Hidden Figures was a breakout hit when it was released in 2016, shining a light on the untold true story of the brilliant African American women who played a crucial role in the early years of NASA. The film follows Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson as they navigate racial and gender barriers while making invaluable contributions to America’s space program in the 1960s.
If you loved Hidden Figures for its themes of perseverance, breaking barriers, and unsung heroes, here are 15 more inspiring movies that celebrate trailblazers across different fields and eras. These films will leave you with a renewed sense of hope and admiration for those who paved the way.
1. October Sky (1999)
October Sky tells the true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner’s son in 1950s West Virginia who is inspired by the launch of Sputnik to pursue his dreams of building rockets. With the support of his teacher and friends, Homer overcomes obstacles and his father’s disapproval to follow his passion for science.
Like Hidden Figures, this film celebrates the power of education, mentorship, and dreaming big. At its core, October Sky is about learning to believe in yourself and persevering to accomplish your goals, no matter your background or circumstances.
2. The Right Stuff (1983)
Based on Tom Wolfe’s bestselling book, The Right Stuff is an epic look at the early days of the U.S. space program and the pioneering test pilots who became America’s first astronauts. The film balances the technical side of the space race with the very human stories of the Mercury Seven.
While Hidden Figures focused on the groundbreaking contributions of black women, The Right Stuff explores what it took to be an astronaut in an era defined by the Cold War and changing definitions of heroism and masculinity. At over three hours long, the film is a sweeping yet intimate portrait of the men who boldly went where none had gone before.
3. A League of Their Own (1992)
Penny Marshall’s beloved sports comedy A League of Their Own fictionalized the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which was formed during World War II when many male players were overseas. Geena Davis, Madonna, and Rosie O’Donnell star as members of the Rockford Peaches, who must contend with a skeptical public and a gruff manager (Tom Hanks).
Like the women of Hidden Figures, the characters in A League of Their Own are trailblazers, defying expectations and proving they are just as capable as men on the baseball field. The film is both a hilarious underdog story and a moving depiction of female friendship and resilience.
4. Selma (2014)
Selma is a powerful historical drama about the 1965 voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, and other civil rights leaders. David Oyelowo delivers a stirring performance as King, while Carmen Ejogo, Oprah Winfrey, and Tim Roth round out the ensemble cast.
While Hidden Figures depicted the civil rights era through the lens of NASA, Selma offers a ground-level view of the movement, capturing both the soaring rhetoric and behind-the-scenes strategizing. It’s a timely reminder of the sacrifices and bravery of those who fought for equality.
5. The Imitation Game (2014)
The Imitation Game stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing, the brilliant British mathematician and cryptanalyst who cracked the German Enigma code during World War II, helping the Allies win the war. The film also explores Turing’s personal life as a gay man at a time when homosexuality was illegal.
Much like Hidden Figures, The Imitation Game brings overdue recognition to a crucial but long-overlooked figure whose groundbreaking work changed the course of history. It’s a gripping wartime drama that celebrates intellectual prowess and individual courage.
6. Spotlight (2015)
Winner of the Oscar for Best Picture, Spotlight follows the Boston Globe’s investigative journalism team as they uncover a massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Church. Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, and Rachel McAdams lead the stellar cast.
While the subject matter is very different from Hidden Figures, Spotlight is similarly about a group of dedicated professionals working tirelessly to expose the truth and enact change against a powerful institution. It’s a riveting procedural that shows the importance of holding systems accountable.
7. 42 (2013)
42 stars Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson, who in 1947 became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. The film depicts the racism and threats Robinson faced with dignity and resilience, supported by Dodgers executive Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford).
Like Hidden Figures, 42 is an inspiring sports drama about breaking racial barriers in a staunchly segregated America. Boseman’s performance captures Robinson’s quiet determination as he lets his undeniable talent speak for itself, paving the way for a more integrated future.
8. Norma Rae (1979)
Sally Field won an Oscar for her performance in Norma Rae as a minimum-wage worker in a Southern textile factory who becomes involved in the labor union movement. Facing opposition from her employers and skepticism from her co-workers, Norma Rae finds her voice as an activist fighting for better working conditions.
Norma Rae has clear parallels to Hidden Figures in its portrait of an ordinary woman taking a stand against injustice and becoming a leader in her community. Field is a force of nature in the title role, embodying the film’s themes of solidarity and speaking truth to power.
9. Erin Brockovich (2000)
Julia Roberts stars in this legal drama based on the true story of Erin Brockovich, a single mother who gets a job as a legal assistant and ends up uncovering a major case of groundwater contamination by a gas company. With no formal law education, Brockovich uses her tenacity and empathy to help the affected community win justice.
Like the women of Hidden Figures, Erin Brockovich defies expectations and uses her unique skills to make a difference. Roberts’ Oscar-winning performance captures Brockovich’s brash charisma and determination, making this an immensely satisfying underdog story.
10. Frida (2002)
Frida is a visually stunning biopic of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, played by Salma Hayek. The film traces Kahlo’s life from her early days as a student to her tumultuous marriage to muralist Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina) and her rise to become one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century.
While not directly similar to Hidden Figures, Frida is another inspiring portrait of a trailblazing woman who overcame personal and professional obstacles to leave her mark on the world. Hayek disappears into the role, capturing Kahlo’s passion, pain, and fierce originality.
11. Philomena (2013)
Judi Dench stars as Philomena Lee, an Irish woman who sets out to find the son she was forced to give up for adoption decades earlier. With the help of a journalist (Steve Coogan), Philomena uncovers the truth about her son’s fate and comes to terms with her past.
Based on a true story, Philomena is a poignant drama about a woman’s search for answers and the unlikely friendship she forms along the way. Like Hidden Figures, it celebrates the resilience and grace of an ordinary woman thrust into extraordinary circumstances.
12. Temple Grandin (2010)
This HBO biopic stars Claire Danes as Temple Grandin, a woman with autism who revolutionized the livestock industry with her innovations in animal science and humane slaughterhouse design. The film depicts Grandin’s struggles with sensory overload and social interaction, as well as her unique bond with animals.
Temple Grandin is an inspiring portrait of a brilliant mind that thinks differently, not unlike the protagonists of Hidden Figures. Danes delivers a powerful performance, capturing Grandin’s singular perspective and tenacity in the face of a world that often misunderstands her.
13. North Country (2005)
Charlize Theron stars in this fictionalized account of the first major successful sexual harassment case in the United States, Jenson v. Eveleth Taconite Co. Theron plays a single mother who endures a barrage of harassment and abuse when she takes a job at a Minnesota iron mine in the 1970s.
Like Hidden Figures, North Country is a harrowing but ultimately empowering depiction of women fighting for their rights in a male-dominated industry. Theron is a force to be reckoned with as a woman who refuses to be silenced, supported by a strong ensemble cast.
14. Milk (2008)
Sean Penn won an Oscar for his performance as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California, in this powerful biopic. The film follows Milk’s rise from a small business owner to a prominent activist and leader in the fight against anti-gay discrimination in the 1970s.
Like the women of Hidden Figures, Harvey Milk was a trailblazer who broke barriers and fought for equality in the face of prejudice and violence. Milk is a moving tribute to his life and legacy, celebrating the power of individual courage to spark social change.
15. On the Basis of Sex (2018)
Felicity Jones stars as a young Ruth Bader Ginsburg in this biopic about the future Supreme Court Justice’s early career fighting gender discrimination. The film focuses on Ginsburg’s groundbreaking work on the 1972 case Moritz v. Commissioner, which helped overturn over a hundred laws that discriminated on the basis of sex.
On the Basis of Sex is an inspiring legal drama in the vein of Hidden Figures, celebrating a brilliant woman who used her intellect and determination to chip away at systemic inequality. Jones captures Ginsburg’s quiet strength and strategic mind, making this a fitting tribute to the iconic RBG.
These 15 movies offer a diverse array of stories and perspectives, but they all share a common thread with Hidden Figures: a celebration of trailblazers who defied the odds, shattered barriers, and made the world a little bit better. Whether in the realm of science, sports, activism, or the arts, these films remind us of the power of perseverance, courage, and staying true to oneself in the face of adversity.
So if you’re looking for more movies that will inspire you, challenge you, and make you stand up and cheer, give these Hidden Figures-esque films a watch. You might just discover a new hero or heroine to admire and emulate. And who knows? Maybe one day, someone will make a movie about your groundbreaking achievements. Dream big, fight hard, and let these stories be your rocket fuel.
