Top 10 Taxi Driver Biopics to Watch

Description: While not strictly a biopic, Martin Scorsese's masterpiece provides an intense psychological portrait of Travis Bickle, a Vietnam vet turned taxi driver in New York City. His descent into madness and his interactions with passengers offer a gritty look at urban life.

Fact: Robert De Niro famously improvised the "You talkin' to me?" line, and the film's ending was controversial, leading to debates about its interpretation.

Description: This anthology film by Jim Jarmusch captures the essence of taxi drivers' lives through five vignettes set in different cities around the world. Each story showcases the unique interactions between drivers and passengers, highlighting the universal themes of human connection and the passage of time.

Fact: The film was shot in black and white, adding a timeless quality to the stories. Also, it features a diverse cast including Winona Ryder, Gena Rowlands, and Armin Mueller-Stahl.

Description: This French film follows the life of a Parisian taxi driver, Daniel, whose life takes a turn when he picks up a passenger who turns out to be a bank robber. The film blends comedy with social commentary on the life of taxi drivers.

Fact: The film was remade in Hollywood in 2004 with Queen Latifah, but the original French version remains a classic.

Description: This Hollywood remake of the French film follows a New York City taxi driver who teams up with a cop to chase down bank robbers. It offers a different cultural perspective on the life of a taxi driver.

Fact: The film features high-speed chases and was one of the early roles for Gisele Bündchen, showcasing her acting debut.

Description: While not a biopic, this film features a taxi driver, Max, whose life changes dramatically when he picks up a hitman, Vincent. The film explores themes of fate, choice, and the randomness of life through the eyes of a taxi driver.

Fact: Tom Cruise's character, Vincent, was originally written for Harrison Ford, but Cruise's portrayal added a chilling edge to the role.

Description: This comedy film stars Red Skelton as a taxi driver who gets involved in a series of comedic misadventures. It provides a light-hearted take on the life of a taxi driver, focusing on the humorous aspects of the job.

Fact: The film was part of a series of comedies featuring Skelton as a taxi driver, showcasing his comedic talents.

Description: Though more of a crime thriller, this film features a taxi driver who becomes embroiled in a heist. His driving skills and cool demeanor make him a central figure in the narrative, showcasing the life of a taxi driver from a different angle.

Fact: Walter Hill, the director, was inspired by Jean-Pierre Melville's "Le Samouraï" for this film's style and pacing.

Description: This film, while not solely about a taxi driver, features a pivotal character who drives a taxi. His journey with two young hitchhikers explores themes of redemption, love, and the search for meaning in life.

Fact: The film was adapted from a Japanese short story and features William Hurt in a role that showcases his depth as an actor.

Description: This Iranian film, directed by Jafar Panahi, who also stars as the taxi driver, offers a poignant look at life in Tehran through the lens of a taxi. It's a docu-fiction that captures the essence of everyday life and political commentary.

Fact: Jafar Panahi made this film under a 20-year filmmaking ban imposed by the Iranian government, making it a remarkable act of defiance.

Description: This silent film, while not about a taxi driver, features a "taxi dancer" whose life parallels the struggles and dreams of taxi drivers, making it an interesting inclusion for its historical context and thematic similarities.

Fact: The film was one of the first to explore the life of a taxi dancer, a profession where women were paid to dance with men.