Films about celebrities delve into the lives, careers, and personal challenges of famous individuals from various fields, such as music, sports, cinema, and more. These movies often aim to shed light on the lesser-known aspects of these figures, exploring their struggles, triumphs, and the price of fame. Both biographical dramas and documentaries fall under this category, providing audiences with a closer look at what it means to live in the public eye. Here is a list of films that offer a glimpse into the lives of celebrities, capturing the essence of their achievements and the hurdles they face:
“Rocketman”, 2019
Director: Dexter Fletcher
A musical biopic that tells the story of Elton John’s early years in his music career, his rise to stardom, and his struggles with addiction, identity, and relationships, all set to his most famous songs.
Starring: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard, Gemma Jones, Steven Mackintosh, Tom Bennett, Matthew Illesley, Kit Connor, Charlie Rowe;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: biography, music, musical, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 121 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Rocketman” on the website imdb.com
“Judy”, 2019
Director: Rupert Goold
This biographical drama chronicles the last year in the life of Judy Garland, focusing on her series of sold-out concerts in London in the late 1960s amidst her battles with addiction, management, and failing health.
Starring: Renée Zellweger, Finn Wittrock, Jessie Buckley, Rufus Sewell, Michael Gambon, Richard Cordery, Royce Pierreson, Darci Shaw, Andy Nyman, Daniel Cerqueira;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: biography, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 118 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Judy” on the website imdb.com
“The Social Network”, 2010
Director: David Fincher
Although not about a traditional celebrity, this film tells the story of Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, and explores how the social networking site was created, along with the legal battles that followed its immense success.
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella, Rashida Jones, Brenda Song, Rooney Mara, Bryan Barter, Joseph Mazzello;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “The Social Network” on the website imdb.com
“Steve Jobs”, 2015
Director: Danny Boyle
Focusing on three pivotal moments in the career of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, this film explores the personal and professional conflicts faced by the tech icon, leading up to the launch of three key products.
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Seth Rogen, Jeff Daniels, Kate Winslet, Michael Stuhlbarg, Katherine Waterston, Perla Haney-Jardine, Ripley Sobo, Makenzie Moss, Sarah Snook;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 122 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Steve Jobs” on the website imdb.com
“The Dirt”, 2019
Director: Jeff Tremaine
Based on Mötley Crüe's 2001 autobiography, this biographical comedy-drama tells the story of the band's rise to international fame in the 1980s, highlighting their music, lifestyle, and the highs and lows experienced by the band members.
Starring: Douglas Booth, Iwan Rheon, Machine Gun Kelly, Daniel Webber, Pete Davidson, David Costabile, Leven Rambin, Kathryn Morris, Rebekah Graf, Tony Cavalero;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: music, biography, comedy, drama;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 108 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “The Dirt” on the website imdb.com
“I, Tonya”, 2017
Director: Craig Gillespie
A darkly comedic biographical film that follows the life of figure skater Tonya Harding and the controversial incident with competitor Nancy Kerrigan, exploring the pressures of fame and the harsh realities of Harding's life.
Starring: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney, Julianne Nicholson, Paul Walter Hauser, Bobby Cannavale, Bojana Novakovic, Caitlin Carver, Maizie Smith, Mckenna Grace;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: biography, sport, comedy, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
“Ray”, 2004
Director: Taylor Hackford
This biographical film depicts the life and career of Ray Charles, from his humble beginnings in the South, where he went blind at age seven, to his meteoric rise to stardom as a musician.
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Regina King, Clifton Powell, Harry J. Lennix, Bokeem Woodbine, Aunjanue Ellis, Sharon Warren, C.J. Sanders, Curtis Armstrong;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: drama, biography, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 152 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Ray” on the website imdb.com
“My Week with Marilyn”, 2011
Director: Simon Curtis
The film focuses on the week during which Marilyn Monroe spent time being escorted around Britain by Colin Clark, a young employee of Laurence Olivier, during the production of “The Prince and the Showgirl” in 1957.
Starring: Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Julia Ormond, Kenneth Branagh, Pip Torrens, Geraldine Somerville, Michael Kitchen, Miranda Raison, Karl Moffatt, Simon Russell Beale, Emma Watson, Judi Dench, Dominic Cooper, Philip Jackson, Derek Jacobi, Toby Jones;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 99 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “My Week with Marilyn” on the website imdb.com
These films not only entertain but also provide insight into the complexities of fame and the human stories behind the public figures.
In summing up the varied landscape of films about celebrities, it becomes clear that their allure is not merely in the glitz and glamor, but in the complex tapestry of human emotion, ambition, and vulnerability that these lives epitomize. These films serve as a mirror to the societal fascination with celebrity culture, while also offering a critique of the very mechanisms that uphold it. Whether through biopics that humanize famous figures, satirical pieces that expose the industry's underbelly, or documentaries that peel back the curtain on the lives of those in the public eye, the genre transcends mere entertainment. It urges viewers to question the pedestals on which we place these figures, the cultures of idolization and scrutiny we cultivate, and, ultimately, the universal human traits that connect us to these seemingly larger-than-life individuals. As we emerge from the cinematic journey of exploring celebrity through film, we are reminded of the power of storytelling in shaping, challenging, and celebrating the myths that surround those who have captured the public’s imagination.
