If the biographical drama isn't the key jewel in Hollywood's crown, it's certainly a strong contender for it. The dramatization of the lives of our favorite public figures — as portrayed by actors who are almost sure to secure an Oscar nom for their work — is as cherished as any genre. Some critics have sneered at the influx of biopics circulating onto our screens lately, as the genre had plenty of time to shine this year. The Best Actress category at the upcoming Academy Awards will be interesting for this very reason: most of the women on the shortlist may get the nod for portraying real-life people.
With awards season right around the corner, many biopics have already premiered. But looking ahead, there are still plenty of dramas that are sure to draw buzz for the season to come. Here are some of the most exciting biopics releasing soon, and where they can be found when they do.
Being The Ricardos
It's been over 60 years since Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's groundbreaking sitcom aired its final episode, but the world undoubtedly still loves Lucy. The screwball comedy was more than just a slice of chaotic married life. "I Love Lucy" influenced radical change throughout the entertainment industry, and introduced an interracial couple to primetime television for the first time. Ball fought tooth-and-nail for CBS to cast the Cuban-American Arnaz as her fictional counterpart on the show — and while their on-screen marriage was a shining example of love in all its forms, there was much more contention for the couple behind the scenes.
It's this paradox that "Being the Ricardos," the latest from writer/director Aaron Sorkin, wants to explore. The film follows Ball and Arnaz through a tumultuous week in their lives, as the power couple film an episode of "I Love Lucy." In the midst of production, Ball is under investigation by the House of Un-American Activities Committee for alleged communist sympathies, and Arnaz is smack in the center of a scandalous tabloid piece. Academy Award winners Nicole Kidman Javier Bardem star as the sitcom mavericks.
"Being the Ricardos" opens in select theaters on December 10, 2021, before premiering on Prime Video on December 21, 2021.
American Underdog
Sports dramas, especially ones based on real events, have a way of plucking the heartstrings of even the most sports-averse. Films like "Remember the Titans," "Rudy," and "The Blindside" have left indelible marks on the biopic, and "American Underdog" is poised to join their ranks. This faith-based drama tells the story of Super Bowl-winning quarterback Kurt Warner, and his unorthodox rise from grocery store clerk to two-time MVP for the NFL.
Warner may be best known for his stellar career with the St. Louis Rams. He led the team to two Super Bowl wins, rallying a record-breaking offense that would come to be known as the "Greatest Show on Turf." Warner's journey to greatness was riddled with setbacks, but through faith, perseverance, and the support of those around him, he was able to prove that destiny really does belong to the underdog. "Shazam!" star Zachary Levi leads the cast as Warner, and the film also stars Anna Paquin, Dennis Quaid, and Adam Baldwin.
"American Underdog" arrives in theaters on December 25, 2021.
Elvis
Australian director Baz Luhrmann is well-established for his larger-than-life approach to filmmaking. From his campy remix of a Shakespearean classic with "Romeo + Juliet," to his sprawling set pieces in films like "Australia" and "Moulin Rouge!," Luhrmann knows how to craft a world, and it's what's cemented him as one of the most ethereal filmmakers of his generation. After trying his hand at television with the short-lived series "The Get Down," Luhrmann is making a triumphant return to film with a tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley.
The long-gestating biopic has endured a series of tweaks to its release date, but that hasn't killed the anticipation for the director's new film one bit. Since Luhrmann released a tantalizing teaser for the film — which features Austin Butler as the legendary crooner, eclipsed perfectly in shadow and leather — it's only stoked our excitement. Tom Hanks will star alongside Butler as Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, who saw the singer through over 20 years of ups and downs.
"Elvis" will premiere on June 24th, 2022 in theaters.
She Said
Since producer Harvey Weinstein was exposed for his decades-spanning history of sexual assault and harrassment, the #MeToo movement has put Hollywood in the hot seat. The issue of predatory behavior against women (in every sector) is one that's been suppressed for generations, but the takedown of a high-profile figure like Weinstein helped to bring genuine, equality-driven change to the film industry. Though not a biopic in every sense, "She Said" is an upcoming film worth mentioning, as it follows the two New York Times reporters who first broke the story on Weinstein's misconduct in 2017.
Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan will star as Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, who went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in Public Service for their work in exposing the producer. Thanks to their efforts, countless cases of sexual harrassment were exposed, and Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison on charges of sexual abuse. The film is based on Twohey and Kanton's book "She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement," and will be helmed by Maria Schrader, the director of the limited series "Orthodox." Rebecca Lenkiewicz, the screenwriter behind "Disobedience" and "Ida," will pen the script.
"She Said" is slated to arrive in theaters on November 18, 2022.
Read this next: The 14 Greatest Biopics Of The 21st Century
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