2016 has been another great year for the biopic film genre with the likes of Eddie The Eagle, Race, Trumbo, and Miles Ahead all hitting the big screen.
Free State of Jones
And, if you are a fan of this genre of film, you are in for a real treat this autumn as there are many more movies to come.
You cannot beat the human drama of a biopic and we take a look at some of the films that you cannot afford to miss.
- Jim: The James Foley Story - released 2nd September
The most powerful biopic of the autumn comes in the form of documentary Jim: The James Foley Story, which marks the feature film directorial debut of Brian Oakes.
Jim: The James Foley Story premiered at the Sundance Film Festival at the beginning of the year and told the story of combat journalist James Foley, who was captured by ISIS and killed in 2014.
On November 22nd 2012, Thanksgiving Day in America, photojournalist James 'Jim' Foley was kidnapped in Syria and held hostage for two years. His execution video in 2014 sent shockwaves around the globe and introduced the world to ISIS.
Brian Oakes, who was a childhood friend of Foley, tells Jim's haunting story through interviews with his family, friends, and fellow journalists, as well as in-depth testimony from fellow hostages who reveal incredible, never-before-released details of his captivity. Jim: The James Foley Story is an unforgettable and moving tribute.
The movie went on to win the coveted Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and has gone on to be met with critical acclaim. We have been treated to some wonderful documentaries this year and Jim: The James Foley Story is another that is not to be missed.
- Free State of Jones - released 30th September
Free State of Jones is a movie that we have been talking about all year as it marks the return of Matthew McConaughey to the big screen in another great leading role.
Free State of Jones is an American war film that is inspired by the life of Newton Knight, who led a rebellion against the Confederacy during the American Civil War.
McConaughey is set to take on the role of Newton Knight as he teams up with filmmaker Gary Ross for the first time.
As well as being in the director's chair, Ross has also penned the screenplay and this is his first feature film since the huge success of The Hunger Games back in 2012.
The director has assembled a terrific cast as Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali, Keri Russell, and Sean Bridgers star alongside McConaughey.
Free State of Jones is an epic drama set during the American Civil War and tells the story of a defiant Southern farmer, Newt Knight (McConaughey), and his extraordinary rebellion against the Confederate States Army. Bringing together an unlikely band of poor white farmers and runaway slaves, Knight launched an uprising that led Jones County, Mississippi, to secede from the Confederacy, creating a Free State of Jones.
McConaughey is one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood at the moment and I am looking forward to seeing him in action once again - it looks like it is going to be another gritty role for the Oscar winner.
- The Queen of Katwe - released 21st October
It has been a hugely successful year for Disney and the studio is back in the autumn with their latest live-action project Queen of Katwe.
Queen of Katwe tells the real-life story of Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi. The movie is based on the book by Tim Crothers and has been adapted for the big screen by William Wheeler.
The movie marks the return of Mira Nair to the director's chair for her first feature film since The Reluctant Fundamentalist back in 2012. She has always crafted wonderful character dramas and The Queen of Katwe looks set to continue that fine tradition.
The movie will introduce us to the acting talents of Madina Nalwanga, who takes on the central role of Phiona. The movie marks her acting debut.
But she is surrounded by more established stars as Lupita Nyong'o, David Oyelowo, and Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine will also star.
Queen of Katwe is the colourful true story of a young girl selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess, and, as a result of the support she receives from her family and community, is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion.
The movie is set to be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival before hitting the big screen in the UK in October.
- A Street Cat Named Bob - released 4th November
A Street Cat Named Bob is a book that shot Bob and author James Bowen to fame in 2010 and now their incredible story is coming to the big screen for the first time his autumn.
A Street Cat Named Bob marks the return of Tomorrow Never Dies filmmaker Roger Spottiswoode to the director's chair for his first feature since The Journey Home back in 2014.
Tim John and Maria Nation have adapted the book into a screenplay and it is a wonderful story of friendship and how it can be found in the strangest of places.
Luke Treadaway takes on the central role of James and is joined on the cast list by Joanne Froggatt, Ruta Gedmintas, and Anthony Head. Bob will play himself in the film.
A Street Cat Named Bob tells the moving and life-affirming true story of the unlikely friendship between a young homeless busker, James Bowen, and the stray ginger cat named Bob who changed his life.
This is really promising to be a charming and uplifting story and I cannot wait to see this tale brought to the big screen.
- A United Kingdom - released 25th November
One of the autumn movies that I am looking forward to the most this autumn comes in the form of a United Kingdom; which is the film that will open the BFI London Film Festival in October.
A United Kingdom Amma Asante, who brought us Belle in 2013, back in the director's chair. This could be her best film to date.
The film tells the true story of Seretse Khama, King of Bechuanaland (modern Botswana), and Ruth Williams, the London office worker he married in 1948 in the face of fierce opposition from their families and the British and South African governments.
David Oyelowo will take on the role of Seretse while Rosamund Pike is also on board as Ruth. They are joined on the cast list by Jack Davenport, Terry Pheto, Tom Felton, Arnold Oceng, Jack Lowden, and Laura Carmichael.
A United Kingdom is a movie that will be featuring heavily on the festival circuit this autumn and the movie will receive its European Premiere when it opens the BFI London Film Festival.
There are some early Oscar whispers surrounding the film... could it be a contender come the beginning of next year? I guess we are going to have to wait and see.
- Sully: Miracle On The Hudson - released 2nd December
Tom Hanks is a huge favourite here at FemaleFirst and he is set to return to the big screen this December with Sully: Miracle On The Hudson.
Sully: Miracle On The Hudson sees the two-time Oscar-winning actor team up with filmmaker Clint Eastwood as they explore the extraordinary story of Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger.
Eastwood is one of the most exciting filmmakers around and has brought us films such as Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino, Hereafter in recent years - this is his first feature film since the success of American Sniper. It is always exciting when an Eastwood movie is on the horizon and I cannot wait to see what he delivers this time around.
Hanks takes on the role of Sully and is joined on the cast list by Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney, Anna Gunn, and Autumn Reeser.
On January 15, 2009, the world witnessed the 'Miracle on the Hudson' when Captain 'Sully' Sullenberger glided his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard.
However, even as Sully was being heralded by the public and the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and his career.
This is the first actor/director collaboration between Hanks and Eastwood and I am excited to see them in action.
Other biopic movies not to miss this autumn include The Infiltrator, Southside With You, Bleed For This, and Anthropoid.