Do you enjoy math? Do you like watching movies about mathematicians and the ways they use mathematics in their work? If so, you’re in luck! In this article, we will list the best math movies for students.
We will also discuss what makes these movies interesting and enjoyable. So whether you’re a mathematician yourself or just someone who enjoys learning more about math, these movies are sure to please!
Why do people love math movies so much?
There are many reasons why people love math movies. For one, they provide a great opportunity to learn about mathematics and how it is used in the real world.
Additionally, math movies tend to be very visually appealing, with plenty of creative visuals and special effects.
And lastly, math can be quite fascinating and entertaining to watch, especially when it’s done in a creative and innovative way.
The best math movies of all time
Good Will Hunting
Matt Damon plays Will Hunting, a 20-year-old janitor at M.I.T who is a self-taught natural genius. As part of a bargain after assaulting a policeman he becomes a patient of a therapist (Robin Williams) and learns sophisticated mathematics with a renowned professor (Stellan Skarsgård).
The mathematics is quite advanced but Will finds it quite easy, which causes him to become bored. The film explores his personal life and relationships as he deals with the demons of his past.
Ben Affleck & Matt Damon won an Academy Award for best screen play for Good Will Hunting.
Good Will Hunting can be watched online on Prime, Stan and iTunes.
A Beautiful Mind
Based on the true story of John Nash (played by Russell Crowe), a Nobel Prize-winning mathematician who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. The film follows his descent into madness and eventual recovery.
It also explores his work in game theory and the Nash equilibrium, which is a key concept in economics.
A Beautiful Mind can be watched online on Stan, Prime, Roku & iTunes.
The Imitation Game
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Alan Turing, the English mathematician and cryptanalyst who helped crack the Nazi Enigma code during World War II.
The film details his work at Bletchley Park and the challenges he faced in trying to keep the operation a secret.
It also explores his personal life, including his homosexuality which was illegal at the time.
The Imitation Game can be watched online on Stan, Netflix, Prime & iTunes.
Hidden Figures
A feel-good movie about African American women working as mathematicians and engineers at NASA during the Space Race of the 1960s.
Hidden Figures follows the main characters as they fight for recognition and equality in the workplace.
It also highlights the important role that mathematics and science play in space exploration.
Hidden Figures can be watched online on Disney + & iTunes.
Fermat’s Room
A Spanish thriller about a group of mathematicians who are invited to solve a series of puzzles by a man called Fermat (played by Eduard Fernández).
As they work to solve the puzzles, they realize that they are being trapped in a room that is gradually shrinking.
The film explores themes of paranoia and claustrophobia as the characters race against time to escape.
Fermat’s room can be watched online on Roku or iTunes.
21
Card counting is a technique used by gamblers to win at blackjack. The film 21 is based on the true story of a group of MIT students who were trained to count cards and use their skills to win millions of dollars in Las Vegas casinos.
While the mathematics behind card counting is relatively simple, it takes a great deal of skill and practice to be successful at it.
21 can be watched online on Stan, Netflix and Apple itunes.
Enigma
Enigma is a British film about the race to crack the German Enigma code during World War II.
The film follows a team of mathematicians and cryptanalysts as they work to break the code.
It also explores the personal lives of the team members, including their relationships and love affairs.
Enigma can be watched online on Foxtel, Vudu & Prime.
Matilda
Matilda is a film about a young girl with extraordinary mathematical abilities.
The film follows Matilda as she uses her powers to help her friends and family, and eventually takes on the evil headmistress of her school.
It is a light-hearted and fun film that is sure to delight math lovers of all ages.
Matilda can be watched online on Hulu, Disney + & Netflix.
Gifted
A seven-year-old, Mary, with a creative mind and an intuitive intellect becomes the center of a family court dispute between her maternal uncle and grandmother in the 2017 film, Gifted.
Her grandmother believes she is a genius when it comes to math and should be given special tutoring to prepare her for a life devoted to mathematics. But her uncle thinks his sister would want Mary to have the childhood she did not have and send her to a normal public school.
Gifted can be watched online on Disney +, Netflix & Hulu.
Stand and Deliver
Stand and deliver is a great film for high school students. It is about a teacher who changes the life of his students. Mr. Escalante was a great teacher who believed in his students and helped them succeed.
The best part is that it is based on a true story. This movie will inspire you to be the best that you can be.
Stand and Deliver can be watched online on Foxtel, Prime, Netflix & Apple TV plus.
The man who knew infinity
The man who knew infinity is based on the life of Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. After growing up poor in Madras, India and working menial jobs his employers recognize his talents and write to professors of mathematics.
He leaves his wife in India to attend Cambridge University, where he becomes a pioneer in mathematical theories with the guidance of his professor, G.H. Hardy.
The man who knew infinity can be watched online on Netflix, Stan & Prime.
Moneyball
The film Moneyball is based on the book by Michael Lewis about the Oakland Athletics baseball team. The general manager of the team, Billy Beane, uses sabermetrics (a branch of mathematics) to create a winning team with a small budget.
The film follows Beane as he tries to build a successful team and deals with the skepticism of the traditional baseball community.
Moneyball can be watched online on Stan, Netflix & Hulu.
The Theory of Everything
Based on the life of Stephen Hawking, The Theory of Everything is a film about Hawking’s early years at Cambridge University.
The film explores his relationship with his wife, Jane, and his battle with motor neuron disease.
It also covers his work on theoretical physics, including his theories on black holes and the origin of the universe.
The Theory of Everything can be watched on Netflix and Prime.
FAQs
Which movie is based on mathematician Ian Turing?
The Imitation Game is a movie based on mathematician Ian Turing.
Which movie is based on mathematician Stephen Hawking?
The theory of everything, a 2014 film directed by James Marsh.
Which movie features a mathematical genius?
Good Will Hunting, A Beautiful Mind, The Theory of Everything, Gifted, The Man who knew Infinity, Hidden Figures and The Imitation Game all feature mathematical geniuses.
Best Math Movies: Final Thoughts
These are just a few of the best math movies out there. I love how they show how mathematics is used in real life.
So if you’re looking for some inspiration, or just want to see some great mathematics on the big screen, be sure to check out one (or all) of these films!