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!
Buy 2 IMAX tickets with code DOGS to redeem your special offer!
The “The Dog Stars – IMAX FanClub Member Promotion” offer (the “Offer”) begins 8/24/26 and will run for a limited time while supplies last. To be eligible, you must have an active, paid FanClub membership at the time of purchase, purchase two (2) or more IMAX tickets to see The Dog Stars on the Fandango website or mobile app, and enter promo code DOGS at checkout. Upon successful entry of a valid promo code, a maximum of $20 will be deducted from the total order. The Offer is valid for IMAX showtimes only and does not apply to standard, 3D, or other formats. Offer valid in the U.S. only, excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law. Limit one (1) redemption per person. Adjustments to prior purchases are not permitted. Taxes may apply and are not discounted. The Offer may not be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion unless otherwise stated. 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
Experience the songs and artists that shaped modern worship. Get tickets to see ‘House of Worship’ in select theaters August 23rd.
Buy a ticket to By Any Means, get the Mark Wahlberg 5 Movie Collection for $7.99
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app and purchase, between 6am PT on 8/17/26 and 11:59pm PT on 9/20/26, at least one (1) movie ticket to ‘By Any Means’. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing one (1) Fandango Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for the purchase (and not the rental) of the Mark Wahlberg 5 Movie Collection for $7.99 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. Code expires on (and must be used by) 9/23/26 at 11:59pm PT. Limit one (1) 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). Credit card may be required for transactions on fandangoathome.com. 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 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.
Limited time offer. While supplies last. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 9:00am PT on 8/11/26 and 11:59pm PT on 9/7/26 and purchase at least one (1) ticket to see Spa Weekend at a participating Fandango theater. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing one (1) ResortPass promotional code (“Code”) that is good for either: (i) up to $35 off the purchase of one (1) ResortPass Spa Pass with the purchase of one (1) full-price ResortPass Spa Pass; or (ii) up to $35 off the purchase of one (1) ResortPass Day Pass with the purchase of one (1) full-price ResortPass Day Pass. Code expires, and must be redeemed by, 11:59pm PT on 8/11/27. Code is one-time-use only. Limit one (1) Code redemption per person. Code is non-transferable, has no cash value, and cannot be combined with other offers or promotions. Valid at participating ResortPass properties only, subject to availability. 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's terms and policies, at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies. Redemption of the Code, your ResortPass booking, and use of any ResortPass services is subject to ResortPass’s terms and policies at https://www.resortpass.com/terms-conditions.
Get The Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Bundle and receive one movie ticket to The Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary plus a Fandango-exclusive poster!
*The Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Bundle is non-refundable. The Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary will only be available in select theaters between 9/17/26 and 9/21/26, check here (https://www.fandango.com/the-transformers-the-movie-40th-anniversary-2026-246634/movie-overview) for showtimes before making your purchase. 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 Limited-Edition Poster Featuring Raised Spot-Gloss will begin shipping in October. Please use a physical U.S. address where The Fandango-Exclusive Limited-Edition Poster Featuring Raised Spot-Gloss 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-transformers-the-movie-40th-anniversary-bundle
Get the Practical Magic 2 Popcorn Bucket Bundle and receive a movie ticket to Practical Magic 2 plus an exclusive Margarita Popcorn Bucket!
*Practical Magic 2 Popcorn Bucket 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. Popcorn not included. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The Margarita Popcorn Bucket will begin shipping in September. Please use a physical U.S. address where the Margarita Popcorn Bucket 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/practical-magic-2-margarita-popcorn-bucket
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 8/21/26 and 11:59pm PT on 10/5/26, at least one (1) movie ticket to ‘Insidious: Out of the Further’. 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 Insidious 6-Movie Collection in My Offers in your account on stream.fandango.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) 10/10/26 at 11:59pm PT, and the Insidious 6-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 fifty United States, D.C., and Puerto Rico only (excluding other 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.
Don't miss out on the action. Get 10% off your purchase on the A24 Shop when you buy a ticket to Onslaught.
Limited time offer. While supplies last. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 9:00am PT on 8/20/26 and 11:59pm PT on 9/14/26 and purchase at least one (1) ticket to see ‘Onslaught’ at a participating Fandango theater. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing one (1) A24 Shop promotional code (“Code”) that is good for 10% off any order at the A24 Shop. Code expires, and must be redeemed by, 11:59pm PT on 2/19/27. Code is one time use only. Limit one Code redemption per person on the A24 Shop. 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's terms and policies, at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies and the Code is subject to A24's terms and policies, at https://shop.a24films.com/policies/terms-of-service.
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 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.
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
Get 2 free tickets to use later when you join FanClub with your Insidious: Out of the Further ticket order.
The “Insidious: Out of the Further - 2 free tickets later FanClub Promotion” offer (the “Offer”) begins 8/5/26 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 Insidious: Out of the Further 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 The Dog Stars, get a chance to win a stargazing trip for 2 to Colorado!
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 Prize Winner must be 21+, or 18+ and accompanied by a guest that is 21+. Void where prohibited. Ends September 6, 2026, visit https://www.fandangomovietickets.com/coloradostargazingsweepstakes for Official Rules, odds, and details. Sponsor: Fandango Media, LLC, 10 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608.