Movies About Prodigies

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. It stars Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, and Stellan Skarsgård. The film follows 20-year-old Will Hunting, an unrecognized genius who, as part of a deferred prosecution agreement after assaulting a police officer, becomes a client of a therapist and studies advanced mathematics with a renowned professor. The story is set in South Boston and centers around Will Hunting, a young working-class genius from a rough neighborhood. Despite his intelligence, he is aimless, and regularly gets into trouble with the law. After being arrested for attacking a police officer, he is released into the care of his therapist, Sean Maguire. With Sean's help, Will begins to confront the issues of his past and explore his potential. Meanwhile, Will meets and falls in love with Skylar, a Harvard student. Will is eventually accepted into MIT, and makes plans to leave his hometown. However, his relationship with Sean leads him to reconsider if he really wants to leave. In the end, Will chooses to stay in Boston, using his genius to work as a mathematics professor.

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

A Beautiful Mind is a biographical drama film directed by Ron Howard and based on the life of Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. The movie follows Nash, a brilliant student at Princeton University, who overcomes obstacles and his struggles with mental illness to become one of the most acclaimed mathematicians of the 20th century. The story begins with Nash as he arrives to Princeton and quickly establishes himself as a brilliant mind. From there, Nash meets and falls in love with a student named Alicia. Over the course of their marriage, Nash gradually starts to experience symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia and is institutionalized. With the help of Alicia and his doctor Rosen, Nash learns to live with his condition and even begins to work on game theory and eventually win the Nobel Prize in Economics. The story of A Beautiful Mind celebrates the strength of the human spirit, the power of love, and the resilience of the human soul. It is a powerful and inspiring drama that shows how even in the darkest of times, the strength and determination to overcome one's struggles can lead to extraordinary accomplishments.

From Barry Levinson, starring Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino, Gerald R. Molen
Rated R

Rain Man is a 1988 Academy Award-winning film starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. It tells the story of Charlie Babbit, a self-centered car dealer who discovers that his estranged father has left him a large inheritance. However, the money is left to Raymond, Charlie's autistic savant brother whom he never knew existed. After finding out about Raymond, Charlie kidnaps him and takes him on a cross-country journey in an attempt to get the money. Along the way, Charlie begins to understand Raymond and a unique bond forms between the two brothers. The film explores themes of family, trust, and acceptance.

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

The Imitation Game is a 2014 biographical drama film directed by Morten Tyldum and written by Graham Moore, based on the biography Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the British cryptanalyst Alan Turing, who helped crack the German Enigma code during World War II and was later prosecuted for his homosexuality. The film also stars Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Rory Kinnear, Allen Leech, and Charles Dance. The story follows Alan Turing's attempts to crack the Enigma code with help from his team at Bletchley Park. He develops the Bombe, an electromechanical device that could break the Enigma codes. He also forms a forbidden bond with a colleague, Joan Clarke, and tries to keep his homosexuality a secret from his team. Despite the resistance he faces from his peers and superiors, Turing is ultimately successful in deciphering the Enigma code and is eventually honored for his achievements. However, his homosexuality is revealed and he is later arrested and subject to chemical castration. The film ends with a discussion of his legacy and the role he played in the war effort.

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 written by Melfi and Allison Schroeder, based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly about African-American female mathematicians who worked at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during the Space Race. The story follows three African-American female mathematicians, Katherine Goble (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), who work at NASA in the segregated computing section in 1961. Despite the discrimination they face, they successfully contribute to the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that propels America ahead in the Space Race. The film focuses on the challenges the protagonists face and their role in overcoming them, ultimately becoming essential to the success of the mission.

From Joe Johnston, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern, Chris Owen
Rated PG

October Sky is a 1999 drama directed by Joe Johnston and is based on the true story of Homer Hickam, a young man from a coal mining town in West Virginia. As a young boy, Homer dreams of becoming a scientist despite the expectations of his father and the entire community, which is focused on the mining industry. After the launch of Sputnik 1, Homer and his friends build their own rockets, which leads to a local science fair and eventually a NASA scholarship. Along the way, Homer must choose between pursuing his dreams and his loyalty to his family, while also learning the importance of family, friendship, and hard work.

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

The Social Network is a biographical drama directed by David Fincher. The film is based on the life of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and the founding of the world's largest social networking website. It follows the story of how the Harvard student, along with his friends, created the website and the legal battles that came with the phenomenal success of Facebook. In the process, it highlights the highs and lows of innovation, success, and ambition. The film features a stellar cast of Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, and Rooney Mara, and was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning three of them.

From Stephen Daldry, starring Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Jean Heywood, Jamie Draven
Rated R

Billy Elliot is a 2000 British drama film set against the backdrop of the 1984–1985 UK miners' strike. It follows 11-year-old Billy Elliot, a working-class boy from the fictional Everington Village in County Durham, England. Billy's father and older brother are coal miners who are deeply involved in the miners' union. Billy loves to dance and secretly joins a ballet class, where he discovers a passion for the art form. He is eventually forced to choose between his family's expectations and his newfound passion. With the support of his ballet teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson, and a friendship with the male lead of the class, Michael, he overcomes bullying and prejudice to pursue his dream. The film ends with Billy being accepted into the Royal Ballet School in London.

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

The Theory of Everything is the story of Jane and Stephen Hawking's relationship during the early years of Stephen's battle with ALS. It chronicles their romance, marriage, and the struggles of raising a family as Stephen's health deteriorates. Along the way, the film explores the groundbreaking theories he is developing, as well as his personal commitment to a life of learning, communication, and scientific exploration. Through powerful performances and stunning visuals, the movie succeeds in showing the beauty of the Hawkings' relationship and the awe-inspiring achievement of Stephen's work.

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

Gifted tells the story of Frank Adler (Chris Evans), a single man raising his precocious and extremely intelligent 7-year-old niece Mary (Mckenna Grace). When Frank's estranged mother Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan) shows up and reveals that Mary is a math prodigy, the two are thrust into a custody battle which pits Frank against his mother and her lofty ambitions for Mary's future. With the aid of his neighbor and close friend Roberta (Octavia Spencer) and Mary's teacher Bonnie (Jenny Slate), Frank will fight to keep Mary in a normal life and protect her from the burden of her gifts. At the same time, he will strive to show Mary the love of family while helping her make the most of her extraordinary talents.

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

Sherlock Holmes (2009) is a British-American action mystery film directed by Guy Ritchie, based upon the character of the same name created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Set in 1890s London, the film follows the renowned detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his partner Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) as they investigate a series of mysterious and dangerous occurrences around the city. Along the way, they are aided by Holmes' trusted confidante, Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams). With the help of their friends and allies, the trio must confront and ultimately defeat the nefarious Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris) in order to bring peace and justice back to the city.

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

The Royal Tenenbaums is a 2001 American comedy-drama film directed by Wes Anderson and co-written with Owen Wilson. The film stars Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, and Danny Glover. The film follows the lives of the dysfunctional Tenenbaum family, who were once a successful and prosperous New York family. After their father, Royal Tenenbaum, abandons them, his children, Chas, Richie, and Margot, all follow different paths for the rest of their lives. Years later, Royal decides to reunite the family, only to find out that his children are all in various states of disarray. With the help of his ex-wife, Royal attempts to redeem himself and reconnect with his children and forge a bond with them. Along the way, the family discovers that their relationships with each other are the key to their own happiness.

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

From Steven Zaillian, starring Joe Mantegna, Ben Kingsley, Max Pomeranc, Joan Allen
Rated PG

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

From Doug Atchison, starring Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Keke Palmer, Curtis Armstrong
Rated PG

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

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

From Peyton Reed, starring Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll, Evangeline Lilly
Rated PG-13

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

From Danny DeVito, starring Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Mara Wilson, Embeth Davidtz
Rated PG

From Jodie Foster, starring Jodie Foster, Dianne Wiest, Adam Hann-Byrd, Alex Lee
Rated PG

From Luc Besson, starring Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Choi Min-sik, Amr Waked
Rated R

From Jon Turteltaub, starring John Travolta, Kyra Sedgwick, Forest Whitaker, Robert Duvall
Rated PG

From Bob Clark, starring Kathleen Turner, Christopher Lloyd, Kim Cattrall, Peter MacNicol
Rated PG