Since 2009, blockchain technology and the cryptocurrencies that are hosted upon it have become an integral part of human society, whether people like it or not.
Compared to the days when the misunderstood technology was mocked, crypto and blockchain are now poised to overhaul major industries from maritime and tourism to defence and medical care.
It’s exciting times indeed. But sometimes, we want to kick back, relax from the crypto markets, and do something much more fun and stress-free, like chilling out and watching movies.
Luckily, blockchain and crypto movies are abundant on offer for digital currency enthusiasts to enjoy. They’re also a great way for newcomers to get to grips with cryptocurrency in a fun and friendly way.
Today, we’ll introduce you to ten iconic crypto and blockchain films that deserve a place in the film collection of crypto enthusiasts. Whether you’re a hardened trader or a new investor, there’s something in this list for you.
Speaking of which, if you are a newbie, ensure you’ve researched the crypto market before investing. As the Bitcoin Up crypto platform warns us “all forms of financial investment and trading pose a risk to your capital. Regardless of your chosen strategy, the possibility of a loss is always there.”
But enough with the warnings! Beware, there are a few binge-worthy movies and documentaries that lie ahead…
1. Bitcoin: The End of Money as We Know It, 2015
First off, is a masterpiece of crypto filmmaking by director Torsten Hoffmann. Bitcoin: The End of Money as We Know It is an ideal movie for newcomers to crypto to get their heads around the world of decentralised currency in the form of the OG of crypto, Bitcoin.
This two-part crypto doc is split into the initial part that focuses on the history of money in the human race as we know it and its role in global politics, economy, and culture. This is a great starting point for understanding the major differences between fiat currency and crypto.
The documentary’s second part introduces the viewer to the wild world of crypto in the form of Bitcoin. It tracks Bitcoin’s foundations, wild rise, and promising future.
From Andreas M Antonopoulos to Roger Ver, featured in the film are renowned cryptocurrency experts giving their thoughts and opinions. Bitcoin: The End of Money as We Know It was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Amsterdam Film Festival in 2015.
2. Cryptopia Bitcoin, Blockchains and the Future of the Internet, 2020
Yep, it’s another crypto flick from Torsten Hoffmann! Following the incredible success of Bitcoin: The End of Money as We Know It, Hoffman returned to the crypto movie scene five years later with his latest movie entitled Cryptopia Bitcoin, Blockchains and the Future of the Internet.
Cryptopia Bitcoin, Blockchains and the Future of the Internet carries on from the end of Hoffman’s previous film, which examined the history of conventional money, its flaws, and how Bitcoin formed to combat them.
Cryptopia Bitcoin, Blockchains and the Future of the Internet returns to the predictions and aspirations of the crypto market that featured five years before and compares them to the current status of the crypto market.
The movie delves into everything from the renewed surge in interest in the crypto markets to the immense evolution of blockchain technology.
This latest film from Hoffman is a valuable insight into the cryptocurrency industry but is equally easy to follow and understand for newcomers looking to get to grips with it.
3. Bitcoin: Beyond the Bubble, 2018
For newcomers, understanding Bitcoin and blockchain accurately aren’t always straightforward. Luckily, there is a range of crypto films that make it simple to do so in a fun way. Take Bitcoin: Beyond The Bubble, for example.
A relatively short movie with a run time of just over half an hour, this 2018 movie is aimed towards the wider public who have little to no knowledge of crypto or how it works.
The movie takes the viewer on a journey through the overall history of money as we know it before going in-depth into Bitcoin and how it provides a revolutionary alternative to the current financial and banking systems we know and use.
Towards the movie’s end, it also addresses and answers some of the most commonly heard criticisms about cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Overall, a great beginner-friendly insight into the world of decentralised currencies.
4. Trust Machine: The Story Of Blockchain, 2018
Trust Machine is a 2018 movie that tracks the journey of cryptocurrency from its humble beginnings to the powerhouse that it is today. But whilst other movies on this list focus on Bitcoin, this movie is more extensive.
For example, Trust Machine delves heavily into the technology of blockchain and, more specifically, Ethereum. The movie looks at how blockchain can play a crucial role in combating real-world issues ranging from inequality and global poverty to world hunger.
One particularly notable thing about this movie is that it’s quite controversial and provocative, asking questions such as why central banks are scared of crypto whilst NGOs like UNICEF utilize it heavily to feed starving kids successfully.
5. The Bitcoin Gospel, 2015
One of my favourite titles on this list is Bitcoin Gospel. Named so because it’s about Bitcoin, it also features so-called “crypto angels” such as Andreas Antonopoulos and Roger Ver, who you might know better by his nickname ‘Bitcoin Jesus’.
The documentary became an iconic feature amongst crypto circles when it was released in 2015. It was made by renowned Dutch TV broadcaster VPRO and was, in fact, one of the world’s first professionally made documentaries on Bitcoin to ever hit the scene.
Many credit the Bitcoin Gospel as being one of the things that truly put Bitcoin on the map and introduced the wider world to the benefits of crypto.
It may be a little outdated by now, but this documentary is extremely informative and worth a watch. It covers the good and bad sides of crypto in a non-biased way, including things such as scam platforms.
6. Banking on Bitcoin, 2016
Compared to the other crypto and blockchain titles on this list that often delved into the opinions of renowned crypto market experts, the next film, Banking on Bitcoin, approaches the subject differently.
Banking on Bitcoin focuses on real-life traders involved in the crypto market to shine and light on the highs and lows of the community surrounding digital currency who are working tirelessly towards mainstream adoption for crypto.
One of the most valuable parts of the film is that it showcases the advantages Bitcoin has against the conventional central banking system and the importance of regulating cryptocurrencies.
This 2015 features some incredibly insightful interviews with some of the biggest names in Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency industry, ranging from Erik Voorhees and the Winklevoss brothers to Charlie Shrem.
Similarly, the documentary doesn’t pull any punches and also highlights various crypto scandals ranging from the Silk Road to Mt. Gox.
7. The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin, 2014
Another fan favourite in crypto movies is The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin. The storyline of this movie focuses on a man called Daniel Mross, a computer programmer who is trying to balance his intense day-to-day schedule with a passion for cryptocurrency and building mining computers to harvest more Bitcoin.
Interestingly, the film was shot by the brother of Daniel and provided an unfiltered insight into the world of crypto investing. Like some of the other titles on this list, the film features appearances from the likes of Mark Karpeles, Erik Voorhees and Charlie Shrem.
8. Bitcoin — The Shape The Future, 2017
Whilst most of the crypto documentaries and films on this list focus on the decentralised currency markets in the West, Bitcoin — The Shape The Future looks east towards the increasing economic powerhouse that is China.
A fascinating documentary to get an insight into the Eastern side of the crypto market, it delves deep into the crypto industry across China and looks at the important function of firms like Bitmain and Huobi.
9. Crypto Startup School: A Documentary, 2021
Another firm favourite amongst crypto enthusiasts is a documentary called Crypto Startup School. This 2021 film was made by Andreessen Horowitz and went behind the scenes as 45 people participated in a six-week-long cryptocurrency Bootcamp.
The participants were all crypto entrepreneurs and market enthusiasts, and the movie was aimed at viewers who identified along the same lines. The boot camp saw participants being instructed to build crypto projects, develop cryptocurrency-focused companies, find investors and address challenges.
10. Ethereum: The Infinite Garden, coming soon!
And last but not least is a movie that hasn’t even hit the big screen yet, but looks incredibly exciting!
Ethereum: The Infinite Garden is a completely crowd-funded project and the world’s first feature-length movie about the blockchain powerhouse of Ethereum.
The movie will boast ground-breaking interviews with major players in the Ethereum space, such as Aya Miyaguchi and Vitalik Buterin, as they examine just how Ethereum and its vibrant and dedicated community could have the power to change the world.
The highly-anticipated blockchain movie is expected to be released in the winter of 2023, so stay tuned!
In Summary
And there we have it, ten epic movies on crypto and blockchain that you can binge-watch today! As the blockchain and crypto world continues to thrive and grow, this list is bound to get much bigger in 2023 and beyond. So stay tuned for more!
