25 Most Underrated Biopics Of All Time

A pioneering advocate for equal rights in the justice system, lawyer and legal scholar Bryan Stevenson fought for clients from impoverished and minority communities, those who are frequently the most unfairly treated by the system. But his most passionate causes involved overturning wrongful convictions, and the 2019 biopic "Just Mercy" focused on his most highly publicized case. It's a powerful film whose status as an underappreciated movie is almost an allegory for overlooked victims of the system itself.

The film begins by showing Stevenson's early struggles as he forms the Equal Justice Initiative to help fight for social justice in the courts. But on a visit to death row to meet with potential clients, Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) meets Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx), awaiting execution for the apparent murder of a young woman. Despite the best evidence being the word of a convicted felon, he is found guilty, and the judge overrules the jury's recommendation of life in prison to impose the death sentence. With the odds stacked against him, Stevenson faces an uphill battle to save McMillian's life.

A minor theatrical release, "Just Mercy" boasts an impressive cast that includes Brie Larson, Tim Blake Nelson, and O'Shea Jackson Jr., with Destin Daniel Cretton ("Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings") in the director's chair. But beyond its star-studded pedigree, "Just Mercy" is a powerful film with a meaningful, overlooked story that may change how you view the American justice system.

Renowned writers like Truman Capote, Sylvia Plath, and Charlotte Bronte have all received acclaimed biopics, but there have been few made about comic book writers, perhaps because for decades the medium was not well respected. But one artist and writer that finally did get his story told on screen was underground cartoonist Harvey Pekar, whose disillusionment with popular comic books of his youth led him to craft his own. His friendship with indie darling Robert Crumb got him published in the 1970s, but it was his autobiographical series "American Splendor" that put him on the map. In the 1980s, it was adapted into a stage production, and in 2003 it served as the basis for a biopic of the same name, starring Paul Giamatti.

A mix of drama and documentary, Pekar himself provides on-screen commentary throughout the film, including meta moments where he comments on the film itself. Moving from the '60s to the '70s and back again, we see a struggling Pekar (Giamatti) battling with depression and other ailments, and his burgeoning friendship with comics icon Crumb (James Urbaniak). Desperate to do something important with his life, the downtrodden Pekar is inspired and sets out to chronicle his life in comic book form, despite no formal training and a self-described lack of artistic talent.

Cleverly mixing live-action drama, animated inserts, and interviews with the artist himself, "American Splendor" is a unique biopic that garnered critical acclaim, but is rarely mentioned alongside other classics.

One of the original supermodels, Gia Carangi was at the height of her fame in the early 1980s. A stunning natural beauty, she graced the covers of popular magazines like Vogue and Cosmopolitan, but her rise to the top was anything but effortless and simple. Tragically lost at the age of 26 in 1986 to AIDS, Carangi was one of the first known names to die from the disease. Her life story became a film in 1998, an HBO original in the days before streaming, and was an early leading role for a young Angelina Jolie.

After a troubled youth in Philadelphia, the young and beautiful Carangi leaves for New York City to pursue a modeling career at just 17. Immediately snatched up by a prominent agency, she is catapulted to stardom faster than she ever expected, but trouble soon finds her again after the death of her mentor, Wilhelmina Cooper (Faye Dunaway). Turning to sex and drugs for relief, Gia begins a torrid and passionate love affair with fellow model Linda (Elizabeth Mitchell), who begs her to get clean. But unable to turn back from her downward spiral, Gia finds herself slipping down a hole she can't escape.

Perhaps because it was a television movie, "Gia" came and went quickly from the spotlight. But the film is a powerful story, helping to shine a spotlight on a lesser-known '80s icon, and hammers home the fact that the AIDS epidemic could affect anyone, even the rich and famous.

A surprise biopic that seemed to appear out of nowhere and disappear just as fast, the Netflix original "Dolemite Is My Name" stars comic legend Eddie Murphy in one of his best latter career roles. The film is based on the life story of a blaxploitation icon and raunchy stand-up comedian-turned-actor Rudy Ray Moore, who starred in a string of underground cult hits in the 1970s that included "Dolemite," "The Human Tornado," and "Petey Wheatstraw." But rather than a dramatic, understated period piece, "Dolemite Is My Name" opts to be a full-blown comedy, and excels.

The film begins with Moore having no success, unable to book gigs at even the smallest local comedy clubs. But when he develops a smooth-talking, jive-rhyming alter ego called Dolemite, he suddenly becomes the talk of the town. After a stint making the audience split their sides with laughter at his over-the-top and nearly x-rated routines, Moore becomes a bonafide sensation, and sets his sights on Hollywood, hoping to use his Dolemite persona to become a movie star. With an eclectic group of friends, the suddenly popular entertainer is determined to fund his own movie, no matter what wild obstacles he may find in his way.

A riotous laugher and surprisingly faithful retelling of Moore's unexpected rise from local DJ to movie star, "Dolemite Is My Name" received a pair of Golden Globe nominations, including one for Murphy. 

Scientific researcher, naturalist, and biologist Charles Darwin's work is so profoundly important to the way we look at the natural world today that he's never stopped being a controversial figure in some circles. But before he was labeled a heretic by the religious community at large for his theories of evolution and natural selection, Darwin clashed with a religious figure who sat much closer to home. The 2009 film "Creation" chronicles Darwin's life work, focusing on the troubled relationship he had with his devout but loving wife, Emma.

Played by real-life Hollywood couple Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly, this dramatization covers the hardest part of both Darwin's professional career and his troubled personal life. While he works feverishly to find the evidence to support his revolutionary ideas on evolution, he comes into conflict with the religious Emma. But it's not just his work that comes between them, as the sudden death of their young daughter proves deeply traumatic and haunts them both, leading to more trouble in the wake of Darwin's turn away from his faith.

A well-told story about one of science's most notable names, "Creation" was barely noticed by audiences, despite a strong lead performance that drew praise from reviewers.

Arguably one of the greatest authors of the 20th century, Truman Capote was a complicated figure, with a life story ripe for adaptation into a feature film. Yet there were none until 2017, when incredibly two dropped within a year of each other: the Oscar-winning "Capote" in 2005 starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and our next pick, "Infamous" a year later starring Toby Jones. While Hoffman's rendition of the acclaimed writer got all the attention, Jones' has been criminally overlooked. 

Like "Capote," 2006's "Infamous" follows Capote during his research for his best-selling true-crime novel "In Cold Blood." After reading about a grisly murder case in The New Yorker where an investigation is still ongoing, Capote travels to the scene of the crime in Kansas alongside friend and fellow author Nelle Harper Lee (Sandra Bullock). Despite misgivings from law enforcement, Capote is given access to witnesses, suspects, and more, planning on using the murder as the basis for his next novel. But when the author develops a strange fascination with one of the suspects, Perry Smith (Daniel Craig), Capote finds himself in serious danger. 

Overshadowed by Hoffman's earlier version, "Infamous" was sorely underappreciated. But the New York Times review of the film by A.O. Scott noted that it might just be an even better retelling of Capote's tale, describing it as "quick-witted, stylish and well acted" while calling it out as a moving interpretation of a captivating figure in fiction.

Music stars often lead rocky lives, caught up in the glamor of sex, drugs, and fame, and are sometimes tragically lost before their time, making them perfect subject matter for an engrossing drama. As a result, notable stars like Johnny Cash, Elton John, and rock group Queen have all been the subject of some of cinema's most memorable biopics. There have also been a few underrated real-life stories centered on musicians, such as "Nowhere Boy," a 2009 biography of Beatles legend John Lennon.

Before rising to stardom in blockbuster movies like "Godzilla," and "Avengers: Age of Ultron," young actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson starred as the teenage Lennon. Portraying the musician's formative years, the film shows the future Beatle living with his extended family where he struggles with the death of his uncle. Eventually, to deal with his problems, Lennon turns to music and forms a band called the Quarrymen alongside a fellow guitar player named Paul McCartney (Thomas Sangster).

Though the early days of the Beatles are explored in the film, the real focus is on how his music helped him cope with the many problems in his youth, in particular his tumultuous relationship with his mother (Anne-Marie Duff) and Aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas). Though well-received, "Nowhere Boy" went almost entirely unseen when released, but was given high marks for its understated nature.

The biggest characters in comic books often make their creators household names, like Stan Lee or Bob Kane. But often overlooked is William Moulton Marston, the man who created Wonder Woman, who also happened to be the inventor of the polygraph. But while those who know of him have rightly connected the character's "Lasso of Truth" to his groundbreaking innovation, few know the story behind the women in his life who inspired the character's creation. The underrated 2017 biopic, "Professor Marston and the Wonder Women," tells that startling and sometimes controversial story.

Starring Luke Evans in the title role, we meet the renowned psychologist Dr. Marston and his wife Elizabeth (Rebecca Hall) as they work on creating what will eventually become the modern polygraph machine. Their research assistant is a young student named Olive Byrne (Bella Heathcote), and their work together soon progresses into something more. Eventually, they form a unique three-person romantic triad, while Marston's interest in fetish art spurs him to create a comic book heroine fashioned after the two women in his life.

A biopic about an unwritten page in comic book history, "Professor Marston and the Wonder Women" opens up the hero's back issues to reveal a fascinating and unconventional romance.

Based on the wild life of Abbie and Anita Hoffman, a pair of counterculture revolutionaries in the '60s and '70s, "Steal This Movie!" took its title from Hoffman's guidebook to radical activism, "Steal This Book!" Starring Vincent D'Onofrio and Janeane Garofalo as the central couple, the film has been criticized by fellow activists and those who knew the couple, as well as those who disliked their politics. While it's not perfect it remains a breezy, fun biopic that's been sorely neglected over the years.

While there have been a few films about Hoffman's involvement in the infamous Chicago Seven trial that saw him indicted on conspiracy charges — including the 2020 film "The Trial of the Chicago 7" — "Steal This Movie" takes a broader look at Hoffman's life. The case is covered in the film, but it's just one part of an incredibly eventful story that covers the entirety of Hoffman's activist career. The film chronicles everything from his early enlightenment to portraying how he used theatrics and the media to get attention for his causes.

Famously, Hoffman's son America filed suit over the movie in 2000, upset about his portrayal in the film, where he was played by a young Michael Cera. The younger Hoffman alleged invasion of privacy, and that his consent had not been given for his "character" to appear in the film. He settled out of court a year later. 

Taken well before his time, Chadwick Boseman became a global superstar thanks to playing the title role in Marvel's "The Black Panther." But outside of the MCU he was potentially best known for starring in biopics of American icons, from groundbreaking baseballer Jackie Robinson to Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and even appearing as a supporting character in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." However, his most underrated performance is surely the 2014 biographical drama centering on the life and career of soul singer James Brown, "Get On Up." Co-starring Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, and Dan Aykroyd, it was the last film Boseman made before he landed the part of T'Challa in "Captain America: Civil War," which marked a major turning point in his career.

Jumping around in Brown's extraordinary life, we see different episodes from Brown's childhood, his success on stage, and his later years. We see his rise to fame, his legendary ego, and his dark and abusive periods which are never sanitized. Landing to mixed reviews, no one is going to say "Get On Up" ranks as highly in Boseman's filmography as "42" or even "Marshall." But it's been sorely overlooked because a few critics didn't like its oversimplified story and cliched beats. But if you don't know much about Brown, this is an easy and enjoyable primer, and Boseman gives a charismatic and soulful performance that makes the movie worth watching.

If you're an avid listener of true-crime podcasts, you've likely heard of the story of the Wineville Chicken Coop Murders, the incredible true story that formed the basis for the 2008 period drama "Changeling," directed by Clint Eastwood. But more than just a real-life crime drama, "Changeling" tells the story of one of the people who was most affected by the killers despite not being one of their victims: Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie). 

Collins' unbelievable story begins when in 1928 she discovers her 9-year-old son Walter has gone missing. Rallying support from her community, Collins puts pressure on the embattled Los Angeles Police Department to find her son and those responsible for his suspected abduction. Facing mounting scrutiny over a case gaining national attention, the LAPD does the unthinkable, producing a child they claim is Walter, and providing a highly publicized reunion of mother and son. The only problem is that the child is not her son at all, no matter how many times they insist they've found the right boy. But when Collins protests, she's labeled a liar and forcibly institutionalized.

Perhaps one of the most unbelievable true stories on this list, "Changeling" is sure to leave your mouth agape in anger and disbelief, but despite some minor changes to the story, it's all true. But what makes the film even more powerful is how it examines corruption, violence, and the way strong women are viewed in their fight for agency.

Despite a big-name director in Ron Howard ("Apollo 13") and a big star in the lead role in Chris Hemsworth ("Thor: Ragnarok"), the big-screen biopic "Rush" never became the hit it deserved to be. The film recounts the bitter rivalry between two Formula One drivers: James Hunt (Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl). It's a well known story among fans of British motor racing, but not so much to wider film audiences, making it ideal for adaptation.

The movie introduces us to brash English driver Hunt, a man with style and swagger and the hair to match, and his chief adversary Niki Lauda, an Austrian with a serious chip on his shoulder. In 1970, Hunt beats Lauda in a tight race, leading the Austrian on a quest to take Hunt down a peg, all culminating in the thrilling 1976 championship race. A tale of two men in a death-defying sport going head-to-head for all the marbles is drama enough, but Howard's ability to capture the exhilarating action on the racetrack makes it not just an underrated biopic, but one of the best racing movies ever made.

Praised for its accuracy by Lauda himself, "Rush" was a modest success at the box office and a hit with reviewers, but it never was as appreciated by audiences as it should have been.

There are few historical figures more polarizing than political revolutionaries, and typically the most renowned is also the most divisive: Marxist freedom fighter Ernesto "Che" Guevara. The subject of several big-screen biopics, perhaps the most underappreciated of these is the 2008 epic, "Che," by director Steven Soderbergh ("Ocean's Eleven"). The film starred Benicio Del Toro in the title role, with Santiago Cabrera ("Star Trek: Picard") and Rodrigo Santoro ("Westworld") in supporting roles. With a major star and an acclaimed director, you would be forgiven for wondering how this slipped under the radar, but the answer may just be its mammoth four-and-a-half-hour runtime.

With enough time to explore plenty of Guevara's travels and many fights, "Che" cuts back and forth between different periods in his life.  Split into two distinct parts, the film shows us every important moment in his career as a guerilla, resistance leader, military tactician, and diplomat. Soderbergh comprehensively takes us through such crucial moments as Guevara's struggle to bring revolution to Bolivia, his address to the United Nations in 1965, his first meeting with Fidel Castro (Demián Bichir), and the eventual toppling of Batista. 

Based in part on Guevara's writings, there is an authenticity and earnestness to the film that helps it stand out from other similar biopics of militant leaders. With a focus on Che Guevara the man, "Che" is a prestige picture that possesses a heart and soul that many biopics often lack.