Official promotional poster. Rights belong to the respective rights holders.
Read the film reference Availability and pricing vary by region.Hidden FiguresA movie brief.
2016 / Biographical drama / Directed by Theodore Melfi
Inspiring stories of unsung heroes
What is Hidden Figures about?
Three African-American women mathematicians work at NASA during the Space Race.
Five things to know.
Setup
The film is set in 1950s and 1960s America, focusing on the lives of three African-American women mathematicians.
World
The story takes place at NASA's Langley Research Center, highlighting racial segregation and professional challenges faced by the protagonists.
Pressure
The Soviet Union's successful launch of Yuri Gagarin increases pressure on the US to send astronauts into space.
Craft
The film showcases the mathematical skills and determination of the protagonists, particularly Katherine Johnson.
Viewing note
The film has been praised for its performances, direction, and historical significance, but some critics have noted fictional embellishments.
A thought to take with you.
Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary work in a workplace that depends on their calculations while restricting their access and recognition. Their professional contributions unfold within NASA's race to space, making technical work and institutional barriers part of the same story.
Is it your kind of movie?
Choose it for a historical workplace drama about Black women mathematicians at NASA. It is accessible as a character story while showing the segregation shaping their careers.
Sources & scope
This AI-assisted brief is based on the linked secondary reference. Facts and interpretation are separated; it does not claim personal viewing or independent expert review.
Source details checked September 8, 2026. Suggest a correction · Our editorial approach