Hacker movies have an irresistible appeal among movie lovers. They bring us to a world where computer hacking is as dangerous as bullets, where the stakes range from personal identity theft to the collapse of nations. Some are inspired by real events. They arouse curiosity and raise ethical questions about privacy, power, and control.
In this list, we explore the top 15 hacker movies every tech enthusiast, or thrill-seeker should experience.
List of Best 15 Hacker Movies
1. The Imitation Game
One of the finest cybersecurity-themed films, this Benedict Cumberbatch starrer narrates the true story of Alan Turing and his team of codebreakers who cracked the German Enigma code during World War II. With an IMDb rating of 8.0/10, the highest on our list, it has earned global praise for its screenplay, direction, and powerful performances.
The film boasts 49 wins, including an Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay in 2015, along with 165 nominations, 7 of which were Oscars, as per IMDb.
You can stream it on popular SVOD platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
- Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode
- IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
- Why You Should Watch: A powerful true story of World War II codebreaking, brilliant performances, and the birth of modern computing.
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
2. Cyber Heist
Cyber Heist is a fairly watchable cybercrime drama featuring Aaron Kwok as a genius engineer portraying Kelvin Cheuk. He creates an AI firewall that saves Hong Kong from a massive cyberattack.
The twist comes when his boss frames the money laundering conspiracy. On the one hand, his family suffers and the fate of the city hangs by a digital thread. Kelvin fights a high-stake battle against hackers, ruthless criminals, and conspiracy to finish his reputation.
Directed by Wong Hing Fan, the drama unfolds like how he proves his innocence and saves the city in a world where betrayal is a click away.
- Cast: Aaron Kwok (hero), Gordon Lam, Simon Yam, Megan Lai
- IMDb Rating: 4.7/10
- Why You Should Watch: It’s a riveting edge of the seat thriller with a nail-biting mix of high-tech hacking and personal stakes.
- Where to Watch: Plex, Apple Tv
3. Who Am I: No System is Safe (2014)
It’s a German techno-thriller that depicts the deep underbelly of the world of hacking. The main protagonist, Benjamin Engel, is a bit weird but a brilliant coder. He joins a mysterious hacking collective called CLAY with a goal to make a statement in the cyberworld, but he soon finds himself in a cat-and-mouse game with ruthless Russian cybercriminals.
The film is replete with slick visuals, psychological twists, and authentic depictions of hacker culture which always keeps you guessing. The best part of the film is the mind-bending climax.
Directed by Baran bo Odar, the movie is not only a mystery thriller, but a commentary on the social world.
- Cast: Tom Schilling, Elyas M’Barek, Wotan Wilke Möhring, Hannah Herzsprung
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Why You Should Watch: Clever plot, unexpected twists and turns. The climax is an icing on the cake.
- Where to Watch: Available on Amazon Prime Video
4. The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix is a sci-fi masterpiece that defined cinema and technology. The Matrix has Keanu Reeves as Neo, a vigilante hacker who believes reality is a simulation controlled by machines.
The best part of the film is its great cinematic effects underpinning deep philosophical themes. The film tells a story of perception, free thinking, and rebellion against control.
It challenges viewers to think about the risks of an interconnected and manipulated world, which is being labelled as virtual reality and immersive digital experiences. This blurs the line between real and simulated life.
- Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
- IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
- Why You Should Watch: Thought-provoking ideas on reality and control, making it a timeless classic.
- Where to Watch: Available on Netflix, Apple TV HBO Max
5. WarGames (1983)
Before cybersecurity was a household term, WarGames told the world about the dangers of the techno world. Matthew Broderick played the role of a teenage hacker who accessed a highly sensitive military supercomputer connected to the National Security Agency. He inadvertently triggers a countdown to nuclear war.
The film has a mix of humor, tension, and technological curiosity, depicting the recklessness of the hacking culture.
It warned long ago about the relentless pursuit of automation which can be a fascinating watch for an AI-driven hyper-connected world.
- Cast: Matthew Broderick, Ally Sheedy, Dabney Coleman, John Wood
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Why You Should Watch: A timeless classic telling the lurking dangers of automation and hacking.
- Where to Watch: Just Watch, Prime Video, Netflix
6. Hackers (1995)
Hackers celebrates the rebellious spirit of young digital pioneers. Angelina Jolie and Jonny Lee Miller portray teens immersed in computer hacking, who become embroiled in a corporate conspiracy after discovering malicious code. Though its portrayal of hacking is a bit exaggerated, its raw energy, great screenplay, and colorful visuals make it unforgettable.
Over time, it’s become a cult favorite, reflecting how hacker culture once balanced underground mischief with ethical dilemmas, which still matters, especially when modern security systems and hacktivism are at play.
- Cast: Angelina Jolie, Jonny Lee Miller, Jesse Bradford, Matthew Lillard
- IMDb Score: 6.2/10
- Why You Should Watch: A cult classic for those curious about how digital mischief and ethical questions shaped modern cybersecurity.
- Where to Watch: Prime Video, Google Play, Apple TV
7. Swordfish (2001)
Swordfish is a classic film portrayed by Hugh Jackman as a hacker. He is forced into a crazy cyber-heist by John Travolta’s mysterious character. The movie has every ingredient: explosions, fast cars, and that famous scene where Jackman has to hack while getting a lap dance. The film shows how real hackers use charm and manipulation, not just computer skills.
- Cast: Hugh Jackman, John Travolta, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle
- IMDb Score: 6.5/10
- Why You Should Watch: If you love watching a fast, fun cyber-heist movie with big action and stylish thrills.
- Where to Watch: Prime Video, HBO, Netflix
8. The Fifth Estate (2013)
The Fifth Estate Benedict Cumberbatch plays Julian Assange in this WikiLeaks drama. The movie follows how the site went from an idealistic transparency project to a global controversy machine.
Cumberbatch nails Assange’s weird personality perfectly. It explores whether leaking government secrets is heroic or dangerous. The film doesn’t pick sides – it shows Assange as brilliant but increasingly paranoid.
- Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Brühl, Alicia Vikander, Laura Linney, Stanley Tucci
- IMDb Score: 6.2/10
- Why You Should Watch: A sharp, balanced look at WikiLeaks with a standout performance by Cumberbatch.
- Where to Watch: Disney, Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV
9. Blackhat (2015)
Chris Hemsworth trades his hammer for a keyboard. He plays a hacker in prison. The government needs his help. A cybercriminal is attacking nuclear plants. He caused real damage through computers. Directed by Michael Mann, Blackhat is a classic cyber thriller. He talked to real hackers first. The story goes from LA to Hong Kong. Cybercrime is a global problem.
Casting Thor as a hacker seemed weird. But Hemsworth does a good job. He actually pulls it off.
- Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Tang Wei, Wang Leehom
- IMDb Score: 5.5/10
- Why You Should Watch: Stunning visuals and Hemsworth as a surprisingly good hacker.
- Where to Watch: Available to watch on Apple TV, Prime Video
10. Takedown (2000)
Takedown is based on the true story of Kevin Mitnick, America’s most famous hacker from the 90s. It’s a cat-and-mouse game between Mitnick and the security expert trying to catch him.
The movie shows old-school hacking: dial-up modems, social engineering, and dumpster diving for passwords. This is less flashy than other hacker films but more realistic.
Skeet Ulrich plays Mitnick as obsessed and increasingly unstable. It’s a great look at what hacking was like before the internet went mainstream.
- Cast: Skeet Ulrich, Russell Wong, Angela Featherstone, Donal Logue
- IMDb Score: 6.2/10
- Why You Should Watch: A realistic, old-school hacking thriller based on Kevin Mitnick’s true story.
- Where to Watch: Prime Video, Apple TV
11. Sneakers (1992)
Sneakers is a kind of heist movie and is way ahead of time in the context of cybersecurity movies. Robert Redford leads a dream team trying to steal a device that can crack any code in the world.
It has an amazing cast including the likes of Dan Aykroyd, River Phoenix, Sidney Poitier, all playing specialists with different skills. It’s part heist movie, part comedy, with smart dialogue throughout.
The movie was way ahead of its time when it talked about digital privacy and encryption. Ben Kingsley portrays a chilling villain who wants to control all information. It’s clever, funny, and surprisingly relevant today.
- Cast: Robert Redford, Dan Aykroyd, River Phoenix, Sidney Poitier, Ben Kingsley
- IMDb Score: 7.1/10
- Why You Should Watch: A smart, funny, ahead-of-its-time heist about hacking and digital privacy.
- Where to Watch: Prime Video and Apple TV
12. Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
Live Free or Die Hard is an electrifying action thriller based on a cyberterrorism background. John McClane fights hackers. They are shutting down America’s systems. Traffic lights stop working. Power grids fail. Financial systems crash. Everything goes crazy. It appears ridiculous. But also scary. Our world depends on computers.
Bruce Willis is his usual tough guy. He dodges exploding helicopters and takes on runaway trucks. Timothy Olyphant plays the bad guy.
- Cast: Bruce Willis, Justin Long, Timothy Olyphant, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Why You Should Watch: Explosive action with a sharp cyberterrorism twist.
- Where to Watch: Just Watch, Netflix, Apple TV
13. Untraceable (2008)
Untraceable is the story of an FBI agent hunting a killer who livestreams murders online. Here’s the twisted part: the more people who watch, the faster the victims die. It’s a dark thriller that predicted our obsession with viral content and online spectacle.
The movie forces you to think about whether clicking on something makes you complicit. Lane brings serious acting chops to what could have been just another serial killer movie. It feels uncomfortably relevant in today’s social media world.
- Cast: Diane Lane, Colin Hanks, Billy Burke, Joseph Cross
- IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
- Why You Should Watch: A tense cybercrime thriller with a chilling and unique premise.
- Where to Watch: Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube
14. Ghost in the Shell (2017)
Ghost in the Shell” offers impressive visuals and energetic action, with Scarlett Johansson effective as the enigmatic cyborg protagonist. The film skillfully crafts a futuristic world, bringing the manga’s cybernetic concepts to life.
However, the plot and pacing feel underwhelming, missing the philosophical depth fans might expect. While it’s a treat for lovers of sci-fi spectacle, the story doesn’t fully captivate. Available on Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max, it’s worth watching for its aesthetics alone.
- Cast: Scarlett Johansson stars as a special ops cyborg in a futuristic world where humans upgrade themselves with cybernetic implants.
- IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
- Why You Should Watch: High-tech setting and intense cyber-hacker storyline.
- Where to Watch: Just Watch, Prime Video, HBO Max
15. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
This gripping mystery thriller stars Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant but troubled hacker who aids a journalist in unraveling a decades-old disappearance tied to family secrets and corruption.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo intertwines cyber sleuthing with dark, psychological twists, showcasing hacking’s role in exposing truths hidden in powerful institutions.
Directed by David Fincher, it’s a tense, atmospheric thriller with strong performances and gripping storytelling.
- Cast: Rooney Mara, Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Why You Should Watch: Intense, smart thriller where hacking fuels a dark quest for justice.
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Prime Video, Just Watch
Cybersecurity Hacker TV Series/ Documentaries
- Mr. Robot: This isn’t your typical hacker show. It’s a deep dive into mental illness, corporate corruption, and digital rebellion. The hacking scenes are incredibly realistic, but the real story is about alienation and fighting back against a broken system.
- Person of Interest: An ex-CIA operative and a tech billionaire use an all-seeing AI to stop crimes before they happen. It starts as a procedural but evolves into something much deeper about surveillance, privacy, and what happens when machines get too smart.
- Hackers in Wonderland: Real hackers tell their stories in this raw documentary. No Hollywood glamour here. With just authentic voices from the underground revealing what actually drove the early hacking scene.
- Zero Days: The terrifying true story of Stuxnet, the first cyberweapon that could actually destroy physical infrastructure. This documentary exposes how the US and Israel secretly sabotaged Iran’s nuclear program and accidentally unleashed a new era of digital warfare.
- The Great Hack: How did Facebook data end up swinging elections? This investigation into Cambridge Analytica reveals the scary reality of how our personal information gets weaponized for political manipulation. Essential viewing for anyone who uses social media.
Conclusion
Hacker movies entertain us, but they also shine a light on the vulnerabilities of our security systems and digital lives. I hope these movie picks help you decide what to watch next. These are just a few great hacking films out there. Everyone has different tastes in movies. Some people love action-packed thrillers. Others prefer realistic dramas.
Watching hacking movies can be fun and educational. They show how technology affects our lives. They make you think about digital security. Even the unrealistic ones teach something about our connected world. So grab some popcorn and pick a movie. Enjoy the ride into the world of cyber thrills.
