6 Best Math Genius and Gifted Child Movies

By Vlad Zakh · May 15, 2026

Extraordinary intelligence is a burden as well as a gift, and these films explore both. Good Will Hunting has a troubled janitor’s genius discovered, A Beautiful Mind follows a mathematician’s work overshadowed by schizophrenia, and Gifted has an uncle fighting to give his mathematically gifted niece a normal life. Proof, Stand and Deliver and Little Man Tate round out the six.

Gifted (2017)

TMDB ★ 7.6

A single uncle fights to raise his mathematically gifted niece normally, against his mother's wish to cultivate her talent.

Directed by Marc Webb · 1h 41m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Proof (2005)

TMDB ★ 6.4

A woman caring for her brilliant, mentally unstable mathematician father questions whether she inherited his illness.

Directed by John Madden · 1h 40m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

IMDb ★ 8.2 RT 74% Metacritic 72

A brilliant mathematician's groundbreaking career is overshadowed by his slide into schizophrenia.

Directed by Ron Howard · 2h 15m · Rated PG-13

Won 4 Oscars37 wins & 69 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Apple TV, Apple TV Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Good Will Hunting (1997)

IMDb ★ 8.4 RT 97% Metacritic 71

A brilliant but troubled janitor with a gift for mathematics is guided by a therapist towards self-acceptance.

Directed by Gus Van Sant · 2h 07m · Rated R

Won 2 Oscars25 wins & 61 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Apple TV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Stand and Deliver (1988)

TMDB ★ 7.1

An inspiring teacher pushes his underprivileged students to excel at advanced calculus against long odds.

Directed by Ramón Menéndez · 1h 43m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Little Man Tate (1991)

TMDB ★ 6.4

A working-class mother struggles to raise her genius son while a specialised programme pulls him away.

Directed by Jodie Foster · 1h 39m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

6 Best Math Genius and Gifted Child Movies

Gifted (2017)

Proof (2005)

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Stand and Deliver (1988)

Little Man Tate (1991)

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