Very few Hollywood careers have been as iconic and versatile as that of Clint Eastwood. He first established his image as the unforgettable cowboy in Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti Westerns and quickly became a towering symbol of American masculinity. But what many fans did not see coming was his transition behind the camera, where his skills as a director turned into a legacy of their own. For someone who has built his entire filmography in front of the screen, Eastwood’s directorial offerings lean more towards nuance, introspection, and emotional depth.
Eastwood has directed a lot of movies, and they include war epics, immersive dramas, and moody thrillers. But one genre in particular reveals his deft storytelling instincts, and it is the biopic genre. Over the decades, Eastwood has taken real-life stories and turned them into cinematic journeys, capturing the truth behind misunderstood public figures and tortured artists with a lot of grace and honesty. He has helmed no less than 10 biopics so far and each one carries the weight of his admiration and respect for the complexity of real life. It’s time to revisit them, so here is every biopic directed by Clint Eastwood, ranked.
10
‘The 15:17 to Paris’ (2018)
- Runtime
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94 minutes
- Writers
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Dorothy Blyskal, Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone, Jeffrey E. Stern
Clint Eastwood’s most unconventional approach to the biopic genre earns all the spotlight in The 15:17 to Paris, a real-life thriller about ordinary citizens rising to the occasion and becoming unlikely heroes. It follows the true story of three childhood friends, Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos, and Anthony Sadler, on a high-speed train to Paris during their backpacking trip across Europe as they try to save passengers when an armed terrorist poses a huge threat.
Well-Intentioned and Honest
Eastwood’s decision to cast the actual heroes of the 2015 Thalys train attack as themselves was a bold and risky movie, but one that ultimately paid off. By trading established actors in favor of real-life individuals, the movie achieved a higher level of authenticity and emotional immediacy. Though reviews were mixed, many appreciated the documentary-like texture and the way the movie didn’t seek perfection.
9
‘Jersey Boys’ (2014)
- Release Date
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June 19, 2014
- Runtime
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134 Minutes
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John Lloyd Young
Francis Frankie Valli Castelluccio
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Michael Lomenda
Nick Massi
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Jersey Boys traces the meteoric rise of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. It follows working-class musicians through their humble beginnings and the way they stormed the charts in the 1960s with their unique sounds. It reveals not just their glamorous highs, record deals, sold-out tours, and iconic tracks, but also their lowest lows, where the group deals with personal betrayals. Money troubles, brushes with the mob, and the death of Valli’s daughter.
Nostalgia With Some Rough Edges
Eastwood’s deft touch as a director is on full display in Jersey Boys, which is less of a biopic and more of a musical. Told with a wink toward its stage roots, the story is told chronologically, but the narrative also occasionally breaks the fourth wall by inviting the viewers into the characters’ own reflections on their evolving world. The performances are authentic, particularly John Lloyd Young’s as he reprises his Tony-winning role as Valli.
8
‘Changeling’ (2008)
In Changeling, Eastwood tackles one of the most disturbing true-crime stories of the 20th century. Set against the backdrop of 1920s Los Angeles, it centers on Christine Collins, a single mother whose young son vanishes one afternoon. Months later, the LAPD proudly returns the boy, only for Christine to insist the child they found is not her own. As she begins searching for the truth, she realizes the presence of widespread corruption and systematic failure.
A Critique of Institutional Wrongs
Anchored by Angelina Jolie’s powerful and raw performance as Christine, who is both fragile and ferocious at the same time, the movie pulls the curtain on some harrowing crimes and a city determined to silence people. It’s based on the real-life Wineville Chicken Coop murders, and Eastwood’s direction, quietly serious, elevates the tragedy enough for it to leave a lasting impression. Changeling earned a lot of praise and even an Oscar nomination for Jolie.
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7
‘J. Edgar’ (2011)
Taking a nosedive into the shadowy world of one of the most powerful and controversial public figures in American history, J. Edgar paints a portrait of J. Edgar Hoover, the man who built the FBI and shaped law enforcement for nearly five decades. The movie is told through a series of recollections as Hoover dictates his memoirs and speaks about his rise from an ambitious Department of Justice clerk to a feared man, as well as his partnership with his trusted right-hand man, Clyde Tolson.
Refuses to Simplify the Subject
Eastwood’s direction here is meticulous and ice-cold, which is fitting for a subject as complex and conflicted as Hoover. He peels back layers of the man’s obsession with national security, his questionable surveillance tactics, and his fiercely guarded personal life. Leonardo DiCaprio disappears into the role, shifting from an arrogant idealist to paranoid recluse with ease. On the other hand, Armie Hammer is the perfect foil to the secrecy he thrived in.
6
‘Invictus’ (2009)
Set in post-apartheid South Africa, Invictus is an inspirational sports drama that explores how newly elected President Nelson Mandela used the power of sport to bridge a country divided by race. With the 1995 Rugby World Cup approaching, Mandela enlists the help of Springboks captain François Pienaar and soon, the team’s personal journey becomes a metaphor for a nation’s rebirth.
A Powerful and Optimistic True Story
Sports biopics often rely on melodrama to hook the audience and deliver a stirring message, but Eastwood’s Invictus takes an understated approach and lets the real-life poignancy of the story shine by itself. Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon give outstanding performances, lending equal parts gravitas and discipline to their respective characters. The movie is among Eastwood’s more optimistic offerings, as it’s not just about rugby, but also about hope, leadership, and forgiveness.
5
‘Sully’ (2016)
An event that unfolded in just 208 seconds in real life becomes a tight and reflective character study in Sully, a gripping movie that revisits the January 15, 2009, “Miracle on the Hudson” incident. It was when Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger made an emergency landing on the Hudson River, saving all 155 lives aboard US Airways Flight 1549.
Story of an Unsung American Hero
The film’s focus extends beyond the heroic feat as Eastwood highlights the aftermath, in which a relentless investigation questions Sully’s choices and casts doubt on a man who had long held himself responsible. Told through a mosaic of flashbacks and interviews, the tension comes not from what happened, but what might have. Tom Hanks is genuinely amazing as Sully, infusing the character with calm dignity and carrying him with efficiency.
4
‘Flags of Our Fathers’ (2006)
The iconic photo of six U.S. Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima is the launching point of Flags of Our Fathers, a movie that unpacks the true story behind that image. It follows the three surviving soldiers, John “Doc” Bradley, Rene Gagnon, and Ira Hayes, who are sent home to rally support for the war effort, but they feel the weight of their newfound popularity and struggle with survivors’ guilt.
The Costs of War and Heroism
Rather than glamorize war, director Clint Eastwood lays the events bare and tries to emphasize the moral complexity, trauma, and the psychological aftermath of commodifying and manipulating acts of valor. Adam Beach’s performance as Ira Hayes is particularly brilliant in showcasing the heartbreak and defiance. The movie was not as commercially celebrated, but it remains widely recognized in the genre and is part of Eastwood’s rare twin-release year with Letters from Iwo Jima.
3
‘American Sniper’ (2014)
Chris Kyle, a Texas rodeo cowboy turned Navy SEAL, became the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history with 255 kills from four tours in the Iraq War, out of which 160 were officially confirmed by the Department of Defence. But with each mission, the moments of battlefield tension become more intense, making his return to domestic life, as well as reconnecting with his wife and children, more uneasy and difficult.
An Intimate War Story
The narrative of American Sniper builds with quiet urgency. It is layered with flashbacks, inner conflict, and distant glimpses of what a normal life can look like versus the tragic reality. Bradley Cooper plays Kyle in the most fascinating ways, grounding him not as a cinematic action figure but as a deeply haunted man at odds with his own life. Of course, it is all elevated by Eastwood’s assured direction, which led to the movie garnering six Academy Award nominations.
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2
‘Richard Jewell’ (2019)
At first, Richard Jewell, a kind-hearted, rule-following security guard, is hailed as a national hero for discovering a suspicious backpack during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bombing and alerting the police about it. However, his glory only lasts so long because soon, he becomes the FBI’s primary suspect and is plunged into a nightmare fueled by the media.
One Man Versus The Media
With Richard Jewell, director Clint Eastwood turns a real-life media fiasco into a character drama and a study in how fast a man can be torn down after being lifted up. Paul Walter Hauser portrays the titular character with tenderness and is supported by Kathy Bates, who plays his fiercely protective mother, and Sam Rockwell, a scrappy attorney. The movie received applause from critics for Eastwood’s craftsmanship, but the box office returns didn’t match the vibe.
1
‘Bird’ (1988)
- Release Date
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September 30, 1988
- Writers
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Joel Oliansky
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Michael Zelniker
Red Rodney
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Samuel E. Wright
Dizzy Gillespie
Bird is a biographical musical about jazz saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker. Though scattered fragments of memory and music, it chronicles Parker’s rise to fame in the 1940s bebop scene, his difficult marriage to Chan, his addiction to drugs, and his fatal internal spiral. He’s brought to life by Forest Whitaker’s haunted performance.
True Portrait of a Musician
Every fan of the actor-director is aware that Eastwood is a lifelong jazz aficionado, which is why he’s admitted on record that Bird is his favorite movie among all the ones he has directed. He approaches the story with reverence and control, soaks the scenes in shadows and club haze, and captures both the shimmer and solitude of jazz. Bird won the Best Actor award at Cannes for Whitaker and an Academy Award for Best Sound. It marked a turning point for Eastwood’s career as a director and remains a celebratory addition in the genre.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
