#1 of 1,149 Highest-grossing biography movie ever
2026 · Biography, Drama
$1B worldwide
$372.3M US & Canada · 36% $656.4M elsewhere · 64%
Biography box office · All time
Highest-Grossing Biography Movies of All Time
Michael (2026) is the highest-grossing biography movie in our database, with $1B worldwide, ahead of Oppenheimer (2023) at $975.8M and Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) at $910.8M. 1,149 biography films in our database report a worldwide gross, $28.5B in all, 48% of it from the US & Canada. 1 film crossed $1 billion and 70 crossed $100 million. By language, English leads with $23.6B across 914 biography releases.
- films with a reported gross
- 1,149
- combined worldwide
- $28.5B
- films crossed $100M
- 70
- earned in the US & Canada
- 48%
#1 of 1,149 Top 5
What Are the Highest-Grossing Biography Movies Ever?
Michael (2026) leads with $1B, $52.9M ahead of Oppenheimer (2023). The top 5 were released between 2014 and 2026 and took $3.9B together; 4 earned more than half of their gross outside the US & Canada.
- Number 1
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Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
All 1,149 Biography Movies, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 1,149. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada.
- 1 Apr 24, 2026 US and Canada: $372.3M Rest of the world: $656.4M Worldwide: $1B
- 2 Jul 21, 2023 US and Canada: $330.1M Rest of the world: $645.7M Worldwide: $975.8M
- 3 Nov 2, 2018 US and Canada: $216.7M Rest of the world: $694.1M Worldwide: $910.8M
- 4 Dec 25, 2014 US and Canada: $350.2M Rest of the world: $197.5M Worldwide: $547.7M
- 5 Dec 20, 2017 US and Canada: $174.3M Rest of the world: $294.7M Worldwide: $469.1M
- 6
Dec 25, 2013 US and Canada: $116.9M Rest of the world: $290.1M Worldwide: $407M - 7
Dec 25, 2002 US and Canada: $164.6M Rest of the world: $187.5M Worldwide: $352.1M - 8
Dec 15, 1993 US and Canada: $96.9M Rest of the world: $225.3M Worldwide: $322.2M - 9
Nov 16, 2018 US and Canada: $85.1M Rest of the world: $236.7M Worldwide: $321.8M - 10
Jul 19, 2013 US and Canada: $137.4M Rest of the world: $183M Worldwide: $320.4M - 11
Dec 21, 2001 US and Canada: $170.7M Rest of the world: $146M Worldwide: $316.8M - 12
Nov 20, 2009 US and Canada: $256M Rest of the world: $53.2M Worldwide: $309.2M - 13
Dec 15, 2006 US and Canada: $163.6M Rest of the world: $143.6M Worldwide: $307.1M - 14
Dec 21, 2016 US and Canada: $12.4M Rest of the world: $291.3M Worldwide: $303.7M - 15
Jun 24, 2022 US and Canada: $151M Rest of the world: $137.6M Worldwide: $288.7M - 16
Nov 9, 2012 US and Canada: $182.2M Rest of the world: $93.1M Worldwide: $275.3M - 17
Mar 17, 2000 US and Canada: $125.6M Rest of the world: $132.3M Worldwide: $257.9M - 18
Jul 4, 2023 US and Canada: $184.2M Rest of the world: $66.4M Worldwide: $250.6M - 19
Sep 9, 2016 US and Canada: $125.1M Rest of the world: $118.8M Worldwide: $243.9M - 20
Dec 25, 2016 US and Canada: $169.6M Rest of the world: $66.4M Worldwide: $236M - 21
Nov 28, 2014 US and Canada: $91.1M Rest of the world: $142.4M Worldwide: $233.6M - 22
Dec 20, 1985 US and Canada: $87.1M Rest of the world: $140.4M Worldwide: $227.5M - 23
Nov 15, 2019 US and Canada: $117.6M Rest of the world: $108.7M Worldwide: $226.3M - 24
Oct 1, 2010 US and Canada: $97M Rest of the world: $128M Worldwide: $224.9M - 25
Nov 22, 2023 US and Canada: $61.5M Rest of the world: $160.9M Worldwide: $222.4M - 26
Oct 11, 2013 US and Canada: $107.1M Rest of the world: $111.7M Worldwide: $218.8M - 27
Jul 1, 2009 US and Canada: $97.1M Rest of the world: $117M Worldwide: $214.1M - 28
Dec 17, 2004 US and Canada: $102.6M Rest of the world: $111.1M Worldwide: $213.7M - 29
May 24, 1995 US and Canada: $75.6M Rest of the world: $137.6M Worldwide: $213.2M - 30
Dec 20, 1991 US and Canada: $70.4M Rest of the world: $135M Worldwide: $205.4M - 31
Sep 18, 2015 US and Canada: $43.5M Rest of the world: $159.9M Worldwide: $203.4M - 32
Dec 25, 1998 US and Canada: $135M Rest of the world: $67.3M Worldwide: $202.3M - 33
Aug 14, 2015 US and Canada: $161.2M Rest of the world: $40.4M Worldwide: $201.6M - 34
May 31, 2019 US and Canada: $96.4M Rest of the world: $99M Worldwide: $195.3M - 35
Dec 22, 2017 US and Canada: $81.9M Rest of the world: $111.9M Worldwide: $193.8M - 36
Oct 18, 2013 US and Canada: $56.7M Rest of the world: $131.1M Worldwide: $187.7M - 37
Nov 18, 2005 US and Canada: $119.5M Rest of the world: $67.3M Worldwide: $186.8M - 38
Feb 14, 2024 US and Canada: $97M Rest of the world: $84M Worldwide: $181M - 39
Nov 4, 2016 US and Canada: $67.2M Rest of the world: $113.4M Worldwide: $180.6M - 40
Dec 25, 2019 US and Canada: $4M Rest of the world: $172.4M Worldwide: $176.3M - 41
Jun 29, 2012 US and Canada: $113.8M Rest of the world: $53.5M Worldwide: $167.3M - 42
Oct 16, 2015 US and Canada: $72.3M Rest of the world: $93.2M Worldwide: $165.5M - 43
Dec 25, 2014 US and Canada: $115.6M Rest of the world: $45.8M Worldwide: $161.5M - 44
Dec 20, 1989 US and Canada: $70M Rest of the world: $91M Worldwide: $161M - 45
Mar 2, 1965 US and Canada: $159.3M Rest of the world: $213K Worldwide: $159.5M - 46
Jan 22, 2016 US and Canada: $2.7M Rest of the world: $154.4M Worldwide: $157M - 47
Dec 27, 2013 US and Canada: $125.1M Rest of the world: $29.7M Worldwide: $154.8M - 48
Nov 22, 2017 US and Canada: $56.5M Rest of the world: $94.4M Worldwide: $150.8M - 49
Dec 25, 1996 US and Canada: $50M Rest of the world: $91M Worldwide: $141M - 50
Dec 25, 2024 US and Canada: $75M Rest of the world: $65.5M Worldwide: $140.5M
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Biggest Biography Movies Make Their Money?
Of the top 10, American Sniper (2014) earned the biggest share at home (64% in the US & Canada), while Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) made 76% of its gross abroad. Across all 1,149 films, $13.8B (48%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Michael (2026) $1B $372.3M US & Canada · 36% $656.4M elsewhere · 64%
- 2 Oppenheimer (2023) $975.8M $330.1M US & Canada · 34% $645.7M elsewhere · 66%
- 3 Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) $910.8M $216.7M US & Canada · 24% $694.1M elsewhere · 76%
- 4 American Sniper (2014) $547.7M $350.2M US & Canada · 64% $197.5M elsewhere · 36%
- 5 The Greatest Showman (2017) $469.1M $174.3M US & Canada · 37% $294.7M elsewhere · 63%
- 6 The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) $407M $116.9M US & Canada · 29% $290.1M elsewhere · 71%
- 7 Catch Me If You Can (2002) $352.1M $164.6M US & Canada · 47% $187.5M elsewhere · 53%
- 8 Schindler's List (1993) $322.2M $96.9M US & Canada · 30% $225.3M elsewhere · 70%
- 9 Green Book (2018) $321.8M $85.1M US & Canada · 26% $236.7M elsewhere · 74%
- 10 The Conjuring (2013) $320.4M $137.4M US & Canada · 43% $183M elsewhere · 57%
Gross bands
How Many Biography Movies Crossed $100 Million?
70 of 1,149 films crossed $100M and took $16.5B between them, 58% of the total. 781 films, 68% of the list, earned under $10M.
9% 46% 38%
- $1B or more 1 film, <1% of the list $1B · 4% of the gross
- $500M to $1B 3 films, <1% of the list $2.4B · 9% of the gross
- $100M to $500M 66 films, 6% of the list $13.1B · 46% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 298 films, 26% of the list $10.7B · 38% of the gross
- Under $10M 781 films, 68% of the list $1.2B · 4% of the gross
By decade
Which Decade's Biography Movies Earned the Most?
Films released in the 2010s lead with $13.3B from 550 titles, led by Bohemian Rhapsody (2018). Each column links to the decade's biggest year.
- 1960s 1960s Peak year 1965 The Sound of Music (1965) $271.4M The Sound of Music (1965)
- 1970s 1970s Peak year 1973 All the President's Men (1976) $358M All the President's Men (1976)
- 1980s 1980s Peak year 1985 Out of Africa (1985) $1.2B Out of Africa (1985)
- 1990s 1990s Peak year 1993 Schindler's List (1993) $2.7B Schindler's List (1993)
- 2000s 2000s Peak year 2009 Catch Me If You Can (2002) $5.9B Catch Me If You Can (2002)
- 2010s 2010s Peak year 2018 Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) $13.3B Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
- 2020s 2020s Peak year 2023 Michael (2026) $4.7B Michael (2026)
Biggest years
Which Years Had the Highest-Grossing Biography Movies?
2018 releases earned the most: $2.3B from 68 films, led by Bohemian Rhapsody (2018). The 10 biggest years, each linking to its chart.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 68 films | 68 | $2.3B | Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) $910.8M |
| 2013 42 films | 42 | $2.1B | The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) $407M |
| 2023 39 films | 39 | $1.7B | Oppenheimer (2023) $975.8M |
| 2014 64 films | 64 | $1.7B | American Sniper (2014) $547.7M |
| 2016 75 films | 75 | $1.6B | Dangal (2016) $303.7M |
| 2017 80 films | 80 | $1.6B | The Greatest Showman (2017) $469.1M |
| 2015 71 films | 71 | $1.6B | Everest (2015) $203.4M |
| 2026 32 films | 32 | $1.3B so far | Michael (2026) $1B |
| 2019 69 films | 69 | $1.3B | Ford v Ferrari (2019) $226.3M |
| 2009 24 films | 24 | $1B | The Blind Side (2009) $309.2M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Biography Movies Speak?
English-language biography films took $23.6B across 914 films, 83% of the total, ahead of Chinese-language biography films ($589M) and Hindi-language biography films ($559.5M).
All-Time Biography Box Office by Language
-
English $23.6B914 films · #1 Michael (2026) -
Chinese $589M14 films · #1 Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019) -
Hindi $559.5M15 films · #1 Dangal (2016) -
French $383.7M43 films · #1 La Vie en Rose (2007) -
Korean $206.6M6 films · #1 The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014) -
Spanish $162.7M19 films · #1 The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) -
Japanese $137.5M3 films · #1 The Wind Rises (2013) -
German $126.8M20 films · #1 Downfall (2005) -
Portuguese $58.7M9 films · #1 I'm Still Here (2025) -
Swedish $50.9M6 films · #1 The Last Sentence (2014)
Archive
Biography Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1929 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2018 leads with $2.3B, led by Bohemian Rhapsody (2018).
2020s 7 years · $4.7B
2010s 10 years · $13.3B
- 2019 $1.3B #1 Ford v Ferrari (2019)
- 2018 $2.3B #1 Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
- 2017 $1.6B #1 The Greatest Showman (2017)
- 2016 $1.6B #1 Dangal (2016)
- 2015 $1.6B #1 Everest (2015)
- 2014 $1.7B #1 American Sniper (2014)
- 2013 $2.1B #1 The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
- 2012 $511.3M #1 Lincoln (2012)
- 2011 $319.8M #1 The Iron Lady (2011)
- 2010 $341.2M #1 The Social Network (2010)
2000s 10 years · $5.9B
- 2009 $1B #1 The Blind Side (2009)
- 2008 $330.9M #1 The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
- 2007 $638.4M #1 Charlie Wilson's War (2007)
- 2006 $775.2M #1 The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
- 2005 $671M #1 Walk the Line (2005)
- 2004 $683.8M #1 The Aviator (2004)
- 2003 $165.3M #1 Monster (2003)
- 2002 $674.3M #1 Catch Me If You Can (2002)
- 2001 $541.6M #1 A Beautiful Mind (2001)
- 2000 $385.6M #1 Erin Brockovich (2000)
1990s 10 years · $2.7B
- 1999 $347.4M #1 The Hurricane (1999)
- 1998 $301.1M #1 Patch Adams (1998)
- 1997 $214.7M #1 Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
- 1996 $219.4M #1 Evita (1996)
- 1995 $385.1M #1 Braveheart (1995)
- 1994 $52.6M #1 Wyatt Earp (1994)
- 1993 $652.9M #1 Schindler's List (1993)
- 1992 $106.3M #1 Malcolm X (1992)
- 1991 $291.7M #1 JFK (1991)
- 1990 $102.9M #1 Goodfellas (1990)
1980s 10 years · $1.2B
- 1989 $212.2M #1 Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
- 1988 $172.8M #1 Good Morning, Vietnam (1988)
- 1987 $105.8M #1 La Bamba (1987)
- 1986 $3.5M #1 Sid and Nancy (1986)
- 1985 $254.3M #1 Out of Africa (1985)
- 1984 $2.9M #1 Phar Lap (1984)
- 1983 $129.6M #1 Gandhi (1983)
- 1982 $73.3M #1 Chariots of Fire (1982)
- 1981 $61.5M #1 Reds (1981)
- 1980 $135.5M #1 Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)
1970s 8 years · $358M
1960s 7 years · $271.4M
1950s 2 years · $21.4M
1940s 1 year · $3K
1930s 1 year · $4.9K
1920s 1 year · $22.7K
FAQ
Biography Box Office All Time: Questions & Answers
The chart's numbers in short: the #1 film, the total, the billion-dollar hits and the US & Canada share, answered from the same 1,149 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing biography movie of all time?
Michael (2026) leads with $1B worldwide, $372.3M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Oppenheimer (2023) at $975.8M and Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) at $910.8M.
How much have biography movies earned at the box office?
1,149 biography films in our database report a worldwide gross, $28.5B in all, or $24.8M per film on average.
How many biography movies have made $1 billion?
1 film crossed $1 billion worldwide: Michael (2026). 70 crossed $100 million.
How is the all-time biography box office chart ranked and where do the numbers come from?
Films are ranked by lifetime worldwide gross in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation. The figures are the reported box office grosses in our database. A gross that looks misattributed, such as one figure shared by two unrelated films or a blockbuster total on an obscure title, is left out rather than shown as a fact.
How often is the all-time biography box office chart updated?
Grosses change while films are in theaters and whenever a new figure is reported; this chart reads the latest numbers in our database, so an older film can still move after a re-release.