27 Essential Tech Documentaries

We all agree to lengthy Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policies without reading them. These agreements grant corporations broad access to our personal information. This film examines the hidden intentions behind these agreements, revealing the extent of data collection by…

A quiet arcade champion faces off against the legendary Donkey Kong world record holder in an epic gaming battle that captures the attention of the entire industry. For two decades, Billy Mitchell has held the top score, considered unbeatable. But…

Alex Gibney's film examines Stuxnet, a computer virus created in 2010 by international cybersecurity experts. It's believed the virus was developed by the U.S. And Israel to disrupt Iran's nuclear facilities. But the sophisticated malware unexpectedly spread beyond its intended…

The creation of a character, Pepe the Frog, from an independent comic unexpectedly transforms him into a symbol of hate. His creator, artist Matt Furie, then works to reclaim Pepe from this negative association while grappling with the deep divisions…

"In The Realm of the Hackers" documents a prominent hacker community based in Melbourne, Australia, from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. The film follows Australian teenagers known as "Electron" and "Phoenix," members of an elite hacking group called…

Data, now considered the world's most valuable resource, is being used to fuel cultural and political conflict. The hidden world of data manipulation is revealed through the unexpected, individual stories of people involved on both sides of the controversial Cambridge…

A Good American recounts the story of the United States' top code-breaker and his small team at the NSA. They developed a surveillance tool capable of intercepting any electronic signal globally, filtering it for specific targets, and delivering results in…

This documentary follows the world's top Tetris players as they train for the Classic Tetris World Championship. It chronicles over two decades of Tetris history, from Thor Aackerlund's win at the 1990 Nintendo World Championships to Harry Hong achieving a…

The death of Steve Jobs prompted widespread mourning, even among those who had never met him. This film explores Jobs' journey from his suburban beginnings through his time in Japan's zen temples to his leadership of the world's most valuable…

Hackers Wanted examines the beginnings and essence of hacking by charting the experiences of Adrian Lamo, while juxtaposing his story with those of notable figures from the past.

This film chronicles the intense experiences of video game developers as they bring their creations to life and release them to players worldwide. It’s a story about the process of making video games, fundamentally exploring the act of creative expression…

This documentary examines the rise of music downloading. It follows the young people who pioneered the technology, the musicians and companies whose livelihoods were changed, and the broader effects on society.

This film delves into the world of Anonymous, the influential "hacktivist" group that has changed how people protest online. It begins by examining early hacktivist groups like Cult of the Dead Cow and Electronic Disturbance Theater, then follows Anonymous' emergence…

Werner Herzog examines the Internet and our increasingly interconnected lives.

Aaron Swartz was a brilliant programmer and advocate for social change. He made significant contributions to online activism and open access to information. However, his efforts led to a complex legal battle, tragically culminating in his death at the age…

TPB AFK is a documentary about three computer enthusiasts who revolutionized media sharing with their website, The Pirate Bay. The film explores how Tiamo, a beer-loving hardware expert; Brokep, an environmentally conscious activist; and Anakata, a paranoid hacker with libertarian…

This film follows MIT researcher Joy Buolamwini as she uncovers a significant flaw in facial recognition technology: it struggles to accurately identify people with darker skin. Driven by this discovery, she embarks on a mission to create the first U.S.…

Deep Web offers an inside look at one of the most significant digital crime stories of the decade: the arrest of Ross William Ulbricht, the 30-year-old entrepreneur convicted of being "Dread Pirate Roberts," the creator and operator of the online…

The Internet is facing a serious threat. Essential services, expression, progress, and democratic values are at risk. Will a small number of powerful companies control the future of the Internet? Or will ordinary people fight to defend it?

REVOLUTION OS chronicles the story of the hackers who challenged the dominance of proprietary software, specifically Microsoft, by developing GNU/Linux and sparking the Open Source movement.

**The Hacker Wars** is a film about the US government's targeting of hacktivists, activists, and journalists. It explores a conflict for control of information – a war for our minds.

Three professional video game players face challenges from their personal lives, families, and the demands of real life as they compete in a $1,000,000 tournament with the potential to transform their futures.

Julian Assange, Bradley Manning, collateral damage, Cablegate, and WikiLeaks – these names and concepts have dramatically reshaped how democratic societies handle privacy, secrecy, and the public's right to know, with potential long-term consequences. *We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks*…

This documentary explores the creation and growth of Bitcoin, the decentralized digital currency.

"The Code" is a documentary from Finland that explores Linux, featuring prominent figures in the free software movement.

In June 2013, filmmaker Laura Poitras and journalist Glenn Greenwald traveled to Hong Kong to meet Edward Snowden. Poitras documented their meetings with her camera.

This documentary captures interviews conducted over a long weekend at a 1984 hacker conference in Sausalito, California. The interviews were filmed by Stewart Brand and Kevin Kelley of the Whole Earth Catalog. The conference was inspired by Steven Levy's influential…