27 Essential Tech Documentaries
27 titles
- 1
Terms and Conditions May ApplyMovie · 2013 · 79m · DocumentaryWe 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 corporations and governments. It explores the legal implications of accepting these terms and the potential consequences.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.9 - 2
The King of Kong: A Fistful of QuartersMovie · 2007 · 83m · DocumentaryA 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 Steve Wiebe appears and claims to have surpassed him. Mitchell refuses to lose his title, and the two compete fiercely for the ultimate recognition as the true King of Kong.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.7 - 3
Zero DaysMovie · 2016 · 116m · DocumentaryAlex 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 target, causing widespread and uncontrollable infection.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.4 - 4
Feels Good ManMovie · 2020 · 94m · DocumentaryThe 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 within American culture.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.1 - 5
In the Realm of the HackersMovie · 2003 · 55m"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 The Realm. They gained access to some of the most secure computer networks globally, including those of the US Naval Research Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a government lab responsible for US nuclear stockpile security, and NASA.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.4 - 6
The Great HackMovie · 2019 · 114m · DocumentaryData, 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 Analytica/Facebook data scandal.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.9 - 7
A Good AmericanMovie · 2015 · 100m · DocumentaryA 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 real time—all while adhering to U.S. constitutional privacy standards.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.0 - 8
Ecstasy of Order: The Tetris MastersMovie · 2012 · 93m · DocumentaryThis 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 perfect score.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.9 - 9
Steve Jobs: The Man in the MachineMovie · 2015 · 129m · DocumentaryThe 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 company. It examines how his life and work fundamentally changed how we interact with computers. *The Man in the Machine* offers a thought-provoking and at times surprising look at the lasting impact of an icon.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.6 - 10
Hackers WantedMovie · 2009 · 87mHackers 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.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.0 - 11
Indie Game: The MovieMovie · 2012 · 103m · DocumentaryThis 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 and the vulnerability inherent in sharing one's work with the public.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.5 - 12
DownloadedMovie · 2013 · 106m · DocumentaryThis 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.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.5 - 13
We Are Legion: The Story of the HacktivistsMovie · 2012 · 93m · DocumentaryThis 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 on the 4chan website. Through interviews with current members, those recently released from prison or facing legal charges, writers, academics, activists, and key figures in major "raids," the documentary charts Anonymous’ development from a group of pranksters into a powerful global movement representing a new form of civil disobedience.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.1 - 14
Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected WorldMovie · 2016 · 99m · DocumentaryWerner Herzog examines the Internet and our increasingly interconnected lives.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.6 - 15
The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron SwartzMovie · 2014 · 105m · Documentary, CrimeAaron 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 of 26.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.9 - 16
TPB AFK: The Pirate Bay - Away from KeyboardMovie · 2013 · 82m · Documentary, CrimeTPB 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 views, managed to provoke the White House into threatening trade sanctions against Sweden. The documentary examines the personal lives of these controversial figures, widely known for their defiance of Hollywood's copyright policies.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.2 - 17
Coded BiasMovie · 2020 · 86m · DocumentaryThis 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. law addressing bias in algorithms that affect everyone.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.9 - 18
Deep WebMovie · 2015 · 89m · DocumentaryDeep 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 black market Silk Road. With exclusive access to the Ulbricht family, the film examines how the pioneers of the Deep Web and Bitcoin now find themselves at the center of a struggle for control over a future deeply connected to technology, where our digital freedoms are at stake.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.8 - 19
KillswitchMovie · 2015 · 72mThe 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?IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.9 - 20
Revolution OSMovie · 2001 · 85m · DocumentaryREVOLUTION 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.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.9 - 21
The Hacker WarsMovie · 2014 · 91m**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.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.5 - 22
Free to PlayMovie · 2014 · 75m · DocumentaryThree 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.IMDb 7.6TMDB 6.9 - 23
We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaksMovie · 2013 · 127m · DocumentaryJulian 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* provides a comprehensive look at WikiLeaks and the wider global discussion surrounding access to information.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.6 - 24
The Rise and Rise of BitcoinMovie · 2014 · 96m · Documentary, HistoryThis documentary explores the creation and growth of Bitcoin, the decentralized digital currency.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.1 - 25
The CodeMovie · 2001 · 58m"The Code" is a documentary from Finland that explores Linux, featuring prominent figures in the free software movement.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.2 - 26
CitizenfourMovie · 2014 · 113m · DocumentaryIn June 2013, filmmaker Laura Poitras and journalist Glenn Greenwald traveled to Hong Kong to meet Edward Snowden. Poitras documented their meetings with her camera.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.7 - 27
Hackers: Wizards of the Electronic AgeMovie · 1984 · 26mThis 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 book, "Hackers - Heroes of the Computer Revolution."IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.0
