Movies About Geniuses On Netflix

From Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine
Rated PG-13

The Prestige is a 2006 mystery thriller film about two rival stage magicians in Victorian London, Robert Angier and Alfred Borden. Their intense competition leads them to engage in dangerous and often deadly acts of trickery and deception, as they try to outwit each other in pursuit of the ultimate illusion. In the process, they become obsessed with creating the perfect trick and will go to extreme lengths to achieve it. As their battle intensifies, they are forced to confront the consequences of their actions and the moral implications of their rivalry. In the end, the audience is left to decide which of the two rivals was the true master of the art of prestidigitation.

From Rajkumar Hirani, starring Aamir Khan, Madhavan, Mona Singh, Sharman Joshi
Rated PG-13

3 Idiots is a 2009 Indian comedy-drama film co-written and directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. It stars Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Kareena Kapoor, Boman Irani, and Omi Vaidya. The story follows three friends – Farhan Qureshi (Madhavan), Raju Rastogi (Joshi), and Rancho (Khan) – who are studying engineering at India’s prestigious Imperial College of Engineering. After facing many struggles and hardships, the trio eventually learn the value of friendship, hard work and the importance of following one’s own dreams. The film was a major box office success and was praised for its message and entertainment value.

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 adapted from the 1998 biography of the same name by Sylvia Nasar. The film stars Russell Crowe as John Nash, a mathematical genius and Nobel Laureate in Economics, whose battles with schizophrenia cause him to withdraw from the public eye and into a state of paranoia and delusion. Despite his struggles, Nash's brilliance is recognized, and he eventually finds his way back to the real world. The film also stars Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, and Paul Bettany. A Beautiful Mind is a powerful exploration of the human condition, as seen through the lens of Nash’s struggle to redefine himself and find his place in the world.

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

Catch Me If You Can is a 2002 American biographical crime film directed and produced by Steven Spielberg, based on the life of Frank Abagnale. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Abagnale and Tom Hanks as FBI agent Carl Hanratty, the film follows the story of Abagnale, a masterful con artist who successfully impersonated an airline pilot, doctor, and lawyer during his teenage years. After being caught by Hanratty and sentenced to twelve years in prison, Abagnale managed to win Hanratty's admiration and respect with his wit, charm, and resourcefulness. After being released from prison, Abagnale put his talents to good use by helping the FBI track down other con artists. The overall theme of the film is one of redemption, as Abagnale is able to turn his life around and use his talents to help others.

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

The Imitation Game is a 2014 biographical drama about mathematician, cryptanalyst, and pioneering computer scientist Alan Turing. During World War II, Turing is tasked with cracking the Enigma code, a device used by the Nazis to encrypt their messages. Turing and his team of code-breakers at Bletchley Park must work together to break the code, while also fending off opposition from the British government and struggling with Turing's own personal demons. With the help of a brilliant new recruit, Turing and his team are able to crack the code, ultimately helping the Allied forces to win the war. The film explores the difficulties and prejudices Turing and his team faced in their fight against Nazi Germany as well as Turing's own struggles with his sexuality.

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

The Martian is a 2015 science fiction adventure film directed by Ridley Scott and adapted from Andy Weir's novel of the same name. The film follows astronaut Mark Watney as he becomes stranded on Mars after an accident during a manned mission to the red planet. In order to survive, Watney must use his skills as a botanist and engineer to find a way to contact NASA and be saved. With help from his crew, mission control, and other scientists, Watney is able to survive and eventually make it home. Throughout the film, Watney demonstrates the human spirit of perseverance and ingenuity, inspiring audiences around the world.

From Theodore Melfi, starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner
Rated PG

Hidden Figures is a 2016 American biographical drama film directed by Theodore Melfi and starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe. It tells the story of three African-American women working at NASA during the Space Race of the 1960s. Katherine Johnson (Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Monáe) work in a segregated unit of the Space Task Group at the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. Despite the obstacles that come with being black women working in a high-pressure environment, these women are determined to contribute to the space program and prove their worth to their supervisors and peers. As their skills become recognized and appreciated, the women help NASA achieve its goal of putting a man in space. Through these events, the film demonstrates the importance of diversity and collaboration in the workplace, and serves as a reminder of the achievements of African-Americans, who often go unrecognized in history.

From Giuseppe Tornatore, starring Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Sylvia Hoeks, Donald Sutherland
Rated R

The Best Offer is a romantic mystery drama set in the world of fine art auctioneering. It follows the story of Virgil Oldman, an ageing and reclusive yet highly respected and successful art dealer. Oldman takes on the assignment of a lifetime when he is asked to appraise the art collection of a mysterious and reclusive heiress, Claire Ibbetson. In the process of cataloging the collection, Virgil slowly begins to unravel the secrets of Claire’s past. The two develop an unlikely relationship that is further complicated by the appearance of Robert, a young man who claims to be Claire’s nephew. As the mystery of Claire’s past deepens, Virgil finds himself in a dangerous game of intrigue and betrayal. Ultimately, Virgil must choose between his life’s work and his newfound love.

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 events leading up to the founding of the world's most popular social networking website. It follows the rise of Facebook from its beginnings as a Harvard student project to its IPO and eventual ascendancy as an online empire. Along the way, the movie examines the complex relationships between the major players in the story and the power struggles that arise from the invention of a website that connects millions of people around the world. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Eisenberg’s portrayal of Zuckerberg. It won three awards for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Film Editing.

From David Fincher, starring Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the 2011 adaptation of the novel by Stieg Larsson. It follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) as he is hired by the wealthy Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer) to investigate the mysterious disappearance of his niece forty years earlier. Blomkvist is aided by the troubled yet brilliant computer hacker, Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), and together they unravel a sinister conspiracy of murder, abuse and revenge. What begins as a simple investigation soon leads to a dark and deadly underworld of secrets, lies and betrayals that threaten to consume everyone involved.

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

The Theory of Everything is a biopic of the celebrated astrophysicist Stephen Hawking. It follows Hawking's life, from his days as a brilliant Oxford student in the 1960s to his rise to fame as a scientist in the 1970s and his battle with the debilitating motor neuron disease ALS in the 1980s. Along the way, the film chronicles Hawking's intense and complicated relationship with his first wife, Jane, and their children. As Hawking's health gradually deteriorates, his scientific achievements become more and more impressive and his influence and fame grow. The film ultimately shows Hawking's inspiring determination to overcome the obstacles of his illness and continue to contribute to science and the world.

From Marc Webb, starring Chris Evans, Mckenna Grace, Lindsay Duncan, Octavia Spencer
Rated PG-13

Gifted is a 2017 American drama film directed by Marc Webb and written by Tom Flynn. The film stars Chris Evans, McKenna Grace, Lindsay Duncan, Jenny Slate, and Octavia Spencer. The film follows Frank, a single man raising his 7-year-old niece Mary, who has been identified as a math prodigy. As Frank struggles to find an appropriate school for Mary, he is caught in a custody battle with his mother, Evelyn, who insists that Mary be pushed to pursue her special abilities. Both Frank and Evelyn must learn to put aside their differences and come together for Mary's sake.

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

Moneyball is an award-winning biographical sports drama about the creative methods used by Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane to assemble a competitive Major League Baseball team in spite of the team's limited budget. When Beane is unable to secure the players he wants using traditional methods, he enlists the help of Peter Brand (played by Jonah Hill), an economics graduate and baseball enthusiast. Together, they use advanced statistical analysis to identify undervalued players whom they can acquire cheaply. Through the clever use of data, Beane and Brand put together a winning team that defies baseball's traditional approaches. Along the way, Beane is forced to confront the resistance of his fellow managers, scouts and players to his new philosophy.

From Neil Burger, starring Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti, Rufus Sewell
Rated PG-13

The Illusionist is a 2006 British-American mystery drama film written and directed by Neil Burger, starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, and Jessica Biel. Set in Vienna at the turn of the 20th century, the film tells the story of Eisenheim, a master magician who uses his powers of illusion to expose the secrets of the upper class, while also trying to win back his one true love, Sophie. When he catches the attention of Crown Prince Leopold, Eisenheim is thrown into a dangerous political game between the Prince and Chief Inspector Uhl, who is determined to put an end to the Illusionist's antics. With the help of a mysterious stranger, Eisenheim must evade the police, protect his true love, and prove his innocence.

From Guy Ritchie, starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong
Rated PG-13

Sherlock Holmes is a 2009 action mystery film directed by Guy Ritchie, based on the character of the same name created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The film stars Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as his partner Watson, as they investigate a mysterious cult led by Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). With the help of Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan) and Holmes' landlady Mrs. Hudson (Rachel McAdams) the duo unravel the secrets behind Blackwood's evil plot and bring him to justice. Along the way, they must battle the criminal masterminds behind the cult, as well as the machinations of Holmes' nemesis, Moriarty (Jared Harris). The film also stars Kelly Reilly as Irene Adler, Holmes' love interest.

From Wes Anderson, starring Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller
Rated R

The Royal Tenenbaums is a comedy-drama directed by Wes Anderson about an eccentric family of former child prodigies–the Tenenbaum siblings–who reunite after the death of their estranged father Royal. The siblings, each of whom have drifted apart, find themselves reuniting under their father's roof as they come to terms with the events of their past. The family story is told with an all-star cast that includes Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Danny Glover. The film explores the complicated relationships of the Tenenbaum family, from the dynamic between the siblings, to the strained relationship between Royal and Etheline (Huston), his ex-wife, who is now remarried. Through the course of the film, the family members find a way to reconcile the past and move forward together.

From Tom Tykwer, starring Ben Whishaw, Dustin Hoffman, Alan Rickman, Francesc Albiol
Rated R

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a 2006 film directed by Tom Tykwer, based on the 1985 novel by Patrick Süskind. It tells the story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Ben Whishaw), a genius perfumer with a highly developed sense of smell. He uses his skills to become a master perfumer, but he also has a dark side: a desire to create the perfect scent. In order to do so, he must commit a series of gruesome murders to obtain the necessary ingredients. The film follows Grenouille as he searches for the ultimate scent, while also exploring themes of obsession, morality, and redemption.

From Neil Burger, starring Bradley Cooper, Anna Friel, Abbie Cornish, Robert De Niro
Rated PG-13

From Mira Nair, starring Madina Nalwanga, David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o, Martin Kabanza
Rated PG

From Kirsten Sheridan, starring Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Terrence Howard
Rated PG

From Guy Ritchie, starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris, Rachel McAdams
Rated PG-13

From Gus Van Sant, starring Sean Connery, Rob Brown, F. Murray Abraham, Anna Paquin
Rated PG-13

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

From Julie Taymor, starring Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, Geoffrey Rush, Mía Maestro
Rated R

From Matt Brown, starring Dev Patel, Jeremy Irons, Malcolm Sinclair, Raghuvir Joshi
Rated PG-13