Films about science encompass a wide array of genres, including biopics, thrillers, dramas, documentaries, and even science fiction. These films typically explore scientific concepts, discoveries, and the lives of notable scientists. Such narratives might dive into the process of scientific discovery, the ethical and moral questions posed by advancements, or the personal and professional struggles of those who contribute to the field. While some of these films stay true to historical facts and real scientific principles, others take a more liberal approach to the subject matter for the sake of drama or entertainment.
Here is a list of various films about science with a brief description of each:
“A Beautiful Mind”, 2001
Director: Ron Howard
This biographical drama film, directed by Ron Howard, tells the story of John Nash, a Nobel Laureate in Economics who struggles with schizophrenia.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer, Paul Bettany, Adam Goldberg, Josh Lucas, Anthony Rapp, Jason Gray-Stanford, Judd Hirsch;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: biography, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 135 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “A Beautiful Mind” on the website imdb.com
“The Theory of Everything”, 2014
Director: James Marsh
A biographical romantic drama about the life of physicist Stephen Hawking, focusing on his groundbreaking work and relationship with his wife, Jane.
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox, David Thewlis, Emily Watson, Maxine Peake, Simon McBurney, Abigail Cruttenden, Harry Lloyd, Michael Marcus Morgan;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: biography, melodrama, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 123 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “The Theory of Everything” on the website imdb.com
“The Imitation Game”, 2014
Director: Morten Tyldum
This historical drama chronicles the life of Alan Turing, the mathematician who played a pivotal role in cracking Nazi codes during World War II, including the Enigma.
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Rory Kinnear, Allen Leech, Matthew Beard, Charles Dance, Mark Strong, James Northcote, Tom Goodman-Hill;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: biography, war, drama, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 114 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “The Imitation Game” on the website imdb.com
“Hidden Figures”, 2016
Director: Theodore Melfi
This biographical drama tells the untold story of three African-American women mathematicians who worked at NASA and played critical roles in the success of the space race.
Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, Glen Powell, Kimberly Quinn;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Hidden Figures” on the website imdb.com
“Contact”, 1997
Director: Robert Zemeckis
A sci-fi drama based on Carl Sagan's novel of the same name. It follows Dr. Eleanor Arroway, a SETI scientist who finds evidence of extraterrestrial life and is chosen to make first contact.
Starring: Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Skerritt, James Woods, Angela Bassett, William Fichtner, John Hurt, David Morse, Jena Malone, Jake Busey;
Production year: 1997;
Genre: science fiction, thriller, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 150 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Contact” on the website imdb.com
“Interstellar”, 2014
Director: Christopher Nolan
This science fiction epic, directed by Christopher Nolan, explores themes of space travel, black holes, and survival as a group of astronauts sets out on a mission to find a new home for humanity.
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Mackenzie Foy, Michael Caine, David Gyasi, Wes Bentley, Casey Affleck, John Lithgow, Matt Damon;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: science fiction, drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 169 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,7;
More information about the film “Interstellar” on the website imdb.com
“The Martian”, 2015
Director: Ridley Scott
Based on Andy Weir's novel, the film follows astronaut Mark Watney as he uses his ingenuity and science knowledge to survive on Mars after being left behind by his crew.
Starring: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peña, Sean Bean, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: science fiction, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 144 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “The Martian” on the website imdb.com
“Apollo 13”, 1995
Director: Ron Howard
Directed by Ron Howard, this film portrays the true story of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission to the moon and the heroic efforts to bring the astronauts home safely.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, Kathleen Quinlan, Mary Kate Schellhardt, Emily Ann Lloyd, Miko Hughes, Max Elliott Slade;
Production year: 1995;
Genre: drama, adventure, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 140 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Apollo 13” on the website imdb.com
“Particle Fever”, 2013
Director: Mark Levinson
A documentary film that follows six scientists during the launch of the Large Hadron Collider, the biggest and most expensive experiment in the history of science, to recreate conditions just after the Big Bang.
Starring: David Kaplan, Fabiola Gianotti, Sherwood Boehlert, Joel Hefley, Savas Dimopoulos, Nima Arkani-Hamed, Monica Dunford, Martin Aleksa, Lyn Evans, Mike Lamont;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: documentary;
Duration: 80 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
“An Inconvenient Truth”, 2006
Director: Davis Guggenheim
A documentary about former United States Vice President Al Gore's campaign to educate citizens about global warming through a comprehensive slideshow on climate change.
Starring: Al Gore, Billy West, Ronald Reagan;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: documentary;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “An Inconvenient Truth” on the website imdb.com
Keep in mind that the realm of films about science is vast and ever-evolving, with new films constantly being produced that explore different facets of science and its impact on our world.
The exploration of science through the cinematic lens offers a unique and captivating perspective on our universe and humanity's quest for knowledge. Films about science range from the profoundly inspirational to the critically thought-provoking, providing audiences with a diverse spectrum of narratives that delve into the mysteries of the universe, the intricacies of the human mind, and the ethical conundrums of technological advancement. Whether through the dramatized biographies of pioneering scientists, the speculative realms of science fiction, or the meticulous depiction of scientific processes and discoveries, these films serve not only as entertainment but also as educational tools and philosophical inquiries. They foster a greater appreciation for the scientific endeavor, challenge our understanding of the world, and inspire the next generation of thinkers and innovators. Ultimately, films about science encapsulate the human spirit of inquiry, reminding us of the wonder that drives us to explore, understand, and ultimately, transcend our limitations.
