Does typing real fast on a mechanical keyboard make you a hacker? Hacker culture has inspired a lot of movies and TV shows, but only a handful manage to realistically capture the spirit of hacking, social engineering, and cyber culture. We have gathered a curated list of some of the best hacker-related movies and TV series since the invention of the Internet (post-1990s), balancing realism, cultural influence, and entertainment.
HACKERS (1995)
This iconic movie of the early Internet era helped define hacker aesthetics based on rollerblades, rave culture, and GUIs that never existed. Starring, among others, Jonny Lee Miller (“Elementary”), Angelina Jolie, Matthew Lillard (“Scooby-Doo”), and Fisher Stevens (“Short Circuit”), it influenced an entire generation’s image of hacking.
Sneakers (1992)
Before “red teams” were a thing, there were sneakers. This 1992 movie is all about security experts, cryptography and espionage. Starring Robert Redford, Dan Aykroyd, and Sidney Poitier, it’s quite grounded in reality for its time.
The Net (1995)
Sandra Bullock plays a systems analyst whose life gets erased by hackers. Although it depicts outdated tech, this movie was the first to introduce the public to the dangers of online identity theft.
Swordfish (2001)
This over-the-top movie stars John Travolta, Halle Berry, and Hugh Jackman, remaining in the books for the famous “hack while being held at gunpoint” scene. Although exaggerated, it remains a stylish and influential movie in the world of hacking.
Takedown (2000)
This movie is based on the pursuit of Kevin Mitnick, one of the most famous hackers in history. Based on a real story, it portrays a mix of truth and fiction.
Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
Starring Bruce Willis in his iconic role, this cyber-terrorism-themed Die Hard sequel is packed with Hollywood fiction about hacking. However, it redeems itself because it shows hacking as a form of national security threat.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Rooney Mara’s portrayal of Lisbeth Salander created one of the most iconic hacker characters in the history of cinema. Starring Daniel Craig and Christopher Plummer, this movie follows the story of a female tattooed hacker hired to investigate a conspiracy in Sweden.
Who Am I: No System is Safe (2014)
A stylish, surprisingly accurate European cyber-thriller about hacktivism, anonymity, and social engineering. It is centred on a computer hacker group in Berlin. Because of its storyline and elements, the film is often compared to Fight Club and Mr Robot.
Blackhat (2015)
Written by Michael Mann, this movie stars Chris Hemsworth as a hacker released from prison to chase another hacker. The film is surprising for how accurately it portrays cybercrime and state-sponsored hacking.
Snowden (2016)
Oliver Stone’s dramatization of Edward Snowden’s NSA leaks is a politically charged. Nevertheless, it’s a good portrayal of real-world infosec culture and the real story of one of the most influential leaks in the history of the Internet.
The Matrix series (1999–2021)
The Matrix series is not about hacking networks per se. It’s the story of a computer hacker who learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers. The Matrix is the cultural cyberpunk film inspired by hacker philosophy, simulation theory, and cyber-rebellion.