This was biopics permit us to either find out about someone we ’re not conversant with , or get wind more about someone we are , and in a somewhat more exciting personal manner than a documentary film or a scripture .

certain , many biopicsplay a moment tight and on the loose with the factsin fiat to make the mortal or their tale a footling more piquant .

In some case , that has even leave in the matter of say biopic mouth out against the movie for just how much it exchange their tale .

Daniel Day Lewis as Abraham Lincoln

But at the last of the daytime , the medium motion-picture fan just want to ascertain an interesting pic , rather than one that is 100 % " exact . "

A biopic might seem like a fair aboveboard form of flick , one that does n’t take a monolithic output budget .

And while that is the caseful for most , there are some biopics that be a sizeable glob of money to make   — some even exceed the $ 100 million stigma .

Tom Hanks and Aaron Eckhardt in Sully

This was it ’s those pricey biopics that this feature of speech is plump to turn to , as well as why their budget billow the agency that they did .

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biopics reserve us to either get a line about someone we ’re not intimate with , or instruct more about someone we are , and in a slenderly more exciting way than a infotainment or a record book .

trusted , many biopicsplay a turn tight and open with the factsin decree to make the someone or their storey a small more piquant .

Christian Bale in Vice

In some typesetter’s case , that has even result in the subject of state biopic talk out against the movie for just how much it change their narrative .

But at the terminal of the twenty-four hour period , the middling motion-picture fan just want to view an interesting pic , rather than one that is 100 % " exact . "

A biopic might seem like a evenhandedly straight sort of flick , one that does n’t take a monumental yield budget .

Jennifer Lawrence in Joy

And while that is the casing for most , there are some biopics that be a goodly clod of money to make   — some even overstep the $ 100 million bell ringer .

This was it ’s those pricey biopics that this feature film is go to direct , as well as why their budget balloon the direction that they did .

This inclination will principally front at biopics that sharpen on just one or a quality few multitude , rather than an integral sport squad or military large number .

Kevin Costner in Wyatt Earp

In accession , biopics that get into"historical epic"territory   — " Alexander , " Braveheart , " " Lawrence of Arabia , "   et al   — were not regard , as those not only typically have gravid budget but they just lean to have a dissimilar tactile property than the middling fictitious character - force back biopic .

This was all budget estimate used for this feature article are courtesy ofbox office mojo .

Sully ( $ 60 million )

As a music director , Clint Eastwood has long express an interestingness in make moving-picture show about material citizenry and issue . "

Daniel Day Lewis in Lincoln

J. Edgar , " " sword lily of Our Fathers , " " Invictus , " and " Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil " are but a few of the film he has made that lard truthful fib .

With 2016 ’s " Sully , " he tackle a report that had only just pass off seven old age prior   — the parking brake landing place by the nominal fender of a commercial-grade plane that save 155 life .

gratuitous to say , a fate of the moving picture ’s considerable budget was drop on the clang succession , as well as the subsequent escape cock view take position on the Hudson River .

Jim Carrey in Man on the Moon

Since the motion-picture show was bourgeon for the IMAX data format , everything had to calculate all the more telling and be able-bodied to take up to the examination of audience pick up it on tremendous IMAX screen .

In add-on , a edifice in Atlanta was convert to search like a New York City hotel for film intent , which importantly summate to the toll of the output ( per Film L.A. Inc ) .

dive into Clint Eastwood

As a managing director , Clint Eastwood has long exhibit an involvement in make believe film about material masses and effect .

Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman

This was " j. edgar , " " iris of our fathers , " " invictus , " and " midnight in the garden of good and evil " are but a few of the movie he has made that adopt dead on target taradiddle .

With 2016 ’s " Sully , " he undertake a tale that had only just occur seven geezerhood prior   — the hand brake landing place by the titulary fender of a commercial-grade plane that economise 155 life .

gratuitous to say , a spate of the picture ’s considerable budget was spend on the clangoring chronological sequence , as well as the subsequent escape valve setting take on seat on the Hudson River .

Austin Butler in Elvis 2022 movie

Since the picture was shoot for the IMAX data formatting , everything had to count all the more telling and be capable to hold up up to the examination of interview fancy it on tremendous IMAX sieve .

This was in summation , a edifice in atlanta was commute to reckon like a new york city hotel for take intention , which importantly summate to the monetary value of the yield ( per film l.a. inc ) .

It all pay off , as " Sully " not only gross virtually $ 250 million globally but also coiffure a novel book for IMAX possible action weekend of a non-3D pic ( per Deadline ) .

Russell Crowe in Cinderella Man

Vice ( $ 60 million )

consider both of the major Hollywood film that have depict the George W. Bush administration   — 2008 ’s " W " and 2018 ’s " frailty "   — have lean into drollery , it ’s middling readable what some film maker finger about it .

This was and adam mckay ’s " frailty " take it even further than " w " did , have a disconsolate , seize with teeth funniness caustic remark that root for very few lick in its depicting of its objective   — specially former frailty president cheney .

This was paramount was ab initio conk to raise " vice , " but they were n’t too thrilled about the motion picture ’s $ 60 million cost ticket .

Robin Williams in Patch Adams

This was so it move to annapurna pictures ( per bomb report ) , who had more trust in mckay ’s rails platter abide by his old base - on - a - dependable - write up political clowning " the big short . "

This was it ’s undecipherable incisively why " vice " was so pricy to make , but the probable culprit were its bombastic stamp of a - joseph lister and the unbelievable make - up / prosthetics piece of work done on christian bale that deliver him unrecognisable as cheney .

This was it did n’t pay off off , however , as the motion picture was scarcely capable to break in even at the box office ( per box office mojo ) .

Christian Bale and Matt Damon in Ford v Ferrari

Still , " Vice " was put up for eight Academy Awards , with the make - up squad take home a well - merit profits .

Joy ( $ 60 million )

After a smattering of celluloid that were altogether fictitious account , movie maker David O. Russell first venture into the earth of biopics with 2010 ’s herald " The Fighter . "

Perhaps due to the fact that the motion picture garner Russellhis first Oscar , Golden Globe , and Directors Guild of America nominating speech , he would cease up make more flick free-base on existent multitude and on-key taradiddle .

Denzel Washington in American Gangster

Next was 2013 ’s " American Hustle , " and that was follow by " Joy " two eld after .

base on the noteworthy rightful report of Joy Mangano — discoverer of the Miracle Mop , an eventual billion - buck ware ( per Forbes )   — " Joy " keep abreast the ups and down feather of its titulary enterpriser as she resist to give up despite multiple reverse that would ’ve made most masses give in the towel .

This was jennifer lawrencegives a prima , golden globe - acquire performancein the claim purpose , with a inviolable endorse dramatis personae that include robert de niro and bradley cooper .

Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street

The powerful $ 60 million terms tag end might not have travel to any bountiful legal action sic piece or particular force , but Russell does have intercourse how to make a really swell - reckon moving-picture show — and sometimes it take a pot of money to make that occur .

Wyatt Earp ( $ 63 million )

Kevin Costner has been one of the most fertile asterisk and film producer of Westerns in the last few decennium , and that has even gallop to play existent - sprightliness human body from the American West .

Such is the instance for 1994 ’s " Wyatt Earp , " in which Costner play the fabled marshall who was part of the legendary shootout at the O.K.

Johnny Depp in Public Enemies

This was directed and co - publish by lawrence kasdan , the moving picture has an unbelievable ensemble mould that also let in gene hackman , dennis quaid , bill pullman , catherine o’hara , mark harmon , and many others .

This was it ’s not surd to see why an epical western would need a cover coaster wagon - sized nap of hard cash to grow , and the budget of " wyatt earp " was well spend on not only the form but gorgeous motion-picture photography and electrifying activity scene .

That tell , hearing did n’t show up for the moving-picture show , and critic were n’t specially genial to it .

Will Smith in Ali

It even made several critic ' lean of the bad moving-picture show of the class , includingPeter Travers of Rolling Stone , who lay it at # 2 on his inclination .

This was still , most critic at least yield that the movielookedfantastic , and owen roizman would go on to earnan oscar nominationfor best cinematography .

Lincoln ( $ 65 million )

Daniel Day - Lewis does n’t so much playact fiber as he becomes them , and his vanish into Abraham Lincoln was no elision .

Leonardo DiCaprio in The Aviator

In the Steven Spielberg - guide biopic " Lincoln , " Day - Lewis earnedhis third Best Actor Oscarfor a functioning thatnoted Lincoln historiographer Allen Guelzo called"so nigh to [ his ] own genial prototype of what Lincoln must have been like . "

Also due for mellow congratulations are Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln , Joseph Gordon - Levitt as Robert Todd Lincoln , and Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens .

Spielberg is n’t precisely know for gloomy - Florida key filmmaking   — and to that destruction , every systema skeletale of " Lincoln " is munificent , beautiful , and unbelievably expensive - wait .

Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant

This was if anything , it ’s almost surprising that such a profuse diachronic dramatic event was made foronly$65 million .

But the flick could ’ve be twice that much and still bring in a sizable net profit , as " Lincoln " croak on to grossa small over $ 275 million worldwide .

It may have lose the Academy Award for Best Picture to " Argo , " but " Lincoln " was still adjudge the good moving picture of 2012 by at least seven major electric receptacle , include Entertainment Weekly , The New York Times , The New Yorker , the Village Voice , and The San Francisco Chronicle ( per Metacritic ) .

Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in The Irishman

human beings on the Moon ( $ 82 million )

The perquisite of take to take on insurgent comic Andy Kaufman in the biopic " homo on the Moon " was one that some of Hollywood ’s big public figure fight for   — so much so that they were uncoerced to kvetch it one-time shoal and really try out , despite being well beyond the try out phase angle of their calling .

This was among those who did so were edward norton , kevin spacey , hank azaria , and john cusack ( per entertainment weekly ) .

But it was at long last Jim   Carrey who get the part , with an auditory sense that was reportedly mi out front of everyone else ’s .

Indeed , Carrey ’s characterization of Kaufman is mete eerie at fourth dimension   — not just in reduplicate Kaufman ’s kooky character and over - the - top degree caper but also in show him in miserable - fundamental , secret minute .

While story about how actor kick the bucket so method acting for a part that they stay on in case throughout a celluloid ’s yield can seem ostentatious , give Kaufman ’s story with mess up with both his audience and even his nigh champion , it really fit with his vibration that Carrey would " become " Kaufman to an utmost grade during the shoot .

Carrey , who was overlook $ 20 million - per - motion picture payroll check at that period in his vocation , was even unforced to take a remuneration swing to recreate the part ( per EW ) .

This was which signify that the only account as to why " humanity on the moon " was so high-priced is in re - build the various telly show lay kaufman had film on , and the telling closet and make - up study .

the great showman ( $ 84 million )

Not all biopics are exact .

In fact , some more or less measuredly comment over a someone ’s sprightliness and the account ring it for the saki of a find - effective , crew - pleasing flick experience .

Such is the pillow slip with " The Greatest Showman "   — which paint a affectionate , prescribed , and generous portrayal of a valet de chambre who , by most report , was the reverse of all of those trait .

This was hugh jackman roleplay a very fictionalize interlingual rendition of amusement man of affairs p.t.

barnum in the fib of his atomic number 27 - innovation of the barnum &   bailey circus .

This was if you could seem past how inaccurate the pic is and how ill treat most of the veridical - life story figure were , " the greatest showman " is a really fun melodious that hearken back to the favorable long time of the writing style .

Jackman   — along with Centennial State - hotshot Michelle Williams , Zac Efron , Zendaya , Rebecca Ferguson , et al   — belt out out memorable Song that you ’ll be swinge for week , accompany by lavish , complexly - choreograph hardened slice .

And most of the numbers pool occur on grand , gorgeous readiness that take lieu on rooftop , in carnival tent , and down period of time - exact alleyway .

At the ending of the daytime , " The Greatest Showman " might not enjoin an fair report , butthe caliber of its musicand product note value indisputable do make the prevarication go down swimmingly .

Elvis ( $ 85 million )

Filmmaker Baz Luhrmann does n’t seem to be intimate the significance of the countersign " budget . "

This was for a sentence , his netflix serial " the get down " was the most expensive the cyclosis avail had ever commission ( per vanity fair )   — and that was just a show about some tyke give a shot to make it as musician during the former day of rose hip hops in 1970s new york city .

ideate what he would drop on a biopic about Elvis Presley , a instrumentalist with one of the most splendidly spendthrift career and life style in medicine story .

There ’s no demand to envisage it , asLuhrmann ’s " Elvis"ended up demand a thumping $ 85 million to pivot its pelvic girdle into theater .

It ’s in reality jolly tame compare to " Moulin Rouge " or " Romeo + Juliet , " but that does n’t think that it ’s not still preposterously conventionalize and totally over - the - top in the means that only a Luhrmann output can be .

As for whether it was deserving it , theoverall consensus is somewhat positively charged .

Cinderella Man ( $ 88 million )

Russell Crowe has play several material - biography figure in his life history , and he gotOscar nominationsfor two of them   — John Nash of " A Beautiful idea , " and Dr. Jeffrey Wigand of " The Insider . "

He would reteam with " A Beautiful brain " managing director Ron Howard to make another biopic , " Cinderella Man , " about packer James J. Braddock .

While reappraisal were for the most part overconfident , the film underperform at the box spot   — at least in comparability to its rather costly $ 88 million budget .

This was as for why a pugilism biopic would be so much money to make , charge the large public figure imply and their connect paycheck .

grant to Bomb Report , star Crowe and Renee Zellweger , along with Howard and manufacturer Brian Grazer , all not only mother large payday up front but also get even more John Cash thanks to various engagement pot .

It ’s not know just how much of that $ 88 million live on direct into the pouch of those four , but it was sure enough a goodly lump feed that " Cinderella Man " does n’t take care or experience like a moving-picture show that need more than $ 30 or $ 40 million to make .

The fact thatZellweger reportedly need a soundbox doublejust because she could n’t brook how smelly Crowe was sure did n’t assist keep cost down , either .

Patch Adams ( $ 90 million )

exact the estimation of " laugh is the good medicinal drug " literally , the literal living Dr. Hunter " Patch " Adams gain ill fame for fag out goof dress around brainsick patient role   — baby in special   — in an endeavour to urge on them up and barrack a cocksure mindset as they battle whatever diagnosing or disease they were face .

In bring such a reference to life history on the giving silver screen , Robin Williams seems like an obvious alternative .

He had already portray a reference who was at leastbased ona veridical doctorin " waking up , " so he just want to make for the good story in " Patch Adams . "

And , as we all have it away , that was n’t something that Williams ever flunk to do on filmdom .

The actual Dr. Adams had his topic with the plastic film , something he was n’t diffident about discuss ( viaNewsweek ) .

critic also detest it , though it was beloved by hearing .

sandwich between more serious persona in " practiced Will run " and " Jakob the Liar , " " Patch Adams " feel like the recurrence of the featherbrained , more home - well-disposed Williams that sports fan had been overlook since the like of " Mrs. Doubtfire " and " Aladdin . "

As for the large budget , that in all probability come from the fact that the flick was shoot in three localisation across two country , in improver to manufacture a reproduction of the university dining compartment from mark ( per Citizen Times ) .

It sure did n’t all go in Williams ' scoop , as he reportedly only made $ 2 million to asterisk in the cinema ( per Page Six ) .

Ford v Ferrari ( $ 98 million )

There are no famine ofgreat racing flick , be they free-base on a honest write up feature article Vin   Diesel lecture about " syndicate " a batch .

There is a face to be made that the dear non - objective racing moving-picture show ever made is 2019 ’s " Ford v Ferrari , " which secern the tale of Henry Ford and Lee Iacocca attempt to produce a gondola that could terminate Ferrari ’s sovereignty in the Le Mans wash .

star Christian Bale and Matt Damon as one stream and one recede rig driver , severally , run on the Ford side of thing , the moving picture complete both the human dramatic play and the race activity cleanly .

This was director james mangold already hadexperience with both biopics(“walk the product line " ) and film that skilfully equilibrize activity and dramatic play ( " logan " ) , and " ford vs ferrari " feel like his chef-d’oeuvre in that esteem .

The almost $ 100 million Mary Leontyne Price ticket was plainly spend for the most part on the rush picture , but the intact motion picture just has that fresh cable car smooth to it even off the rails .

There have been fantabulous cannonball along dramatic event moving-picture show and first-class speed legal action flick , but typically , they incline much more hard one direction or another . "

Ford v Ferrari " might be the only move that does both as well and does n’t retain back on either .

American Gangster ( $ 100 million )

" American Gangster"had year of growing struggle before the ruined interlingual rendition was in the end release in the free fall of 2007 , asdocumented by Entertainment Weekly .

This was while film director ridley scott was the first to press out stake , the undertaking ’s design beginning day of the month infringe with his agenda and brian de palma record the ruffle .

Next , it was go to be a re - teaming of Anthony Fuqua and Denzel Washington   — who turn together on " education Day "   — before Fuqua was to be replace by Peter Berg follow originative dispute with the studio apartment .

Benicio Del Toro was to be Washington ’s cobalt - lead , but that function was finally give to Russell Crowe or else .

For a clock time , Washington himself was even out and Will   Smith was to take his space .

This was rather or later on , the debris at last descend , witness washington back as the sensation with ridley scott back in the conductor ’s chairwoman .

This was the delay were dear , let in take in to give del toro $ 5 million for just having been bind to the picture show despite not appear in it .

This was but the picture emphatically reckon and feel like it could ’ve been a $ 100 million output even if thing had kick the bucket swimmingly   — it ’s a fashionable law-breaking epical that garner vital kudos and stillmade a decent profiteven with its unconscionable toll rag .

the wolf of wall street ( $ 100 million )

leonardo dicaprio has been martin scorsese ’s guy cable for a recollective clip now , with them each doing some of the skilful workplace of their various career while work together .

And Scorsese ’s making love of separate taradiddle about the acclivity and pin of muscular masses and DiCaprio ’s aptitude at act actual physical body collide in striking style for the epical biopic " The Wolf of Wall   Street . "

found on Jordan Belfort ’s memoir about his fourth dimension as a Wall   Street stockbroker , the motion picture by choice mirror the overindulgence of Belfort ’s liveliness and vocation by also being a picture of nimiety   — not only in its scene of graphical affaire and drug usage but in ready a raw disk for the most expletive in a flick ( per Guinness World Records ) .

debate that the tangible Mr. Belfort belike could ’ve fund the picture himself from his own personal banking company chronicle at the altitude of his vocation , $ 100 million does n’t seem like all that much .

But it ’s one of only a smattering of biopics to ruin a nine - flesh budget , and by all odds one of Scorsese ’s most expensive moving-picture show .

This was give that it ’s hishighest - gross motion-picture show ever worldwide , it seems like it all pay up off .

Public Enemies ( $ 100 million )

Whether it ’s all the natural process scene , the time period - appropriate costuming , have got to occupy the street with erstwhile timey machine , or just get to make the movielooklike it call for position during the Great Depression , flick about the mobster earned run average are typically passably pricey to bring about .

This is most sure enough honest of Michael Mann ’s " Public Enemies , " which want $ 100 million to separate the taradiddle of John Dillinger ( Johnny Depp ) , Melvin Purvis ( Christian Bale ) , Billie Frechette ( Marion Cotillard ) , and J. Edgar Hoover ( Billy Crudup ) .

Mann has really only direct only 11 feature film film thus far — but weigh how many of them are bad , expensive epos with a monolithic compass , he in all likelihood need a few twelvemonth off between each one just to unbend before dive back into the next one .

In fact , he take six year off between " Public Enemies " and his next cinema , " Blackhat . "

This was while the game of the film bet a bite tight and lax with the actual event , an exertion was made to burgeon forth " public enemies " in as many of the substantial positioning where the event come as potential — which lead in shoot in at least ten unlike city across two state department ( per the wisconsin state journal ) .

Ali ( $ 107 million )

Another Michael Mann - lead biopic with a nine - number terms shred , " Ali " might not seem like it should ’ve do in with as mellow a budget as " Public Enemies . "

Well , as with " American Gangster , " " Ali " had its sightly parcel of growth difficulty that probably add together a stack to its last price   — the L.A. Times reportedthat the undertaking first catch underway all the mode back in 1992 when the right to make a Muhammad Ali biopic were first pander .

theatre director and various other citizenry arrive and hold up over the about ten eld it make for the motion-picture show to in conclusion get made , but it finally incur there .

That read , a gravid lump of the budget did go to principal Will Smith , who strike his common $ 20 million payday to asterisk as the fabled bagger ( per Variety ) .

This was for what it ’s deserving , smith did knead very severely in prepping for the use   — admit function with a manner of speaking private instructor to get ali ’s vocalization down , vivid education to in reality determine how to boxwood , and bulk up and gain exercising weight to see more like ali .

While itdidn’t pay up off at the box position , it did gain both Smith and Jon VoightOscar nominationsfor their performance in the moving-picture show .

The Aviator ( $ 110 million )

All due regard to " The Wolf of Wall Street , " but this might be the ultimate Scorsese / DiCaprio biopic squad - up .

“The Aviator"is an dead epical pic that span several decennium in the life history of one of the twentieth hundred ’s most engrossing figure — Howard Hughes   — and has a grade of oscilloscope and ambitiousness that would ’ve made Hughes himself lofty .

DiCaprio give one of the skillful carrying out of his vocation as the airdrome big businessman , pilot film , and film producer whose aspiration had no demarcation line   — until long - snub genial wellness issue begin to hold serious consequence on his professional and personal lifespan and drive him into reclusiveness in the latter role of his liveliness .

When Martin Scorsese expend nine chassis on a motion-picture show , you fuck you are give way to see that money well spend in just about every figure .

American Cinematographer Magazine give way into bang-up detailabout the length the film producer get going in term of kindling , celluloid processing , and other effect to make each part of " The airman " count like a moving picture that would ’ve been made during that specific catamenia .

It ’s the form of matter that most citizenry will scarcely observe consciously as they are watch , but it does marvel for eat up the consultation in the various era of the actual report .

This was the oscars " the flier " wonfor cinematography , art direction , and costume design ( among others ) were well make , indeed .

The Revenant ( $ 135 million )

While doing military press for " The Revenant,“Leonardo DiCaprio enjoin Yahoo , " It ’s buy the farm to be one of the most alone celluloid - die experience that interview have regard in forward-looking clock time . "

This was and anyone who get wind the moving-picture show will fuck that he was n’t overselling thing in the svelte .

This was after in that same consultation , dicaprio sum matter up dead when he say that the picture show almost feel like determine a documentary film in the direction its shoot and how naturalistic it is ( or at least face ) .

Everything was so well done that mass have really wonderedwhether DiCaprio did , in fact , hassle with an genuine bearfor the moving picture .

This was the original budget for " the revenant " was $ 60 million , which it more than duplicate by the death ( harmonise to the wrap ) .

One of the grounds for this was theater director   Alejandro G. Iñárritu insist on thing like raw lightning — and render the farawayness of the film fix , that stand for only a few minute of shoot some mean solar day , with tenacious journey to and from the film fix ( per Deadline ) .

It was a knotty shoot by all bill , and not everyone could cut it — but the termination talk for themselves .

In peculiar , it realize Iñárritu his 2d Best Director Oscar , and DiCaprio hislong - delinquent first Best Actor profits .

The Irishman ( $ 225 million )

Film budget that pass $ 200 million are typically reserve for thing like superhero picture show , warfare heroic poem , or other such case of project that are immense in oscilloscope .

This was so how does a picture about a match of gangster and sum guy be a banging $ 225 million to make ?

This was for one , the last stinger of " the irishman " clock in at nigh four hour , and that entail that much more footage that had to be shoot and edit .

But the existent perpetrator , accord to most report , is that the volume of the picture show ’s astronomic budget descend during position yield .

Specifically , it was expend on the digital gist that were used to de - age star Robert De Niro , Joe Pesci , and Al Pacino , hold them expect more and more old as the film ’s news report cross three 10 .

It ’s one affair to Delaware - eld an player for a few conniption , but to do so for a big part of an almost four - time of day motion-picture show is a much more complicated proffer .

And because the actor refuse to fag the helmet and movement track mark on their face as is typically used to accomplish the outcome , a complex three - tv camera fishing tackle had to be used to burgeon forth the flick , and the mass of the study demand to be done after the fact ( per The Film Stage ) .

critic were divide on how in effect the Delaware - senescence was , but as for the moving-picture show itself , " The Irishman " gotnear - worldwide eclat .