19 Best Biography Movies on Starz 2026
Stream gripping true-story films on Starz, from Coach Carter and Straight Outta Compton to Marshall, with 20 picks updated for September 2026.
If you want real-life stories that play like great cinema, this roundup of the best biography movies on Starz gives you plenty to stream. The lineup mixes sports grit in Coach Carter, music-driven drama in Straight Outta Compton, and tense survival storytelling in Lone Survivor and Jungle. You’ll also find sharp political and legal drama in Marshall and Chappaquiddick, plus crime saga power from American Gangster. With 20 titles on the page, it’s easy to jump from inspiring underdog tales to darker true-story thrillers, including the new addition of I Can Only Imagine 2 (2026).
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01
Jungle
adventure · biography · drama · thriller
In 1981, an enthusiastic young adventurer follows his dreams into the Bolivian Amazon jungle with two friends and a guide with a mysterious past. Their journey quickly turns into a terrifying ordeal as the darkest elements of human nature and the deadliest threats of the wilderness lead to an all-out fight for survival.
Directed by Greg McLeanCast Daniel Radcliffe, Thomas Kretschmann, Alex Russell, Joel Jackson, Yasmin KassimStarzMore details on IMDb → -
02
Coach Carter
biography · drama · sport
Based on a true story, in which Richmond High School head basketball coach Ken Carter made headlines in 1999 for benching his undefeated team due to poor academic results.
Directed by Thomas CarterCast Samuel L. Jackson, Rob Brown, Robert Ri'chard, Rick Gonzalez, Nana GbewonyoStarzMore details on IMDb → -
03
Marshall
1 Oscar nomination
biography · crime · drama · history
Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, battles through one of his career-defining cases.
Directed by Reginald HudlinCast Chadwick Boseman, Josh Gad, Kate Hudson, Sterling K. Brown, Dan StevensStarzMore details on IMDb → -
04
I Can Only Imagine 2
biography · drama · music
Following the breakout success of the song 'I Can Only Imagine', MercyMe's Bart Millard is living the dream—sold-out arenas, a devoted fanbase, and a thriving career. But behind the spotlight, Bart's past threatens the family he's built, especially the fragile bond with his son Sam. When hopeful newcomer Tim Timmons joins the band for their biggest tour yet, he unknowingly brings a renewed gratitude to Bart's life through their unlikely friendship. Bart soon discovers that Tim carries hardships—and secrets—of his own, forcing him to face his past and repair his relationships with Sam and his wife Shannon before fame costs him what matters most.
Directed by Andrew Erwin, Brent MccorkleCast John Michael Finley, Milo Ventimiglia, Sophie Skelton, Arielle Kebbel, Sammy DellStarzMore details on IMDb → -
05
Chappaquiddick
biography · drama · history · thriller
Ted Kennedy's life and political career become derailed in the aftermath of a fatal car accident in 1969 that claims the life of a young campaign strategist, Mary Jo Kopechne.
Directed by John CurranCast Jason Clarke, Kate Mara, Ed Helms, Bruce Dern, Jim GaffiganStarzMore details on IMDb →
Not quite it? Ask WattaWatch for biography on Starz →
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06
The Other Boleyn Girl
biography · drama · history · romance
A sumptuous and sensual tale of intrigue, romance and betrayal set against the backdrop of a defining moment in European history: two beautiful sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, driven by their family's blind ambition, compete for the love of the handsome and passionate King Henry VIII.
Directed by Justin ChadwickCast Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana, Jim Sturgess, Mark RylanceStarzMore details on IMDb → -
07
Army of One
biography · comedy · crime
Gary Faulkner is an ex-con, unemployed handyman, and modern day Don Quixote who receives a vision from God telling him to capture Osama Bin Laden. Armed with only a single sword purchased from a home-shopping network, Gary travels to Pakistan to complete his mission. While on his quest, Gary encounters old friends back home in Colorado, the new friends he makes in Pakistan, the enemies he makes at the CIA - and even God and Osama themselves.
Directed by Larry CharlesCast Nicolas Cage, Russell Brand, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Amar Chadha-Patel, Paul ScheerStarzMore details on IMDb → -
08
Big Eyes
2 BAFTA Film Award nominations
biography · crime · drama · romance
In the late 1950s and early '60s, artist Walter Keane achieves unbelievable fame and success with portraits of saucer-eyed waifs. However, no one realizes that his wife, Margaret, is the real painter behind the brush. Although Margaret is horrified to learn that Walter is passing off her work as his own, she is too meek to protest too loudly. It isn't until the Keanes' marriage comes to an end and a lawsuit follows that the truth finally comes to light.
Directed by Tim BurtonCast Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, Danny Huston, Krysten Ritter, Jason SchwartzmanStarzMore details on IMDb → -
09
Queen of Manhattan
biography · drama
Story of Vanessa Del Rio, the legendary adult star in Times Square during the 70s and 80s.
Directed by Thomas MignoneCast Esai Morales, Drea de Matteo, Jesse Metcalfe, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Shane WestStarzMore details on IMDb → -
10
The Devil's Double
biography · drama · thriller
A chilling vision of the House of Saddam Hussein comes to life through the eyes of the man who was forced to become the double of Hussein's sadistic son.
Directed by Lee TamahoriCast Dominic Cooper, Ludivine Sagnier, Raad Rawi, Philip Quast, Mimoun OaïssaStarzMore details on IMDb → -
11
The Jackie Robinson Story
biography · drama · sport
Biography of Jackie Robinson, the first black major league baseball player in the 20th century. Traces his career in the negro leagues and the major leagues.
Directed by Alfred E. GreenCast Ruby Dee, Minor Watson, Louise Beavers, Richard Lane, Harry ShannonStarzMore details on IMDb → -
12
Permanent Midnight
biography · drama · romance
Juggling increasing career success and a growing heroin habit, a television comedy writer attempts to go down a path of improvement.
Directed by David VelozCast Ben Stiller, Maria Bello, Jay Paulson, Spencer Garrett, Owen WilsonStarzMore details on IMDb → -
13
McVeigh
biography · drama · thriller
Army veteran Timothy McVeigh hatches a deadly plan after the Waco siege. A psychological thriller depicting the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history.
Directed by Mike OttCast Alfie Allen, Brett Gelman, Ashley Benson, Anthony Carrigan, Tracy LettsStarzMore details on IMDb → -
14
Invincible
biography · drama · sport
Inspired by the true story of Vince Papale, a man with nothing to lose who ignored the staggering odds and made his dream come true. When the coach of Papale's beloved hometown football team hosted an unprecedented open tryout, the public consensus was that it was a waste of time – no one good enough to play professional football was going to be found this way.
Directed by Ericson CoreCast Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth Banks, Kevin Conway, Michael RispoliStarzDisney PlusMore details on IMDb → -
15
Tucker: The Man and His Dream
3 Oscar nominations Best Supporting Actor (1989)
biography · comedy · drama
Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1945. Engineer Preston Tucker dreams of designing the car of future, but his innovative envision will be repeatedly sabotaged by his own unrealistic expectations and the Detroit automobile industry tycoons.
Directed by Francis Ford CoppolaCast Jeff Bridges, Joan Allen, Martin Landau, Frederic Forrest, MakoStarzMore details on IMDb → -
16
The Bronx Bull
biography · drama · sport
A combination "before the rage" and "after the rage" of world middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta's tumultuous life and times.
Directed by Martin GuiguiCast William Forsythe, Joe Mantegna, Tom Sizemore, Paul Sorvino, Penelope Ann MillerStarzMore details on IMDb → -
17
Escape from Pretoria
action · biography · crime · mystery · thriller
South Africa, 1978. Tim Jenkin and Stephen Lee, two white political activists from the African National Congress imprisoned by the apartheid regime, put a plan in motion to escape from the infamous Pretoria Prison.
Directed by Francis AnnanCast Daniel Radcliffe, Daniel Webber, Ian Hart, Mark Leonard Winter, Nathan PageStarzFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
18
Pain & Gain
action · biography · comedy · crime · drama · mystery
Daniel Lugo, manager of the Sun Gym in 1990s Miami, decides that there is only one way to achieve his version of the American dream: extortion. To achieve his goal, he recruits musclemen Paul and Adrian as accomplices. After several failed attempts, they abduct rich businessman Victor Kershaw and convince him to sign over all his assets to them. But when Kershaw makes it out alive, authorities are reluctant to believe his story.
Directed by Michael BayCast Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie, Tony Shalhoub, Ed HarrisStarzParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
19
Steal This Movie
biography · drama · romance
Five years after Yippie founder Abbie Hoffman goes underground to avoid a drug-related prison sentence, he contacts a reporter to get out the story of the FBI's covert spying, harassment and inciting of violence they then blame on the Left.
Directed by Robert GreenwaldCast Vincent D'Onofrio, Janeane Garofalo, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Kevin Pollak, Donal LogueStarzMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
These films show why true stories can be just as gripping as fiction, with heroes, scandals, survival, and hard-won wins all in one place. Whether you’re in the mood for a sports comeback, a courtroom battle, or a high-stakes crime story, this page makes it simple to find something worth watching. Bookmark it and come back whenever you want a fresh pick from Starz. It’s updated regularly, so the list stays useful as the catalog 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 Starz subscription to watch these?
Yes — every title on this list is currently available on Starz. 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.