Hidden Figures (2016)
Kernel Score: 90% · 10,289 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Drama, History
Released: 2016-12-10
Runtime: 127 minutes
Is Hidden Figures worth watching?
Must-watch. A warm, well-acted true story about three Black women whose maths skills helped launch NASA's space missions. It is crowd-pleasing and a bit tidy, but the lead trio and the story are well worth the time.
Watch it if you
- like true stories about people beating the odds
- enjoy 1960s space-race history
- want an uplifting, feel-good drama
Skip it if you
- want a gritty, unsparing look at racism
- prefer complex, unresolved stories
Best for: Family movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Hidden Figures
- Stream: HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
The untold story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson – brilliant African-American women working at NASA and serving as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history – the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big.
Hidden Figures parents' guide: ages 6+
Parents need to know that Hidden Figures is a PG historical drama about three African-American women overcoming racism and sexism to work at NASA during the space race.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Hidden Figures
If you liked Hidden Figures, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Help (2011) — 91%: Uplifting drama about Black women in 1960s America
- The Right Stuff (1983) — 83%: The early space programme, told with real admiration
- Ford v Ferrari (2019) — 88%: True story of people beating the odds in a tough industry
- Green Book (2018) — 90%: Feel-good 1960s true story about race and friendship
- Apollo 11 (2019) — 87%: The real space-race history behind the story
- The Six Triple Eight (2024) — 84%: Black women's service in a segregated era, told as a true story
Director
Cast
- Taraji P. Henson as Katherine G. Johnson
- Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughan
- Janelle Monáe as Mary Jackson
- Kevin Costner as Al Harrison
- Kirsten Dunst as Vivian Mitchell
- Jim Parsons as Paul Stafford
- Mahershala Ali as Jim Johnson
- Glen Powell as John Glenn
- Ariana Neal as Joylette Johnson
- Saniyya Sidney as Constance Johnson
Hidden Figures FAQ
Is Hidden Figures worth watching?
Must-watch. A warm, well-acted true story about three Black women whose maths skills helped launch NASA's space missions. It is crowd-pleasing and a bit tidy, but the lead trio and the story are well worth the time.
Where can I watch Hidden Figures?
In the US you can stream Hidden Figures on HBO Max and Cinemax Apple TV channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Hidden Figures OK for kids?
Hidden Figures is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 6+. Parents need to know that Hidden Figures is a PG historical drama about three African-American women overcoming racism and sexism to work at NASA during the space race.
What movies are like Hidden Figures?
If you liked Hidden Figures, try The Help, The Right Stuff, Ford v Ferrari and Green Book.