10 Movies and Documentaries About Albert Einstein – Where to Find Them and Discover Unusual Portrayals of the Most Popular Theoretical Physicist of All Time
Reading Time: 9 minutes
Few scientists have become as popular as the theoretical physicist Albert Einstein. Whether it’s the intrigue surrounding his discoveries or his laid-back personality, cinema has always loved portraying him, either in biographical form or simply by using his genius image. Discover more about this brilliant scientist who became a symbol of genius, and then enjoy the best movies and documentaries ever made about him.
1. Brief Biography of Albert Einstein
The theoretical physicist Albert Einstein was born in Germany (1879) and became one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. However, the frequency and intensity with which Einstein is remembered goes far beyond his theoretical work.
The Incredible Popularity of Albert Einstein
His contributions to theoretical physics are what initially brought him into the spotlight. And even though these concepts are challenging for most people to understand, it never got in the way of his popularity. Perhaps it’s because he took on a playful persona over time, like that fun-loving older uncle everyone has in the family. Or perhaps it’s due to the myths built around his life story that emphasize his struggles with mathematics, his criticism of traditional education, and his rebellious acts.
Some also remember his humanitarian efforts, such as his fight to help Jewish people during World War II and his support for the Zionist movement in establishing the State of Israel, which he was even invited to lead as president in the 1950s. There are also religious aspects—despite being a non-practicing Jew, Einstein often spoke in ways that suggested a belief in a creator god, which resonated with the Christian population. However, he never affiliated himself with any official religion, which appealed to agnostics and atheists alike. In short, he was a true genius.
The Theory of Relativity and the Nobel Prize
For those who enjoy physics, he is best known for developing the Theory of Relativity, which includes the famous equation E=mc², a formulation that establishes the equivalence between mass and energy. This theory was published in two famous papers, one in 1905 and another in 1915. In the latter, he expanded his initial ideas by incorporating the variable “gravity” and explaining the phenomenon of spacetime curvature. This was revolutionary and changed our understanding of the universe.
But he didn’t stop there, also contributing to the development of quantum mechanics. In 1921, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for another outstanding but lesser-known work: the photoelectric effect.
Albert Einstein and the Atomic Bomb
In addition to his theoretical work, Einstein was instrumental in initiating the theory that would lead to the creation of the Atomic Bomb. He was co-author of the Einstein-Szilard Letter, which warned the US president about the possibility of nuclear weapons, leading the US government to create the “Manhattan Project” and accelerate the development of nuclear weapons before the Nazis mastered this technology. The bombing of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagazaki, at the end of World War II, would be the shadow he would carry in his final days.
His latest scientific research was marked by the attempt to formulate a Unified Field Theory, which, like the Theory of Relativity, would be able to explain the phenomena of the universe in a simple way. This is because, for Einstein, simplicity was the mark of truth.
2. 10 Films and Documentaries about Albert Einstein
1 – Young Einstein
“Young Einstein” is an Australian comedy film released in 1988, directed by Yahoo Serious, who also plays the lead role of Albert. With a more fictional and humorous approach, the film offers an imaginative and irreverent view of his youth.
The plot revolves around a young and eccentric Einstein, portrayed in an unconventional way, from his childhood in Tasmania to his groundbreaking scientific discoveries. The film mixes elements of comedy, romance and fantasy, creating a hilarious narrative with little compromise with reality. Although it glosses over and ignores the real story, the film presents some good explanations for the theories of time and space, making it very entertaining even for those who don’t understand them very well. It’s not that easy to find, but it’s worth it.
2 – I.Q.
“IQ.” is a romantic comedy released in 1994, starring Walter Matthau (Grumpy Old Men) as Albert Einstein and Meg Ryan as Catherine Boyd, his niece. The film imagines a fictional meeting between his niece, extremely dedicated to her studies, and her young suitor Ed Walters, played by Tim Robbins. Einstein, worried about Catherine’s reluctance to marry, decides to help Ed win her heart.
The plot combines elements of romance, comedy and a light approach to Einstein’s genius. The essence of Einstein can be identified in the character’s defense of emotion rather than scientism, something well known to the physicist who preferred to listen to his imagination rather than the recorded knowledge of renowned scientists. “IQ.” offers an entertaining look at Einstein’s life, highlighting his human side while drawing parallels between love and science.
3 – Genius (Star+)
“Genius” is a television series that stands out for exploring the lives of brilliant minds throughout history, covering both their scientific work and their personal lives. The first season, dedicated to Albert Einstein, covers his initial years of research and elaboration of the Theory of Relativity. Based on recent biographies of the physicist, such as that of Walter Isaacson, the series also highlights his human side, showing his family issues and the participation of his first wife in the preparation of his most famous articles.
4 – Einstein and Eddington (HBO Max)
“Einstein and Eddington” is a British television film released in 2008, directed by Philip Martin. The story addresses the collaboration between the theoretical physicist, played by Andy Serkis (Gollum, from The Lord of The Rings), and the British astrophysicist Arthur Eddington, played by David Tennant (Doctor Who), during the First World War.
Facing opposition and social challenges, Eddington decides to test Einstein’s theory of relativity during a solar eclipse, seeking to prove the prediction that starlight bends as it passes the sun, as predicted by the General Theory of Relativity.
The film highlights the scientific aspects of the work of these two notable scientists, while also exploring the difficulties faced in challenging established ideas. For Brazilians, it is important to note that Eddington’s work involved a scientific expedition to the city of Sobral, in Ceará, where collecting photos of the eclipse served to prove Einstein’s theory about the bending of light under the effect of gravity created by a body massive like the Sun.
5 – Einstein
In this production for Italian TV, we find Albert Einstein (Vincenzo Amato) in his first years of marriage to Mileva Maric, his first wife. Unlike other works, this film focuses on the scientist’s romantic relationship and his dramas with his family, showing a little-known side of him.
6 – Oppenheimer (Prime Vídeo)
In “Oppennheimer” (2023), Einstein appears little, but his presence is used to show how he and the protagonist were equal in genius. The main difference seems to lie in Einstein’s reluctance to use his discoveries and Oppenheimer’s commitment to carrying out the project to create the atomic bomb, and thus making his name famous as well.
7 – Insignificance
“Insignificance” is a British film released in 1985, directed by Nicolas Roeg and adapted from the play by Terry Johnson. The plot, set one night in New York in the 1950s, features notable characters played by Theresa Russell, Tony Curtis, Gary Busey and Michael Emil. The film proposes a fictional meeting between iconic cultural figures of the time, such as Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, Joseph McCarthy and Albert Einstein.
In a surreal narrative, the film explores themes of fame, power, science and relationships, challenging audience expectations with a non-linear approach and a dreamlike atmosphere. “Insignificance” is appreciated for its originality and the unique way it mixes reality and fantasy, even though it received mixed reviews at the time of its release.
8 – Einstein’s Big Idea (YouTube)
Launched in 2005, on the centenary of the publication of the article “The Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies”, which presents the Special Theory of Relativity. The film focuses on the year 1905, when a young employee of a Swiss patent office divides his time between his professional obligations, his newly formed family and theoretical research in physics.
9 – Albert Einstein (The History Channel e YouTube)
Documentary made by the History Channel in 2008, it presents a biography that is both documented and dramatized. One of the best works produced for those who want to know better Einstein’s theories. Several scientists are interviewed, each presenting a piece of the puzzle that makes up Einstein’s theoretical work.
10 – Einstein And The Bomb (Netflix)
A recent Netflix production, released this year (2024), brings recent revelations about Einstein’s involvement in the creation of the Atomic Bomb. The documentary shows how the race to develop atomic technology became urgent in the final years of World War II, leading Einstein to put aside his pacifist ideology to participate in some way in the war effort against Hitler. The film is divided into documentary and dramatized parts, with the physicist taking refuge in an English camp being protected as a kind of secret weapon.
See more historical films.
Share and Follow us on Social Media
