PG-13

The Manhattan Project

Paul Stevens' high school science project has gotten a little out of hand. He just built an atomic bomb. Now he's got 11 hours to make sure it doesn't work.

1986 • 118 min • Science Fiction · Thriller

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Synopsis

A gifted high school student steals plutonium from the secret nuclear weapons facility in his home town in order to construct his own nuclear bomb, win a national science fair, and expose the government's secrets.

Our family guide

Best from age 13

Movie Knight Score

119 reviews

62 Audience · 119 · 100%

A bright high schooler creates a nuclear bomb for a science fair using stolen plutonium. His goal is to expose a secret government facility, but his actions put himself and others in grave danger as authorities pursue him.

Violence & peril: 3/10
Language: 2/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 1/10
Romance & sensuality: 1/10
Scary moments: 5/10

Heads up

Discussions of nuclear weapons
High-stakes situations with a teen in peril
Some intense chase sequences

What it models well

The importance of ethical science
Speaking truth to power
Consequences of reckless actions

Talk about it after

The real-world dangers of nuclear materials
Government transparency vs. national security
The ethics of scientific discovery and invention

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The Manhattan Project. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.