Math Movies: Use These to Reignite an Awe for Math

We all remember some classic math movies from the past, such as A Beautiful Mind and Good Will Hunting. There have even been some more recent ones like 21 and The Imitation Game, which show the real-life applications of math - both the admirable applications and the shadier versions of its uses. These movies leave the viewers with an awe for the subject of math. It's amazing all that you can accomplish with a solid foundation of math knowledge! So why not use this motivational media to reach your students of the modern era!

"Enjoying movies together is a favorite family activity, and if those movies incorporate math in an interesting and engaging way, all the better!"

1. Hidden Figures- (PG) This movie tells the story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson who were black women in the South in the 1940’s working at NASA as “computers.” “Computer” was a job title for people who did calculations for various projects. The three women worked hard to break glass ceilings to achieve positions in white, male-dominated math fields.

We recommend this film to everyone, especially girls and minorities.

2. Stand and Deliver (PG) This movie is based on the true story of the math teacher, Jaime Escalante, and his students. The kids at his school were failing math but they beat all the odds with hard work and the help of a teacher who believed in them. They exemplify the concept of the growth mindset.

We recommend this movie for middle and high school students who say they aren’t any good at math or that they hate math.

3. Moneyball (PG-13) This movie shows how math can solve real problems. It is based on the true story of a major league baseball general manager. He changed the business of baseball by using mathematical analysis.

We recommend this movie for middle and high school students who don’t see math as useful.

4. The Theory of Everything (PG-13) This movie shows the personal and professional triumphs famous cosmologist, Stephen Hawkins.  He persisted with his life and math-based science despite a debilitating disease.

We recommend this movie for middle and high school students who love math and science.

5. October Sky (PG) This movie is based on the true story of a boy inspired by Sputnik to use math and science as his ticket to a better life.

We recommend this movie for children who don’t see math and science as cool or fun.

Watch a movie with your children with an inspirational message about math and then talk with them regarding their feelings on the subject.