Top 10 hacker films

While watching these films may not be the best way to pick up tips on hacking, they are certainly entertaining. From 1982’s classic TRON, exploring a alternate fictional universe to this year’s The Fifth Element which is based on the true story of Wikileaks, films about hackers aren’t just for computer nerds, they are full of fun and thrills.

10. Hackers

1995. Directed by Iain Softley. Stars Jonny Lee Miller and Angelina Jolie
This cult classic sees a young boy banned from using computers at age 11 after he crashes 1,507 systems in one day. Then when he joins a new high school, he and his new hacker friends discover a corporate extortion conspiracy. They try to use their computer skills to find evidence while being pursued by the secret service and the people behind the virus.

9. Antitrust

2001. Directed by Peter Howitt. Stars Ryan Philippe and Tim Robbins
Computer programming graduate Milo joins NURV to help create a global communications system. But Milo discovers his new boss, a character who’s characteristics are based on Bill Gates, is dispatching anti-trust virus software.

8. The Net

1995. Directed by Irwin Winklet. Stars Sandra Bullock and Jeremny Northam
Software analysis Angela Bennett is dealing with a virus in one of her company’s new games when she finds out that a hack programme has erased her records from existence and replaced with a criminal record.

7. Reboot

2012. Directed by Joe Kawasaki. Stars Emily Somers and Travis Aaron Wade
This short but powerful film sees a young hacker waking up with a phone glued to her hand with no memory of what just happened to her. The phone displays a countdown, but she doesn’t know what will happen when it reaches zero.

6. Die Hard 4.0

2007. Directed by Len Wiseman. Stars Bruce Willis, Justin Long and Timothy Olyphant
John McClane returns and this time he goes digital. Joining forces with a young hacker, the pair aims to take down a cyber criminal after he hacks the FBI’s Cyber Crime Division.