Math is not just a subject, it is a part of our lives; no kidding here. Still, we have all struggled with math anxiety in our student lives, right? However, one thing we did not understand was that math itself was not difficult, it was the way we learned it - with zero interest. Now you must be thinking, how to make math interesting? What if we tell you countless movies can make you look at math in a totally different and cool way? Yes, you heard that right!
Mathematics is undoubtedly a difficult subject, and even difficult to portray visually in movies. However, still, there are tons of math movies that have a mathematical genius in the lead, the storyline or plot is somehow related to math, or features the true story of a mathematician.
So, are you curious to know about those movies? Don't worry. As always, we have got you covered! In this post, we are sharing the 15 best math movies for every math lover and student struggling with the subject will love. Now without making you wait any further, let us dive right in!
1. The Imitation Game
The famous movie
Imitation game revolves around the life of Alan Turing; a cryptanalyst and a brilliant British mathematician. He leads a code-cracking team to help the world during world war ii, and he successfully helped in saving the lives of millions of people and ending the war quickly. He does this by creating the world's first computer and decoding the soviet messages like a PRO!
This movie is full of mathematics, complex numbers, and puzzle-solving scenarios. Also, it is an inspiring story that tells how math and mathematicians can change the world. In short, the imitation game is a treat for all math lovers.
2. Hidden Figures
If you are both a math and NASA lover, then the Oscar-nominated movie hidden figures is what you need to watch! The plot revolves around three African American women mathematicians, who are also working in NASA. This movie is not only about mathematics, but also about women's empowerment and the wonders they can do.
This movie is full of mathematics concepts like geometry, Euler's method, and more. These three women are trying to make paths for a spacecraft to orbit the moon and the earth. The movie explains that Math is just not a subject for men; women can also nail the subject and the space program too.
3. Man Who Knew Infinity
The plot of the man who knew infinity revolves around the real-life story of Srinivasa Ramanujan, a brilliant mathematician from India. Later, he goes to England to attend Cambridge and developed an interest in Mathematics. He contributed a lot in the field of Mathematics until he died at the age of 32, in 1920.
This movie also shows the beautiful friendship he had with his mentor, Professor G.H. Hardy. If you are a math lover, this movie is something you definitely need to watch! It is not very famous or well-known, but still worth spending every minute you watch.
4. Interstellar
Interstellar is a famous science fiction film released in 2014 and directed by Christopher Nolan. This movie portrays the concepts of math and physics like gravity, time, and relativity. The plot of the movie revolves around a team of explorers who are trying their best to save the survival of humanity.
The explorers do this by going to space and traveling through a wormhole. You must be thinking, where is math in all of this, right? Well, in the end, the well-being of the whole of humanity depends on solving one mathematical equation. That equation will solve the gravity problem of the planet. Interstellar is a treat to watch for math geniuses.
5. Moneyball
The story of Moneyball revolves around Billy Beane, the general manager of a baseball team. The character of Billy was played by the legendary actor Brad Pitt, so it was definitely a masterpiece. In the movie, Billy Beane along with his friend Peter Brand start their own sports team using mathematics techniques and computer-based methods.
Moneyball is a great example for students who wonder how you apply and use the mathematics concepts in real life. Moreover, the humour and witty dialogues between the characters in this movie are non-stop entertainment.
6. A Beautiful Mind
A beautiful mind is a biographical film based on the life of an economist and American mathematician John Nash. John Nash was a brilliant mathematician, but he was also a patient with schizophrenia. However, this mental illness did not stop John from making important discoveries in the field of mathematics.
Moreover, the movie clearly explains and shows how you can apply the concepts of mathematics in the real and everyday world. A beautiful mind is a wonderful movie, just like its name; and super informational and inspiring for every math lover and student.
7. The Theory of Everything
The plot of the theory of everything revolves around Stephen Hawking's life; a famous and brilliant theoretical physicist. The storyline of this movie was taken from a memoir written by Stephen's ex-wife Jane Hawking - "Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen". The movie shows the amazing life of Stephen Hawking in Cambridge, and how he contributed to the fields of Mathematics and Physics.
However, he was suffering from motor neuron disease, and his wife married him knowing that Stephen has 2 years left to live. The character of Stephen Hawking was beautifully portrayed by Eddie Redmayne, and he got the Best Actor award at the academy awards for his remarkable performance.
8. Stand and Deliver
Stand and deliver is a classic movie in which Jaime Escalante, a teacher, starts teaching calculus to some nearly failing students. His goal is to make the students pass their final exams. This movie tells the story of hardships faced by the students and teachers from society. Moreover, the story also tells how difficult the whole course and learning and teaching process were.
The movie shows that calculus and mathematics are difficult but definitely not impossible. Also, it beautifully displays the relationships between a teacher and their students. Stand and deliver won six independent spirit awards, and the screenplay was adored by the audience.
9. Proof
The story of the emotional and drama movie Proof revolves around the main character Catherine, portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow. Catherine comes to know about the mental disorders his father was going through during his last days. While she is dealing with the grief of his father's death, a mathematician comes into her life and helps her in solving the last mystery of her father's mathematical proof.
The movie also unveils the troubled past of Catherine. All in all, this movie is full of mathematical equations, puzzles, and countless mysteries. The proof is a treat to watch for every Math and mystery lover.
10. 21
The movie 21 is a tale about mathematics tricks and gambling addiction. It was released in 2008, and the plot revolves around Ben Campbell, a student and mathematical genius with a wish to attend Harvard. In the movie, he teams up with his professor and makes a strategy to win the blackjack game every time without losing. This strategy includes using the concept of probability and counting cards.
This movie is an excellent option for students who are wondering how to apply Mathematics to the real world. Also, if you are someone who loves to know about gambling and probability, this movie is the best option for you!
11. Good Will Hunting
Good will hunting was released back in 1997, and the film is still rocking the world even years after its release. The main characters in this movie were Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon. Matt Damon plays the role of Will Hunting; the main character working at MIT as a janitor. However, he was a mathematics genius despite never attending school all his life.
One of his professors discovered his intellect and helped him realize his mathematical capabilities. Also, the professor helped Damon to get the recognition he deserves. The film also talked about topics like child abuse, psychology, and human nature. This movie is a great tale of hard work, dedication, and optimism.
12. Travelling salesman
The travelling salesman was released in 2012 and revolves around the mathematical equation of P versus NP. In the movie, the US government makes a team of 4 mathematicians to solve this equation. The mathematicians believe that this equation can single-handedly change the way how the world works.
Though this movie basically revolves around a mathematical equation, it also shows hints of the human psyche and social ethical duties. The travelling salesman won the best feature film award in 2012 at the Silicon Valley Film Festival.
13. The Lost World: Jurassic Park
We all love the Jurassic part movies, right? Well, the 1997 "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" was a treat for mathematicians. The movie featured the famous mathematician, Dr. Ian Malcolm, in the second installment of its series, and he was one of the main characters.
The plot of the film remarkably shows the brilliance of Dr Malcolm in the field of mathematics. The movie made $619 million at the box office, and it was a commercial success, and viewers from all over the world enjoyed the movie.
14. Agora
Do you know who was the first-ever female mathematician in this world? Well, the movie Agora is based on her life. The honour of the first female mathematician in history goes to Hypatia, and her character was portrayed by Rachel Weisz. Hypatia was from Egypt, and apart from being a mathematician, she was also an astronomer and philosopher.
The film showed her journey in the field of mathematics, and the success and hardships she faced. Agora was released back in 2008, and it debuted at the Cannes Film Festival. Moreover, it got a Goya Awards nomination as well.
15. X + Y
X + Y, the 2014 movie, revolves around the life of Nathan Ellis, a 9-year-old kid diagnosed with Autism. Despite being autistic, Ellis had a brain that understood Math and numbers more than anyone else in this world. In short, his brain was not ordinary; it was brilliant. After enhancing his mathematics skills for 7 years, he was selected to represent the UK at IMO - International Mathematical Olympiad.
After getting this chance, Nathan needed to get out of his comfort zone, overcome his fear of failure, and prepare himself for new experiences. This movie is a delightful tale of hard work and struggle, and a treat to watch for every kid who loves mathematics.
Conclusion
We are done with our list of the 15 best math movies we found. Now, it is your turn to watch all these movies and learn how to apply mathematics concepts to the real world. If you have an interest in Mathematics and want to learn the subject in the most effective way, you can always book a private tutor from our website. We have a team of certified
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