Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe bring an untold story to fruition in “Hidden Figures,” the true story of three women who overcame obstacles and helped put the first astronaut into space. The film is nominated for two Oscars: Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. Spencer was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Dorothy Vaughan.

Based on the best-selling novel written by Margot Lee Shetterly, the movie adaptation focuses on the space race in the early 1960s.

The film, which was released in December, has grossed an impressive $165 million worldwide, according to IMDb. With a substantial production budget of $25 million and a solid distributor, 20th Century Fox, backing their release, “Hidden Figures” has become the highest grossing Best Picture nominee in domestic box offices.

The film’s glorious success can be attributed to three factors: the cast, the crew and the creativity.

The female performances are defiant in the best sense of the word and fuel the entire film. Henson, Spencer and Monáe play three African-American NASA scientists who are fast-talkers with feisty personalities. Their performances are inspiring, as each character works to achieve their dreams despite the obstacles in their way.

The creative minds of director Theodore Melfi and writer Allison Schroeder are behind the film, taking a forgotten part of history and telling it in such a way that both emphasizes its importance and entertains audiences. Melfi wrote the script alongside Schroeder, and together, they created a period piece that is both meaningful and satisfying. The characters are written so ambitious and upbeat that it’s impossible not to root for them. Cinematographer Mandy Walker designed the clean, polished look of the NASA offices in the film while keeping the women’s homes warm and full of life.

What’s remarkable about this film is not only its story but its tremendous impact. It encourages young women to pursue careers in science and technology but also holds a deeper message — inclusivity.

“This film is about unity,” Henson said during her Screen Actors Guild acceptance speech for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. “This story is about what happens when we put our differences aside and we come together as a human race.”

The filmmakers worked with both the STEM and STEAM organizations to raise awareness about the number of careers available for women, proving that math and science are for everyone. 20th Century Fox also partnered with AMC Theatres to provide numerous free screenings to be shown around the country, hoping to encourage everyone to enjoy the film and learn to pursue what you love, no matter what’s in your way.