The 10 best hacker movies
Stories about hackers have fascinated scriptwriters even before the invention of the Internet. Filmmakers from around the world have been depicting the hacker community for decades. From fiction to documentaries, films about hackers are always captivating and at the same time very educational because we know such stories are indeed possible in our times. If you're thinking about what to watch today, we've compiled a list of cult classics and lesser-known films about incredible cyber stories for you to enjoy.
1. WarGames (1983)
In WarGames, an American teen hacker, David (Matthew Broderick), uses hacking to fix his grades and find a new exciting game. He unknowingly hacks into a military central computer simulation system and, thinking it's just a game, nearly starts World War III as the military supercomputer cannot understand the difference between simulation and reality. This film has become even more relevant today as it discusses topics of AI, decision-making, and the fact that the only winning move in war is not to start it.
2. Sneakers (1992)
Sneakers is both a hacking and heist movie. In his youth, an experienced hacker, Martin (Robert Redford), used hacking to take money from evil companies and fund those fighting for good. He turned his skills into a career, and now he's a cybersecurity expert running penetration tests with his team when the NSA approaches him to retrieve a powerful hacking tool from the Russians. Sneakers has stood the test of time and even foresaw the future of some of its subjects — a must-watch.
3. The Matrix (1999-2021)
In The Matrix, human civilization falls after the creation of artificial intelligence in the 21st century when machines take over the world, leaving humanity in a simulation. This film and its three sequels (The Matrix Reloaded [2003], The Matrix Revolutions [2003], and The Matrix Resurrections [2021]) follow the hacker Neo (Keanu Reeves), who is recruited into a rebellion against the machines. In the tetralogy, hacking is a tool for defiance and liberation, with the system acting as the villain. The Matrix movie series is a cult classic, often discussed and analyzed from various perspectives, earning the franchise a place among the top three hacker movies.
4. Tron (1982)
In Tron, computer engineer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) attempts to hack into a computer system to take back the work that was stolen from him by a colleague, Dillinger (David Warner). Instead, Flynn is transported into the computer software and must fight Dillinger in the digital realm. At the time of its release, Tron’s visual effects were groundbreaking, just like the concept of hacking as combat in virtual reality. Some effects and techniques may now appear dated, but hey, this is the movie that paved the way for many sci-fi films.
5. Hackers (1995)
“Hackers” is a cult classic '90s hacker movie about a subversive group of young hackers who come across a computer virus that could unlock millions of dollars. But with big money comes big problems. Starring Johnny Lee Miller and Angelina Jolie, “Hackers” is complemented by progressive music and visual effects. Though critics don't praise the plot, the hacking depicted in the movie is realistic, making it a must-watch.
6. Takedown (2000)
The film is about the notorious hacker Kevin Mitnick and the FBI chase, which ended with Mitnick's arrest in 1995. Although the movie claims to be based on a true story, Mitnick has stated that it distorted many facts. Nevertheless, it showcases some impressive early computer hacking techniques—Mitnick began his hacking career in 1979 while he was still a high school student.
7. The Great Hack (2019)
The documentary “The Great Hack” unveils how Facebook users' data was harvested without their consent. The movie explores the Cambridge Analytica scandal, which utilized user data to influence political campaigns. The scandal is retold through interviews with cybersecurity experts and whistleblowers, emphasizing the power of data in the internet age. This documentary also serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of transparency and accountability and the power of data in the digital world.
8. Blackhat (2015)
In the cybercrime thriller “Blackhat,” heartthrob Chris Hemsworth plays a convicted genius hacker, Nicholas Hathaway, who gets a chance for redemption. In the movie, cybercriminals hack nuclear plants and stock exchanges, raising the stakes, making Hathaway the only person who can save the world because the criminals use his code. This suspenseful movie received mixed reviews upon release, but not for the hacking scenes, which are analyzed in this “Blackhat” review.
9. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (The Millennium series) (2009-2011, 2018)
The Millennium book series became a Swedish movie trilogy (2009) and in 2010 expanded into a TV series, both starring Noomi Rapace as the main protagonist, Lisbeth Salander, a young female hacker. Throughout the movies and series, she uses her hacking, surveillance skills, and expertise for revenge and justice, and uncovering corruption, proving that women can do as much, if not more, than men in the computer realm. In 2011, David Fincher made the US version of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” starring Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig, and Claire Foy stars in the belated sequel “The Girl in the Spider's Web” (2018). Popular opinion says that the Swedish adaptations are better, but there's only one way to be sure — to watch it all yourself.
10. Inception (2010)
“Inception” is not a traditional hacking movie because Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his team hack into minds instead of computer systems to extract information. However, the strategies and skills, especially psychological ones, that the team uses are akin to those used by computer hackers, only portrayed in Nolanian sci-fi reality. The movie follows Cobb as he attempts to do the opposite of his usual job and implant information instead of extracting it in hopes of having his criminal record wiped and seeing his children again. “Inception,” known for its impressive visuals, can be seen as cybercrime in the metaphysical realm of the mind.
