Top 10 Films About Discoveries

Description: This classic sci-fi film presents an alien visitor who comes to Earth with a message about humanity's potential for self-destruction, leading to a discovery about our place in the cosmos.

Fact: The film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. It was remade in

Description: A chronicle of the early days of the U.S. space program, focusing on the Mercury Seven astronauts and their quest to conquer space, highlighting the discoveries and challenges they faced.

Fact: The film was adapted from Tom Wolfe's non-fiction book of the same name. It won four Academy Awards, including Best Original Score.

Description: This film recounts the harrowing Apollo 13 lunar mission, where the discovery of a life-threatening problem led to an incredible feat of engineering and human spirit to bring the astronauts safely back to Earth.

Fact: The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Tom Hanks was nominated for Best Actor for his role as Jim Lovell.

Description: Based on Carl Sagan's novel, this film explores the discovery of extraterrestrial intelligence and the profound implications it has on humanity's understanding of our place in the universe.

Fact: Jodie Foster was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role as Dr. Ellie Arroway. The film was dedicated to Carl Sagan, who passed away during its production.

Description: While not strictly about scientific discovery, this film delves into the world of magic and the lengths to which two rival magicians go to discover each other's secrets, exploring themes of obsession and innovation.

Fact: The film was directed by Christopher Nolan and features a complex narrative structure. It was based on the novel by Christopher Priest.

Description: The story of Srinivasa Ramanujan, an Indian mathematician whose discoveries in number theory were groundbreaking, despite his lack of formal training.

Fact: Dev Patel was nominated for a BAFTA Rising Star Award for his role as Ramanujan. The film was based on the book by Robert Kanigel.

Description: This film delves into the life of Alan Turing, a mathematician who played a pivotal role in cracking the Nazi's Enigma code during WWII, a discovery that changed the course of history.

Fact: Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of Turing earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. The film also won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Description: A biographical drama about Stephen Hawking, focusing on his early life, his groundbreaking work on black holes, and his personal life, showcasing how his discoveries shaped modern physics.

Fact: Eddie Redmayne won an Oscar for Best Actor for his role as Hawking. The film was based on the memoir "Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen" by Jane Hawking.

Description: Astronaut Mark Watney is left stranded on Mars, and his discovery of how to survive on the red planet becomes a testament to human resilience and scientific ingenuity.

Fact: The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It was based on the novel by Andy Weir.

Description: This film highlights the contributions of three African-American women at NASA, whose mathematical calculations and discoveries were crucial to the success of the early space missions.

Fact: The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It was based on the non-fiction book by Margot Lee Shetterly.