Movies Like Hidden Figures: 25+ Inspirational Films You Can’t Miss

Movies Like Hidden Figures (Top Picks At A Glance)

Hidden Figures is a powerful film that celebrates the accomplishments of three African American women who broke barriers in the STEM field. It’s an inspiring story of female empowerment and perseverance, one that will leave you feeling motivated and inspired.

If you’re looking for more movies like Hidden Figures, look no further! We’ve compiled a list of films with similar themes, characters, and storylines that are sure to fill your heart with warmth and hope. From biopics to stories about overcoming adversity, these movies have it all! Read on to find out which ones made our list.

Darkest Hour Movie Description

As World War II rages on, newly appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill faces a critical decision that will shape the war’s course.

With the fate of Western Europe hanging in the balance, Churchill must choose between negotiating with Hitler or fighting against seemingly impossible odds. Despite the immense pressure, Churchill proved to be a steadfast leader whose courageous decisions and inspiring leadership helped turn the tide of the war.

The Martian Movie Description

After a brutal storm leaves him stranded on the hostile planet of Mars, Mark Watney must fight for his survival using only his wits and limited supplies.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, NASA and a team of international scientists are racing against time to rescue Watney before it’s too late. As tensions rise and the clock ticks down, Watney must use all of his knowledge and resourcefulness to stay alive and make it back to Earth.

• Where Was The Martian Filmed?

A Beautiful Mind Movie Description

John Forbes Nash Jr. is a brilliant mathematician on the brink of international acclaim. But as he delves deeper into his research, he begins to experience hallucinations and delusions that threaten to unravel his life and career.

As he struggles to come to terms with his illness, he must also confront his own arrogance and the painful consequences of his actions.

Bridge of Spies Movie Description

During the height of the Cold War, James Donovan, a New York lawyer, is recruited by the CIA to negotiate the release of U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers, who has been captured by the Soviet Union.

Donovan heads to Berlin, hoping to secure Powers’ freedom in exchange for a convicted spy he previously defended in court. As he navigates treacherous political waters, Donovan must use all of his legal and diplomatic skills to bring the tense negotiations to a successful conclusion.

• Movies Like Bridge Of Spies

The Blind Side Movie Description

When Leigh Anne Tuohy takes in homeless teenager Michael Oher, she and her family are forever transformed by his presence.

Michael’s size and strength make him a natural fit for football, and with the help of his new family and a dedicated tutor, he begins to excel both on and off the field. But as he prepares to embark on a promising career, he must also confront the difficult realities of his past and the obstacles that still stand in his way.

• Best Football Movies Of All Time
• Best Movies About Foster Care

42 Movie Description

Branch Rickey, manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, makes history by signing Jackie Robinson, breaking major league baseball’s color barrier. But the decision puts both men in the crosshairs of a society that is deeply divided along racial lines.

Robinson faces open racism and discrimination from fans, the press, and other players, but refuses to be deterred. With Rickey’s support, Robinson becomes an inspiration to millions and a symbol of hope for a better future.

• Best Baseball Movies Of All Time

Gifted Movie Description

Frank Adler is raising his brilliant young niece, Mary, in a small town in Florida. But when Mary’s mathematical talents are discovered by Frank’s overbearing mother, Evelyn, the two clash over Mary’s future.

Frank is determined to give Mary a normal childhood, while Evelyn sees her granddaughter as a prodigy who should be pushed to her limits. As tensions rise, Frank and Evelyn must confront their own issues and come to a resolution that’s best for Mary.

October Sky Movie Description

John Hickam, a coal miner from West Virginia, takes great pride in his job and hopes his sons will continue the family tradition. However, when Homer sees Sputnik 1 pass overhead, he becomes fascinated with rocket science.

John is displeased with his son’s newfound passion, but Homer finds solace in building rockets with his friends and a supportive teacher. He believes that rocketry could be his ticket to a brighter future and pursues it with fervor, despite his father’s disapproval.

Good Will Hunting Movie Description

Will Hunting, a janitor at MIT, has an extraordinary IQ but chooses not to pursue a career in academia. However, his talents are discovered by Professor Gerald Lambeau when he solves a challenging graduate-level math problem.

To help Will reach his potential, Professor Lambeau offers him guidance and mentorship. Unfortunately, Will’s life takes a turn for the worse when he is arrested for assaulting a police officer. To avoid jail time, he agrees to attend therapy with Sean Maguire, a psychologist who has his own demons to battle.

• Movies Like Good Will Hunting

Radioactive Movie Description

Marie Curie, devastated by the loss of her husband, Pierre, channels her grief into her scientific research on radioactive elements. Her discoveries could have the potential to revolutionize medicine, but as she delves deeper into her work, she begins to realize the dangerous implications of her findings.

Her research could lead to unprecedented destruction if it falls into the wrong hands, and she must grapple with the ethical implications of her work.

Molly’s Game Movie Description

Running the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game for a decade, Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) was at the top of her game until she was arrested in the middle of the night by 17 FBI agents wielding automatic weapons.

Her players included Hollywood royalty, sports stars, business titans, and unbeknownst to her, the Russian mob. Facing prosecution, her only ally was her criminal defense lawyer Charlie Jaffey (Idris Elba), who soon learned there was much more to Molly than the tabloids led people to believe.

• Best Movies About Gambling

The Help Movie Description

In 1960s Mississippi, Skeeter is a young Southern society girl returning from college with aspirations of becoming a writer. She shocks her small town by deciding to interview the Black women who have been taking care of prominent white families for years.

Aibileen, the housekeeper of Skeeter’s best friend, is initially hesitant to talk but eventually agrees to collaborate with Skeeter on the project. Seeing Aibileen’s courage encourages more women to come forward and share their stories. As they continue working together, it becomes clear that these women have many important things to say about their experiences in Southern society.

Invictus Movie Description

Facing the challenge of unifying a racially divided country, Nelson Mandela becomes acutely aware of the deep-seated tensions that continue to exist between South Africa’s black and white communities.

Particularly during an international rugby match where he notices black supporters cheering on the opposing team whenever the white Springboks take to the field, prompting Mandela to take action towards using rugby as a means of bringing the country together.

Selma Movie Description

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 legally desegregated the South, but discrimination still existed, making it difficult for Blacks to register to vote. In 1965, an Alabama city became the battleground in the fight for suffrage.

Despite violent opposition, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his followers pressed forward on an epic march from Selma to Montgomery. Their efforts culminated with President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Fences Movie Description

In 1950s Pittsburgh, Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) makes his living as a sanitation worker. Maxson had once yearned to become a professional baseball player, yet his dreams were dashed when he was considered too old for the major leagues when they began admitting African-American athletes.

Afflicted with anger and regret over the missed opportunity, Troy intensifies the family’s division by crushing his son’s (Jovan Adepo) hope of connecting with a college football recruiter. The strained relationship between father and son leads to a revelation about Troy’s past and his relationship with his own father.

Lion Movie Description

Five-year-old Saroo makes a fateful journey on an unexpected train ride that transports him to the other side of India and away from his beloved family. To survive, he must learn how to live alone in Kolkata until eventually being adopted by Australians.

After 25 years filled with bittersweet memories, Saroo decides it is time for him to find his long-lost relatives and make the voyage back to where it all began – home. With nothing but courage and Google Earth as his guide, will he succeed?

Freedom Writers Movie Description

A Los Angeles teacher (Hilary Swank) has a challenging class of at-risk teenagers who seem disinterested in learning. Despite this, she is dedicated to inspiring them to become invested in their education and future prospects.

She provides them with reading material that they can relate to and encourages them to keep journals, fostering a sense of creativity and introspection.

• Movies Like Freedom Writers

The Theory of Everything Movie Description

In the 1960s, Cambridge University student Stephen Hawking is falling in love with fellow collegian Jane Wilde. Despite being diagnosed with motor neuron disease at 21, Stephen and Jane are determined to defy the odds.

With Jane by his side, Stephen embarks on an ambitious study of time and makes groundbreaking advances in medicine and science that exceed both their expectations.

• Best Inspirational Movies

Sully Movie Description

In 2009, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger (Tom Hanks), manages to successfully land US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River after a flock of geese strikes the plane.

All passengers and crew survive the landing, and Sullenberger is hailed as a national hero. Despite the acclaim, he faces a potential investigation that could end his career and ruin his reputation.

The Butler Movie Description

Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker) moves to Washington, D.C. to work at an elite hotel and eventually becomes a butler at the White House. Over the course of 30 years, he witnesses history unfold and gains insight into the inner workings of the Oval Office.

However, his dedication to the “First Family” causes tension in his personal life, straining his relationship with his wife and his rebellious son.

12 Years A Slave Movie Description

Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a free black man from New York who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. He endures cruelty at the hands of his malicious owner, but also experiences unexpected kindness.

As he struggles to maintain his dignity, he encounters an abolitionist from Canada in his 12th year of enslavement, changing his life forever.

• Best Movies About Slavery

First Man Movie Description

NASA aims to reach the moon by the end of the 1960s, and Neil Armstrong is one of the engineers tasked with making it happen.

Armstrong and his fellow astronauts, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins spend years in training and put their lives on the line during dangerous test flights. On July 16, 1969, the world watches in awe as Armstrong and his team embark on the historic Apollo 11 spaceflight.

• Movies Like First Man

The Imitation Game Movie Description

In 1939, MI6 recruits mathematical genius Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), to break Nazi codes, including the seemingly uncrackable Enigma. Turing and his team, including Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley), analyze Enigma messages while building a machine to decipher them.

Eventually, they succeed and become heroes. However, Turing’s life takes a turn for the worse when authorities discover that he is gay and sentence him to prison.

The Man Who Knew Infinity Movie Description

Srinivasa Ramanujan is a self-taught mathematical genius who refuses to give up on his passion for learning.

He contacts Professor G H Hardy, portrayed by Jeremy Irons, and is invited to attend Trinity College. There, he continues to pursue his passion for mathematics, despite facing racism and discrimination.

The Best Of Enemies Movie Description

In the midst of a heated summer in 1971, Durham, N.C. becomes a battleground for civil rights as the issue of school desegregation threatens to divide the community. Ann Atwater, a fierce and unyielding civil rights activist, has long fought against the Ku Klux Klan and its leader C.P. Ellis.

Despite their differences, the two are brought together to lead a community summit on the issue. As they work together, tensions and prejudices rise to the surface, leading to heated debates and angry clashes.

5 More Movies Like Hidden Figures (honorable Mentions)

While the films above are our top picks for the absolute best movies like Hidden Figures, there are still plenty of other notable films worth checking out.

These films will also provide you with similar themes, characters, and storylines and leave you feeling inspired and motivated just like Hidden Figures did. From powerful biopics to inspiring tales of female empowerment, here are some other great movies like Hidden Figures.

• Spotlight (2015)
• On the Basis of Sex (2018)
• Loving (2016)
• Marshall (2017)
• The Post (2017)