Tech true stories: Movies about the rise (and fall) of startups and tech companies

December 9, 2023

By Kim Komando

Let me tell you, I’m so over losing all my time getting sucked into watching long TV series. I’m on a movie kick right now, and of course, I really like watching the back story about tech products and the company’s founders. Here are some I thought you might want to watch, too.

“Tetris” (Apple TV+): Yeah, the game where you fit all the blocks into each other. No kidding, the true story behind the game and the company are so much more dramatic than I realized. Think Soviet Union drama in the 1980s. Trailer here.

“BlackBerry” (Apple TV+): Remember BlackBerry, the phone everyone had before iPhones took over? This comedy-drama dives into the wild story of the world’s first smartphone. It feels kind of like “The Office” (but more amusing than outright funny) — and it’s a total ’90s blast from the past. Trailer here.

“The Social Network” (Netflix): A decade later and it’s still hitting close to home. Jesse Eisenberg plays Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg — no sugarcoating his flaws. It’s a sharp dive into the messy beginnings. Spoiler: Creating a tech empire isn’t all “likes” and friend requests. Trailer here.

“WeCrashed” (Apple TV+): Ever wondered how far charm and a crazy dream can get you? Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway take you through the wild ride of coworking company WeWork — big money, bigger egos, and a dash of delusion. It’s a crash course in the highs and lows of startup life. Trailer here.

“The Dropout” (Hulu): Amanda Seyfried transforms into Elizabeth Holmes, the Theranos founder whose big dream didn’t work out so well. This one is a journey through the tech world’s dark side. Top-notch cinematography and writing? Check. A masterclass in playing a sociopath? Absolutely. Trailer here.

“The Playlist” (Netflix): Think Spotify just magically appeared? Think again. This gripping series goes behind the scenes of Daniel Ek’s tech triumph, blending different voices to piece together the story. It’s like creating the perfect playlist — each track — or in this case, perspective — adds something special. Trailer here.

“The Great Hack” (Netflix): Forget sci-fi, this documentary shows the real-world power play of our data. It’s a deep look into the Facebook Cambridge Analytica data scandal, revealing how our clicks and likes are gold for tech moguls. This one is a wake-up call to the state of your data and privacy. Trailer here.

“Super Pumped” (Netflix): Picture “The Social Network” meets “Scott Pilgrim” with an edgy. This seven-episode series throws you into the high-speed world of Uber, complete with boardroom showdowns and Silicon Valley drama. Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Travis Kalanick nails it. If you’re into tech sagas, this is your next binge. Trailer here.