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I’ve tried explaining crypto to my elder sister for years. I’ve used charts, made slides, and even flashcards like she is a five-year-old, still nothing. Then it hit me: my elder sister is a movie fanatic. She’s always first in line when a new blockbuster drops. So I met her halfway through film.Â
We watched a couple of crypto movies together, and finally… she got it. Even better, I realized I didn’t know it all either. That night changed everything. I started recommending crypto movies to anyone curious, whether they wanted the basics, the backstory, or just a good story.
So now, I’m passing it on to you. Here’s my ultimate watchlist of the top 11 crypto movies that teach, entertain, and might just make you see digital money in a whole new light.
Why Do Crypto Movies Matter?
Crypto movies matter because they make cryptocurrency more interesting to understand.
Crypto can feel like a foreign language. Charts, wallets, mining, blockchains… It’s a lot. Movies strip away that complexity and show you the human side of it all: helping us see why Bitcoin was born, how it challenges the system, and what it reveals about human greed and genius.
Through film, you don’t just learn how crypto works; you feel why it exists. You see people fighting for financial freedom, chasing innovation, or sometimes losing everything for a digital dream.
Crypto movies matter because they turn complicated tech into relatable stories. They remind us that behind every coin and code is a very real human trying to change how the world handles money.
Top 11 Crypto Movies to Add to Your Watchlist
1. Trust Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018)
If Bitcoin had a biography, this would be it. Narrated by Rosario Dawson, Trust Machine walks you through how blockchain evolved from a rebellious idea into a system challenging governments, banks, and even traditional notions of trust. It’s not just about tech, it’s about power, control, and people fighting to rewrite financial history.
Why watch it? Because it captures the soul of crypto: freedom through code.
2. Banking on Bitcoin (2016)
Banking on Bitcoin is the classic that everyone recommends, and for good reason. It tells the story of how a strange digital experiment became a financial revolution. You’ll see interviews with the real pioneers: Charlie Shrem, Erik Voorhees, and other early believers who risked everything for an idea most people laughed at.
It’s the perfect first stop for beginners; part documentary and part time capsule of the moment money went digital.
3. The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)
Before Bitcoin made headlines for millionaires before the hype, scams, and Elon tweets, there was The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin. This film follows a computer programmer so obsessed with the early crypto 11 movement that it practically takes over his life. It captures Bitcoin’s wild beginnings: the chaos, the breakthroughs, and the moments that quietly built the world’s most famous digital currency.
Watching it now feels like looking back at crypto’s baby photos, messy, fascinating, and full of promise.
4. Cryptopia: Bitcoin and the Future of the Internet (2020)
Made by the same director as The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin, Cryptopia expands the lens. It’s not just about Bitcoin anymore; it’s about what comes next: Ethereum, blockchain beyond finance, and how decentralization could reshape entire industries.
It’s perfect for viewers who already get Bitcoin but want to understand where crypto is heading. Plus, it explains complex ideas in a way that actually makes sense.
5. Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (2022)
Trust No One is a true-crime documentary about alleged frauds and the mess behind a vanished exchange. It digs into the mysterious death of Gerald Cotten, the founder of QuadrigaCX, once Canada’s biggest crypto exchange, who supposedly died with the passwords to millions in customer funds. Or did he?
What starts as a tragic story quickly turns into a full-blown conspiracy thriller with Reddit detectives, lost fortunes, and questions no one can quite answer. It’s gripping, emotional, and a stark reminder that behind every decentralized dream, there are still humans; flawed, brilliant, and sometimes dangerous.
6. Crypto (2019)
Now for a little fiction, because let’s face it, sometimes drama explains truth better than reality. Crypto dives into the dark side of digital finance, where ambition and integrity clash in a world obsessed with money and power.
It follows a young banker who uncovers a massive money-laundering scheme tied to cryptocurrency, a plot that mirrors real concerns about how blockchain can be both a tool for freedom and a loophole for crime.
It’s moody, tense, and occasionally melodramatic, but that’s what makes it fun. If you enjoyed The Wolf of Wall Street and Mr. Robot, this is similar, just with Bitcoin in the middle.
7. This Is Not Financial Advice (2023)
Have you ever wondered what happens when memes, money, and madness collide? This Is Not Financial Advice dives into the world of meme-stock traders, crypto influencers, and everyday people betting their savings on internet hype. From Dogecoin dreamers to NFT millionaires, it’s a comedy and also a cautionary tale.
What makes it stand out is how raw it feels, no fake gloss, just the chaos of real lives chasing digital gold. It’s hilarious and you’ll maybe cringe a little, but you will learn a thing or two about investing in crypto.
8. Netflix Explained: Cryptocurrency (2018)
Not everyone wants a two-hour deep dive. Netflix’s Explained episode on cryptocurrency is perfect for quick learners. In just 20 minutes, it breaks down what crypto is, how mining works, and why people either love or fear it, all with clean visuals and easy storytelling.
If your attention span is fried but your curiosity is alive, start here.
9. Decrypted (2021)
What if the U.S. government kidnapped Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, to force him to reveal the secrets behind the blockchain? That’s the wild story of Decrypted, a dark comedy that turns crypto ideology into political satire.
It is absurd, clever, and surprisingly thought-provoking, asking big questions about control, privacy, and who really holds the power in a decentralized world.
This one isn’t just about crypto; it’s also about the human obsession behind it. Watching it, you’ll laugh, cringe, and maybe even rethink how freedom and money collide in the digital age.
10. The Great Hack (2019)
This is where we step slightly outside pure crypto and into its bigger world: data, power, and control. The Great Hack dives into the Cambridge Analytica scandal, exploring how our digital footprints are used (and abused) to manipulate behavior.
Why does it belong here? Because crypto’s foundation: decentralization and data ownership, exists to fix exactly this. If you want to understand why crypto matters beyond money, this film hits home.
11. Biggest Heist Ever (2024)
Biggest Heist Ever unpacks one of the most jaw-dropping hacks in crypto history: the infamous Bitfinex heist. It has everything: stolen billions, blockchain sleuthing, and a couple who laundered the money while posting rap videos on social media.
Outrageous, thrilling, and hilariously real, because it actually happened. The storytelling is tight, tense, and cinematic, but what really hits is the aftermath: how stolen crypto finds its way back into the system and how trust in decentralization gets tested. It’s not just a documentary; it’s a masterclass in crypto chaos.
How to Find These Movies
- Streaming Platforms: Check Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, or Apple TV. Most documentaries and popular films like Trust Machine or The Great Hack are available to stream or rent on these sites.
- Official / Indie Platforms: Niche titles like Decrypted or Crypto (2019) are often hosted on the filmmakers’ websites, Vimeo, or platforms like IndiePix. You may have to pay a small rental fee, or you may gain free access with ads.
- Physical & Digital Copies: Older classics, like The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin, can be found on DVD or digital stores such as iTunes or Google Play.
- Library & Educational Access: Platforms like Kanopy, Hoopla, or university/public library portals may have licensed copies of documentaries for free if you have a membership or student login.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Crypto Movies
Are all crypto movies accurate or do they exaggerate?
Most documentaries aim for accuracy, but dramatized thrillers may take creative liberties. Movies like Crypto are entertainment with educational elements, while films like The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin and Trust Machine are more factual.
Will these movies teach me how to invest in crypto?
They will not directly teach you. They focus on history, culture, risks, and human stories behind crypto. However, understanding these perspectives can help you make smarter, informed decisions if you ever choose to invest.
Can I recommend these movies to non-tech friends?
Yes, you can recommend them to non-tech friends. Whether it’s your parents, friends, or colleagues, these films make crypto relatable and often entertaining.
Do I need prior crypto knowledge to enjoy these movies?
No, you do not need prior knowledge at all. Most of these films are designed to entertain and inform. Documentaries give context, while thrillers and comedies highlight human stories around crypto, so even beginners can follow along and enjoy.
Conclusion
Crypto movies aren’t just for tech enthusiasts or investors; they’re for anyone curious about the digital world shaping our money, privacy, and power. Each film tells a piece of the crypto story, from cypherpunk beginnings to billion-dollar crashes, and they mirror the madness, ambition, and revolution of digital money itself.
Whether you’re here to learn, laugh, or simply enjoy a good story, adding these 11 films to your watchlist is a ticket to understanding a world most only skim online. So grab some popcorn, press play, and see digital money in a whole new light. Your curiosity might just surprise you.
