20 Best Biography Movies on Max 2026
Explore standout biography films on Max, from Hidden Figures and The Greatest Showman to Dumb Money and Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off.
If you’re looking for smart, entertaining picks that bring real lives to the screen, this roundup of biography films on Max is a strong place to start. The lineup spans crowd-pleasers and deeper cuts, from the showbiz sparkle of The Greatest Showman to the inspiring true-story energy of Hidden Figures and the music-world portrait Mavis!. You’ll also find period drama like My Brilliant Career and Richard III, along with sharper modern stories such as Behind the Candelabra and Dumb Money. For documentary fans, Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off adds a more intimate, first-person view of a legend at work.
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01
The Greatest Showman
biography · drama · musical
The story of American showman P.T. Barnum, founder of the circus that became the famous traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Directed by Michael GraceyCast Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Zendaya, Rebecca FergusonMax -
03
The Alto Knights
biography · crime · drama · history
Two of New York's most notorious organized crime bosses, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, vie for control of the city's streets. Once the best of friends, petty jealousies and a series of betrayals place them on a deadly collision course that will reshape the Mafia (and America) forever.
Directed by Barry LevinsonCast Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Kathrine Narducci, Cosmo Jarvis, Michael RispoliMax -
04
Mavis!
documentary · biography · music
A look at the life and music of legendary singer and civil rights activist, Mavis Staples.
Directed by Jessica EdwardsCast Mavis Staples, Adam Ayres, Gene Barge, Al Bell, Steve CropperMax -
05
My Brilliant Career
biography · drama · romance
A young woman who is determined to maintain her independence finds herself at odds with her family who wants her to tame her wild side and get married.
Directed by Gillian ArmstrongCast Judy Davis, Sam Neill, Wendy Hughes, Robert Grubb, Max CullenMax -
06
Richard III
biography · drama · history · war
Having helped his brother King Edward IV take the throne of England, the jealous hunchback Richard, Duke of Gloucester, plots to seize power for himself. Masterfully deceiving and plotting against nearly everyone in the royal court, including his eventual wife, Lady Anne, and his brother George, Duke of Clarence, Richard orchestrates a bloody rise to power before finding all his gains jeopardized by those he betrayed.
Directed by Laurence OlivierCast Cedric Hardwicke, Nicholas Hannen, Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, John GielgudMax -
07
Behind the Candelabra
biography · drama · music · romance
Based on the autobiographical novel, the tempestuous 6-year relationship between Liberace and his (much younger) lover, Scott Thorson, is recounted.
Directed by Steven SoderberghCast Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Eric Zuckerman, Eddie Jemison, Randy LowellMax -
08
A Brief History of Time
documentary · biography
This shows physicist Stephen Hawking's life as he deals with the ALS that renders him immobile and unable to speak without the use of a computer. Hawking's friends, family, classmates, and peers are interviewed not only about his theories but the man himself.
Directed by Errol MorrisCast Stephen Hawking, Isobel Hawking, Janet Humphrey, Mary Hawking, Basil KingMax -
09
Dumb Money
biography · comedy · drama
Vlogger Keith Gill sinks his life savings into GameStop stock and posts about it. When social media starts blowing up, so do his life and the lives of everyone following him. As a stock tip becomes a movement, everyone gets rich—until the billionaires fight back, and both sides find their worlds turned upside down.
Directed by Craig GillespieCast Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, Vincent D'Onofrio, America Ferrera, Myha'laHuluMax -
10
Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off
documentary · biography · sport
A wide-ranging, definitive look at Hawk’s life and iconic career, and his relationship with the sport with which he’s been synonymous for decades, featuring unprecedented access, never-before-seen footage, and interviews with Hawk and prominent figures in the sport including Stacy Peralta, Rodney Mullen, Mike McGill, Lance Mountain, Steve Caballero, Neil Blender, Andy MacDonald, Duane Peters, Sean Mortimer, and Christian Hosoi.
Directed by Sam JonesCast Rob Roy Fitzgerald, Rob 'Sluggo' Boyce, Tas Pappas, Danny Way, Giorgio ZattoniMax -
11
Boy Interrupted
documentary · biography · drama
On the night of Oct. 2, 2005, Hart and Dana Perry's 15-year-old son Evan jumped to his death from his New York City bedroom window. This moving film is the story, told by his filmmaker parents and others who knew him, of Evan’s life and death, and his life-long struggle with bipolar disorder. It delves into the complexity of Evan's disease, sharing his family's journey through the maze of mental illness. In showing how one family deals with generations of loss and grief, the film defies the stigma related to mental illness and suicide and tells a human story that touches everyone.
Directed by Dana Heinz PerryCast Evan Scott Perry, Dana Heinz Perry, Hart Perry, Nicholas Kopple-Perry, Karen RiposoMax -
12
Bang My Box: The Robin Byrd Story
documentary · biography
Robin Byrd pioneered NYC public access with her cult sex-positive call-in show. Now the larger-than-life 70-year-old champion of free speech, queer visibility, and safe sex reflects on her unique legacy and her hidden, decades-long marriage behind the scenes.
Directed by Jyllian Gunther, Stephanie SchwamCast Robin Byrd, Sandra Bernhard, Cheri Oteri, Annie SprinkleMax -
13
The Smashing Machine
action · biography · drama · history · sport
In the late 1990s, up-and-coming mixed martial artist Mark Kerr aspires to become the greatest fighter in the world. However, he must also battle his opioid dependence and a volatile relationship with his girlfriend Dawn.
Directed by Benny SafdieCast Dwayne Johnson, Kenny Rice, Jerin Valel, Andre Tricoteux, James McSweeneyMax -
14
The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm
adventure · biography · comedy · drama · family · fantasy · musical · romance
The Grimm brothers Wilhelm and Jacob, known for their literary works in the nineteenth century, have their lives dramatized. Wilhelm fights to write something entertaining amongst the sea of dry, non-fiction books they write and he sets about collecting oral-tradition fairy tales to put into print. Their life story is countered with reenactments of three of their stories including "The Dancing Princess," "The Cobbler and the Elves" and "The Singing Bone."
Directed by Henry Levin, George PalCast Laurence Harvey, Karlheinz Böhm, Claire Bloom, Walter Slezak, Barbara EdenMax -
15
Goodbye Christopher Robin
biography · drama · family
The behind the scenes story of the life of A.A. Milne and the creation of the Winnie the Pooh stories inspired by his son Christopher Robin.
Directed by Simon CurtisCast Vicki Pepperdine, Margot Robbie, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Tilston, Alex LawtherMax -
16
Once Were Brothers
documentary · biography · history · music
A confessional, cautionary, and occasionally humorous tale of Robbie Robertson's young life and the creation of one of the most enduring groups in the history of popular music, The Band.
Directed by Daniel RoherCast Robbie Robertson, Martin Scorsese, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Peter GabrielMax -
17
Walk the Line
biography · drama · music · romance
A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.
Directed by James MangoldCast Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick, Dallas RobertsMax -
18
Battle of the Sexes
biography · comedy · drama · history · sport
The true story of the 1973 tennis match between world number one Billie Jean King and ex-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs.
Directed by Jonathan Dayton, Valerie FarisCast Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Andrea Riseborough, Natalie Morales, Sarah SilvermanMax -
19
The Last Emperor
biography · drama · history
A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.
Directed by Bernardo BertolucciCast John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O'Toole, Ruocheng Ying, Victor WongMax -
20
41
documentary · biography
An HBO documentary, takes a ‘personal, not political’ look at George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States.
Directed by Jeffrey RothCast George H. W. Bush, Barbara Bush, Laura Bush, Bill Clinton, Saddam HusseinMax
Wrapping Up
This collection works because it covers more than one kind of true story, so you can switch between musical spectacle, historical drama, and documentary-style realism without leaving the same platform. Whether you want a famous name, an overlooked gem, or a newer release, the titles here make it easy to find something worth watching tonight. Bookmark this page and come back whenever you want a fresh guide to the best biography movies and films on Max. It’s updated regularly, so the recommendations stay current as the library changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
Do I need a Max subscription to watch these?
Yes — every title on this list is currently available on Max. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these biography movies ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the biography titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.
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Last updated: September 10, 2026