If you loved
Hidden Figures
Film · 2016
If you loved Hidden Figures, you will appreciate these stories that celebrate the resilience and intellectual brilliance of women overcoming systemic barriers.
Books on the same thread
The Help
Kathryn Stockett · Book · 2009
Shares a thread with Hidden Figures: Civil Rights Movement.
Much like the protagonists in Hidden Figures, the women in this story navigate the constraints of the Jim Crow era to find their voices and challenge the status quo.
Becoming
Michelle Obama · Book · 2018
Explores: Race and Identity, Social Mobility, Public Service.
If the personal triumph and historical significance of the women in Hidden Figures moved you, you will find a powerful contemporary parallel in this memoir of ambition and public service.
The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story
Nikole Hannah-Jones, The New York Times Magazine · Book · 2022
Explores: Race in America, Slavery, Historical Revisionism.
This work provides the essential historical context for the systemic challenges faced by the brilliant women of Hidden Figures, offering a deeper look at the reality of their era.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Rebecca Skloot · Book · 2010
Explores: Medical Ethics, Scientific Discovery, Race and Class.
This narrative mirrors the focus of Hidden Figures on unrecognized contributions, highlighting the vital role of a black woman in scientific history that was long kept in the shadows.
Series on the same thread
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker
Series · 2020
Shares a thread with Hidden Figures: Biographical Drama.
Fans of the determined spirit displayed in Hidden Figures will be inspired by this true story of an African American entrepreneur who refused to let racial barriers limit her success.
For All Mankind
Ronald D. Moore · Series · 2019
Explores: Space Exploration, Cold War, Technological Advancement.
If you enjoyed the high-stakes atmosphere and technological achievements depicted in Hidden Figures, this series offers a compelling look at the ambition and dedication that fueled the space race.
Lessons in Chemistry
Lee Eisenberg · Series · 2023
Explores: Gender Inequality, Scientific Ambition, Social Conformity.
Elizabeth Zott shares the same relentless drive for scientific recognition found in Hidden Figures, as she defies social expectations to prove that a woman's place is wherever she excels.
From the Earth to the Moon
Tom Hanks · Series · 1998
Explores: Space Race, Technological Advancement, American Exceptionalism.
This docudrama captures the same intensity and technical wonder of the NASA mission featured in Hidden Figures, focusing on the historical milestones achieved during the height of the space race.
Podcasts on the same thread
Hidden Brain
Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam · Podcast · 2026
Explores: cognitive bias, human behavior, interpersonal dynamics.
The intellectual curiosity displayed by the characters in Hidden Figures is mirrored here, as this podcast examines the complex psychological and social forces that shape our world and our minds.
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
This series offers a rigorous examination of the American narrative, providing the foundational history that explains the social landscape navigated by the women of Hidden Figures.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Hidden Figures based on a true story?
Yes, Hidden Figures tells the untold story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. These three brilliant African-American women worked at NASA and served as the brains behind the historic launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit.
What is the primary focus of Hidden Figures?
Hidden Figures focuses on the visionary trio of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. The film follows their work at NASA, where they crossed gender and race lines to help successfully launch astronaut John Glenn into orbit.
Who are the main characters featured in Hidden Figures?
The main characters in Hidden Figures are Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. These three African-American women are depicted as the brilliant minds behind the operation to launch John Glenn into orbit at NASA.
Does Hidden Figures highlight the contributions of women at NASA?
Hidden Figures highlights how Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson served as the brains behind the launch of John Glenn into orbit. The film depicts how these women crossed gender and race lines while working at NASA to inspire future generations.