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‘Maria’ (2024) -

Angelina Jolie plays legendary opera singer Maria Callas, exploring her final years and the struggles she faced with identity and fame. Themes like substance abuse, mental health and the effects of excessive fame on a star’s life are also explored in the biopic. Jolie went through  extensive vocal training to portray the iconic figure.

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‘The Queen’ (2006) -

Princess Diana’s death shocked the world and rocked the foundations of the British royal family. In this biopic set in the aftermath of her death, Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) grapples with how the royal family should respond to the tragedy, going through an internal struggle between her family's need for privacy and the public's demand for mourning. Mirren won her first and to date only Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II.

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‘Judy’ (2019) -

Projected to stardom at age 17 thanks to ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), Judy Garland (Renée Zellweger) became a tragic figure of Old Hollywood. Focusing on the chaotic months leading up to her death, this biopic reveals the gruesome abuse she endured, including forced drug use, which led to addiction and impacted her personal and professional life. Zellweger took home the Academy Award for Best Actress for her work in the film.

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‘Iron Lady’ (2011) -

Showing a different side of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Meryl Streep), the audience sees her widowed and elderly as she struggles with the challenges of aging and dependence on others, while reminiscing about her historic rise to power and her complex relationship with her husband. Streep won her most recent Oscar for her take on Thatcher.

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‘The Hours’ (2002) -

British novelist Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman, in an Oscar-winning role) dealt with many internal demons throughout her short life. She experienced severe depression and manic episodes that led to her being institutionalized. The film depicts the writer’s real struggles, intertwining them with the ones faced by other women.

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‘La Vie en Rose’ (2007) -

Iconic French singer Édith Piaf (Marion Cotillard) rose from poverty to international fame. She faced a great deal of hardships, including substance abuse, abandonment, and loss. Thos film presents a non-chronological series of pivotal events in her life, from her impoverished childhood growing up in a brothel to her rise to stardom. For her efforts, Cotillard won the Academy Award for Best Actress.

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‘Spencer’ (2021) -

Focused on Princess Diana, this film delves into her struggles with mental health and the dissolution of her marriage to the then Prince Charles. Kristen Stewart meticulously studied the princess' mannerisms and accent, capturing her vibrant personality and earning an Oscar nomination in the process.

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‘Being the Ricardos’ (2021) -

The conflict-layered biopic focuses on Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman), the iconic star of ‘I Love Lucy,’ during a tumultuous week in 1953. Behind the scenes of her beloved sitcom, Ball faced media accusations of communist affiliations and rumors of her husband's infidelity, all while being pregnant and trying to perfect her craft. Kidman earned an Oscar nomination for her efforts.

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‘Jackie’ (2016) -

All the jarring moments following John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963 are told from the perspective of his widow, Jacqueline Kennedy (portrayed by Natalie Portman in an Oscar-nominated take) in this biopic, including the traumatic shooting itself. The scene shocked some viewers and critics for being gruesomely explicit.

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‘I, Tonya’ (2018) -

Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie) was at the center of one of the most infamous sports scandals of all time. The talented figure skater’s life was forever altered by her ex-husband's attempt to injure her Olympic rival. The film shows how the media's treatment of the scandal permanently tarnished Harding's legacy. The film earned Robbie her first Oscar nomination.

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‘What's Love Got to Do with It’ (1993) -

A powerhouse on stage, Tina Turner (Angela Bassett) became the target of physical and emotional abuse from her former band partner and husband, Ike Turner. For her efforts, Bassett received her first ever Oscar nomination.

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‘My Week with Marilyn’ (2011) -

Hoping for creative freedom, Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams) was still struggling to be taken seriously in a male-dominated industry in the late stages of her career. This film offers a nuanced portrayal of the actress, highlighting her efforts to break free from the eye candy and diva stereotypes imposed on her. For her part, Williams scored an Oscar nomination for her efforts.

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‘Frida’ (2002) -

Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek), one of the most relevant figures in the history of art, lived a bold and unconventional life. This biopic explores her complex relationship with her mentor and husband, Diego Rivera, as well as her affairs with women. After suffering a tragic accident, Kahlo channeled her pain into her vibrant artwork. Hayek received her first and to date only Oscar nomination for her turn as Kahlo.

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‘Harriet’ (2019) -

Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo), a former slave who escaped to freedom, became a legendary figure who changed the course of US history. She risked her own life to rescue over 70 slaves and served as a Union spy during the Civil War. For her efforts, Erivo earned herself an Oscar nomination.

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‘Elizabeth’ (1998) -

Starring Cate Blanchett in the title role, the film details Queen Elizabeth I’s ascension to the throne and the early years of her reign in a divided 16th-century England. Elizabeth  overcame constant attacks on her skills as a ruler and pressures to get married, eventually becoming a revered figure in the history of the monarchy. Blanchett earned her first Academy Award nomination for her efforts.

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‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’ (2021) -

While adored by fans worldwide, jazz legend Billie Holiday (Andra Day) faced relentless government persecution due to her activism and struggles with substance abuse. Being the target of an undercover FBI sting operation, the singer was also unfortunate enough to fall for one of the agents investigating her. Andra Day was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actress.

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‘Priscilla’ (2023) -

This biopic, inspired by Priscilla Presley's memoir, aimed to capture her feelings of loneliness, neglect, and her struggles dealing with her husband Elvis Presley's drug abuse, infidelity, and possessiveness. Cailee Spaeny is the film's star.

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‘Mary Queen of Scots’ (2018) -

This biopic tells the story of Mary, Queen of Scots (Saoirse Ronan) and her tumultuous conflict with her cousin, Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie). Returning to Scotland after her husband's death, Mary faced political challenges and personal threats while attempting to reclaim her right to the throne. The film explores how the two queens struggled for power and survival in a male-dominated era.

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‘Cleopatra’ (1963) -

Cleopatra, the iconic Queen of Egypt, fought to preserve her kingdom against the growing power of Rome, all amidst her complex relationships with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony. Co-stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's affair only added to the film's allure.

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‘Colette’ (2018) -

Pioneering French author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (Keira Knightley) stood on the sidelines while she was a ghostwriter for her husband. Challenging early 20th-century’s societal norms, she fought for creative ownership, even if it meant a threat to her marriage. She channeled her bisexuality into her groundbreaking work on themes of gender, sexuality, and societal expectations.

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‘Marie Antoinette’ (2006) -

Marie Antoinette (Kirsten Dunst), the ill-fated Queen of France, went from a childhood marriage to Louis XVI to being executed during the French Revolution. While portrayed as a frivolous and indulgent queen, Marie had to quickly outgrow her naive, teenage years and suffered with the constraints and societal pressures of her position.

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‘Evita’ (1996) -

Eva Perón (Madonna) was a poor girl who grew up to become First Lady of Argentina. The film depicts Evita's rise from obscurity to power, working as a nightclub singer and, the movie suggests, as an escort. As First Lady, she was criticized for forgetting her humble beginnings and becoming a status-greedy, propaganda master.

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‘The Young Victoria’ (2006) -

‘The Young Victoria’ explores the early stages of Queen Victoria's reign. Emily Blunt's performance captures the young queen's struggle for independence and equality in her marriage, highlighting the strong-mindedness that would later become Victoria’s trademark.

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‘The Duchess’ (2006) -

Georgiana (Keira Knightley), Duchess of Devonshire, was a vibrant and unconventional woman trapped by the constraints of a rigid 18th-century society. Despite her public adoration, Georgiana's marriage was plagued by her husband's infidelity and her own struggles with societal expectations.

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‘Respect’ (2021) -

From her early days singing in her father's church choir to her iconic status as the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin (Jennifer Hudson) went through a lot. She lost her mother at age 10, endured an abusive marriage, and experienced racial and gender discrimination through the civil rights era (and beyond).

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‘Mary Magdalene’ (2018) -

Mary Magdalene (Rooney Mara) is a central, yet controversial, figure in early Christian tradition. While some question her morals, Mary is depicted as Jesus' closest disciple and a woman who challenged traditional gender roles in Judaean society. The film focuses on Mary's relationship with Jesus and her journey of spiritual awakening.

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‘The Lady’ (2011) -

Aung San Suu Kyi (Michelle Yeoh) is a central figure in Burma's democracy movement. She endured a series of painful losses and years of house arrest, but remained dedicated to her political activism and nonviolent resistance against military oppression.

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‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ (2022) -

Whitney Houston (Naomi Ackie) had a meteoric rise to stardom, but struggled with substance abuse, relationships, and career setbacks. Diving into the singer’s decline, the audience also gets a glimpse into Houston's personal life, including her alleged queer relationship with Robyn Crawford.

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‘A Quiet Passion’ (2016) -

One of the most important figures of American poetry, Emily Dickinson (Cynthia Nixon) was sadly only recognized for her brilliance after her death. Dickinson grappled with her family’s issues through the growing turmoil of the American Civil War. She also resisted the pressures of evangelical Christianity and patriarchal pressures while being dedicated to her craft.

Sources: (Vulture) (The Guardian) (IMDb) (MovieWeb) (Rotten Tomatoes) (Los Angeles Times) (RogerEbert.com)

See also: The powerful women who changed the course of history

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