10 Biopics That Celebrate the Human Spirit

Description: Loretta Lynn's rise from poverty in rural Kentucky to becoming a country music legend is depicted in this film. It's a story of talent, determination, and the harsh realities of life.

Fact: Sissy Spacek won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Loretta Lynn. Lynn herself sang all the songs in the film.

Description: Julia Roberts stars as Erin Brockovich, a single mother who becomes a legal assistant and almost single-handedly brings down a California power company accused of polluting a city's water supply.

Fact: Julia Roberts won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role. The real Erin Brockovich made a cameo in the film as a waitress.

Description: This film tells the story of Władysław Szpilman, a Polish-Jewish pianist who survived the Holocaust by living in hiding in Warsaw. It's a profound exploration of survival and the power of music.

Fact: Adrien Brody lost 30 pounds to portray Szpilman's emaciated condition. He also learned to play the piano for the role.

Description: This biopic focuses on the life of John Nash, a brilliant mathematician who battles schizophrenia. It's an inspiring tale of genius, love, and the struggle with mental illness.

Fact: Russell Crowe was nominated for an Oscar for his role as Nash. The film took some liberties with the facts for dramatic purposes.

Description: Based on the memoir by Jean-Dominique Bauby, this film captures his life after a massive stroke leaves him with locked-in syndrome, able to communicate only by blinking one eye.

Fact: The film was shot from the perspective of Bauby, with the camera often positioned to mimic his limited field of vision. Mathieu Amalric, who played Bauby, met with him before his death to prepare for the role.

Description: Based on the true story of Chris Gardner, this film follows his journey from homelessness to becoming a successful stockbroker. It's a powerful narrative about perseverance and the pursuit of dreams against all odds.

Fact: Will Smith and his son Jaden played father and son in the movie, mirroring their real-life relationship. The film's title misspells "happiness" intentionally, reflecting a typo on a mural in the film.

Description: This film tells the story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who becomes an All-American football player with the help of a caring family. It's a heartwarming tale of kindness and transformation.

Fact: Sandra Bullock won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role. The real Michael Oher was involved in the film's production.

Description: King George VI's struggle with a stammer and his unlikely friendship with an unconventional speech therapist, Lionel Logue, forms the heart of this film. It's a story of overcoming personal obstacles in the public eye.

Fact: Colin Firth won an Oscar for his portrayal of King George VI. The film was initially rated R for language but was later changed to PG-13 after appeals.

Description: This film recounts the harrowing experience of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. It's a stark depiction of the brutality of slavery and one man's fight for freedom.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Chiwetel Ejiofor's performance was widely acclaimed. The film was shot in chronological order to capture the emotional journey of the characters.

Description: This film chronicles the life of physicist Stephen Hawking, focusing on his relationship with his wife Jane and his battle with motor neurone disease. It's a poignant look at how one can achieve greatness despite physical limitations.

Fact: Eddie Redmayne won an Oscar for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking. The film's title is inspired by Hawking's book "A Brief History of Time."