The Theory of Everything (2014)

Based On the Life of: Stephen Hawking

Starring: Eddie Redmayne

Movie Budget: $15 million*

Star Salary: $250,000*

The Theory of Everything is a biography about the life of Stephen Hawking—played by Eddie Redmayne—who was a physicist and researcher who changed the course of scientific history with his many  breakthroughs. In the film the scientist’s life gets the full Hollywood treatment, focusing just as much on his romantic life and his illness as it does his accomplishments.

The film, which took elements from a book by Hawking’s first wife about their life together, won several Oscars and earned $123.7 million at the box office. It was distributed by indie and foreign film backer Focus Features.