17 Science and STEM Movies for Kids
With all of the movies out in the world these days, it’s difficult to find movies that are appropriate for your kids and teach them something at the same time, specifically something about science or technology. There are many movies that can be educational, but some messages are hidden.
Here is a list of STEM-related movies that are parent-approved according to the content and lessons they each teach.
1. Sneakers
Sneakers is a 1992 film about a group of hackers hired to obtain an invention created by a mathematician. It was well before its time and is said to be very underappreciated for how accurate it is.
Rating
Sneakers is rated PG-13, for some cursing, a sex scene, and a violent scene.
Recommended Ages
This movie is recommended for children ages 12 and up for the reasons listed above. (Source)
STEM Topics Mentioned
Sneakers involves a group of hackers who use their technology and computer skills to hack and get inside a building to steal the black box. (Source)
2. Inspector Gadget
Inspector Gadget is a 1999 animated film about a human with various robotic gadgets incorporated into his body who aims to catch bad guys. It is light-hearted and fully safe for kids to watch.
Rating
Inspector Gadget is rated PG, making it safe for kids to watch.
Recommended Ages
Since Inspector Gadget is rated PG, it is for all ages. Babies and Toddlers may not understand the movie and adults may get bored, but it is perfect for young children who are interested in technology, specifically robots.
STEM Topics Mentioned
STEM topics in this movie include technology and robotics. (Source)
3. October Sky
October Sky is a 1999 film starring Jake Gyllenhaal. It is based in the 1950s after the USSR launched Sputnick. A few students are inspired to build their own rockets but are discouraged by parents in the town. They live in a mining town, so mining is all anybody knows.
However, with the encouragement of a teacher, the students are able to win the science fair and get college scholarships.
Rating
October Sky is rated PG, due to a few sexual references, a few uses of profanity, and a violent scene. The movie ranks mild in each of these categories.
Recommended Ages
October Sky is rated PG, which means children younger than eight years old shouldn’t watch this movie. However, children younger than eight may not understand the inappropriate references or scenes, so it could be a great movie for family movie night.
STEM Topics Mentioned
This movie is great for children who are fascinated by space and want to be astronauts one day. Space, astronauts, and spaceships are mentioned often, along with a theme of following your dreams no matter what people tell you. (Source)
4. Apollo 13
Apollo 13 is a 1995 film starring Tom Hanks that is based on a true story. It is about NASA working to get astronauts back to earth after their spacecraft was damaged.
Rating
This movie is rated PG, due to a few uses of profanity. It is also an intense movie, being that NASA is trying to save astronauts that otherwise won’t make it back to earth.
Recommended Ages
It’s recommended that children watch this movie with their parents, just in case there are scenes they don’t understand. Any age could watch this movie, but it’s best that children ages younger than eight refrain from watching in case they get spooked by outer space.
STEM Topics Mentioned
This movie involves science and space technology to send astronauts into space, and save them after the mission fails. Children can learn a lot about the realities of space travel from this movie. (Source)
5. Hidden Figures
Hidden Figures is a movie about three African-American women who are extremely gifted and work for NASA. One specifically starts working for the top team but faces some racial and gender injustices which are eventually solved after she proves herself worthy of the job. It is based on a true story.
Rating
Hidden Figures is rated PG, and for good reason. It isn’t made for kids, but it doesn’t have scenes or references that are inappropriate for kids.
Recommended Ages
Hidden Figures could be watched by any age. There aren’t any scenes that need to be skipped over for children. This would be a great movie for any family or age group.
STEM Topics Mentioned
Hidden Figures hints at several different STEM topics. Many of the workers at NASA need to solve several math problems and use technology to do the math, and the whole movie is about a space mission. Viewers can learn a lot about what goes on behind the scenes of a space launch. (Source)
6. The Day After Tomorrow
The Day After Tomorrow is a 2004 film starring Dennis Quad and Jake Gyllenhaal. It is about a scientist who makes a discovery about some climate issues but is ignored, resulting in a giant superstorm that occurs in several places around the world.
Rating
This movie is rated PG-13, due to the danger and fear in the movie.
Recommended Ages
This movie is recommended for children ages 12 and up due to the maturity of the events. Young children may be scared by natural disasters and can have a hard time differentiating between the movie and what will happen in real life.
STEM Topics Mentioned
This movie involves climate change, and weather, along with math, technology, and engineers. The main message is that if we don’t do something to help the planet now, future generations are going to suffer. It is not only a captivating movie but an educational one as well. (Source)
7. Interstellar
Interstellar is a Christopher Nolan film. It involves some deep concepts about space travel, so it may not be suitable for your young children.
Rating
Interstellar is rated PG-13 due to how high-action the movie is. Some scenes are not suitable for every age.
Recommended Ages
It is recommended that this film isn’t shown to children under the age of 12 or 13. There aren’t any scenes with sexual references or violence, but the concept of the movie is intense and hard to understand.
STEM Topics Mentioned
Of course, this movie is big on space travel, but it goes much deeper than that. It talks about humans and extinction, and what is happening in the future. (Source)
8. Dream Big: Engineering Our World
This film is a 2017 documentary meant to inspire young children to follow their dreams and achieve their goals.
Rating
This documentary is not rated but has no scenes or references of anything negative or inappropriate.
Recommended Ages
This documentary can be seen by all ages, but younger children who are not in grade school may not understand the movie.
STEM Topics Mentioned
This movie is focused on engineering and all of the amazing things we can create in this world if engineers put their minds to it. (Source)
9. The Martian
The Martian is another space movie about an astronaut that is stranded on another planet. This is a great movie for children who are interested in space travel but could be scary for young children.
Rating
This movie is rated PG-13, due to some intense action scenes, use of profanity, and a few instances of nudity.
Recommended Ages
This movie is appropriate for teenagers and up due to the intense and scary storyline.
STEM Topics Mentioned
This movie is all about the truth and reality of space travel. (Source)
10. Underwater Dreams
Underwater Dreams is a recent historical documentary about the sons of undocumented Mexicans who build underwater robots. It is a very inspiring and true story.
Rating
Since this film is a documentary, it is not rated.
Recommended Ages
This movie can be watched by children of all ages.
STEM Topics Mentioned
This movie is all about engineering and will inspire children to make the best of what they have instead of thinking about what they don’t have.
11. The LEGO Movie
The LEGO Movie is about a character who sets out on an adventure to stop the bad guy.
Rating
This movie is rated PG.
Recommended Ages
This movie is appropriate for children of all ages. It was made for kids, so it is entertaining for kids and doesn’t have any inappropriate scenes.
STEM Topics Mentioned
This movie has a huge underlying theme of engineering and being creative with a team. (Source)
12. Big Hero 6
This 2014 film is about some teenagers who set out to get to the bottom of who is creating danger in their city with the help of a robot named Baymax. (Source)
Rating
This movie is rated PG due to the action and scary events.
Recommended Ages
This movie is great for kids of all ages, even young children.
STEM Topics Mentioned
This movie has a huge theme of robotics and engineering. This movie could inspire children to get involved in robotics and get creative. (Source)
13. WALL-E
WALL-E is about a robot that is the only form of living life left on earth. The rest of humankind has been on a spaceship, as the earth became inhabitable. A robot then comes to save the earth, finding Wall-E in the process.
Rating
This movie is rated PG, as it was made to be suitable for children.
Recommended Ages
This movie is made by Disney specifically for children to learn about the importance of taking care of the earth. Adults may find it boring, but children will love the plot, characters, and humor.
STEM Topics Mentioned
This movie mentions STEM topics like robotics, the environment, engineering, and the future.
14. Gattaca
Gattaca is a 1997 film directed by Andrew Niccol set in the future where every person is genetically modified before birth. There are still people who were created naturally, and therefore have a disadvantage in society. This movie is all about the main character Vincent who was born traditional and wants to make a difference in the world.
Rating
Gattaca is rated PG-13, due to a few curse words, a sex scene, and references to drinking and smoking.
Recommended Ages
Since the movie is rated PG-13, children under the age of 10 should not watch this movie. Most parents would say that a child should be around 12 years old before watching it due to the swearing, sex scene, and characters that drink or smoke. However, it is up to you whether or not you will let your child watch this movie when they are under 12 years old. (Source)
STEM Topics Mentioned
This movie references the future of genetic modification with technology like CRISPR that can modify genes. If your child is interested in genes and mutation, this is a great option.
Although it was made before the year 2000, scientists have said that it is quite accurate. You can then have a valuable discussion with the student or child about if modifying genes is ethical or not.
15. The Social Dilemma
The Social Dilemma is a documentary on Netflix about social media and the impact it has on our brains and society.
Rating
The Social Dilemma is rated PG-13 due to the mature and intense topic discussed.
Recommended Ages
I would recommend this documentary to teenagers. Younger children won’t find any value in this film if they don’t use phones or social media.
STEM Topics Mentioned
This movie highlights the technology of our phones, how social media was created, and the future of social media and how it affects us.
16. Flubber
Flubber is a 1997 film starring Robin Williams as a scientist that when experimenting accidentally develops a rubber substance that has its own will.
Rating
This movie is rated PG, due to low or no amounts of sex and nudity, violence, profanity, and drugs or alcohol.
Recommended Ages
This movie is perfect for family movie nights, with children of all ages.
STEM Topics Mentioned
This movie is about a scientist, so there are a lot of scientific themes throughout the movie. (Source)
17. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is a classic movie about a scientist who develops a machine that can create food out of the water and make it fall from the sky, but it soon becomes too powerful and he has to figure out a way to shut it down.
Rating
This movie is rightfully rated PG, with no inappropriate references or references that are not suitable for children.
Recommended Ages
This movie is made for young children but can be enjoyed at any age. It is the perfect movie for a family with young kids.
STEM Topics Mentioned
This movie involves topics of inventions, science, creativity, and solving problems. (Source)
We hope this list was helpful and helped you find a movie perfect for your child based on their age group and interest in different STEM topics.