6 Best Scientist Biopic Movies

By Vlad Zakh · March 11, 2026

Scientific genius and personal struggle have produced some of the most acclaimed biographical dramas of the last few decades. In Oppenheimer (2023): A brilliant physicist’s creation of the atomic bomb haunts him for the rest of his life. Equally memorable is A Beautiful Mind (2001): A brilliant but troubled mathematician struggles with schizophrenia while making groundbreaking discoveries.

Oppenheimer (2023)

IMDb ★ 8.2 RT 93% Metacritic 90

A brilliant physicist's creation of the atomic bomb haunts him for the rest of his life.

Directed by Christopher Nolan · 3h 01m · Rated R

Won 7 Oscars370 wins & 378 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Peacock Premium, YouTube TV, Peacock Premium Plus · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Hidden Figures (2016)

IMDb ★ 7.8 RT 93% Metacritic 74

Three brilliant Black women mathematicians overcome discrimination to help launch America's space program.

Directed by Theodore Melfi · 2h 07m · Rated PG

Nominated for 3 Oscars37 wins & 94 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Imitation Game (2014)

TMDB ★ 8.0

A brilliant, socially awkward mathematician races to crack Nazi Germany's Enigma code during World War II.

Directed by Morten Tyldum · 1h 53m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Lionsgate+ 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

The Theory of Everything (2014)

IMDb ★ 7.7 RT 81% Metacritic 71

A physicist's groundbreaking career and marriage evolve alongside his battle with a debilitating illness.

Directed by James Marsh · 2h 03m · Rated PG-13

Won 1 Oscar25 wins & 128 nominations

Where to watch

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

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

IMDb ★ 8.2 RT 74% Metacritic 72

A brilliant but troubled mathematician struggles with schizophrenia while making groundbreaking discoveries.

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

Madame Curie (1943)

TMDB ★ 7.2

A determined scientist and her husband battle skepticism and poverty in their pursuit of a groundbreaking discovery.

Directed by Mervyn LeRoy · 2h 04m

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, 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, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Scientist Biopic Movies

Oppenheimer (2023)

Hidden Figures (2016)

The Imitation Game (2014)

The Theory of Everything (2014)

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Madame Curie (1943)

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