There’s nothing quite like an excellent historical drama, especially when it tells a story that few people are familiar with. That drew people to the film Hidden Figures, which stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe. Hidden Figures, set in the 1960s, follows Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, three brilliant mathematicians who work for NASA. If you found the film inspiring — as it should be, given that it told the story of three Black women behind John Glenn’s iconic launch into orbit, a field traditionally reserved for white men at the time. These other movies, similar to Hidden Figures, may be of interest.
List of Top 10 Movies Similar To Hidden Figures
This list includes the top 10 movies similar to Hidden Figures. These films share inspiring stories of determination and triumph, making them an excellent watch for fans of the NASA tale.
1. Molly’s Game
While the women in Hidden Figures worked for the greater good, this film tells the true story of an inspiring young woman who took the opposite path. This is the true story of Molly Bloom, an Olympic skier who ran one of the most infamous, high-stakes poker games in the world until the FBI arrested her in the middle of the night.
Check out the trailer here:
IMDb’s rating: It scored 7.4 out of 10 on IMDb.
2. Marshall
This film starred Chadwick Boseman in one of his final roles. It tells the true story of a young Thurgood Marshall, who worked for the NAACP. He eventually takes on a case in which a wealthy woman named Eleanor Strubing accuses her driver, Joseph Spell, of rape and murder. He ends up working with a Jewish lawyer, which means they must confront racist and anti-Semitic bias in a very white, conservative Connecticut to prove Spell’s innocence.
Check out the trailer here:
IMDb’s rating: It scored 7.3 out of 10 on IMDb.
3. The Best Of Enemies
This film, starring Taraji P. Henson from Hidden Figures, depicts the true story of civil rights activist Ann Atwater. In 1971, she was involved in a battle with C.P. Ellis, a Ku Klux Klan leader, over school desegregation in Durham, North Carolina. By the time the credits roll at the end, viewers have seen real photos of the two together and learned that Ellis delivered the eulogy at Atwater’s funeral. Still, some critics felt that the film focused too much on Ellis’ redemption and not enough on Atwater’s struggle, but it’s worth queuing to see for yourself.
Check out the trailer here:
IMDb’s rating: It scored 7.3 out of 10 on IMDb.
4. Spotlight
This film tells the true story of how the Boston Globe exposed a child molestation scandal in the Catholic Archdiocese. Although we know how the story ends, there are plenty of twists and turns that provide an inside look at investigative journalism and what it takes to uncover the truth. It’s a classic story of a newspaper confronting a powerful institution and making a difference.
Check out the trailer here:
IMDb’s rating: It scored 8.1 out of 10 on IMDb.
5. Detroit
Detroit is a fascinating, harrowing look at the 1967 Detroit riots that tore the city apart. The film follows a group of individuals caught up in the violence and chaos of those fateful days. The film is intense and brutal, but it is ultimately hopeful. It demonstrates how a community can band together in the face of adversity to emerge more robust than ever before. Detroit is well worth seeing if you’re looking for a powerful, thought-provoking film.
Check out the trailer here:
IMDb’s rating: It scored 7.3 out of 10 on IMDb.
6. The Help
The Help is a famous 2011 megahit American drama film directed and written by Tate Taylor. It is based on Kathryn Stockett’s 2009 novel with the same title. The Help is a heartfelt and moving film about African American maids working in white households in the early 1960s. The film follows the maids as they navigate the complex and often dangerous world of their jobs, all while trying to provide for their families. The film is ultimately a tribute to these women’s strength and resilience as they fought for change despite significant adversity.
Check out the trailer here:
IMDb’s rating: It scored 8.1 out of 10 on IMDb.
7. Gifted
Tom Flynn wrote the sensational 2017 American drama film Gifted, which stars heartthrobs such as Chris Evans, Mckenna Grace, Jenny Slate, and many others. Gifted is a heartwarming and touching film about a math prodigy, a young girl named Mary (Mckenna Grace). Her mother, Christine (played by Jenny Slate), struggles to raise her alone and enrolls her in school. However, Mary’s brilliance soon catches her teacher’s attention, Bonnie (Octavia Spencer). Mary enters a prestigious math competition with Bonnie’s help and meets a boy named Zach (Jacob Tremblay).
Check out the trailer here:
IMDb’s rating: It scored 7.6 out of 10 on IMDb.
8. The Post
The Post debuted in the United States on December 22, 2017, to critical acclaim. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an 88% approval rating based on 342 reviews with an average rating of 7.6/10. The Post reports on Katharine Graham’s (Streep) decision to allow the publication of classified material despite pressure from government officials to suppress it. Gather your parents and watch The Post together if you want to watch something decent based on an actual event.
Check out the trailer here:
IMDb’s rating: It scored 7.2 out of 10 on IMDb.
9.The Banker
Based on actual events from the 1950s and 1960s. “The Banker” tells the story of Bernard Garrett (Anthony Mackie) and Joe Morris (Samuel L. Jackson). A cunning pair of African-American entrepreneurs entered the real-estate game in Los Angeles to become wealthy (which they did) while also breaking the color line, allowing black citizens to move into previously all-white neighborhoods.
Check out the trailer here:
IMDb’s rating: It scored 7.3 out of 10 on IMDb.
10. The Secret Life of Bees
The Secret Life of Bees is set in South Carolina in 1964. It tells the story of Lily Owens, a fourteen-year-old white girl whose life has been shaped by the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed.
Check out the trailer here:
IMDb’s rating: It scored 7.2 out of 10 on IMDb.
What are the best ways to watch movies similar to Hidden Figures?
If you want to watch movies similar to Hidden Figures, some of the best streaming platforms to consider are:
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime Video
- HBO’s Max
- Hulu
Common Queries
Hidden Figures is a film based on true events. While the film dramatizes some aspects, it accurately depicts the struggles of the women at the heart of the story. The victories for racial and gender rights did not come easily or quickly, and our work is far from over.
Movies similar to Hidden Figures are available through streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max.
Bottom Line
As we conclude our discussion, we’ve highlighted the top 10 cinematic masterpieces that inspire and are rooted in compelling stories. These films are readily available for streaming, providing both affordable and, in some cases, free viewing options. Explore movies similar to Hidden Figures to elevate your movie-watching experience, transforming a typical movie night into a captivating journey of inspiration and storytelling.