Looking for a thrilling escape into the neon-lit realms of the future? Dive into this electrifying listicle that features highly engaging cyberpunk movies. These cyberpunk movies offer a glimpse of the dystopian landscapes, and the plot include high-tech heists, entertaining characters who navigate through various challenges brought on by technology. From the gritty streets of Blade Runner’s Los Angeles to the virtual battlegrounds of The Matrix, these cyberpunk movies offer a glimpse into the dazzling and dangerous future.
7 captivating, must-watch cyberpunk movies that will get your pulse racing; available on Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, SonyLIV, and more
1. Alita: Battle Angel – Disney+ Hotstar
One of the most popular cyberpunk action movies, Alita: Battle Angel, is based on the Japanese manga series, titled Gunnm by Yukito Kishiro. It revolves around Alita, a cyborg who wakes up in a post-apocalyptic future with no memory of her past. Possessing extraordinary combat abilities, Alita finds herself on the dangerous streets of Iron City, where she finds clues about her mysterious past. It is set in a world where society is divided between the wealthy inhabitants of the floating city of Zalem and the impoverished residents of Iron City below. Groundbreaking visual effects bring the cybernetic characters and futuristic world to life, infused with a compelling story and thought-provoking themes.
2. Ghost in a Shell (2017) – SonyLIV
Scarlett Johansson stars in this cyberpunk thriller based on the Japanese manga of the same name by Masamune Shirow. She plays Major Mira Killian, a cyborg counter-cyberterrorist field commander, who works for a government agency known as Section 9. The plot unfolds in a futuristic world where cybernetic enhancements are commonplace. Major is assigned the task of investigating a series of cyber crimes committed by a notorious hacker known as Kuze (Michael Pitt). However, as investigation progresses, she stumbles upon a conspiracy making her question her own identity, past, and understanding of reality. The movie is a thought-provoking take on a future where human lives and machines are scarily intertwined.
3. Tron: Legacy – Disney+ Hotstar
Serving as a sequel to the 1982 movie, Tron, this one follows Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), the son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), who enters the digital world of the Grid in search of his missing father. As Sam navigates the dangerous world of the Grid, he encounters programs and entities that challenge his place within the digital universe. Along the way, he must fight the tyrannical Clu (also played by Jeff Bridges), a corrupted program created by his father, and uncover the secrets of his family’s past. The movie boasts groundbreaking visual effects that blend live-action footage with computer-generated imagery to create a mesmerising cyberpunk world.
4. Ready Player One – Amazon Prime Video
Directed by Steven Spielberg, this interesting cyberpunk movie is based on the eponymous bestselling novel by Ernest Cline. It is set in a dystopian future where much of the world’s population escapes the grim reality by immersing themselves in a virtual reality universe called the OASIS. The story follows Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan), a young man living in the impoverished stacks of Columbus, Ohio, who, like millions of others, wants to find an Easter egg hidden within the OASIS by its late creator, James Halliday (played by Mark Rylance). The discovery of the Easter egg promises the finder full ownership and control of the OASIS, along with immense wealth. Wade, along with his friends and allies, embarks on a quest to find the Easter egg, offering a nostalgic celebration of 1980s pop culture, its dazzling visual effects, and thrilling action sequences.
5. Æon Flux – Amazon Prime Video
Based on the animated television series of the same name, the movie stars Charlize Theron in the titular role of Æon Flux, a skilled assassin living in a dystopian future where most of humanity has been wiped out by a deadly pathogen. The movie takes place in the walled city of Bregna in the year 2415, ruled by the authoritarian Trevor Goodchild (Marton Csokas). Æon becomes embroiled in a conspiracy to overthrow Goodchild’s government after receiving a mission from the Monicans, a rebel group seeking to restore freedom to the oppressed citizens of Bregna. As Æon traverses the dangerous high-tech facilities of Bregna, she discovers shocking truths about her past, the origins of the pathogen, and the true nature of Goodchild’s rule.
6. A Scanner Darkly – Amazon Prime Video
The movie employs a unique animation technique where live-action footage is digitally manipulated to create an animated look. The events occur in a near-future dystopia and follow Bob Arctor (Keanu Reeves), an undercover detective who is assigned to surveil a group of drug users suspected of manufacturing a highly addictive and mind-altering substance. To maintain his cover, Arctor gets addicted to the drug himself, leading to a gradual deterioration of his mental health and identity. Complicating matters further, Arctor’s addiction blurs the lines between his undercover persona and his true self, leading to a shocking revelation about the mission. The movie also stars Robert Downey Jr in a pivotal role. It explores themes like identity, surveillance, addiction, and loss of privacy in a society dominated by technology and government.
7. Mute – Netflix
Leo Beiler (Alexander Skarsgård) is a mute bartender in a futuristic Berlin, who embarks on a quest to find his missing girlfriend, Naadirah (Seyneb Saleh). Leo’s search for Naadirah leads him into the dark underbelly of the city, where he encounters a diverse cast of characters, including a pair of American surgeons named Cactus Bill (Paul Rudd) and Duck (Justin Theroux). As Leo delves deeper into the mystery of Naadirah’s disappearance, he uncovers a web of deceit, corruption, and violence that threatens to consume him. The movie is a must-watch for its atmospheric world-building, intriguing plot, strong performances, and visually stunning dystopian setting.
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