40 of the Best Math Movies for Adults, Teens and Kids
Math movies are a great way to blend education and entertainment for math students. These movies often incorporate mathematical concepts, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills in their storylines. They can also help kids and adults develop a love for math and see its real-world applications.
Movies about math offer significant educational value by introducing mathematical concepts in a relatable and enjoyable manner. The best movies can inspire kids to explore and appreciate the world of math while providing an entertaining cinematic experience.
Table of Contents
Best Math Movies
Importance of math in movies
Math-themed movies are important in helping children understand complex math concepts in a fun and engaging way. Movies such as “Hidden Figures” and “A Beautiful Mind” effectively teach math concepts such as fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, and geometry. These movies not only benefit students but also parents who may struggle with helping their children with math homework.
These movies show that math is not just about numbers and formulas, but plays a crucial role in various industries and everyday situations. By watching these movies, children and adults can gain a deeper understanding of math concepts and appreciate their importance in the real world. Math-themed movies can be a powerful tool in teaching and understanding math concepts effectively.
We have also included a free Movie Review Template for you to print out and use as you review the listed math movies. So grab some popcorn and enjoy these fantastic films.
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Note to Parents and Educators – Please note that this list is subjective and some of the films may contain themes or content that are not appropriate for all younger or older students. It’s always a good idea to preview the films before showing them to your students.
1. A Beautiful Mind
John Nash , played by Russell Crowe, was a brilliant mathematician known for his groundbreaking work in game theory, which earned him a Nobel Prize in Economics. However, he also struggled with a mental illness, which is depicted in the film “A Beautiful Mind.” The movie beautifully captures Nash’s journey as he battles with the debilitating effects of a mental disorder, ultimately finding a way to manage his condition while continuing his academic pursuits. “A Beautiful Mind” showcases the power of resilience, determination, and the importance of seeking help for mental health issues.
2. THE MARTIAN
An astronaut becomes stranded on Mars so NASA and a team of international scientists work to bring “The Martian”, played by Matt Damon. RATED: PG-13
3. PROOF
In “Proof,” Gwyneth Paltrow plays a mathematician who struggles with mental illness while trying to prove a groundbreaking mathematical theorem left behind by her deceased father. The film delves into the complexities of genius, mental health, and family relationships, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of navigating both the academic and personal aspects of life.
4. INTERSTELLAR
In “Interstellar,” directed by Christopher Nolan, a team of astronauts travels through a wormhole in search of a new habitable planet for humanity. “Interstellar” challenges viewers to think critically about space travel, physics, and the potential
5. DREAM BIG: ENGINEERING OUR WORLD
From the world’s tallest buildings to solar cars, and the Great Wall of China, Dream Big explores different engineering inventions in detail and celebrates the minds behind them. RATED: NR-Documentary
6. UNDERWATER DREAMS
Underwater Dreams is a feel-good movie about a small underdog robotics team competing against big-name college teams during the National Championship. RATED NR-Documentary
7. PARTICLE FEVER
Particle Fever is a movie about science and scientists. And you may enjoy the physicists rapping . . about physics. RATED: NR – Documentary
8. HIDDEN FIGURES
“Hidden Figures” tells the true story of three female African-American Mathematicians who played crucial roles in the early years of the U.S. space program. Despite facing racial and gender discrimination, these women made significant contributions to NASA’s success, helping launch astronaut John Glenn into orbit. The film sheds light on their untold story and highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Johnson are the unsung heroes whose mathematical prowess helped shape America’s space program.
9. THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
“The Theory of Everything” explores the life of renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, focusing on his groundbreaking work in theoretical physics as well as his struggles with ALS. The film showcases Hawking’s determination to overcome physical limitations and continue his scientific pursuits, highlighting
The Man Who Knew InfinityMoneyball
A Beautiful Mind
The Imitation Game
10. THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY
“The Man Who Knew Infinity” tells the story of Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, starring Dev Patel, who made significant contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions. The film explores Ramanujan’s journey from his humble beginnings in India to his collaboration with Cambridge University professor G.H. Hardy, showcasing his brilliance and perseverance in the face of adversity. “
Math Teacher Movie
11. AGORA
“Agora” follows the life of Hypatia, a female mathematician and philosopher in ancient Alexandria. The film explores her struggles against religious and political turmoil as she seeks to preserve knowledge and reason during a time of upheaval. Rachel Weisz delivers a powerful performance as Hypatia, showcasing the importance of intellect and education in the face of ignorance and oppression. “Agora” is
12. OCTOBER SKY
October Sky is an inspirational drama about the life of Homer Hickam as he grows up in a small coal town but dreams of building rockets. He later goes on to become a NASA Engineer. RATED: PG
13. APPOLO 13
Played by Tom Hanks, this film produced the famous tagline “Houston, we have a problem”. The story recreates the lunar mission crisis of 1970. RATED: PG
14. SPARE PARTS
Based on a true-life story, this movie is about four Hispanic teenagers who form a robotics club to learn to build a robot. RATED: PG-13
This is a free printable for parents that includes the 13 Best Math Movies for Kids. It is a list of high-quality math and science-based films that kids and teens may enjoy.
15. THE NUMBERLYS
One of our all-time favorite math movies is “The Numberlys.” This delightful animated film follows the adventures of a group of creatures who live in a world where everything is numerical. One day, they decide to break out of their monotonous existence and create something new: letters! As they experiment with this strange new concept, the Numberlys discover the power of communication and storytelling. This is a great movie for kids who are just learning to read and write, as it will help them understand how important numbers can be. Family NR
16. FLATLAND
Another terrific math movie for kids is “Flatland.” This unique film takes place in a two-dimensional world inhabited by geometric shapes. When a sphere from our three-dimensional world visits Flatland, he is initially met with skepticism and fear. But as he begins to teach the Flatlanders about the third dimension, they start to see the world in a whole new way. This is a great film for kids who are interested in geometry and physics, as it will help them understand some of the basic concepts of our world. NR, Short Story
17. THE KNIGHTS OF SOUTH BRONX
The Knights of South Bronx is a 2004 American drama film directed by Robert Rodriguez. It is based on the true story of David Ortiz, a high school math teacher, who founded the Documentary about numbers in the education system KIPP NYC College Prep charter school. The movie follows Ortiz as he works to improve the lives of the students at his school and help them succeed academically. In addition to its inspiring story, the film is also notable for its use of math in telling its story.
18. DONALD IN MATHMAGIC LAND
Donald in Mathmagic Land is a delightful 1957 educational film featuring Donald Duck that teaches its viewers about the fascinating world of mathematics. Through the use of creative visuals and catchy tunes, the film engages its audience while conveying important mathematical concepts. Donald in Mathmagic Land is an excellent resource for teenagers who are interested in exploring the world of mathematics.
19. CONTACT
The math movie “Contact” is a great film for teens and young adults. It stars Jamie Foster as a high school student who becomes obsessed with finding a way to contact extraterrestrial intelligence. The movie is full of suspense and excitement, and it will keep you guessing until the very end. “Contact” is an excellent film for anyone who loves science fiction or wants to learn more about mathematics and physics. Rated PG
20. MONEYBALL
“Moneyball” is a sports drama film about Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics baseball team. Based on the true story of how the Oakland A’s used analytics to compete with richer teams, Moneyball follows Billy Beane (played by Brad Pitt) as he assembles a winning team on a shoestring budget. Beane teams up with Yale economics graduate Peter Brand to use statistical analysis to assemble a competitive team. The film showcases how math and data analysis can be used to make strategic decisions in sports and business.
21. TRON:LEGACY
While the movie Tron Legacy features some scenes with characters discussing and doing math. However, the film is primarily a science fiction action movie with a strong focus on computer-generated graphics and visual effects. However, the math scenes in the film are still important to the plot, as they are used to help explain the complex concepts of digital data and computer coding.
22. STAND AND DELIVER
For anyone who’s ever struggled with math, the movie Stand and Deliver is an inspiring tale of what’s possible when you set your mind to it. The film tells the true story of Jaime Escalante, a teacher who transformed a group of inner-city kids into math geniuses. Escalante himself was a poor, first-generation immigrant who had to drop out of high school to support his family. But he went back and got his GED, eventually becoming a math teacher.
23. BACK TO THE FUTURE
Most people are familiar with the popular movie franchise “Back to the Future.” The original film was released in 1985 and starred Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, a teenager who is accidentally sent back in time to the 1950s. In the course of his adventures, Marty encounters several challenges that require him to use his math skills.
He must help his friend Doc Brown build a time machine out of a DeLorean car, using a complex equation that involves Einstein’s theory of relativity. As a result, “Back to the Future” is not only an entertaining movie, but also one that provides several opportunities for viewers to brush up on their math skills. RATED PG
24. STANDING STILL
The math movie Standing Still is a heartwarming tale of a group of friends who reconnect after several years apart. The movie follows the lives of several characters as they experience love, loss, and hope. While the movie is set in the world of mathematics, the themes are universal and will resonate with viewers of all ages.
The cast is talented and the story is well-written, making Standing Still a must-see for anyone interested in a touching drama. However, this movie is RATED R so it is only appropriate for adult audiences.
25. THE IMITATION GAME
The Imitation Game starring Keira Knightley, is the perfect movie for math lovers. The movie is based on the life of Alan Turing, a famous mathematician who worked on cracking the Nazi’s Enigma machine during World War II. The film tells the story of how Turing and his team of mathematicians were able to crack the Enigma code, which helped to turn the tide of the war in favor of the Allies.
The Man Who Knew InfinityMoneyball
A Beautiful Mind
The Imitation Game
26. WALL-E
The math movie Wall-E is a great way to teach children about the importance of numbers and patterns. The adorable little robot is always on the lookout for ways to make things more efficient, and he uses math to help him do just that. From sorting trash to tracking his steps, Wall-E shows kids that math can be used in everyday life. Rated G
27. “21”
The math movie 21 starring Kevin Spacey is a thrilling tale of a group of college students who use their math skills to win big at blackjack in Las Vegas. Based on a true story, the film follows Ben Campbell (played by Jim Sturgess) as he joins a group of brilliant students led by Professor Mickey Rosa to count cards and beat the system at the casinos. As the stakes get higher and tensions rise, Ben must navigate the world of high-stakes gambling while also balancing his academic and personal life.
28. A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME
A Brief History of Time is not your typical math movie, but it is a fascinating exploration of the life and work of renowned physicist Stephen Hawking. The film delves into Hawking’s groundbreaking theories on the origins of the universe, black holes, and the nature of time itself. While the movie may not focus solely on math, it does touch on complex mathematical concepts that will leave viewers with a deeper understanding of the universe and our place in it. Rated G.
29. SNEAKERS
Sneakers is a fun and exciting math movie that follows a team of expert hackers and codebreakers as they are tasked with stealing a mysterious black box. The team must use their mathematical skills to navigate through various puzzles and challenges to uncover the truth behind the box. With a mix of action, humor, and intrigue, Sneakers is sure to entertain viewers of all ages. Rated PG
Best Math Movies
30. The LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK
For children, math can sometimes seem like a daunting subject. However, by incorporating math-themed movies into their learning experience, they can see how math is used in exciting and relatable ways. These movies not only entertain but also educate, showing that math is more than just numbers – it’s a tool that can be applied in various situations to solve problems and achieve goals.
31. PEG + CAT TV – Y
Peg + Cat is a popular children’s television show that uses math concepts to solve problems and explore the world around them. The show follows the adventures of Peg, a spirited young girl, and her loyal cat, Cat, as they encounter challenges that require mathematical thinking to overcome. Through catchy songs and engaging storylines, Peg + Cat helps young viewers develop their problem-solving skills and build confidence in their
32. TEAM UMIZOOMI TV-Y
Team Umizoomi is another math-themed children’s television show that follows a team of tiny superheroes who use their math skills to solve problems in their city. With the help of their friend, Bot, Milli, and Geo go on exciting adventures that involve counting, shapes, patterns, and more.
33. CYBERCHASE TV-Y
Cyberchase is an animated math series that follows a group of kids who are transported into the digital world to solve math-related problems and save the day. With the help of their friend, Digit, the kids use math concepts such as geometry, fractions, and algebra to outsmart the villainous Hacker and his henchmen.
34. ODD SQUAD TV-Y
Odd Squad is a math-focused children’s television show that follows a group of young agents who work for an organization that investigates odd occurrences in their town using math skills. Through problem-solving and teamwork, the agents tackle cases involving patterns, shapes, measurements, and more. The show not only entertains but also reinforces the importance of math in everyday life. Rated TV-Y
35. MATILDA PG
Matilda is a beloved children’s movie based on the book by Roald Dahl. The film follows the story of Matilda, a young girl with extraordinary intelligence who uses her math skills to outsmart the adults in her life, including her cruel parents and the tyrannical headmistress of her school.
36. NOVA – THE GREAT MATH MYSTERY PG
NOVA: The Great Math Mystery is a fascinating documentary that explores the hidden mathematical patterns and connections found throughout the universe. From the shapes of galaxies to the patterns in nature, this film delves into how mathematics plays a crucial role in understanding the mysteries of our world.
37. THE STORY OF ONE
The Story of 1 is a documentary with Terry Jones about the number 1.
38. A BRILLANT YOUNG MIND
A teenage math prodigy finds new friendships when he wins a spot on the British squad at the International Mathematics Olympiad.
39. GOOD WILL HUNTING
Good Will Hunting, Starring Matt Damon, Robin Williams Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, and Stellan Skarsgard, is about a janitor at MIT with a gift for mathematics. Will Hunting, is discovered by a professor who helps him realize his potential. This movie explores themes of talent, intelligence, and the importance of pursuing one’s passions. Rated R for strong language.
40. FERMAT’S ROOM
A Spanish thriller about three mathematicians who are locked in a room and must use their wits to escape.
This is a free printable for parents that includes the Best Math Movies for Kids. It is a list of high-quality math and science-based films that kids and teens may enjoy.
These movies show that math is not just about numbers and formulas, but plays a crucial role in various industries and everyday situations. By watching these movies, children and adults can gain a deeper understanding of math concepts and appreciate their importance in the real world. Math-themed movies can be a powerful tool in teaching and understanding math concepts effectively.
