Marilyn Monroe is America’s most enduring sex symbol. Several films have attempted to tell her story, from shy Norma Jean to the iconic star who died in 1962. With the Ana de Armas-led Blonde out this year, take a look back at the best movies about Marilyn Monroe to stream now.
A documentary chronicling the life and career of Monroe, narrated by John Huston. (Internet Archive)
Misty Rowe plays a young Marilyn, then Norma Jean Baker, as she works her way up from being abused as a child and working in a munitions plant in the ‘40s to breaking into Hollywood — which came with its own compromises. (Amazon)
Catherine Hicks stars as Monroe in this made-for-TV movie that follows the story of her brief life, from a difficult childhood to her extraordinary career as America’s enduring sex symbol. (Youtube)
An alternative telling of Marilyn’s life, author Robert Slatzer (who wrote two books about Monroe) recounts the story of meeting and hitting it off with Norma Jean as she navigated the early stages of her career. (Amazon)
Marilyn Monroe (Mira Sorvino) rises to Hollywood stardom as her insecure alter ago Norma Jean (Ashley Judd) tries to sabotage her joy. (Amazon)
This miniseries chronicles the major events of Monroe’s life (played by Poppy Montgomery), juxtaposing her life in the limelight with her private moments as Norma Jean. (Amazon)
Monroe (Michelle Williams) meets a 23-year-old production assistant (Eddie Redmayne) on the set of The Prince And The Showgirl and form a brief, intense connection. (Amazon)
A documentary exploring Monroe’s life as various actors (including Lindsay Lohan, Uma Thurman, and Glenn Close) read passages from her diary. (Amazon)
Told through archival footage and unseen interviews with friends of the star, this doc explores the mystery of Monroe’s untimely death at age 36. (Netflix)
Andrew Dominik’s forthcoming adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates’ bestselling novel of the same name, the NC-17 rated Blonde deals with the underpinnings of Monroe’s childhood trauma and how it impacted her adult self. Set to be released in 2022.