Movies Featuring Scientists for Kids

Science can be so much fun. There are quite a few movies out there that feature Scientists whether they are mad Scientists or just great Scientists. I decided to put together a list of movies featuring Scientists for kids for us to add to our movie watch list. The goal is to show kids each of the movies and ask them what is true about Scientists and what is exaggerated. If you want to have fun with your movie time while showing kids what Scientists look like, don’t miss out. I will also include a few YouTube videos at the bottom of this post featuring actual Scientists for your kids to do a comparison.

Kid-Friendly Movies With Scientists

Some of the movies on this list are better for older kids. Not all kids are allowed to watch the same content but I wanted a roundup that would work for kids of different ages.

4 Questions to ask your kids when watching movies with scientists:

What characteristics of the Scientist in this movie are real?

When looking at movies that feature science, it can help to ask your children what things about the scientists represented could be real and possible. Looking at these things will help children to see the difference between the fun of the story and the reality of what scientists can do.

What characteristics of the Scientist are not real?

In the same way you should see what is real, it’s important to look at what parts of these scientists are not real. What things are extreme and over-exaggerated for the fun of the movie.

What could the Scientist in this movie have done differently?

Looking at what the scientist could have done differently can help your children to be analytical thinkers. It can also help them to see where they didn’t follow proper scientific methods and what the consequences were.

Did the Scientist use the Scientific Process? If so, how?

The scientific process is used time and time again to test a theory and prove or disprove it. Help children to look for the scientific process in action when looking at these movies. What are the consequences of following or not following the scientific process when experimenting?

Flubber

Flubber is an older movie but it is a great example of a Scientist who didn’t necessarily handle things in the best way. However, it’s a good way to look at a Scientist who is actively trying new ideas and testing theories. I recommend this one because it’s a great laugh and a good one to answer the four questions with.

Honey I Shrunk The Kids

Honey I Shrunk The Kids is a classic Science movie that shows what happens if your projects aren’t controlled. This is a great one for looking at the consequences of not being safe with your Science projects. It’s also a great perspective movie for looking at how things change on a smaller level. You can also check out this WikiHow to make your own Flubber.

Back to The Future

The Back to The Future trilogy has some elements younger children may not be able to enjoy. That said, Doc Brown is an iconic Scientist that does a brilliant job of explaining the Science he is doing. I highly recommend watching these and having the kids ask the questions about Doc Brown.

Sid The Science Kid: Sid The Movie

Sid The Science Kid: Sid The Movie is great for younger kids who love Science. This is a really fun adventure in Science younger kids are sure to enjoy. We watched this one at a Science Center when the kids were small and loved it.

Twister

Twister is rated PG-13 so you may want to screen it. That said, it shows Scientists on a very real mission with dire consequences. Growing up, this was one of my favorite movies. I loved the explanations of how tornadoes worked and watched this movie multiple times.

Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park is rated PG-13 so you will need to use your discretion. This movie gives a great example of “just because you can doesn’t mean you should” when it comes to Science. With Scientists creating a land filled with dinosaurs, everything should go great… Until it doesn’t..

Big Hero 6

Big Hero 6 is a great example of Science that kids can identify with. When I first watched this I was excited about the presence of female Scientists. This is a must watch movie because Scientists are so important to the plot line. Challenge your kids to look beyond the fun movie and see the Scientists.

Avatar

Avatar is a fantastic combination of Science and Fiction. While this movie is based on a lot of fantasy elements there is a very strong female Scientist in this movie. This is a great movie to watch with kids and discuss how Science can quickly be pushed aside for profit. I also liked that I could show a female Scientist to my daughter.

Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland is a movie focused on what society would look like if all the Scientists and great minds were collaborating to create the best they could. It’s a fantastic movie filled with larger than life imaging. I recommend the four questions for this movie as they watch the story unfold.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is a really fun movie that shows a Scientist who creates something that quickly moves beyond his original vision. I think this would make a fun movie night after reading the book.

Meet The Robinsons

Meet The Robinsons does an amazing job of showing a child with a love for Science. It also has a brilliant moral for the story. I can’t recommend this one enough if you have a young Scientist in the house.

What about some real Scientists?

PBS Go DragonFly has a huge selection of video profiles of Scientists in different fields.

This video is such a FUN view at what Scientists really look like and what they do.

This is very simple video and it’s simply one to show what a Scientist really looks like at work.