Top 10 Hitman Biopics

Description: While not strictly a biography, this film is inspired by the life of a real hitman, Jean Reno's character Léon, who takes in a young girl after her family is murdered, teaching her his trade.

Fact: The character of Léon was loosely based on a French hitman named Jean-Pierre Martin, though the film takes significant creative liberties. The film was originally titled "The Cleaner" in France.

Description: Jason Statham stars as Arthur Bishop, a professional assassin who specializes in making his hits look like accidents. The film, while not a direct biography, captures the meticulous nature of hitmen's work.

Fact: The film is a remake of the 1972 film of the same name, which was inspired by the real-life exploits of a hitman named Charles Bronson.

Description: While not about a hitman, this film involves political intrigue and assassination, with the ghostwriter uncovering secrets that could lead to his own demise, reflecting the shadowy world of political assassinations.

Fact: The film was directed by Roman Polanski, who himself had to deal with legal issues that could be seen as a parallel to the film's themes of secrecy and hidden truths.

Description: George Clooney stars as an aging assassin who seeks to retire but is drawn back into the game. The film delves into the psychological toll of a life spent killing.

Fact: The film was shot in Italy, providing an authentic backdrop that mirrors the character's desire for a peaceful life.

Description: This film chronicles the life of Richard Kuklinski, a notorious contract killer who claimed to have killed over 100 people. The movie explores his dual life as a family man and a cold-blooded assassin.

Fact: Michael Shannon, who plays Kuklinski, underwent extensive physical training to portray the imposing figure of the real-life hitman. The film's title refers to Kuklinski's nickname due to his method of freezing bodies to obscure the time of death.

Description: While primarily an action-comedy, this film explores the dynamic between a hitman and his bodyguard, offering insights into the life of a professional killer through humor and action.

Fact: The film was inspired by real-life bodyguard assignments, showcasing the often overlooked aspects of the assassin's world.

Description: This film follows Mitch Rapp, a CIA black ops recruit, who seeks revenge for the murder of his fiancée. While fictional, the character's backstory and training are reminiscent of real-life hitmen's journeys into the world of espionage and assassination.

Fact: The character of Mitch Rapp is from a series of novels by Vince Flynn, which are inspired by real-life CIA operations and training methods.

Description: John Woo's classic film, while not a biography, captures the essence of a hitman's life, focusing on the moral dilemmas and the quest for redemption of a professional killer.

Fact: The film's influence on action cinema is immense, with its balletic gunplay and themes of honor among thieves.

Description: Based on the novel "The Day of the Jackal," this film portrays a fictional hitman, but the character's methods and the international manhunt echo real-life scenarios involving notorious assassins.

Fact: The film's plot was inspired by the real-life attempt to assassinate French President Charles de Gaulle.

Description: Pierce Brosnan plays Julian Noble, a weary hitman who befriends a businessman, leading to a series of events that explore the life of a professional killer.

Fact: Brosnan's character was inspired by real-life stories of hitmen who struggle with the morality of their profession.