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Top 15 Math Movies for Kids in 2024

Kids adore watching movies! According to the research conducted by the Danish Film Institute, about 14% of those aged between 7 and 14 acknowledged watching movies daily, while the number rises to 84% for a monthly watch. Stunning, right?

So, consider the benefits your child can get from combining movies with studying. It’s what we’re trying to do in this guide. Meet the 15 excellent math movies they will love.

15 of the best math movies for kids

15 best math movies for students are as follows:

1. Donald in MathMagic Land
2. Tron: Legacy
3. The Story of Math
4. Queen of Katwe
5. A Beautiful Mind
6. The Man Who Knew Infinity
7. Stand and Deliver
8. October Sky
9. Back to the Future
10. Hidden Figures
11. LeapFrog: Math Circus
12. Math Adventure to the Moon
13. A Brilliant Young Mind
14. Interstellar
15. Moneyball

But before we move right to the list, do you know why movies became so popular in learning? Well, the thing is that they offer something out-of-the-box that children wouldn’t normally find during their school classes. Once math learning becomes vibrant, engaging, and gamified, it starts bringing better results.

Luckily, these days, some platforms are working hard to adopt this approach. Brighterly is among those innovators. Teachers here work one-on-one with children to apply some of the best practices in math learning. No more boring classes — with Brighterly, your child will be looking forward to what’s coming up.

1. Donald in MathMagic Land

This title would take the top spot if we had to compile math in the movies worksheet. Donald in MathMagic Land will be best suited for elementary school kids. In this movie, Donald, the duck, goes on an adventure in MathMagic land. Throughout the journey, the character tries to convey the real-world value of math by explaining its role in games like football or chess.

2. Tron: Legacy

Not a standard math movie, Tron: Legacy is one of the unconventional math Disney movies. Sam Flynn has abruptly lost his father. The man just disappeared with no traces, so Sam tried to do some research. Eventually, he discovered the father had been trapped in a video game. Trying to rescue him, Sam also gets stuck in the same play. Will they be able to escape despite all the obstacles?

3. The Story of Math

Searching for a bit of math history? Look no further than The Story of Math. This British series has four parts, so you’ll be entertained for an extended period. Here, you’ll see how men devised the concept of ‘zero’ and different civilizations’ approaches to calculative thought processes. 

Since this movie’s ideas can be complex, it’s targeted primarily at mid-teens and older schoolers.

4. Queen of Katwe

Queen of Katwe is among the top good math movies for high school students. It tells the story of Phiona, a ten-year-old girl from Uganda. She originates from the poor parts of Kampala and has little to expect. However, Phiona’s life changes when she’s first introduced to chess. 

It’s a movie about a child math genius struggling against the self and towards mastery. But it’s also the story of victory as after a long combat, the struggle is rewarded.

5. A Beautiful Mind

A Beautiful Mind offers practical insight into the everyday applications of math. John Nash, the main character, is a math whiz who graduated from Princeton University. But, he also was diagnosed with schizophrenia, which led to losing his job. Rise above the challenges and fight back — that’s the film’s motto.

6. The Man Who Knew Infinity

This one is grounded on actual events! Srinivasa Ramanujan was among millions of Indian kids trying to make a life in a competitive country. But what made Srinivasa a standout was his love of math. With so many challenges ahead, will he be able to cherish his passion?

7. Stand and Deliver

Meet Jaime Escalante — a math teacher. He is unlucky to teach at Garfield High School, an institution known for producing kids with poor results. But despite all prejudice, Jaime saw potential in his students. Will this belief be enough to help them succeed? Watch to discover!

8. October Sky

October Sky sits comfortably among the top movies about math for middle school. It revolves around a young teenage boy named Homer Hickman. The central problem is children’s upbringing — the one many of us face. However, the film also shows the interconnection between math and creativity. To succeed, a person must employ both — that’s the lesson to learn.

9. Back to the Future

Back to the Future is a favorite movie of numeric kids — a testament to how good this classic is. It’s all about the two central characters, Marty McFly and Dr. Emmitt Brown, who work on an unbelievable invention — the car that travels through time.

Are you in the mood for some light-hearted comedy? This one should become your choice today.

10. Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures projects the lives of three female friends working in NASA’s female African-American computing section. Though brilliant scientists, they faced race and gender-related problems.

This picture takes a spot among other good math movies because it highlights equality and fair judgments — burning problems in today’s world.

11. LeapFrog: Math Circus

This one is perfect for active learning, not just watching. However, it’s primarily targeted at beginner students. As the kid watches the engaging characters, they are introduced with new math concepts. This pick is both entertained and educated, so young learners will adore it.

12. Math Adventure to the Moon

It’s one more space-inspired movie on our list. The film will take your child right to the Moon, but… only if they manage to solve math tasks. This movie adventure will involve your child and show them that math is much more then numbers on paper — it’s the key to new worlds.

13. A Brilliant Young Mind

At the center of this story is Nathan, a child with autism. He often finds the world around him confusing, but in mathematics, he’s unparalleled. 

Follow Nathan’s preparation for an international math competition. The film describes the juxtaposition between math precision and unpredictable human relationships. If you’re looking for some geometry movies for high school, this one is right for you.

14. Interstellar

This one is a classic of science fiction. The storyline revolves around a team of explorers who fight for the survival of humanity. But where’s the math in all this story? In the end, the fate of humans depends on solving a single equation. Obviously, math can save the world in some cases.

15. Moneyball

This one stands out from other math-related movies primarily because of its central character Billy Beane, played by young Brad Pitt. Using math, Billy starts his own sports team. So, the picture will provide the perfect answer for kids who wonder where they will apply math. Besides, it’s full of wit and fun.

Math movies on Netflix

These are some of the best math movies on Netflix:

• Rain Man
• The Theory Of Everything
• Cube
• Good Will Hunting
• 21

Rain Man

Here comes an Oscar-winning classic featuring Raymond Babbitt and his brother Charlie. Both men are caught up in a web of stolen Lamborghinis, card counting, lavish estates, and huge sums of money. The mathematical strategies they employ are both entertaining and thrilling to watch. After all, it’s a Tom Cruise work — so no doubt it’s one of the best math movies on Netflix for elementary students and high-schoolers alike! 

The Theory Of Everything

Ever witnessed the blend of romance and math? The Theory Of Everything is all about it. The film portrays Stephen, a Cambridge student conducting advanced research on the cosmos. Ready for an emotional watch? The movie delivers it.

Cube

This one is not for the faint-hearted. Five individuals are trapped in cube-shaped rooms with deadly traps. As they struggle to find a way to survive, a female mathematician steps in to help. This film blends sci-fi, horror, and mathematical concepts. The storyline and the practical applications of math are truly impressive here!

Good Will Hunting

Looking for some excellent math movies for middle school on Netflix? Follow the story of Will Hunting, a boy with an extraordinary mathematical talent. One night, while tackling a complex problem, his skills catch the attention of Professor Lambeau, who encourages Will to pursue his gifts. Beyond math, the film also addresses themes of child abuse and psychology.

21

It’s one of the top math-related movies on Netflix. Here, you’ll meet Ben Campbell, a mathematical genius. This film showcases how math concepts can be applied in real life. Undoubtedly, Ben’s gambling and probability skills will captivate and astonish you!

Best movies about math geniuses

These are the best kids’ movies about math geniuses:

• A Brief History of Time
• Sneakers
• Infinity

A Brief History of Time

Why not devote your evening to the 1991 story of Stephen Hawking? To clarify, A Brief History of Time is a documentary that he personally wrote. So, the watch promises to be outstanding.

Sneakers

Follow a group of hackers and tech experts hired by the government to steal a code-breaking device. It’s a real standout that combines a lighthearted drama and the serious producers’ approach to math in movies. Have you ever heard of Leonard Adleman — the father of DNA computing? Well, that’s who conducted the consultation for this picture.

Infinity

Richard Feynman was among other scientists working on the atomic bomb during World War II. In the post-war period, his further developments also earned him a Nobel Prize. This 1996 math genius kid movie retells Feynman’s story told in his semi-autobiographical books. It focuses on his relationship with his wife and his work on the bomb.

Best math documentary for kids

Take a look at these best documentary movies about math for kids:

• The Great Math Mystery
• I Want to Be a Mathematician: A Conversation with Paul Halmos
• Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani

The Great Math Mystery

 

This movie reveals the incredible influence of math throughout history. Your kid will discover its presence in the spiral of a nautilus shell, the galaxy’s whirlpool, the sunflower’s center, and much more. But what gives math its power? Uncovered in the film.

I Want to Be a Mathematician: A Conversation with Paul Halmos

It’s a 44-minute interview with mathematician Paul Halmos. Among other topics, he delves into the Moore Method, the journey to becoming a mathematician, the impact of great teachers, course design, writing, and the current state of education in the United States. If your child wonders whether they want to connect their future to math, this film can give them the clue.

Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani

In 2014, Maryam Mirzakhani became the first woman and the first Iranian to receive the Fields Medal, the highest honor in mathematics. So, in this documentary, she shares her life path — obviously, she has some lessons to teach.

Best animated math movie for kids

The best animated math movie for kids is called Flatland. Released in 2009, it is unique in every way.

The story is based on the thought-provoking novella by Edwin A. Abbott and offers a deep dive into geometry and dimensions, so your child will surely understand all the nuances of these topics. The characters of this film have to navigate through various challenges while discussing philosophical and mathematical concepts.

If your kid is in the mood for deep, reflective math exploration, this choice is just ideal for them.

Math movies for middle school kids

These are the best math movies for middle school kids:

• WALL-E
• The Martian
• Life of Pi

WALL-E

 

If you’re looking for an entertaining film with minimal dialogue, this one is what you need. It explores robotics, AI, environmental conservation, and space travel themes. Involve creativity, and you can link a range of mathematical concepts and ideas to the film’s events.

The Martian

The Martian is arguably the best STEM movie ever made. Throughout the film, Matt Damon uses math and logical reasoning to tackle challenges and further his survival mission. If you want to demonstrate to your kids how math can lead to incredible outcomes, The Martian is just perfect!

Life of Pi

The truth is that the film doesn’t delve deeply into mathematics (aside from the protagonist’s nickname, Pi). Nevertheless, it deserves an honorable spot on our list because it tells an extraordinary story of resilience and the vast journey across the ocean.

To conclude

As you can see, movies with math themes can play a significant role in inspiring your child.. They help to retain attention, explain some concepts, and — most importantly — evoke their natural interest in the subject. Yes, movies are powerful, so why not use them? Choose any one you like most and don’t hesitate to organize a movie-night!

Want to make your kids studying as entertaining as possible? 

Then book a lesson at Brighterly and start personalized learning today!