2. WarGames (1983)

In this 1983 movie Matthew Broderick plays a high school computer nerd who takes a break from playing video games at the local arcade to hack into the giant supercomputer which coordinates the US’ nuclear response, almost starting World War III in the process.

WarGames was one of the top thrillers of 1983, in an age in which the events depicted in the movie were a very real possibility, and features great performances from Broderick as the roguish but charming computer nerd David Lightman, Ally Sheedy as his cute and supportive girlfriend Jennifer, and Barry Corbin as the hot-headed US general Beringer. Plus the film’s exciting ending delivers an inspired message about nuclear war that is still relevant today.

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Next: 3. Tron (1982)