Documentaries and Biopics
by cameron-tackett | created - 11 Mar 2016 | updated - 29 Jun 2016 | Public- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. Hoop Dreams (1994)
PG-13 | 170 min | Documentary, Drama, Sport
A film following the lives of two inner-city Chicago boys who struggle to become college basketball players on the road to going professional.
Director: Steve James | Stars: William Gates, Arthur Agee, Emma Gates, Curtis Gates
Votes: 28,020 | Gross: $7.83M
2.
30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode:
Without Bias
(2009)
TV-G | 52 min | Documentary, Biography, History
This episode tells the story of the rise of Len Bias as a future basketball superstar. Shortly after being drafted by the Boston Celtic's Len died of a heart attack apparently induced by cocaine.
Director: Kirk Fraser | Stars: Len Bias, Marion Barry Jr., Eric Bias, James Bias
Votes: 1,338
3. The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst (2015–2024)
TV-14 | 45 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
Filmmaker Andrew Jarecki examines the complicated life of reclusive real estate icon Robert Durst, the key suspect in a series of unsolved crimes.
Stars: Andrew Jarecki, Robert Durst, J. Patrick Burns, Dick DeGuerin
Votes: 51,660
4.
30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode:
Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks
(2010)
TV-G | 68 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A film that explores the rivalry between the Indiana Pacers and New York as seen through the eyes and actions of Reggie Miller star player of the Indiana Pacers.
Director: Dan Klores | Stars: Reggie Miller, Cheryl Miller, Spike Lee, Patrick Ewing
Votes: 2,190
5.
30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode:
Guru of Go
(2010)
TV-G | 51 min | Documentary, Biography, History
We follow the career of Paul Westhead who became famous as a coach for his fast break system of play. His career encompassed winning NBA and WNBA titles and intense controversy at the college level.
Director: Bill Couturié | Stars: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Couturié, Jeff Fryer, Corey Gaines
Votes: 1,050
6.
30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode:
The Two Escobars
(2010)
TV-G | 104 min | Documentary, Biography, History
The rise of Colombian soccer is attributed to the influx of drug money into the sport by Pablo Escobar and the other drug cartels. However, the team's swift decline after Escobar's death results in the murder of star player Andres Escobar.
Directors: Jeff Zimbalist, Michael Zimbalist | Stars: María Ester Escobar, Francisco Maturana, Alexis García V., Jaime Gaviria Gómez
Votes: 3,445
7.
30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode:
Benji
(2012)
TV-G | 80 min | Documentary, Biography, History
In 1984, Chicago was in the heady grip of a Black Renaissance. Harold Washington was mayor, Michael Jordan had just signed with the Bulls, Oprah Winfrey was hosting a local morning show, ... See full summary »
Directors: Coodie, Chike Ozah | Stars: Nick Anderson, Darrin Andrews, Tim Bankston, Kenny Battle
Votes: 807
8.
30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode:
Bernie and Ernie
(2013)
TV-G | 52 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Bernard King arrived to Knoxville, he was only the third African American ever to play for the Vols' varsity team. By the time he left he was a legend. In his freshman year he dazzled fans ... See full summary »
Director: Jason Hehir | Star: Chuck D
Votes: 558
9.
30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode:
Bad Boys
(2014)
TV-G | 103 min | Documentary, Biography, History
The Detroit Pistons of the late 1980s and early '90s seemed willing to do anything to win. That characteristic made them loved -- and hated. It earned them the title: Bad Boys.
Director: Zak Levitt | Stars: Kid Rock, Mike Abdenour, Mark Aguirre, Marv Albert
Votes: 1,923
10.
30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode:
Playing for the Mob
(2014)
TV-G | 78 min | Documentary, Biography, History
The mob, including Jimmy Burke, become the focus of a point shaving controversy at Boston College.
Directors: Cayman Grant, Joe Lavine | Stars: Henry Hill, Bruce Pearl, Kevin Mackey, Ernie Cobb
Votes: 825
11.
30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode:
I Hate Christian Laettner
(2015)
TV-G | 90 min | Documentary, Biography, History
He made perhaps the most dramatic shot in the history of the NCAA basketball tournament. He's the only player to start in four consecutive Final Fours, and was instrumental in Duke winning ... See full summary »
Director: Rory Karpf | Stars: Rob Lowe, Christian Laettner, Dick Vitale, Mike Krzyzewski
Votes: 1,747
12.
30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode:
Sole Man
(2015)
TV-G | 78 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Sole Man offers a snap-shot into how America's playground sport became a sophisticated and increasingly soulless business. Meet Sonny Vaccaro, a true original, whose motives and staggering ... See full summary »
Directors: Dan Marks, Jon Weinbach | Star: Michael Stewart
Votes: 530
13. Super Size Me (2004)
PG-13 | 100 min | Documentary
While examining the influence of the fast food industry, Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald's food for one month.
Director: Morgan Spurlock | Stars: Morgan Spurlock, Daryl Isaacs, Chemeeka Walker, Dania Abu-Rmaileh
Votes: 113,292 | Gross: $11.53M
14. Temple Grandin (2010 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 107 min | Biography, Drama
A biopic of Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who has become one of the top scientists in the humane livestock handling industry.
Director: Mick Jackson | Stars: Claire Danes, Julia Ormond, David Strathairn, Catherine O'Hara
Votes: 32,581
15. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
R | 180 min | Biography, Comedy, Crime
Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stock-broker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.
Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey
Votes: 1,583,778 | Gross: $116.90M
16. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
PG-13 | 141 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
Barely 17 yet, Frank is a skilled forger who has passed as a doctor, lawyer and pilot. FBI agent Carl becomes obsessed with tracking down the con man, who only revels in the pursuit.
Director: Steven Spielberg | Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen
Votes: 1,096,028 | Gross: $164.62M
17. Bronson (2008)
R | 92 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A young man who was sentenced to seven years in prison for robbing a post office ends up spending three decades in solitary confinement. During this time, his own personality is supplanted by his alter-ego, Charles Bronson.
Director: Nicolas Winding Refn | Stars: Tom Hardy, Kelly Adams, Luing Andrews, Katy Barker
Votes: 140,913 | Gross: $0.10M
18. Fruitvale Station (2013)
R | 85 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
The story of Oscar Grant III, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident, who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the last day of 2008.
Director: Ryan Coogler | Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Octavia Spencer, Kevin Durand
Votes: 85,901 | Gross: $16.10M
19. Straight Outta Compton (2015)
R | 147 min | Biography, Drama, History
The rap group NWA emerges from the mean streets of Compton in Los Angeles, California, in the mid-1980s and revolutionizes Hip Hop culture with their music and tales about life in the hood.
Director: F. Gary Gray | Stars: O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Neil Brown Jr.
Votes: 218,526 | Gross: $161.20M
20. 8 Mile (2002)
R | 110 min | Drama, Music
Follows a young rapper in the Detroit area, struggling with every aspect of his life; he wants to make it big but his friends and foes make this odyssey of rap harder than it may seem.
Director: Curtis Hanson | Stars: Eminem, Brittany Murphy, Kim Basinger, Mekhi Phifer
Votes: 320,996 | Gross: $116.72M
21. Goodfellas (1990)
R | 145 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
The story of Henry Hill and his life in the mafia, covering his relationship with his wife Karen and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito.
Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco
Votes: 1,257,652 | Gross: $46.84M
22. Schindler's List (1993)
R | 195 min | Biography, Drama, History
In German-occupied Poland during World War II, industrialist Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis.
Director: Steven Spielberg | Stars: Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Caroline Goodall
Votes: 1,451,130 | Gross: $96.90M
23. Casino (1995)
R | 178 min | Crime, Drama
In Las Vegas, two best friends - a casino executive and a mafia enforcer - compete for a gambling empire and a fast-living, fast-loving socialite.
Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods
Votes: 564,074 | Gross: $42.44M
24. Spotlight (I) (2015)
R | 129 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.
Director: Tom McCarthy | Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber
Votes: 502,249 | Gross: $45.06M
Tell Your Friends