Entertainment that inspires the scientific mind

Here’s a list of books, movies, and tv shows that portray scientists and science (somewhat) realistically, and that I find inspiring. Of course none of these are perfect portrayals, but in general they are worth watching or reading.

I’ve only included books and movies I’ve read or seen, but if I’m missing anything let me know - I’m always looking for new stuff!

Historical

• Hidden Figures
• Radioactive
• The Imitation Game
• Apollo 13 (book and movie)
• October Sky (book and movie)

Science Non-Fiction

• The Signal and the Noise
• A Brief History of Time
• Cosmos (Sagan and Tyson versions)

More Realistic Sci-Fi

• 2001: A Space Odyssey (book and movie)
  • (Any Arthur C Clarke really)
• Contact (book and movie)
• The Martian (book and movie)
• Flatland

More fiction, but appreciative of science

• Ender’s Game (book and movie)
• Foundation series (I haven’t seen the new TV show yet.)
• Star Trek (many series and movies)
• Back to the Future
• Jurassic Park
• The X-Files
• Arrival
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind