Blockchain this, blockchain that. Blockchain everywhere. But where is the guide to understanding blockchain, and more importantly, how can you finally get to know what all those crypto memes really mean? Because, honestly, blockchain sounds just like a hard subject to learn would. But worry not, we've got the solution for you. If you love films, learning new things and you're interested in blockchain (and cryptocurrencies), you might become an expert in no time thanks to the list of movies we've put together. Meet the main Blockchain players, learn the most important concepts and find yourself asking some serious questions while having fun along the way. Whether you're totally unfamiliar with the technology or you're already a crypto enthusiast, there's something new for everyone in these documentaries.
So let's jump right into the binge-worthy titles...
Cryptopia Bitcoin, Blockchains and the Future of the Internet
Directed by: Torsten Hoffmann and Michael Watchulonis
Year of release: 2020
Five years on since releasing the award-winning 2015 documentary 'Bitcoin: The End of Money as We Know It", director Torsten Hoffmann returns with another deep dive into the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain. Hoffman's first movie explored the historical evolution of financial systems and how its shortcomings fueled the rise of Bitcoin. Cryptopia picks up where the previous feature left off, revisiting some of the bold promises and predictions previously made and bringing viewers up to speed on the current state of affairs. From the explosion in interest for cryptocurrencies to the evolution of the blockchain industry, Cryptopia charts the evolution of this (still relatively new) technology through the eyes of some of its biggest brains like Roger Ver, Samson Mow, Wences Casares and Andreas M Antonopoulos. The documentary provides a comprehensive overview of the industry while also making sure to provide easy-to-digest explanations to complex technological jargon.
Bitcoin: The End of Money as We Know It
Directed by: Torsten Hoffmann and Michael Watchulonis
Year of release: 2015
Maybe you've enjoyed the above-mentioned Torsten Hoffmann's second installment on Bitcoin. Or, perhaps, you'd just prefer to cover the basics of Bitcoin before moving on to the broader world of cryptocurrencies, 'Bitcoin: The End of Money as We Know' is a great starting point. The documentary is divided into two parts - one focused on tracing the history of money across politics, economy, and culture, the nature of monetary exchanges and the meaning of money as we know it. The second half walks viewers through the beginnings of Bitcoin and the wilder potential of this virtual currency. Bona fide figures of the crypto sphere like Andreas M Antonopoulos and Roger Ver help shed light on the debate. The movie won the 2015 Special Jury Prize at the Amsterdam Film Festival, among other accolades.
Bitcoin: Beyond the Bubble
Directed by: Tim Delmastro
Year of release: 2018
Getting to understand the ins and out of Bitcoin isn't always an easy task. That's why Bitcoin: Beyond the Bubble makes for such a great view as it manages to keep it digestible and compelling, all for under 36 minutes. This is a movie directed at the general public and takes viewers through the history of payments before introducing Bitcoin as a reliable alternative to the current banking system. More importantly, it also aims at addressing (and answering) the most prevalent criticisms leveled against the technology. All in all, this is a short and sweet first look at the intricate world of cryptocurrencies.
Trust Machine: The Story Of Blockchain
Directed by: Alex Winter
Year of release: 2018
Another documentary posing some rather provocative questions (Why are banks terrified while UNICEF embraces it to feed refugee children? Is blockchain technology poised to be bigger than the Internet or a bubble built on hype?), Trust Machine tracks the evolution of crypto over the years all the way to the rise of cryptocurrencies. The feature film also introduces next-generation technology, most notably Ethereum. Reflecting on issues like blockchain's role in addressing real-life problems like income inequality, poverty and world hunger, Trust Machine allows viewers to step away from more theoretical considerations to enter a reality where decentralization can have a concrete impact. Narrated by Rosario Dawson.
The Bitcoin Gospel
Directed by: VPRO
Year of release: 2015
As if the name doesn't give it all away already, The Bitcoin Gospel has become one of best films on, well, Bitcoin and has undoubtedly become a cult classic for many. Produced by Dutch television broadcaster VPRO, it was one of the first professional documentaries to put Bitcoin on the spotlight and introduce general audiences to the world of cryptocurrencies. The movie features a number of Bitcoin angels - hence the Gospel reference - like Andreas Antonopoulos, and the so-called 'Bitcoin Jesus' himself - Roger Ver. Unlike some other features, The Bitcoin Gospel touches upon some thorny aspects of Bitcoin, making it a truly informative watch even if slightly outdated.
Banking on Bitcoin
Directed by: Christopher Cannucciari
Year of release: 2016
Taking a slightly different approach from other features, Banking on Bitcoin relies on the stories of real life participants to showcase the peaks and valleys of a community set on moving the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain to mainstream adoption. The film pits the advantages of Bitcoin against centralized banking systems and sheds light on the implications of regulating crypto. Notably, it includes interviews with top players in Bitcoin, including Erik Voorhees, the Winklevoss brothers and Charlie Shrem, while also delving into some of the scandals that have embroiled the crypto world such as the Silk Road and Mt. Gox cases.
The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin
Directed by: Nicholas Mross
Year of release: 2014
Another classic on the rise of Bitcoin, this feature follows the story of a young computer programmer, Daniel Mross, as he juggles a busy life with his enthusiasm for Bitcoin and building computers to mine coins. This feature proves to be a more frank look at the world of cryptocurrencies (it was filmed by Daniel's own brother), where viewers are able to see the unvarnished reality of entering the Bitcoin world as Daniel himself takes a hefty hit on one of his investments. As the title suggests, despite the pitfalls of Bitcoin, investors have not shied away from the virtual currency, either in 2014 or since. Notable Bitcoin advocates make an appearance in the documentary, including Mark Karpeles, Erik Voorhees and Charlie Shrem.
Bitcoin — Shape The Future
Produced by: Bitkan
Release year: 2017
Not a traditional viewpoint for most mainstream documentaries, Bitcoin - Shape the Future looks East for some answers. The feature focuses on the Chinese view of cryptocurrencies and details the landscape of the industry in China, highlighting the role of companies such as Bitmain and Huobi.
Crypto Startup School: A Documentary
Produced by: Andreessen Horowitz
Year of release: 2021
Produced by VC powerhouse Andreessen Horowitz, this behind-the-scenes documentary follows the lives of many of the 45 students who took part in the company's six-week long crypto bootcamp, which took place last spring. The program was aimed at crypto entrepreneurs and viewers, just like the students, are led through the teachings of building crypto-focused companies, developing crypto projects, finding investors and addressing challenges. Separately, Horowitz has released some of its lectures, available for free on the company's website.
Ethereum: The Infinite Garden
Currently in early pre-production, this upcoming documentary has been getting a lot of buzz for being entirely crowdfunded and for being the first feature-length documentary about Ethereum. It will feature interviews with various influential people in the crypto space including Ethereum's co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, and Aya Miyaguchi, the executive director of the Ethereum Foundation. As described by directors Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci, the movie "explores the innovative real-world applications of the Ethereum blockchain, the die-hard community of enthusiasts and developers, and its creator, Vitalik Buterin, whose vision for the internet has the potential to change the world".
Considering that Blockchain will continue being one of the biggest trends in 2023, the technology is bound to inspire a whole new catalog of documentaries and movies. It’s already getting the Hollywood treatment so it’s reasonable to speculate just how big of a cinematic hit it could be in the coming years. Until then, we hope you've enjoyed (and learned) something new with this compilation of best blockchain movies.
