The Top 25 Cybersecurity And Hacking Movies To Watch In 2024

You don't need to be a cyber security expert to love watching hackers wreak havoc! Cybercrime and hacking movies have a special place in the world of cyber security. In many cases, they've pushed the envelope regarding what was possible and created an entire hacker culture that was hell-bent on replicating what they saw in the movies when they were kids.

Off the back of movies like Wargames and Terminator 2, security researchers lined up to see if ATM hacking was possible, and sure enough, it was! Barnaby Jack presented research at Blackhat in 2010 showing that ATM hacking was possible and coined the term Jackpotting, which is when an ATM empties its cash drawers.

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The Best Cybersecurity And Hacking Movies To Watch

Now, let's get into it! We've curated a list of the 25 best cybersecurity, cybercrime, and hacking movies to watch in 2024!

#25 Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

What This Movie Is About

In "Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One", Ethan Hunt and his team face a threat in the form of an advanced AI known as the Entity. Throughout the film, the Entity increasingly interferes in global politics, hacking into critical infrastructure, government, and the global intelligence apparatus.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie is an interesting juxtaposition with real-world AI systems that are becoming increasingly close to sentience, such as what the world has seen with ChatGPT and other Large Language Model (LLM) LLM systems.

Additional Resources

Learn all about the impact that Artificial Intelligence has on your day-to-day life.

#24 Blackhat

What This Movie Is About

"Blackhat" is a cyber-thriller that delves into the world of global cybercrime. The film follows Nicholas Hathaway, an imprisoned hacker who is released to assist American and Chinese authorities in tracking down a high-level cybercriminal. The story spans various international locales as Hathaway and his team chase a sophisticated hacker responsible for high-stakes financial and nuclear terrorism.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie combines action, suspense, and international espionage, highlighting the far-reaching and devastating impact of cyber threats in the modern world.

Additional Resources

Learn all about the cost that the average cyber attack has on organizations.

#23 Transcendence

What This Movie Is About

"Transcendence" is a sci-fi film that delves into artificial intelligence and human consciousness. The story follows Dr. Will Caster, an AI researcher who, after being attacked by anti-technology extremists, uploads his consciousness into a supercomputer. This leads to unforeseen consequences, as his thirst for knowledge becomes a seemingly unstoppable quest for power.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie explores the ethical and moral dilemmas of AI development and the blurred lines between human emotion and artificial intelligence. It's a thought-provoking narrative about the potential and dangers of advanced technology, which has the potential to hack into any and all internet-connected systems.

Additional Resources

Use cyber awareness posters to educate employees on the risks of AI and other cyber-related topics.

#22 Underground: The Julian Assange Story

What This Movie Is About

"Underground: The Julian Assange Story" is a biographical film that chronicles the early life of Julian Assange, the controversial founder of WikiLeaks. The movie focuses on his teenage years as a hacker in Melbourne, Australia, during the 1980s. It portrays Assange's development into a skilled hacker under the alias 'Mendax.'

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie delves into Julian Assange's activities with the International Subversives group, highlighting his early forays into hacking and his evolving ethos regarding information freedom. The story sets the stage for his later activities with WikiLeaks and his impact on global journalism and information dissemination.

Additional Resources

Julian Assange has built his career around information freedom, but not all information is suitable for public release. Remembering the privacy obligations that dictate how sensitive information is to be stored, used, or transmitted is essential.

#21 TRON: Legacy

What This Movie Is About

"TRON: Legacy" is the visually stunning sequel to the original "TRON", set in the same digital universe. The story follows Sam Flynn, the son of Kevin Flynn from the first film, as he searches for his father, who has been missing for years. Sam's quest leads him into the digital world of the Grid, where he discovers his father has been trapped.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie has a notable scene where Sam executes a hack against his father's company, Encom. Sam, disillusioned with the company's direction since his father's disappearance, breaks into Encom's headquarters on the night of a major product release. He hacks into the company's system to release its latest operating system to the public for free as a protest against the company's profit-driven policies. This act of digital rebellion sets the tone for Sam's character - a skilled hacker with a sense of justice, mirroring his father's ideals.

Additional Resources

Learn all about the risks posed by Insider Threats, and how they can maliciously abuse their position of trust to leak intellectual property.

#20 Firewall

What This Movie Is About

"Firewall" is a suspenseful thriller that focuses on the dangers of digital technology in the banking industry. Harrison Ford stars as Jack Stanfield, a bank security specialist who finds himself in a dire situation when his family is kidnapped. The kidnappers demand that he use his expertise to breach his own bank's security system and steal $100 million.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie explores themes of cybercrime, extortion, and the moral dilemmas faced when personal and professional lives collide. It's a high-stakes story of a man pushed to his limits to protect his family, utilizing his deep understanding of digital security against the very system he helped to create.

Additional Resources

Learn all about the importance of maintaining a physically secure environment.

#19 The Italian Job

What This Movie Is About

"The Italian Job" is a heist film with a twist of modern technology. It features a group of thieves who plan to steal gold from a former associate who double-crossed them.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie shows a clever use of hacking to manipulate traffic signals in Los Angeles, creating a gridlock that aids in their heist. This aspect of the movie showcases the integration of technology and traditional heist strategies, making it a thrilling ride that combines classic crime with contemporary cyber skills. The movie is well-known for its exciting chase scenes, strategic heists, and a touch of humor.

#18 The Fifth Estate

What This Movie Is About

"The Fifth Estate" is a dramatic portrayal of the controversial rise of WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange. The film follows the journey of Assange and his colleague Daniel Domscheit-Berg as they establish the platform that would become known for publishing classified government and corporate documents. The narrative delves into the ethical and moral questions surrounding freedom of information, transparency, and the implications of releasing confidential data to the public. It also explores the complex relationship between Assange and Domscheit-Berg, highlighting the internal struggles within WikiLeaks.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie provides a thought-provoking look at the impact of the digital revolution on journalism and global politics.

#17 Ghost in the Shell

What This Movie Is About

"Ghost in the Shell" is a seminal anime film set in a futuristic world where cybernetic enhancements are commonplace. The story follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg officer leading a task force called Section 9. The team is tasked with hunting down a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master, who hacks into the minds of cyborg-human hybrids. As the investigation unfolds, the Major contemplates her own artificial existence and the meaning of humanity in a world where the line between human and machine blurs.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie is renowned for its deep philosophical themes, stunning visuals, and its influence on the cyberpunk genre.

#16 Johnny Mnemonic (1995)

What This Movie Is About

"Johnny Mnemonic" is a cyberpunk thriller set in a future where information is the most valuable commodity. Keanu Reeves stars as Johnny, a data courier who has a cybernetic brain implant designed to store sensitive data. The plot thickens when Johnny takes on a job that overloads his implant with crucial information that various parties are desperate to retrieve. As he navigates a dangerous landscape of corporate and underworld figures, Johnny struggles to survive and extract the data from his own head.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie touches on themes of technology, memory, and the human cost of cybercrime.

#15 The Net

What This Movie Is About

"The Net" is a suspenseful cyber-thriller from the mid-90s. It stars Sandra Bullock as Angela Bennett, a computer programmer who stumbles upon a dangerous conspiracy. After accessing a program that has the capability to access and alter data across various government systems, her identity is erased and replaced with a criminal record.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie explores themes of identity theft, privacy invasion, and the vulnerabilities of living in a digital age. Angela's fight to reclaim her identity and expose a conspiracy highlights the potential dangers of the internet and minimal government oversight.

#14 Sneakers

What This Movie Is About

"Sneakers" is a heist film with a unique twist, focusing on the world of espionage and hacking. The story follows Martin Bishop and his team of security experts, who are blackmailed by government agents into retrieving a mysterious black box. The film blends suspense, comedy, and tech intrigue, showcasing various aspects of hacking and surveillance.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie has a notable scene that involves the team deciphering a complex security system to gain access to a heavily guarded room, demonstrating their ingenuity and the thrill of high-tech espionage. "Sneakers" cleverly combines elements of cybercrime with classic heist tropes, making it a memorable addition to the genre.

#13 Swordfish

What This Movie Is About

"Swordfish" is an action-packed thriller that delves into the world of cybercrime and espionage. The story revolves around Stanley Jobson, a skilled hacker who is coerced by Gabriel Shear, a charismatic and ruthless spy, to help steal billions of dollars from a government slush fund. The film is notable for its high-octane action sequences and complex plot.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie has a notable scene that involves Stanley being forced to hack into a secure system under extreme pressure, showcasing the intense, high-stakes world of cybercrime. "Swordfish" blends action, technology, and suspense, making it a standout film in the cyber-thriller genre.

#12 Hackers (1995)

What This Movie Is About

"Hackers" is a cult classic that captures the early days of the internet and cyber subculture. The film follows a group of young, idealistic hackers, led by Dade Murphy (aka "Zero Cool") and Kate Libby (aka "Acid Burn"), as they uncover a corporate conspiracy involving a computer security expert who has created a malicious virus.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie is known for its stylized depiction of hacker culture and the cyber world. One of the iconic scenes involves the protagonists infiltrating a TV network to broadcast their message, showcasing the rebellious spirit of the hacker community against corporate corruption and the power of knowledge in the digital age.

#11 Untraceable

What This Movie Is About

"Untraceable" is a suspenseful thriller that dives into the dark side of the internet. The film centers around FBI agent Jennifer Marsh, who works in the cybercrime division. She becomes embroiled in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with a tech-savvy serial killer. The killer broadcasts his murders live on the internet, with the death rate increasing as more people tune in.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

The sinister premise of this movie underscores the challenges of combating cybercrime and the moral implications of the public's fascination with violence online. The movie highlights the complexities and dangers of digital technology in a society increasingly connected by the internet.

#10 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

What This Movie Is About

"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is a gripping thriller that intertwines mystery and cyber-investigation. The film follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander as they delve into a decades-old disappearance.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie has a standout hacking scene that features Salander using her exceptional hacking skills to gather crucial information. She remotely accesses a character's computer to retrieve vital documents, showcasing her prowess in digital espionage and underlining the film's theme of uncovering secrets hidden in the digital world. This scene effectively demonstrates how cybersecurity, or the lack thereof, can play a crucial role in modern investigations.

#9 The Matrix

What This Movie Is About

"The Matrix" is a groundbreaking sci-fi film that explores the concept of a simulated reality controlled by sentient machines. The movie follows the protagonist, Neo, as he awakens to the real world and joins the fight against the machines.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie has a notable hacking scene that shows Neo and Trinity infiltrate a heavily guarded building to rescue Morpheus. They use their understanding of the Matrix's rules to bend reality, showcasing a blend of physical and digital manipulation. This scene highlights the film's core theme of questioning reality and the power of knowledge in a digitally controlled world.

#8 Skyfall

What This Movie Is About

"Skyfall", a James Bond film, expertly weaves a tale of espionage with modern cyber threats. The movie features a villain, Raoul Silva, who is a former MI6 operative turned cyberterrorist, showcasing the dangers posed by skilled individuals with access to sophisticated technology and inside knowledge.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie has a memorable hacking scene that involves the villain executing a sophisticated cyber attack on MI6. The villain uses his hacking skills to infiltrate MI6's secure systems and cause an explosion at the MI6 headquarters, demonstrating the destructive and kinetic potential of cyber attacks. This scene is not only a pivotal moment in the film but also serves as a striking visualization of the real-world threat posed by cyberterrorism and the importance of cybersecurity in protecting national assets.

#7 Snowden

What This Movie Is About

"Snowden" is a biographical film that traces the life of Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor who leaked classified information about global surveillance programs. The movie dives deep into Snowden's moral struggle and the events leading up to his decision to expose the extent of government surveillance.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie sheds light on the ethical complexities and ramifications of mass data collection and privacy invasions, sparking discussions about government overreach, personal privacy, and the role of whistleblowers in society. The film highlights the impact of Snowden's revelations on public perception of privacy and security in the digital age.

#6 Eagle Eye

What This Movie Is About

"Eagle Eye" is a fast-paced thriller that delves into the world of government surveillance and artificial intelligence. The film follows two strangers who are manipulated by a mysterious, all-knowing force that seems to control their every move. This Entity, a powerful and rogue AI system, uses a vast network of technology and surveillance to track and coerce movie protagonists.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie taps into fears of omnipresent surveillance and loss of privacy, reflecting concerns about the potential overreach of technology and AI in our lives. It's a gripping narrative that questions the balance between national security and individual freedoms.

#5 The Imitation Game

What This Movie Is About

"The Imitation Game" is a fantastic film that showcases the work of Alan Turing and his team in cracking Nazi Germany's Enigma code, often considered the first significant hack of the modern world.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie not only highlights the profound impact of their work on World War II but also sets the stage for the evolution of modern computing and cybersecurity. It underscores the inception of what would become a complex field dedicated to protecting information and systems, inspiring ongoing research and development in cybersecurity.

#4 Die Hard 4: Live Free or Die Hard

What This Movie Is About

"Die Hard 4: Live Free or Die Hard" taps into the fears and realities of cyberterrorism in a way that resonates strongly with current global concerns. The movie's plot revolves around a cyber-terrorist plot to take down the national infrastructure of the United States of America, illustrating the catastrophic potential of cyber attacks on a national scale.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie reflects real-world concerns about the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure to cyber threats. The film highlights the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding national security and has likely contributed to increased awareness and initiatives to protect vital systems from cyber threats.

#3 Enemy of the State

What This Movie Is About

"Enemy of the State" is a thrilling movie that delves deep into the world of surveillance and privacy invasion, themes incredibly relevant in today's digital age. The film follows a lawyer who becomes a target of a corrupt politician and his NSA cronies using sophisticated surveillance technology.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie portrays the risks of government agencies wielding unchecked power to spy on individuals, and foreshadowed real-world events, like the global surveillance disclosures made by Edward Snowden in 2013.

Additional Resources

Learn about the disclosures made by Edward Snowden on the global NSA surveillance network.

#2 Terminator 2: Judgment Day

What This Movie Is About

"Terminator 2: Judgment Day" is more than just a blockbuster action movie; it's a profound commentary on the intersection of technology and humanity. The film showcases an advanced AI, Skynet, which becomes sentient and decides to eliminate humanity.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

This movie has a notable scene that shows an ATM being hacked by John Connor through use of a portable device to withdraw cash. This scene was a pivotal moment in film and cybersecurity history. Although a fictional representation, it drew public attention to the vulnerabilities of ATMs. This scene, portraying a relatively simple hack, sparked interest and awareness about ATM security in both the cybersecurity and cybercrime communities. Subsequently, it influenced modern security research into ATM hacking, including "jackpotting" – a real-world attack where hackers force ATMs to dispense cash. This aspect of the film serves as a reminder of how pop culture can inadvertently highlight and influence the evolution of cybersecurity threats and defenses.

Additional Resources

Learn about the ATM hacking technique presented by Barnaby Jack at Blackhat in 2010.

#1 WarGames (1983)

What This Movie Is About

"Wargames", a classic 90s flick, not only entertains but also eerily foreshadows today's cybersecurity challenges. In the movie, David Lightman, a tech-savvy teenager, hacks into a U.S. military supercomputer, mistaking it for a game. This act nearly sparks a global conflict, showcasing the vulnerability of secure systems to human error and unauthorized access.

How This Movie Relates To Real-World Hacking

Fast forward to the present, and we see the relevance of this movie in numerous real-world incidents. From teenagers breaching high-profile systems for sport to state-sponsored cyberattacks risking international stability, "Wargames" serves as a prophetic tale, underlining the ongoing need for robust cybersecurity measures in a world where technology and threats evolve rapidly.

Additional Resources

We continue to see examples of this with every year that passes. Take, for example, the spree of hacks committed in 2021 and 2022 by the Lapsus cybercrime group comprised of numerous teenagers.

Conclusion

We hope you find these movies as entertaining as we did! From the early days of hacking in "WarGames" to the futuristic AI dilemmas in "Transcendence" and "Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One", these films reflect our society's ongoing dialogue with technology, AI, and cybersecurity. These movies remain a testament to the ever-changing landscape of cyber threats and the human stories within them.