Last updated March 2024
Want to dive into highly celebrated Best Biography Movies 2009 right away? We put together an expert list of 30 marvelous Best Biography Movies 2009 locked and loaded for your viewing experience. With through-the-roof ratings from IMDB critics and our own discerning users, these titles are as good as entertainment gets. Lend a hand by voting for the Best Biography Movies 2009 you think deserve even more acclaim. We value your help in highlighting the cream of the crop!
Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)
Plot Summary:
A drama based on the true story of a college professor's bond with the abandoned dog he takes into his home
Duration: 93 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 305000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Family
Country: UK, USA
Plot tags: dog, friendship, loyalty, pets, human animal relationship, life & death, animal, loss of friend, loneliness, loss, friends, death, human relationship, owner dog relationship, waiting, love, loss of family member, bonding, animal training, family drama, goodhearted, tragedy, grief, coincidence, dealing with death
Prayers for Bobby (2009)
Plot Summary:
True story of Mary Griffith, gay rights crusader, whose teenage son committed suicide due to her religious intolerance. Based on the book of the same title by Leroy Aarons
Duration: 90 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Plot tags: lgbt, gay, gay teenager, homosexuality, suicide, homosexual, life is a bitch, gay relationship, gay love, male homosexuality, gay slur, gay rights, gays and lesbians, religious intolerance, depression, lgbt teen, teen suicide, parents and children, religion, religious fanaticism, grief, religions or cults, lgbtq, family relations, tragic event
The Blind Side (2009)
Plot Summary:
Oversized African-American, Michael Oher, the teen from across the tracks and a broken home, has nowhere to sleep at age 16. Taken in by an affluent Memphis couple, Michael embarks on a remarkable rise to play for the NFL
Duration: 129 min
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
IMDB Votes: 355000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Plot tags: american football, adoption, life, african american, football, human spirit, family drama, interracial relations, christian, rising to stardom, parents and children, racism, interracial adoption, strong female character, fish out of water, athlete's life, misfit, youth, high school football, nfl, prejudice, life philosophy, homeless, homeless teenager, biopic
Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (2009)
Plot Summary:
Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story is a movie based on the life story of world-renowned neurosurgeon Ben Carson from 1961 to 1987
Duration: 90 min
IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: medical, african american, against the odds, human spirit, neurosurgeon, medicine, biopic, ambition, medical school, doctor, rise to the top, follow your dream, christian, surgeon, mother son relationship, family relations, parents and children, society, surgery, motivation, physician, faith, disease, black history, direction and purpose
The Damned United (2009)
Plot Summary:
Taking over Leeds United, Brian Clough's abrasive approach and his clear dislike of the players' dirty style of play make it certain there is going to be friction. Glimpses of his earlier career help explain both his hostility to previous manager Don Revie and how much he is missing right-hand man Peter Taylor
Duration: 98 min
IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
IMDB Votes: 46000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: UK
Plot tags: soccer, football, discipline, biopic, soccer coach, friendship, ambition, mentor, rivalry, training, justice, sport team, adaptation, life philosophy, athlete and trainer, character study, contests and competitions, career, ego clash, football player, champion, conflict, football team, athlete, business
Grey Gardens (2009)
Plot Summary:
Based on the life stories of the eccentric aunt and first cousin of Jackie Onassis raised as Park Avenue débutantes but who withdrew from New York society, taking shelter at their Long Island summer home, "Grey Gardens." As their wealth and contact with the outside world dwindled, so did their grasp on reality
Duration: 104 min
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: eccentric family, eccentricity, dysfunctional family, depression, betrayal, family relations, family life, eviction, parents and children, elderly, oldtimer, women, filmmaking, bittersweet, poverty, single mother, male female relationship, female protagonist, old woman, feminist, biopic, family bonds, fashion, lgbt, past
Invictus (2009)
Plot Summary:
Newly elected President Nelson Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's rugby team as they make their historic run to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match
Duration: 134 min
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
IMDB Votes: 166000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Biography, Drama, History, Sport, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: racism, rugby, human spirit, president, leadership, apartheid, politics, underdog, biopic, politician, idealism, historical character, prejudice, justice, world politics, culture clash, celebration, sports star, sports history, business, motivation, freedom, rivalry, social problems, ambition
Desert Flower (2009)
Plot Summary:
The autobiography of a Somalian nomad who was sold in marriage at 13, fled from Africa a while later to become finally an American supermodel and is now at the age of 38, the UN spokeswoman against female genital mutilation
Duration: 120 min
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK, Germany, Austria, France
Plot tags: supermodel, immigrant, life is a bitch, fighting the system, injustice, feminism, model, fashion, un, homelessness, female protagonist, circumcision, african, human spirit, black woman, introspection, biopic, modeling, women, feminist, starvation, autobiography, interracial marriage, inspiration, sexual abuse
The Young Victoria (2009)
Plot Summary:
From Academy Award® winners Graham King and Martin Scorsese, along with the makers of Gosford Park and The Departed, comes the story of Queen Victoria’s early rise to power. From an object of a royal power-struggle to her romantic courtship and legendary marriage to Prince Albert, Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) gives a stunning performance as the young Victoria. Packed with drama, romance, breath-taking cinematography, lavish costumes and featuring an outstanding British cast including Jim Broadbent, Harriet Walter, Mark Strong, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, and Rupert Friend, The Young Victoria has captivated British audiences, and is the film that Company magazine called “an epic British film, which will sweep you up in her remarkable story.”
Duration: 105 min
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
IMDB Votes: 66000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Plot tags: royal family, royalty, queen, marriage, queen of england, queen victoria, politics, aristocracy, royal court, love and romance, british history, love story, biopic, princess, destiny, women, husband wife relationship, british monarchy, life, monarch, rise to the top, european history, british royal family, loss of spouse, state affairs
Agora (2009)
Plot Summary:
A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria and her relationship with her slave Davus, who is torn between his love for her and the possibility of gaining his freedom by joining the rising tide of Christianity
Duration: 127 min
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
IMDB Votes: 72000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Spain, Malta, Bulgaria, USA
Plot tags: roman empire, ancient history, mathematics, atheism, impossible love, medieval, political unrest, ancient world, antiquity, historical character, religions or cults, unrequited love, master and servant, religion, judaism, ancient egypt, scientist, professor, destiny, paganism, science, astronomy, unfulfillment, christianity, sword fight
Nowhere Boy (2009)
Plot Summary:
The drama tells the story of Lennon's teenage years and the start of his journey to becoming a successful musician. The story also examines the impact on his early life and personality of the two dominant females in his childhood
Duration: 98 min
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
IMDB Votes: 38000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: UK
Plot tags: musician's life, rock and roll, coming of age, the beatles, follow your dream, music, biopic, prodigy, adolescence, rock, dysfunctional family, artist, childhood, musician, character study, family drama, parents and children, hopes, aspiring musician, artists and showbiz, aunt nephew relationship, jazz, teenager, friendship, hipster
Public Enemies (2009)
Plot Summary:
Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger's charm and audacity endear him to much of America's downtrodden public, but he's also a thorn in the side of J. Edgar Hoover and the fledgling FBI. Desperate to capture the elusive outlaw, Hoover makes Dillinger his first Public Enemy Number One and assigns his top agent, Melvin Purvis, the task of bringing him in dead or alive
Duration: 140 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 315000
Genere: Action, Biography, Crime, Drama, History
Country: USA, Japan
Plot tags: bank robbery, gunfight, bank robber, mafia, group of criminals, heist, manhunt, criminal heroes, organized crime, gangster, fbi, master criminal, mobster, shooting, great depression, chase, determination, fighting crime, robbery, race against time, biopic, bank, corruption, escape attempt, surveillance
Julie & Julia (2009)
Plot Summary:
Julia Child and Julie Powell – both of whom wrote memoirs – find their lives intertwined. Though separated by time and space, both women are at loose ends... until they discover that with the right combination of passion, fearlessness and butter, anything is possible
Duration: 123 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 127000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Plot tags: cooking, cooking and food, women, chef, food, self fulfillment, love, blogger, lifestyle, cookbook, couple relations, blog, wine, biopic, life, mentor, relationships, art, creativity, supportive spouse, writer's life, life changing experience, obstacle, breaking point, tall woman
Bright Star (2009)
Plot Summary:
In 1818, high-spirited young Fanny Brawne finds herself increasingly intrigued by the handsome but aloof poet John Keats, who lives next door to her family friends the Dilkes. After reading a book of his poetry, she finds herself even more drawn to the taciturn Keats. Although he agrees to teach her about poetry, Keats cannot act on his reciprocated feelings for Fanny, since as a struggling poet he has no money to support a wife
Duration: 119 min
IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
IMDB Votes: 28000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: Australia, UK, France
Plot tags: poet, poetry, writers, biopic, love, love story, art, friendship, letter, tragedy, passion, couple relations, couples, love affair, melancholy, artist, literary, male female relationship, female artist, women, art history, cat, obsession, death, book
The Last Station (2009)
Plot Summary:
A historical drama that illustrates Russian author Leo Tolstoy's struggle to balance fame and wealth with his commitment to a life devoid of material things. The Countess Sofya, wife and muse to Leo Tolstoy, uses every trick of seduction on her husband's loyal disciple, whom she believes was the person responsible for Tolstoy signing a new will that leaves his work and property to the Russian people
Duration: 112 min
IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: Germany, UK, Russia
Plot tags: biopic, philosophy, adultery, betrayal, family relations, love and romance, loss of virginity, parents and children, lifestyle, writer's life, art, poet, husband wife relationship, seduction, father daughter relationship, mother daughter relationship, writers, dictator, dictatorship, literary, manipulation, death, publisher, marriage, idealism
Taking Woodstock (2009)
Plot Summary:
The story of Elliot Tiber and his family, who inadvertently played a pivotal role in making the famed Woodstock Music and Arts Festival into the happening that it was. When Elliot hears that a neighboring town has pulled the permit on a hippie music festival, he calls the producers thinking he could drum up some much-needed business for his parents' run-down motel. Three weeks later, half a million people are on their way to his neighbor’s farm in White Lake, New York, and Elliot finds himself swept up in a generation-defining experience that would change his life–and American culture–forever
Duration: 120 min
IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
IMDB Votes: 30000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama, History, Music
Country: USA, Taiwan
Plot tags: hippie, music festival, music, gay, small town, eccentricity, family business, lifestyle, free spirited, drug, rock, fish out of water, abstract art, artists and showbiz, sexuality, generation gap, summer, coming of age, lgbtq, transgender, lsd, lgbt, nudity, business, stoner
Notorious (2009)
Plot Summary:
NOTORIOUS is the story of Christopher Wallace. Through raw talent and sheer determination, Wallace transforms himself from Brooklyn street hustler (once selling crack to pregnant women) to one of the greatest rappers of all time; THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. Follow his meteoric rise to fame and his refusal to succumb to expectations - redefining our notion of "The American Dream."
Duration: 122 min
IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
IMDB Votes: 46000
Genere: Biography, Crime, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Plot tags: hip hop, african american, urban ghetto life, music, biopic, murder, rising to stardom, success, fame, ghetto, musician, death, profanity, life & death, urban, ambition, gang, black, life is a bitch, backstage, lifestyle, sex scene, male nudity, drug dealer, father daughter relationship
The Soloist (2009)
Plot Summary:
A Los Angeles journalist befriends a homeless Juilliard-trained musician, while looking for a new article for the paper
Duration: 117 min
IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
IMDB Votes: 55000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: UK, France, USA
Plot tags: music, schizophrenia, homeless, prodigy, journalism, street musician, friendship, musician, cello, mental illness, artist, biopic, poverty, happy ending, genius, life is a bitch, musician's life, psychology, misfit, rich and poor, down on your luck, unlikely partners, mental disorder, classical music, homelessness
Coco Before Chanel (2009)
Plot Summary:
2009 biopic about the early life of Coco Chanel. Several years after leaving the orphanage, to which her father never returned for her, Gabrielle Chanel finds herself working in a provincial bar both. She's both a seamstress for the performers and a singer, earning the nickname Coco from the song she sings nightly with her sister. A liaison with Baron Balsan gives her an entree into French society and a chance to develop her gift for designing
Duration: 105 min
IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
IMDB Votes: 42000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: France, Belgium
Plot tags: fashion, high society, fashion designer, designer, rise to the top, women, feminist, feminism, rags to riches, dressmaker, social climbing, fashion model, creativity, gender, eccentricity, mentor, biopic, life, friendship, destiny, love story, ambition, lifestyle, loss of loved one, relationship vs career
Creation (2009)
Plot Summary:
A psychological, heart-wrenching love story that provides a unique and inside look at Charles Darwin. Torn between faith and science, he struggles to finish his legendary book "On the Origin of the Species," which goes on to become the foundation for evolutionary biology
Duration: 108 min
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Plot tags: evolution, atheism, biopic, loss of daughter, scientist, science, family relations, atheist, haunted by the past, religion, village, family life, death in the family, relationship vs career, love and romance, life is a bitch, couple relations, writers, self discovery, flash forward, husband wife relationship, british history, naturalist, death, philosophy
I Love You Phillip Morris (2009)
Plot Summary:
Steve Russell is a small-town cop. Bored with his bland lifestyle, Russell turns to fraud as a means of shaking things up. Before long, Russell's criminal antics have landed him behind bars, where he encounters the charismatic Phillip Morris. Smitten, Russell devotes his entire life to being with Morris regardless of the consequences
Duration: 102 min
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
IMDB Votes: 99000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Romance
Country: France, USA
Plot tags: gay, gay love, gay relationship, prison, lgbt, homosexual, gay couple, gay lead character, gays and lesbians, prison life, jail, love and romance, glbt, couples, aids, homosexuality, gay romance, hopes, love, lifestyle, dishonesty, ex convict, lgbtq, lgbtqi, prison escape
The Informant! (2009)
Plot Summary:
A rising star at agri-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Mark Whitacre suddenly turns whistleblower. Even as he exposes his company’s multi-national price-fixing conspiracy to the FBI, Whitacre envisions himself being hailed as a hero of the common man and handed a promotion
Duration: 108 min
IMDB Rating: 6.5/10
IMDB Votes: 67000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: investigation, whistleblower, fbi, psychology, legal, corruption, business, greed, surveillance, mental illness, bipolar disorder, undercover, spy, economics, uncover truth, twists and turns, investigator, workplace, dishonesty, workplace situations, career, fighting the system, boss, working undercover, law enforcement
Amelia (2009)
Plot Summary:
A look at the life of legendary American pilot Amelia Earhart, who disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 in an attempt to make a flight around the world
Duration: 111 min
IMDB Rating: 5.8/10
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: USA, Canada
Plot tags: airplane, female pilot, biopic, flying, adventurer, women, aviation, ambition, depression, unlikely friendships, rise to the top, follow your dream, self fulfillment, lifestyle, rocky mountains, escapades, danger, dialogue, obsession, feminism, missing person, father daughter relationship, mother daughter relationship, polyamory, loneliness
Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience (2009)
Plot Summary:
Grab a backstage pass to the Jonas Brothers' motion picture debut! Kevin, Joe and Nick are "Burning Up" the stage and inviting you inside their personal world for the adventure of a lifetime. This colossal movie event launches the world's hottest band straight into your living room – and includes guest appearances by chart-topping artists Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift! Secure your VIP pass to a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the Jonas Brothers. Get ready to hang out with this multitalented trio, and take an intimate look at what their lives are like offstage and behind the scenes. It's the music-filled movie event perfect for the whole family!
Duration: 76 min
IMDB Rating: 1.6/10
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Documentary, Biography, Music
Country: USA
Plot tags: music band, music, family relations, showbiz, siblings relations, lifestyle, musician's life, performer's life, celebrity culture, brother brother relationship, batman, youth, concert, artists and showbiz, boy band, live action, disney, stupid