33 Essential Films for Geeks

Nerdcore Rising is a documentary/concert film featuring MC Frontalot and other artists in the nerdcore hip hop scene, including mc chris, Wheelie Cyberman of Optimus Rhyme, and MC Lars. It includes contributions from figures like "Weird Al" Yankovic, Prince Paul,…

Feeling deeply unhappy, a desk-bound professional seeks help through hypnotherapy. The treatment leaves him in a constant state of carefree happiness, leading him to disregard societal norms and devise a clumsy plan to steal from his demanding employers.

In Silicon Valley, where technology thrives and pressure is constant, a story unfolds about the engineers at Netscape Communications. They make a daring attempt to rescue their company. *Code Rush* offers a close look at the intense human drama and…

"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…

This documentary film examines claims of election fraud surrounding the 2004 U.S. Presidential election. Electronic voting machines handle roughly 90% of votes in American elections, a technology now used globally. The film reveals controversial evidence from locations across the U.S.,…

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…

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…

This is the story of Professor Stephen Hawking's early life. It's 1963, and the 21-year-old cosmologist is celebrating his birthday. A new friend, Jane Wilde, is at the party, and a strong connection forms between them. Jane is fascinated by…

Four mathematicians are brought together by a high-ranking official from the U.S. Department of Defense. They discuss the need for caution and control regarding their work. The official offers them $10 million for their algorithm, addressing their concerns and persuading…

The story explores the creation of a highly addictive game, detailing its intense competition, pressure tactics, and resulting legal battles. The game's development unfolds against the backdrop of Cold War rivalry between Eastern and Western nations.

In 2003, Harvard student and computer programmer Mark Zuckerberg develops an idea that evolves into Facebook, the world's largest social network. By 2009, Zuckerberg has become one of the youngest billionaires, but his rapid success brings unexpected challenges. He faces…

This film explores the Free Kevin movement and the online community of hackers.

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*…

At 89, Stan Lee's name has appeared on over a billion comics in 75 countries, translated into 25 languages. He is arguably the most recognizable figure in comics, having co-created more than 500 iconic pop culture characters like Spider-Man, the…

A teenage computer whiz's life changes when he's arrested for writing a virus. Banned from computers, he joins forces with new friends to expose a dangerous scheme by a ruthless hacker. They navigate the digital world, using their skills to…

In England during what seems like the 1920s, young Stephen's reality is challenged when he encounters a captivating professor at a garden party. The professor reveals to Stephen and his friends the possibility of existence in different dimensions, suggesting that…

This documentary series explores the captivating history of personal computers through the stories of the people who created them. It features the often-overlooked individuals whose innovative work dramatically reshaped technology. Filmmaker Bob Cringley films these industry pioneers in their environments,…

John Forbes Nash Jr. Rises to fame as a brilliant but socially awkward mathematician, poised for international recognition after a major discovery. However, accepting a classified cryptography assignment draws him into a shadowy conspiracy. His life spirals into turmoil, forcing…

In the year 2000, Riot Entertainment, a new mobile phone company, attracts significant investment from major corporations like Nokia. Millions are poured into the company. However, two years later, with all funds depleted, Riot Entertainment declares bankruptcy. The film explores…

This film explores the world of hacking. It aims to challenge common assumptions and media portrayals by giving hackers a voice and introducing their community to a wider audience.

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 explores the evolving partnership between Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, and Daniel Domscheit-Berg, an early supporter who became a key collaborator. It charts how the organization’s rapid rise to prominence and global impact ultimately fractured their friendship…

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…

A brilliant mathematician discovers hidden patterns in the universe, giving him an uncanny ability to predict the future. Driven by a desire to understand reality, he immerses himself in the world of numbers, seeking to solve its deepest mysteries. But…

In 1986, Clifford Stoll, an astronomer turned computer scientist at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, discovers a 75-cent discrepancy in the system's accounting records. Suspecting a hacker, he embarks on a quest to identify the person responsible. The film recounts his journey…

This film explores the remarkable story of two young innovators who transformed the tech industry and helped shape today's world. It follows their journey from college students facing many obstacles as they pursue ambitious goals. The movie details the founding…

In 1999, internet entrepreneur Josh Harris gathers a group of young men and women who agree to live in underground apartments, with their lives broadcast online. Harris and his girlfriend then join them, streaming live footage of their daily routines…

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…

ONE LAST THING offers an intimate look at the life of a visionary whose work profoundly impacted countless people. Through conversations with those who worked with him and knew him personally, the film explores the key influences that shaped his…

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

In 1989, Julian Assange and two friends founded a group called the International Subversives, known as Mendax. Using early home computers, they identified themselves as "white hat" hackers – those who expose vulnerabilities without stealing. The group successfully infiltrated some…