds truth in everyday moments.
The restraint makes it powerful. Love feels patient, stubborn, and unbreakable.
‘Sully’ (2016)
Calm leadership and steady skill get the spotlight here. The film looks at pressure from the outside and doubt from within, and finds dignity in both.
The recreation of a near impossible landing is gripping, yet the human focus never fades. It is respectful, grounded, and confident.
‘Jackie’ (2016)
A portrait of grief and image, told with poetic focus. The film lingers on stillness, ritual, and the work of building meaning after loss.
The central performance is precise and haunting. It invites you to look past the public smile and see the private storm.
‘I, Tonya’ (2017)
A sharp and sly take on ambition, class, and the stories we tell to survive. The tone swings from funny to bruising without losing control.
The performances are vivid, and the storytelling keeps you leaning forward. It asks who gets to shape a narrative and why that power matters.
‘Darkest Hour’ (2017)
This is leadership under a magnifying glass, full of doubt, pressure, and weary courage. The film turns rooms of talk into scenes of real suspense.
The transformation in the lead role is striking. It shows how resolve can sound shaky and still be firm.
‘First Man’ (2018)
An inward look at a giant leap. The film pairs quiet domestic scenes with moments that feel weightless and vast.
It is less about a flag and more about a person learning to carry loss. The final moments are delicate and deeply moving.
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (2018)
A crowd pleasing tribute to performance and persona. The music lifts the roof, and the central turn holds the spotlight with ease.
Even with big set pieces, the film finds warmth in the band as a family. It sends you out humming and smiling.
‘BlacKkKlansman’ (2018)
A bold mix of humor and outrage that speaks to past and present at once. It moves with confidence, switching tones without losing focus.
The result is lively and punchy, with scenes that stick in your mind. It is brave in both style and spirit.
‘Rocketman’ (2019)
A vibrant and heartfelt musical portrait of reinvention. The storytelling slips into song the way memories slip into feeling.
It is playful, painful, and finally joyous. You feel the rush of performance and the relief of acceptance.
Share your favorite picks from this decade of biopics in the comments.