AI recommends: Ahead of Oppenheimer’s release, here are 5 must-watch scientist biopics

On July 21, the world will get to see director Christopher Nolan’s big screen adaptation of the biography American Prometheus, about the theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer, who helped develop the first nuclear weapons on the Manhattan Project. Oppenheimer was responsible for overseeing the scientific aspects of the project, including the development of the atomic bomb, which was subsequently used in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the World War II in 1945.

If biopics, especially those about scientists are right up your alley, here are five others that are worth a watch, if you haven’t already. Else, you could schedule a rewatch.

The Theory of Everything (2014): This biopic follows the life of renowned physicist Stephen Hawking and explores his groundbreaking work on black holes, while also highlighting his personal struggle with motor neuron disease. Eddie Redmayne played Hawking, a role for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video (Rent)

The Imitation Game (2014): Led by Benedict Cumberbatch as the mathematician and cryptanalyst Alan Turing, this biopic explores how he cracked the Enigma code during World War II. The film also looks at Turing’s struggles as a gay man in a society that criminalized homosexuality.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Hidden Figures (2016): This inspiring biopic is about three African-American female mathematicians, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, who played vital roles at NASA during the Space Race, focusing on their contributions to space missions and the challenges they faced in a racially segregated society.
Where to watch: Disney+Hotstar

The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015): Slumdog Millionaire fame Dev Patel played Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, who made significant contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, and infinite series in this biopic. The film traces Ramanujan's journey from his humble beginnings in India to his collaboration with British mathematician GH Hardy at Cambridge University.
Where to watch: Apple TV+ (rent/buy)

Hawking (2013): This documentary-style biopic focuses on the life and work of physicist Stephen Hawking. Through interviews with Hawking, his family, and colleagues, the film delves into his groundbreaking research on the origins of the universe, as well as his battle with ALS.
Where to watch: YouTube

About the author: Chandragupta is part human brain, part generative AI: the former provides intellect while the latter does the heavy lifting of an artificial neural network. The name, if you haven’t already worked it out, is a backronym of ChatGPT.