Movies About Hackers Everyone Should Watch

Ever since the internet took off in popularity among the masses, hacking and cybercrime have been topics of interest for both moviemakers and their fans. Cyberworld has fascinated the film industry for the past few decades, leading them to explore the limitless possibilities it holds.

Hackers, in particular, can represent both good and evil—at times, they can endanger society by infiltrating privacy and carrying out countless frauds and scams. They could also use their skills to fight for justice, exposing unethical deals and activities of organizations and governments.

This dual role and the infinite potential of technology have led to the production of several movies centered on hackers in a variety of plots. Today, we bring you the best ones everyone should watch, with an entertaining selection spanning the past five decades. 

Track Down (2000)

Directed by Joe Chappelle and released in 2000, Track Down (also known as Takedown) revolves around the real-life story of the computer hacker Kevin David Mitnick.

Known as one of the best hackers the world has seen, Mitnick has hacked into countless systems to successfully steal valuable information. Track Down tells the story of the manhunt to capture him as he breaks into the computers of Tsutomu Shimomura, a leading cybercrime expert and former hacker.

The thriller is created based on the non-fiction book Takedown: The Pursuit and Capture of Kevin Mitnick, America’s Most Wanted Computer Outlaw—By the Man Who Did It, written by Tsutomu Shimomura and John Markoff. Skeet Ulrich stars as Mitnick in the movie, while Russell Wong portrays Shimomura.

Who Am I (2014)

This German thriller focuses on the socially awkward hacker Benjamin Engel who lived most of his life unnoticed by the world around him. Things change when Benjamin befriends the confident and charismatic hacker Max and his friends. This is when he is introduced to advanced hacking techniques using social engineering.

Together, they form CLAY or “Clowns Laughing At You”, an exclusive hacking group that mostly uses its skills to play pranks but later progresses to more serious crimes.

Starring Tom Schilling as Benjamin, Who Am I takes you on an exciting journey with a well-written plot and nail-biting scenes. It bagged the Bambi for the Best German Film together with three German Movie Awards. 

The Signal (2014)

Written by William Eubank, Carlyle Eubank, and David Frigerio, this American thriller quickly crosses over to the sci-fi genre during the latter part of the movie with unexpected twists in the plot.

The story focuses on three university students, Nic, Jonah, and Haley, who are lured into a deserted location by the anonymous hacker NOMAD. Things soon become a nightmare when Nic wakes up in a strange underground facility to face Dr. Wallace Damon and his team.

The film stars Brenton Thwaites, Beau Knapp, and Olivia Cooke in the leading roles.

The Fifth Estate (2013)

WikiLeaks took the world by storm in 2010 when it revealed top-secret diplomatic cables and other confidential documents kept from the public eye. The Fifth Estate is based on its founder Julian Assange, the then spokesperson Daniel Domscheit-Berg, and the former team behind the online media giant, highlighting some of the controversies that made headlines during the time.

It narrates how WikiLeaks went on to expose some of the most highly guarded unethical and deceptive activities of private and government organizations, while also touching on the strained relationship between Assange and Domscheit-Berg.

Produced by Participant Media and DreamWorks Pictures, the film stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Assange and Daniel Brühl as Domscheit-Berg.

Hackers (1995)

This cult classic from the 1990s is directed by Iain Softley and features Jonny Lee Miller and Angelina Jolie.

The story follows teen hacker Dade and his school friends, who get entangled in a sinister plot when one of them hacks into the computer system of a large corporation. As the CIA chase them for a crime they never committed, the group of friends races against time to reveal the true criminal and clear their names with the help of the global hacker community.

Sneakers (1992)

In Sneakers, Robert Redford takes on the role of Martin Bishop, a security expert with a history in hacking. Bishop and his team are assigned to recover a black box by the National Security Agency. However, their lives come under threat when they retrieve the device and realize rogue agents have misled them.

The comedy/crime thriller takes you into the worlds of hacking and cyber surveillance as they get mixed with counterintelligence. The film received 7.1 and 80% ratings on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, respectively, while the Los Angeles Times called it “a caper movie with a most pleasant sense of humor.”

WarGames (1983)

Made in the 80s, this is one of the earliest movies depicting the internet and data hacking. This makes it a must-see film for any cyber fan, although it may not possess the sophistication of today’s cinema.

WarGames tells the story of David Lightman (starring Matthew Broderick), a gifted youngster who hacks into the super-computer of a military base. Mistaking it for a computer game, young David comes very close to starting a nuclear war.

A movie ahead of its time, WarGames cleverly weaves together popular culture and the growing public interest in cyberspace to narrate the risks and dangers the internet stands to unravel.

Nominated for several Academy Awards, the film grossed $125 million in global sales. It also received critical acclaim for its progressive storyline, winning a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Start Planning Your Next Movie Night

Our selection of top hacker movies covers a few decades of cinematic entertainment. So, why not plan your next movie night? Just invite a few friends over, order takeout, and hit the play button. Don’t forget to keep your phone silent; you can always use PhoneHistory to check unknown missed calls and return them later.

And if you are up for it, you can also plan a movie marathon. Start with WarGames from the 1980s and finish with the most recent one. It is an excellent way to appreciate the progress of hacker-related entertainment—from plots to cinematic portrayals.