Hidden Figures

Critics Consensus

In heartwarming, crowd-pleasing fashion, Hidden Figures celebrates overlooked -- and crucial -- contributions from a pivotal moment in American history.

93%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 303

93%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 58,090
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Movie Info

HIDDEN FIGURES is the incredible untold story of Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe)-brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanized the world. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big.
  • Rating:
    PG (for thematic elements and some language)
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Directed By:
    Ted Melfi
  • Written By:
    Allison Schroeder, Ted Melfi
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $169,385,416
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    20th Century Fox

Cast

Taraji P. Henson
as Katherine Johnson
Octavia Spencer
as Dorothy Vaughan
Janelle Monáe
as Mary Jackson
Kirsten Dunst
as Vivian Mitchell
Jim Parsons
as Paul Stafford
Mahershala Ali
as Jim Johnson
Kevin Costner
as Al Harrison
Kimberly Quinn
as Ruth
Glen Powell
as John Glenn
Aldis Hodge
as Levi Jackson
Ariana Neal
as Joylette
Maria Howell
as Ms. Sumner
Jaiden Kaine
as Joshua Coleman
Wilbur Fitzgerald
as Sen. Patrick
Scott Michael Morgan
as Bill Calhoun
Cullen Moss
as Mission Control Commander
Rhoda Griffis
as White Librarian
Dane Davenport
as Alan Shepard
Bob Jennings
as Navy Officer
Alkoya Brunson
as Kenneth Vaughn
Ron Clinton Smith
as White Cop
Joe Knezevich
as Wind Tunnel Engineer
Kurt Krause
as Sam Turner
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News & Interviews for Hidden Figures

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Critic Reviews for Hidden Figures

All Critics (303) | Top Critics (41) | Fresh (283) | Rotten (20)

View All Critic Reviews (303)

Audience Reviews for Hidden Figures

  • Aug 25, 2019
    Do not at all think that by my feelings I attempt to diminish the achievements of those who made Hidden Figures nor the real women around which the story revolves, this simply just wasn't for me.
    Gimly M Super Reviewer
  • Mar 13, 2019
    Delightful history lesson about the black female mathematicians who helped NASA bring people into space. There are a couple of unpleasant scenes reminding the audience of the ridiculousness of race segregation in the 1960s, but overall the mood is pretty uplifting and optimistic. The end is pretty exciting even if you know how things worked out. A fantastic cast makes for several really touching scenes. A pleasure of a film and a story worth being told.
    Jens S Super Reviewer
  • Jun 01, 2018
    An inspiring story not aspiring for originality, Hidden Figures forgoes new math for simple arithmetic, boasting a different kind of edginess just in telling a tale of marginalized trailblazers that needs to be told and seen. This is not to say that such storytelling is easy work, however. For a teaching moment to be this heartwarming, entertaining, and rousing, it takes a very intelligent design and the true beauty of the film comes down to how the whole production explains a complex problem involving segregation and empowerment with such a single, satisfying solution. This PG-rated drama presents the story of a team of female African-American mathematicians (Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae) who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. Certainly, the true events on which Hidden Figures is based didn't unfold so breezily in real life and the actual hidden figures themselves didn't enjoy such a breezy journey. This is a film meant to fuel the soul of all filmgoers, however, especially women and people of color. Its intent is to raise the spirits--not look back in abject anger. This is why their story has been re-purposed as a crowd-pleaser. With a PG rating, it is meant to be accessible. If it encourages action as well, this is only a good thing. But Hidden Figures's main purpose is to inform, honor, and celebrate, which the film does with great dignity and grace. Adapted from the book by Margot Lee Shetterly, Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi's screenplay provides the perfect template for this successful rendering. The casting only sweetens the pot. Spectacular turns by veterans Henson and Spencer as well as relative newcomer Monae (a breakout role, to be sure) drive the strong narrative. The great supporting performances of Kevin Costner, Jim Parson, and Mahershala Ali likewise deserve mention but this is definitely the ladies' show. As director, Melfi has pulled off a ridiculously impressive feat. Not only does Joan Q. Filmgoer learn about some criminally overlooked figures from American history, but she feels pretty damn good about doing so. To Sum It Up: All Plusses, No Minuses
    Jeff B Super Reviewer
  • May 20, 2017
    It's definitely entertaining, but these kinds of simplistic Hollywood retellings of historical events have been tiresome for quite some time. If you're going to confront the realities of racism and sexism then you should do so honestly and with all of their complexities.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
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