Movies About Brilliant Minds

From Gus Van Sant, starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R

Good Will Hunting is a 1997 American drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The film follows 20-year-old genius and mathematics prodigy Will Hunting (Matt Damon), an unrecognized genius who works as a janitor at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After he is arrested for getting into a fight, Will is given the chance to avoid jail time if he agrees to work with a therapist, Sean Maguire (Robin Williams). Through his therapy, Will is able to come to terms with his past and to confront his self-destructive behavior. With the help of Sean and his friends, Will is able to learn to trust and love, leading him to find his true purpose in life.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer
Rated PG-13

A Beautiful Mind is a 2001 biographical drama film directed by Ron Howard and written by Akiva Goldsman. It is based on the life of John Nash, a Nobel Laureate in Economics. The film stars Russell Crowe as Nash, along with Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Bettany, Adam Goldberg and Josh Lucas in supporting roles. The film follows Nash's journey from a graduate student at Princeton University, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, to a Nobel Prize winner. Along the way, he is forced to confront the demons of his illness and learns to cope with them in order to succeed in his career and marriage. He also discovers a powerful mathematical formula that unlocks a number of secrets in the world of economics. Despite all the difficulties, Nash is ultimately able to overcome his illness and be recognized for his genius.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey
Rated R

The Wolf of Wall Street is an American biographical black comedy crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Terence Winter, based on the memoir of the same name by Jordan Belfort. The film follows the rise and fall of Belfort, a stockbroker who founds the brokerage firm Stratton Oakmont and becomes involved in fraudulent activities. The film features Leonardo DiCaprio as Belfort and Jonah Hill as his business partner and friend Donnie Azoff. It also features a large ensemble cast of supporting actors, including Matthew McConaughey, Rob Reiner, Jean Dujardin, Kyle Chandler, Jon Favreau, Joanna Lumley, Jean Dujardin, and Margot Robbie. The film chronicles Belfort's life as he rises from penny stockbroker to an infamous Wall Street stockbroker, taking part in rampant corruption and financial crimes. Belfort learns the hard way that money and power can't buy happiness, leading to his eventual downfall. The Wolf of Wall Street is a darkly comedic look at the excesses and recklessness of the financial industry and its consequences.

From James Mangold, starring Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, Caitríona Balfe
Rated PG-13

Ford v Ferrari is a 2019 biographical sports drama film directed by James Mangold. The film stars Matt Damon and Christian Bale. It is based on the true story of American car designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) and British-born driver Ken Miles (Bale), who battle corporate interference and the laws of physics to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and challenge Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. Shelby and Miles are determined to create a revolutionary Ford car that can beat Ferrari at the world-renowned 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Although they have to deal with interference from Ford executive Leo Beebe and a shortage of time and funds, they eventually build an innovative and powerful car. Despite the obstacles they face, they are determined to make it to the finish line and prove that Ford is a force to be reckoned with. In the end, they are triumphant, showing that despite the long odds and corporate interference, great achievements are still possible.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen
Rated PG-13

Catch Me If You Can is a 2002 biographical crime film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Abagnale Jr., a con artist and former check forger who successfully impersonated an airline pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer for years. With FBI Agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) on his tail, Abagnale evades capture by using his intelligence and charm. Through it all, Abagnale demonstrates a remarkable ability to elude capture, while at the same time, Hanratty slowly begins to admire and even like Abagnale. The film follows Abagnale's life as he moves across the United States in search of his next adventure or scheme, and Hanratty's dogged pursuit of the young criminal. In the end, Abagnale is caught and sentenced to prison, but thanks to Hanratty's persistence and Abagnale's own intelligence, he is released early and is able to put his skills to work for the FBI.

From Morten Tyldum, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Allen Leech
Rated PG-13

The Imitation Game is a 2014 biographical drama directed by Morten Tyldum and written by Graham Moore. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing, a British mathematician and cryptanalyst who led the charge to crack the German Enigma Code during World War II. The film follows Turing's attempts to break the code, as well as his tragic personal life and eventual prosecution for homosexuality in 1952. Along the way, he receives assistance from an unlikely group of allies, including a fellow mathematician (Keira Knightley), a sympathetic security officer (Mark Strong) and his team of specialists. Together, they make significant strides in deciphering the code and ultimately help ensure Allied victory in the war. Through Turing's story, the film highlights the power of code-breaking and its potential to change the course of history.

From Ridley Scott, starring Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara
Rated PG-13

The Martian is a 2015 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. It is based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Andy Weir. The story follows astronaut Mark Watney (Damon), who is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind on Mars by his crew. With the help of his ingenuity and resourcefulness, Watney must find a way to survive in the hostile environment and signal to Earth that he is alive. Along the way, Watney encounters a series of obstacles and must rely on his scientific know-how and wit to survive. Meanwhile, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring him home, against seemingly insurmountable odds. The film follows Watney's journey as he struggles to survive in the harsh landscape of Mars, while also exploring the human spirit of resilience in the face of extraordinary circumstances.

From Directors: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan, starring Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Saurabh Shukla, Anil Kapoor
Rated R

Slumdog Millionaire is a 2008 British drama film directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan. It tells the story of Jamal Malik, an 18-year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai who appears on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and wins the grand prize of 20 million rupees. As the police investigate how he was able to answer the questions correctly, Jamal recounts his life story, revealing that his answers were based on his experiences as a street kid. The film follows Jamal as he reunites with his lost love, Latika, and tries to win her back. Along the way, he encounters a variety of characters, from a ruthless crime boss to a Bollywood star, and learns what it means to be a true survivor. With the help of his brother, Salim, Jamal ultimately finds redemption and a new purpose in life.

From Jean-Marc Vallée, starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, Steve Zahn
Rated R

Dallas Buyers Club is a 2013 American biographical drama film directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, and Jared Leto. The film follows the story of Ron Woodroof, an HIV-positive electrician and cowboy in 1985 Texas, who is given only months to live. In order to survive, he establishes the Dallas Buyers Club, a cooperative that provides the best alternative treatments for HIV/AIDS to members, even though the FDA has not approved them yet. Woodroof must also battle corporate and government interests, as well as his own personal drug and alcohol addiction. The film depicts Woodroof's struggle to save himself, and the lives of those he comes to care about, in the face of the medical establishment, pharmaceutical companies, and the government.

From David Fincher, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Rooney Mara
Rated PG-13

The Social Network is a 2010 American biographical drama film directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin. The film stars Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, and chronicles the formation of the social media site in the early 2000s. It follows the legal disputes that arise as the various parties involved try to stake their claim in the newly-created venture. The film's plot also follows the personal relationships of Zuckerberg, including his relationships with his best friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) and Napster founder Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake). It ultimately culminates in a lawsuit against Zuckerberg by his former classmates, after they were excluded from the company. The Social Network received widespread critical acclaim, and was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay.

From Adam McKay, starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt
Rated R

The Big Short is a 2015 American biographical comedy-drama film directed by Adam McKay. The film is based on the non-fiction book The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis, which deals with the events leading up to the Financial Crisis of 2007-2008. The film focuses on four outsiders in the world of high-finance who predict the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s and decide to take on the big banks for their greed and lack of foresight. The four main characters are Michael Burry (Christian Bale), an eccentric hedge fund manager; Mark Baum (Steve Carell), a headstrong investor; Jared Vennett (Ryan Gosling), a slick, opportunistic banker; and Charlie Geller (John Magaro) and Jamie Shipley (Finn Wittrock), two young, inexperienced traders. The film follows the characters as they bet against the banks by buying credit default swaps and make a significant profit from the 2008 financial crash. In the aftermath of the crash, they must deal with the potential consequences of their actions, while trying to bring awareness to the corruption and greed in the banking industry.

From James Marsh, starring Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Tom Prior, Sophie Perry
Rated PG-13

The Theory of Everything tells the inspiring story of the renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, who despite being diagnosed with motor neuron disease at the age of 21, went on to become one of the most brilliant and influential scientists of our time. Throughout his remarkable journey, Hawking struggles to balance his physical impairments with his relentless desire for knowledge and understanding. With the help of his wife, Jane, Hawking rises to the challenge of finding a way to connect the universe and to unlock the secrets of the cosmos. Along the way, his relationship with Jane and their fight for their children to have a normal life and their own love story, provide a backdrop to one of the most inspiring and remarkable lives of our time.

From Bennett Miller, starring Brad Pitt, Robin Wright, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Rated PG-13

Moneyball is a 2011 biographical sports drama film starring Brad Pitt and directed by Bennett Miller. The film is based on the 2003 non-fiction book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis. It tells the story of Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane's (Pitt) successful attempt to assemble a competitive baseball team despite Oakland's small budget. Through the use of analytical data and sabermetrics, Beane is able to recruit and assemble a team of undervalued players, leading the team to success in the 2002 Major League Baseball season. The film explores the concept of operating within a competitive disadvantage due to financial constraints. It also touches on themes of determination, loyalty, and the pursuit of success in the face of adversity.

From Joe Wright, starring Gary Oldman, Lily James, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ben Mendelsohn
Rated PG-13

From Damien Chazelle, starring Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler
Rated PG-13

From Steven Spielberg, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Rated PG-13

From Oliver Stone, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto
Rated R

From Danny Boyle, starring Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Jeff Daniels
Rated R

From John Lee Hancock, starring Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman, John Carroll Lynch, Linda Cardellini
Rated PG-13

From Adam McKay, starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell
Rated R

From Steven Spielberg, starring Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk
Rated PG-13

From George Gallo, starring Luke Wilson, Giovanni Ribisi, Gabriel Macht, James Caan
Rated R

From Joshua Michael Stern, starring Ashton Kutcher, Dermot Mulroney, Josh Gad, Lukas Haas
Rated PG-13