Spare Parts
Four under-resourced Hispanic students turn discarded car parts and stubborn determination into a robotics team capable of challenging the nation’s best.
Overview
A group of determined students defy the odds to build a robot and forge lifelong friendships.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- inspirational
- warm
- sincere
- family movie night
- classroom viewing
What critics said
Critics found the true-story robotics drama sincere and effective as inspirational entertainment, while judging its familiar story beats less powerful than similar underdog films.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Four inexperienced students with limited money and used parts challenge MIT, the reigning robotics champion.
The students learn to design and build a robot while developing self-determination and a lasting bond.
New teacher Fredi leads the robotics club and helps four Hispanic high school students pursue national competition.
The team builds its robot from an $800 budget, used car parts, and limited experience.
Films like Spare Parts, and why
McFarland, USA
shared true-story underdog structure, inspirational teamwork, and school-centered competition
October Sky
shared youth ensemble, mentor figure, self-determination, and feel-good competitive drama
McFarland, USA
shared Latino community context, underdog sports-drama rhythms, and emphasis on perseverance
The Great Debaters
shared educational setting, disadvantaged students, and uplifting mentor-led achievement story
Movie Details
- Director
- Sean McNamara
- Release Date
- 2015-01-16
- Runtime
- 115 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (226)
Cast
- George López
- Jamie Lee Curtis
- Carlos PenaVega
- Marisa Tomei
- Alessandra Rosaldo
- Alexa PenaVega
- David Del Rio
- Esai Morales
- Amber Midthunder
- Aubrey K. Miller
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Cinemax Amazon Channel, Angel Studios, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel, Wonder Project Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Spare Parts about?
- Four under-resourced Hispanic students turn discarded car parts and stubborn determination into a robotics team capable of challenging the nation’s best.
- What is Spare Parts like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Spare Parts as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Spare Parts violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Spare Parts.
- What did critics think of Spare Parts?
- Critics found the true-story robotics drama sincere and effective as inspirational entertainment, while judging its familiar story beats less powerful than similar underdog films.
- Which films are like Spare Parts?
- Films with a similar feel include McFarland, USA, October Sky, McFarland, USA, and The Great Debaters.
- How long is Spare Parts?
- Spare Parts runs 115 minutes.
- Where can I watch Spare Parts?
- In United States, Spare Parts streams on Cinemax Amazon Channel, Angel Studios, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel, Wonder Project Amazon Channel.
