The best grossing biopics in historical past embody a powerful mixture of genres, from the historic epic to musical biopics to the story of normal folks in extraordinary conditions. In terms of these motion pictures, the complete function is to point out audiences how an individual can overcome all odds and find yourself doing one thing spectacular of their lives, whether or not that is one thing that helps the world or one thing that simply exhibits that they will turn out to be particular in their very own methods. It doesn’t matter if an individual is a politician, a musical sensation, or an individual who overcomes homelessness, one of the best biopics supply an uplifting story for viewers.
Nonetheless, not all the best grossing biopics are equal. There are some which have received numerous awards on the Oscars and there are others that achieved public acclaim that appeared to fly proper by the critics and award committees. In terms of field workplace success, it’s all about word-of-mouth, and whereas awards and important recognition can play a job in it, what’s most vital is that individuals discover one thing particular in relation to the topics of those biopics and make them somebody they need to see succeed. With 2023’s Oppenheimer stealing the highest spot, there’s a biopic for everybody in relation to the field workplace winners. All grossing info is from Field Workplace Mojo.
Primarily based on the memoir by Solomon Northup, 12 Years a Slave tells the story of Northup as he was kidnapped as a free man in Washington, D.C. by two conmen and offered into slavery. He ended up engaged on plantations as an enslaved individual in Louisiana for 12 years earlier than he lastly was launched. With Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon and supporting turns from Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Paul Dano, and Lupita Nyong’o, the film picked up 9 Oscar nominations and received the award for Finest Image.
On the field workplace, 12 Years a Slave introduced in 187.7 million worldwide on a manufacturing finances of simply $22 million, making it an enormous monetary success story for director Steve McQueen and one of many highest-grossing biopics of all time. It was additionally a crucial hit, with a really excessive 95 % contemporary ranking on Rotten Tomatoes.
Rocketman is the best grossing biopic about Elton John and his rise within the music trade. Taron Egerton is Elton John on this film, directed by Dexter Fletcher (who labored with Taron Egerton on Eddie the Eagle earlier than this). The movie additionally sees Egerton really singing the John songs within the film quite than lip-syncing, which makes it really feel totally different from different musical biopics.
The film was an enormous success, and whereas it solely picked up one Oscar nomination, it did win for Finest Unique Music. On the field workplace, Rocketman earned $195.3 million worldwide on a manufacturing finances of $40 million, whereas dealing with a troublesome competitors that included Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Aladdin.
F. Gary Grey directed one of many highest grossing biopics of all time with Straight Outta Compton in 2015. This musical biopic tells the story of the enduring and legendary hip hop group N.W.A. and takes viewers behind the scenes within the moments of their early careers the place they have been preventing to make their identify whereas additionally fighting racism and hatred daily of their lives.
By the point all was mentioned and completed, Straight Outta Compton grew to become the highest-grossing music biopic of all time, though that file has since fallen. It even made $60.2 million in its opening weekend and obtained good evaluations, thanks partially to authentic members Ice Dice and Dr. Dre serving as producers on the film.