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10+ Best Movies About Electricity

Buckle up for a wild ride through these movies about electricity that plug into the sheer power of electricity. We're talking mind-blowing special effects and narratives that'll jolt you out of your seat. It's like exploring how good old lightning and circuits can turn the silver screen into a mesmerizing playground.

Science is indeed fascinating! Thanks to the people behind these genius innovations, everything works as easy as 1-2-3!

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Movies About Electricity

Electricity is a kind of energy created by charged particles like electrons or protons. It's a natural force and a versatile power source we use every day. Electricity can be still (like when things have built-up charge) or moving (like when it flows in a wire).

We rely on it for lighting, running our gadgets, electric vehicles, and industries. Learning about and using electricity is a key part of modern science and technology.

Light up your curiosity by WATTching these awesome movies about electricity:

The Current War: Director's Cut
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Shannon, Nicholas Hoult (Actors)

The Current War

“The Current War” narrates the intense rivalry among leading inventors of the industrial era, as they sought to determine the electrical system that would shape the new century. While Thomas Edison amazed the world, George Westinghouse and Nikola Tesla, recognizing critical flaws in Edison's direct current concept, triggered the well-known battle of electrical systems, staking their all on the uncertain and perilous territory of alternating current.

Tesla
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Michael Murphy (Actor)

Tesla

Introducing Nikola Tesla, the brilliant engineer and relentless innovator whose inventions transformed the 20th-century electrical era. Even though he didn't grab the same level of spotlight as Edison and Marconi, it was Tesla's visionary ideas that laid the foundation for the wireless world we enjoy today.

Life on the Line
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • John Travolta, Kate Bosworth, Devon Sawa (Actors)

Life On The Line

In this gripping suspense film featuring John Travolta and Kate Bosworth, a group of Texan power line workers rushes to set up extensive cables in a race against time, trying to beat a deadly lightning storm that threatens to wreak havoc on the power grid.

City of Ember
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • David Ryall, Ian McElhinney, Harry Treadaway (Actors)

City of Ember

Throughout countless generations, the inhabitants of the City of Ember have thrived in a breathtaking realm illuminated by dazzling lights.

Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Jim Al-Khalili (Actor)

Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity

Presented by Professor Jim Al-Khalili, this three-part documentary series is an electrifying narrative of humanity's pursuit to conquer the enigmatic power of nature: electricity.

The Trigger Effect
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Kyle MacLachlan, Elisabeth Shue, Dermot Mulroney (Actors)

The Trigger Effect

An intense tale of a puzzling power outage causing chaos in a big city, where the usual rules don't work anymore.

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Benjamin Franklin: A Film by Ken Burns, Season 1
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Peter Coyote, Mandy Patinkin, Carolyn McCormack (Actors)

Benjamin Franklin: A Film by Ken Burns

Ken Burns made a four-hour documentary about Benjamin Franklin, this super important guy from the 18th century. He figured out electricity and helped build the United States. And guess what? He said in Poor Richard’s Almanack, “Write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.” Well, he totally rocked both!

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Charged: The Eduardo Garcia Story

Chef Eduardo Garcia was out hiking in Montana when he got hit by a massive jolt of 2400 Volts from touching a dead bear. He ended up losing an arm, ribs, muscle, and came close to losing his life, but what he discovered was more significant than what he left behind.

Powder
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Mary Steenburgen, Sean Flanery, Jeff Goldblum (Actors)

Powder

Bullied by classmates who can't handle his unusual looks, a reserved young guy faces a tough time trying to blend in. However, the hurtful teasing comes to a halt when Powder reveals an enigmatic ability that lets him perform remarkable feats.

Blackout
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Abraham Benrubi, Lymari Nadal, Nia Kingsley (Actors)

Blackout

This thrilling movie is about four college students, a couple expecting a baby, and a survival expert. They have to deal with a worldwide blackout, and as society crumbles, they see the darker side of people.

The Road
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce (Actors)

The Road

After a world-changing apocalypse, a dad and his son trek through the ruined North America, fighting to stay alive while they make their way to the ocean.

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What are you waiting for? Watch these movies in your warmly lit living room before the screen blacks out!

If you enjoyed this list of movies, I have a monthly membership for parents and educators that want to teach or supplement lessons with shows and movies.

“You won't believe the blast we have with our electricity movie nights at home! It started when we stumbled upon this cool documentary about the power of electricity, and my kids were instantly hooked. Now, it's become a regular thing – we grab some snacks, cozy up, and dive into the world of electrons and circuits. It's not just entertaining; these movies have turned learning about electricity into a fun and enlightening adventure for the whole family. Who knew sparking an interest in science could be this electrifyingly fun?” – a Homeschooling parent

With Homeschooling with Shows and Movies membership, you will get resources every month, including:

  • List of This Month’s Suggested Themes
  • List of Monthly Observances
  • List Of Movies for Unit Study
  • Unit Study Resource
  • Seasonal Activities (minimum of three)
  • (BONUSES) Resources for you, the teacher

These resources are worth it if you'd like to easily incorporate shows and movies into your homeschooling.

Grab your membership here. 

What to expect in these movies about electricity?

Movies about electricity can captivate us and fuel our curiosity. They offer thrilling journeys into the world of electricity, from intense lab experiments to action-packed scenes.

These films showcase a wide variety of experiences, including mad scientists, superhero power, and deep philosophical themes. So, get ready for an electrifying cinematic adventure that will both thrill and enlighten you!

Which subjects are included in studying electricity in an elementary school setting?

In an elementary school setting, students typically start with a basic introduction to electricity. The subjects covered may include:

  1. Electricity Basics: Learning what electricity is, its properties, and basic concepts like electric charge, conductors, and insulators.
  2. Circuitry: Understanding how circuits work, the components of a circuit (e.g., wires, batteries, switches, bulbs), and how to build simple circuits.
  3. Safety: Teaching children about electrical safety, including not playing with electrical outlets and cords, and what to do in case of an electrical emergency.
  4. Types of Energy: Introducing the concept of energy sources, including electrical energy, and the importance of conserving energy.
  5. Electricity Generation: A simplified explanation of how electricity is generated, often focusing on basic concepts like generators and batteries.
  6. Magnets and Electricity: The relationship between electricity and magnets, including basic principles of electromagnetism.
  7. Simple Experiments: Conducting simple hands-on experiments to demonstrate basic electrical concepts, such as static electricity and simple circuits.
  8. Renewable Energy: Introducing the idea of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.
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These subjects are typically taught in a way that is age-appropriate and hands-on to engage elementary school students and provide a foundational understanding of electricity. As students progress to higher grade levels, the complexity of the topics and experiments may increase.

What themes are found in movies about electricity?

Electricity-themed movies often dig into the ideas of power, from the cool and scary sides of electrical stuff to deeper themes like control, change, and empowerment. It's like a symbol that lights up different parts of our lives in exciting ways.

Related Questions:

What caused the discovery of electricity?

The Industrial Revolution began our use of electricity created by people. Many believe Benjamin Franklin ‘found' electricity in 1752 when he saw that sparks from lightning could make power.

Who are the three individuals considered the key figures in the development of electricity?

  1. Benjamin Franklin: Known for his experiments with lightning and his famous kite experiment, which contributed to the understanding of electricity and lightning as electrical phenomena.
  2. Michael Faraday: Renowned for his work on electromagnetic induction, Faraday made significant contributions to the understanding of electricity and magnetism, which laid the foundation for the development of electrical technology.
  3. Thomas Edison: While not a pioneer in the theoretical aspects of electricity, Edison was instrumental in developing practical applications for electricity, such as the electric light bulb and the electrical distribution system, which had a profound impact on modern life.

These three individuals played crucial roles in advancing our understanding and utilization of electricity.

What are the four categories of electricity?

  1. Static Electricity: This occurs when electric charge builds up on the surface of an object. It's often associated with friction and results in objects attracting or repelling each other, such as when you rub a balloon on your hair, and it sticks to a wall.
  2. Current Electricity: This is the most common form of electricity used in our daily lives. It involves the flow of electric charge through a conductor, such as wires. The most common source of current electricity is alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC).
  3. Conductive Electricity: Conductive electricity is characterized by the ability of certain materials to conduct electric current. Metals like copper and aluminum are excellent conductors, while materials like rubber and plastic are poor conductors (insulators).
  4. Biological Electricity: This type of electricity relates to electrical impulses and signals in living organisms, particularly in nerve cells and the functioning of the human brain. It's essential for biological processes, including muscle contractions and brain function.

What movie is centered around the discovery or creation of electricity?

The Current War is a 2017 American drama movie about the rivalry between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse in the 1800s. They were competing to decide which electric power system would be used in the United States, often called the ‘war of the currents.

What's the movie about getting shocked by electricity?

In 2015, a movie called ‘Experimenter' was made in the United States. It's a biographical drama directed by Michael Almereyda and inspired by the 1961 Milgram experiment.

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