Biographical Documentary backdrop

Biographical Documentary movies

A life-focused documentary about a person’s story, influence, and defining moments.

Pelé

11. Pelé

Documentary Biographical Documentary
7.0

20211h 48min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: David Tryhorn

Against the backdrop of a turbulent era in Brazil, this documentary captures Pelé's extraordinary path from breakthrough talent to national hero. Mixing rare archival footage and exclusive interviews, this documentary celebrates the legendary Brazilian footballer who personified football as art.

Themes

Memory through archives, Political interference in sports, Talent versus era constraints, Sport as national identity, Public interviews shaping narrative, Biography as public record

Available on

Netflix
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Miss Americana

12. Miss Americana

Documentary Music Biographical Documentary Music Biopic
7.4

20201h 25min

United States

Director: Lana Wilson

A raw and emotionally revealing look at one of the most iconic artists of our time during a transformational period in her life as she learns to embrace her role not only as a songwriter and performer, but as a woman harnessing the full power of her voice.

Themes

Creative process under pressure, Political voice and allyship, Public scrutiny and resilience, Artist self-expression, Body image dynamics, Women in music identity

Available on

Netflix
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Tell Me Who I Am

13. Tell Me Who I Am

Documentary Drama Mystery Biographical Documentary Psychological Drama
7.6

20191h 25min

United Kingdom

Director: Ed Perkins

In this documentary, Alex trusts his twin, Marcus, to tell him about his past after he loses his memory. But Marcus is hiding a dark family secret.

Themes

Deception within family, Memory loss consequences, Abuse and complicity, Memory reconstruction, Withheld information, Traumatic family history

Available on

Netflix
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Diego Maradona

14. Diego Maradona

Documentary Biographical Documentary
7.7

20192h 10min

United Kingdom

Director: Asif Kapadia

Constructed from over 500 hours of never-before-seen footage, this documentary centers on the personal life and career of the controversial football player Diego Maradona who played for SSC Napoli and Argentina in the 1980s.

Themes

Personal life vs career, Public scrutiny of athletes, Sport achievement under pressure, Media portrayal pressure, Biography through a lens, Era of 1980s sports

Available on

HBO Max
HBO Max Amazon Channel
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Three Identical Strangers

15. Three Identical Strangers

Documentary Biographical Documentary
7.6

20181h 37min

United Kingdom

Director: Tim Wardle

New York, 1980. Three complete strangers accidentally discover that they're identical triplets, separated at birth. The 19-year-olds' joyous reunion catapults them to international fame, but also unlocks an extraordinary and disturbing secret that goes beyond their own lives – and could transform our understanding of human nature forever.

Themes

Class differences, Separation at birth, Differing parenting styles, Nature vs nurture, Mental health challenges, Human subject research

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

RBG

16. RBG

Documentary Biographical Documentary
7.6

20181h 38min

United States

Director: Betsy West

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg now 84, and still inspired by the lawyers who defended free speech during the Red Scare, Ginsburg refuses to relinquish her passionate duty, steadily fighting for equal rights for all citizens under the law. Through intimate interviews and unprecedented access to Ginsburg’s life outside the court, RBG tells the electric story of Ginsburg’s consuming love affairs with both the Constitution and her beloved husband Marty—and of a life’s work that led her to become an icon of justice in the highest court in the land.

Themes

Gender equality under law, Women in the judiciary, Public service perseverance, Political scrutiny and controversy, Landmark gender-rights cases, Lifelong commitment to the law

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Hulu
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Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond

17. Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond

Documentary Drama Comedy Biographical Documentary Parody
7.6

20171h 33min

United States

Director: Chris Smith

Offbeat documentarian Chris Smith provides a behind-the-scenes look at how Jim Carrey adopted the persona of idiosyncratic comedian Andy Kaufman on the set of Man on the Moon.

Themes

Authenticity vs performance, Manipulation of perception, Backstage influence on audience, Obsession with persona, Blurring self and role, Memory shaping public image

Available on

Netflix
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Faces Places

18. Faces Places

Documentary Biographical Documentary
7.8

20171h 34min

France

Director: Agnès Varda

Director Agnès Varda and photographer/muralist JR journey through rural France and form an unlikely friendship.

Themes

Intergenerational collaboration dynamics, Art through public portraits, Identity through mass portraits, Friendship forged on travel, Rural life as studio

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

David Lynch: The Art Life

19. David Lynch: The Art Life

Documentary Biographical Documentary
7.2

20171h 29min

United States

Director: Jon Nguyen

An intimate journey through the formative years of David Lynch's life. From his idyllic upbringing in small town America to the dark streets of Philadelphia, we follow Lynch as he traces the events that have helped to shape one of cinema's most enigmatic directors.

Themes

Baby as motif in art, Art school influenced career, Family relationships under pressure, Mother son relationship tensions, Father son relationship dynamics, Upbringing shaping artistic path

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Ronaldo

20. Ronaldo

Documentary History Biographical Documentary
6.3

20151h 32min

Spain, United Kingdom

Director: Anthony Wonke

Filmed over 14 months with unprecedented access into the inner circle of the man and the sport, this is the first official and fully authorised film of one of the most celebrated figures in football. For the first time ever, the world gets vividly candid and un-paralleled, behind-closed-doors access to the footballer, father, family-man and friend in this moving & fascinating documentary. Through in-depth conversations, state of the art football footage and never before seen archival footage, the film gives an astonishing insight into the sporting and personal life of triple Ballon D'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo at the peak of his career. From the makers of ‘Senna’ and ‘Amy’, Ronaldo takes audiences on an intimate and revealing journey of what it’s like to live as an iconic athlete in the eye of the storm.

Themes

Family influence on career, Pressures of public life, Training discipline and dedication, Private life in the spotlight, Mindset under scrutiny, Mentorship and support networks

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.