Who would have guessed a movie about a computer nerd could be such a big deal? Now
that the tale of the world's youngest billionaire is receiving raves from critics
and audiences alike, we thought we'd put together a fun little feature to
celebrate David Fincher's The
Social Network. Here, from #15 to #1, are the results of our Fandango
user survey, asking all of you, who are the all-time movie computer geeks?
By Chuck Walton
The #15 spot on our survey is owned by Jeff Fahey, known to modern audiences as fan favorite Captain Frank Lapidus on "Lost," but also known back in the day as Jobe Smith, or "The Lawnmower Man." While not exactly a good guy (far from it in fact), Fahey's Jobe does make an impression as he transforms from simpleton lawnmower guy next door to experimental lab rat to all-powerful, virtual computer man. For early CGI, this is a pretty cool metamorphosis.
At #14, we have a young Charlie Korsmo as the picked-upon high school graduate who is determined to finally get even with the high school jock who's made his teen years miserable. In the process, he'll also learn about the joys of partying and getting completely hammered. He'll also eventually form a hugely profitable computer company. Just like another William we know.
Nerrrdddssss! Who can forget the rallying cry, or the ubiquitous (?) use of the Queen song "We Are the Champions" at the end of Revenge of the Nerds. Leading the charge is ultra-versatile Anthony Edwards as Gilbert Lowell, a pocket nerd in the year 1984. One year later, Edwards would morph into the over-partied frat boy in The Sure Thing.
The cool thing about Ilan Mitchell-Smith's nerd Wyatt Donnelly in Weird Science is that he can make cool things using his computer...like Kelly LeBrock. His creation, named "Lisa," is the kind of ultra-hip party girl who knows a smart and sensitive winner when she sees one, and promptly turns Wyatt into a porsche-driving stud geek.
Amongst computer auteurs, Angelina Jolie represents the ultimate femme nerd. In 1995, developers the world over got their wish - watching Jolie and lots of tech gadgets in the same film frame. She's the ultimate combo: beauty, brains and enough hacking creds to make even Neo the maginificent a bit jealous.
He's adored by millions and is now an Oscar winner. Twenty eight years ago, he was also a super duper computer programmer named Kevin Flynn, who sets into action a chain of events that will be continued this December in Tron: Legacy. The thing about Flynn is that while he's a mega nerd, he was also one of the first smart kids who seemed kind of cool, and even operated his own video game parlor.
Stupid is as stupid does. Same for smart. And same for smartass. Val Kilmer's Chris Knight is the smartass king, who does whatever he pleases and with such a total sense of Real Genius affability that a quarter century later, he's still the whip-smart cool dude we all wish we could be. To quote the man himself, "I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates...who said...I drank what?"
Forget the computer. One of the all-time geeks period, Anthony Michael Hall practically made a living out of playing nerdlike over the course of his early film career. From Sixteen Candles to Weird Science to The Breakfast Club and beyond, Michael Hall effortlessy assayed geeks of varying i.q. and chutzpah.
The other Michael Bolton is such an underrated creation of geek specificity that David Herman is truly deserving of his lucky #7 rating. From the look (glasses, coif, button down shirt and on) to the mannerisms to the ever-increasing irritation over his namesake (plus a special way with gangsta rap), Herman's Bolton is a computer geek for the centuries.
After gaining fame as the endearing, beer-drinking, "eh"-spouting McKenzie brother Bob on SCTV, Moranis evolved from the goofy doof from Ghostbusters to full-fledged zany computer scientist dad in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Imagine the fun if he was your pops. Your backyard could become an adventure through an overgrown Amazon, and your allowance would be as big as a house.
He's not just the Apple guy. In Live Free or Die Hard, Justin Long proves believable as a computer nerd who could literally fight side by side with Bruce Willis. Not too geeky or too polished, Long's Matt Farrell serves as audience substitute for the over-the-top scenarios, and a handy hacker capable of nullifying a bad guy's bank account or utility bill.
Matthew Broderick was the first leading man, movie computer geek star in War Games. He made plugging your phone into a modem, and turning on that nifty audio doo-dad as fun as anything James Bond could pull off. Along with Bridges' Kevin Flynn, Broderick ushered in a golden age of movie computer geekdom.
If you ever need a credible hip computer geek in your movie who's believable as the smart guy, but doesn't need to be on the Mark Wahlberg level of coolness, then Seth Green's your man. He looks like he'd know his way around javascript, and he'd be able to keep his calm around world-class beauties such as Charlize Theron.
While Angelina Jolie's hacker might be the more downloaded one on certain geeks' computers, if you were actually to spend a project together poring through data matrices, Sandra Bullock's the beauty whose next-door-neighbor, down-to-earth appeal and smarts make her the movie star nerd with whom guys and girls would love to share an online chat.
He's not the greatest thespian on the planet. But would you rather see Ben
Affleck in The Matrix? If you asked any real computer geek, who
would be your idealized
comic book superhero version of yourself, then 9 nerds out of 10 say
Keanu Reeves in The Matrix...as long as it's
the first Matrix.
Did the voters miss anyone? Let us know below!
Get 2 free tickets to use later when you join FanClub with your PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie ticket order.
The “Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie - 2 free tickets later FanClub Promotion” offer (the “Offer”) begins 8/3/26 and will run for a limited time. Offer valid for new FanClub members only. To be eligible, you must subscribe to a 1-month paid FanClub membership ($9.99 + tax, then $9.99 per month thereafter until canceled) when purchasing tickets to Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie on the Fandango website or mobile app. Eligible members will receive two free ticket promo codes via email within 24 to 48 hours after successful FanClub sign-up. To redeem the Offer, you must complete checkout while an eligible FanClub membership is in your cart. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law); void where prohibited. Adjustments to prior purchases not permitted. Taxes may apply. Offer may only be redeemed once per person. Fandango is not responsible for lost, delayed, undeliverable, or misdirected emails. Fandango reserves the right to withdraw or modify this Offer at any time, in its sole discretion, and without notice. Additional terms and conditions apply, including Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Buy a ticket to Spa Weekend and get $35 off a ResortPass day pass or spa pass with the purchase of any ResortPass day or spa pass at full price.
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Surprise a loved one with an exclusive gift card to see House of Worship in select theaters!
To Send a House of Worship Gift Card: 1. Visit Fandango at www.fandango.com/fandango-gift-cards 2. Scroll to ""Select Your Design"" under Movie Gift Cards to find House of Worship 3. Choose ""EMAIL CARD"" (Digital) 4. Personalize your Digital Gift Card: Select the Amount, Qty, Recipient, Message 5. Schedule Delivery
Get the WILD HEARTS Exclusive Bundle and receive one ticket to KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS and an exclusive photocard set!
*WILD HEARTS Exclusive Bundle is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The Fandango Exclusive KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS Photocard Set will begin shipping in September. Please use a physical U.S. address where the photocard set shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://redeem.fandango.com/products/wild-hearts-bundle
Get the Spider-Man: Brand New Day Exclusive Poster Bundle and receive one ticket to Spider-Man: Brand New Day and an exclusive poster!
*Spider-Man: Brand New Day Exclusive Poster Bundle is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at check out. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The exclusive poster will begin shipping in July. Please use a physical U.S. address where the exclusive poster shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://store.fandango.com/products/spider-man-brand-new-day-exclusive-poster
Buy one ticket to Idiots, get one free (up to $15 off ticket price and fees), during opening weekend showtimes (8/28 - 8/30) with code IDIOTSBOGO.
Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion. Visit Fandango.com between 8/11/26 and 8/30/26 at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app, buy at least one (1) ticket to see Idiots at a participating Fandango theater during opening weekend (showtimes between 8/28/26 and 8/30/26), and use Fandango Promotional Code IDIOTSBOGO (“Code”) to get up to $15 off (total ticket price and associated fees and charges) one (1) additional ticket for the same showtime. Code expires, and can no longer be used, upon the earlier of 11:59PM PT on 8/30/26, the limit of Code redemptions being reached, or when Idiots is no longer available in theaters. Code must be entered at checkout. Only valid for purchase of movie ticket(s) made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. If cost of movie ticket(s) and associated fees and charges are more than Code’s maximum discount, then user must pay the difference. Any price difference between total transaction price and Code’s maximum discount will not be refunded. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Void where prohibited. Not valid with any other offer. Offer valid in U.S. only, excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law. You may have to pay taxes additionally. Non-transferable. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Excludes multiple admission tickets. Fandango is not a sponsor or co-sponsor of this offer. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time without notice. This offer and the redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Experience The End of Oak Street in IMAX and get $7 off an IMAX ticket with code OAKSTREETIMAX
Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion. Log in to your Fandango account on Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between 9:00am on 7/22/26 and 8/26/26, purchase two or more IMAX tickets to see The End of Oak Street at a participating Fandango theater, and enter the Fandango promotional code OAKSTREETIMAX ("Code") to receive up to $14 off your purchase. Code expires, and can no longer be used, if not redeemed by 11:59pm on 8/26/26, or when the limit of Code redemptions is reached, or when The End of Oak Street is no longer available in IMAX theaters, whichever comes first. Code must be entered at checkout. Only valid for purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. You must have, and be logged into, a Fandango account to redeem the Code on Fandango. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. If cost of movie tickets and associated fees and charges is more than Code’s maximum discount, then user must pay the difference. Any price difference between total transaction price and Code’s maximum discount will not be refunded. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). You may have to pay taxes additionally. Limit 1 Code redemption per person. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango's Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Buy 3 tickets to Practical Magic 2 and get 1 ticket free (equal or lesser price, up to $20 total ticket price and fees) with code PRACTICALMAGICB3G1
Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion. Log into your Fandango account on Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between 9:00am PT on 8/12/26 and 11:59pm PT on 10/4/26, purchase three (3) or more tickets to see Practical Magic 2, and use the Fandango Promotional Code PRACTICALMAGICB3G1 (“Code”) to get up to $20 off one (1) additional ticket for the same showtime (equal or lesser value, up to $20 total ticket price and associated fees and charges). Code must be entered at checkout. Code expires and can no longer be used after 11:59pm PT on 10/4/26, or when Practical Magic 2 is no longer in theaters, or when the limit of Code redemptions is reached, whichever comes first. Only valid for purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. You must have a Fandango account, and be logged into your account, to use the Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Void where prohibited. Not valid with any other offer. Offer valid in U.S. only (excluding U.S territories and where prohibited by law). Non-transferable. One-time use only. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. You may have to pay taxes additionally. If cost of the ticket (and associated fees and charges) obtained through the Code is more than Code’s maximum discount, then you must pay the difference. Any price difference between total transaction price and Code’s maximum discount will not be refunded. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Get The Odyssey Signature Set and receive one movie ticket to The Odyssey plus an exclusive Premium Collectible print.
*The Odyssey Signature Set is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The premium collectible art print will begin shipping in July. Please use a physical U.S. address where the collectible art print shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://redeem.fandango.com/products/the-odyssey-signature-set
Buy a ticket to Avengers: Doomsday, get a chance to win a trip to the premiere!
NO PURCHASE OR APP NECESSARY. Purchase does not increase chances of winning. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 years of age and older, provided, however, that at least one person traveling must be 21+. Void where prohibited. Ends November 9, 2026, visit https://www.fandangomovietickets.com/superpremieresweepstakes. Sponsor: Fandango Media, LLC, 10 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608.
Buy a ticket to Spider-Man: Brand New Day, get $5 off the pre-order of the Spider-Man 4-Movie Collection.
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app and purchase, between 12:01am PT on 7/31/26 and 11:59pm PT on 9/18/26, at least one (1) movie ticket to ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing one (1) Fandango Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for $5 off the purchase (and not the rental) of the pre-order of the Spider-Man 4-Movie Collection in My Offers in your account on http://fandangoathome.com and via participating Fandango apps. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive and redeem a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Credit card may be required for transactions on Fandango.com. Code expires on (and must be used by) 9/23/26 at 11:59pm PT, and the Spider-Man 4-Movie Collection will be added to your Library when it is made available by the studio. Limit one per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Buy a ticket to PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie in theaters, get $10 off the PAW Patrol-themed Amazon Echo Pop
Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited number of redemptions available in this offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 6:00am PT on 7/21/26 and 11:59pm PT on 8/30/26 and purchase at least one (1) movie ticket to ‘PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie’. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing one (1) Discount Code (“Code”) that is redeemable for one exclusive $10 off code for the PAW Patrol-themed Amazon Echo Pop, while supplies last. PAW Patrol-themed Amazon Echo Pop will start shipping in August. There is a limited quantity of Codes available in this promotion. Codes will stop being distributed on the earlier of (i) the Code distribution limit being reached, (ii) PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie no longer being in theaters, or (iii) 11:59pm PT on 8/30/26. Code expires, and can no longer be used, when the limit of Code redemptions has been reached, or at 11:59pm PT on 8/30/26, whichever comes first. Limit one Code per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Non-transferable. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer is subject to Fandango Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at Terms and Policies at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.