When people think about cryptocurrency, they often picture charts, wallets, and complex technology. But in recent years, filmmakers have turned these ideas into stories you can watch on screen.
The best crypto movies mix drama, suspense, and real-world lessons about digital money. Some of the best crypto movies on Netflix explore scams, fraud, and ambition, while others dive into the journey of Bitcoin and its rise to global fame. The best Bitcoin movies often focus on how one coin sparked a financial revolution, while blockchain movies highlight the technology that keeps it all running. And for viewers who want the facts, crypto documentaries break down the truth behind the hype. From thrillers to true stories, these films show that crypto isn’t just about finance—it’s about people, trust, and the future. So, which ones are really worth your time? Let’s find out.
If you’re mainly interested in Bitcoin-focused films, don’t miss our breakdown of the Top 5 Crypto Movies to Understand Bitcoin.
Keypoints
- The best crypto movies blend entertainment and education, showcasing how Bitcoin and blockchain have influenced modern storytelling.
- Blockchain movies expand beyond Bitcoin, exploring the technology’s role in finance, crime, and innovation.
- Crypto documentaries like Banking on Bitcoin, Bitconned, and Cryptopia provide factual insights into the evolution of cryptocurrency.
Best Crypto Movies on Netflix, Bitcoin, and Blockchain (story-driven picks)
In this section, we’ll highlight the best crypto movies on Netflix, Bitcoin dramas, and blockchain documentaries that bring the world of cryptocurrency to life in story-driven ways:
#1. Crypto (2019) – Crime Thriller
Among the best crypto movies released in the last decade, Crypto (2019) stands out as one of the few big-screen thrillers that directly puts Bitcoin and blockchain at the center of its story. The movie follows Martin Duran Jr., a young anti-money laundering agent played by Beau Knapp, who is sent back to his small hometown after angering his Wall Street bosses. While auditing a struggling local art gallery, Martin stumbles across a trail of suspicious transactions that don’t make sense.
What looks at first like sloppy accounting soon reveals itself to be a sophisticated scheme of money laundering through Bitcoin and blockchain-based systems. What makes Crypto one of the best Bitcoin movies is how it blends the tension of a traditional crime thriller with the mechanics of digital finance. Instead of just focusing on guns and gangsters, the film shows how digital ledgers, wallets, and anonymous transfers can be used by criminal networks to move millions undetected. As Martin digs deeper, he puts not only his career but also his family in danger, with his father (played by Kurt Russell) and brother caught in the crossfire.
While Crypto received mixed reviews for its execution, it remains one of the best crypto movies on Netflix and other streaming platforms when it comes to showing how digital money fits into modern crime stories. The pacing combines old-school mafia suspense with new-age digital laundering, making it a fascinating watch for anyone curious about the intersection of crime and technology. For viewers looking for blockchain movies that dramatize the risks of untraceable transactions, Crypto remains a top pick—and a reminder that even digital coins can leave dangerous trails.
#2. Silk Road (2021) – True Crime Dramatization
Silk Road is often mentioned alongside the best crypto movies on Netflix and other platforms because it dramatizes one of Bitcoin’s most infamous real-world scandals. While it’s not a documentary, it is based on true events, following the story of Ross Ulbricht, the young entrepreneur who created the darknet marketplace Silk Road. Played by Nick Robinson, Ross is portrayed as a libertarian visionary who believes in free trade and anonymity—but his ambition quickly spirals into something much darker.
The movie shows how Bitcoin became the financial backbone of the Silk Road site, making it possible for people to buy and sell drugs, weapons, and fake IDs without traditional banking oversight. This is where Silk Road earns its place among the best Bitcoin movies, because it doesn’t just use crypto as background—it puts it at the center of the plot. Ross’s rise is contrasted with DEA agent Rick Bowden (played by Jason Clarke), a grizzled cop who doesn’t fully understand blockchain technology but knows how to corner suspects.
As the story unfolds, the audience sees how Bitcoin’s promise of freedom can also enable crime and exploitation. The movie builds toward Ross’s eventual arrest, showing how one mistake in operational security brought down an empire. For viewers who want more than just blockchain movies that talk about technology, Silk Road is a cautionary tale that blends thriller pacing with moral complexity. It’s one of the best crypto movies for anyone who wants to see how Bitcoin shifted from niche tech to headline-making controversy.
#3. Bitcoin Heist (2016) – Action Caper
If you prefer fast-paced action, Bitcoin Heist is one of the best crypto movies that plays more like Ocean’s Eleven than a financial lecture. Produced in Vietnam, this movie takes a different approach by turning Bitcoin into the ultimate treasure in a high-stakes game between Interpol and cybercriminals. The plot follows an Interpol agent who assembles a team of specialists—a hacker, a magician, and a con artist—to track down a mysterious thief known only as “The Ghost.”
Unlike many blockchain movies that lean heavily into technical jargon, Bitcoin Heist uses crypto as a fun MacGuffin that drives the action. The Ghost has been stealing millions using Bitcoin, and the team must set up elaborate traps to bring him down. Double-crosses, twists, and cyber trickery keep the tension high until the final reveal. What makes Bitcoin Heist stand out among the best Bitcoin movies is its attempt to merge Hollywood-style heist storytelling with the emerging world of cryptocurrency.
While it may not teach you everything about blockchain, it does a great job of showing how hackers and thieves might exploit the anonymity of digital wallets. For those who enjoy best crypto movies on Netflix or streaming platforms with a mix of crime and comedy, this film is a refreshing entry. It proves that crypto can fuel not only dark thrillers but also playful, stylish action films.
#4. Decrypted (2021) – Dark Comedy
For viewers who like satire, Decrypted is one of the best crypto movies on Netflix and other platforms that flips the script on typical crime thrillers. This British dark comedy imagines what would happen if a rogue government agency managed to capture Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious creator of Bitcoin. Instead of presenting blockchain as just a tool, the movie uses it as the stage for sharp political and social commentary.
The plot follows an off-the-books NSA unit that kidnaps Nakamoto, hoping to force him to reveal secrets that could help America maintain financial dominance. What follows is a series of tense and often absurd interrogation scenes where Nakamoto turns the tables on his captors, exposing their ignorance about decentralization and the very meaning of blockchain.
Unlike most blockchain movies, which lean toward drama, Decrypted is designed to make viewers laugh while still asking hard questions: Who controls money? Can Bitcoin ever be shut down? And what if the person who started it all doesn’t have the answers? It’s not just one of the best Bitcoin movies because of its subject matter, but also because it dares to present crypto through the lens of humor. If you’re building a list of the best crypto movies, Decrypted deserves a spot for being unique, entertaining, and provocative.
#5. StartUp (2016–2018) – TV Series, 3 Seasons
When talking about the best crypto movies on Netflix, it’s impossible not to also mention StartUp, a TV series that dives deeply into the drama of launching a cryptocurrency. Spread over three seasons, StartUp tells the story of GenCoin, a fictional digital currency created by a brilliant coder named Izzy Morales. She partners with a banker hiding dirty money and a Haitian gang leader who wants a way out of the streets.
Together, they try to build a legitimate company in a world full of corruption, FBI surveillance, and rival tech entrepreneurs. Each season peels back a new layer of the crypto industry. Season one focuses on the creation of GenCoin and the unlikely partnership. Season two expands into venture capital and the dirty games of Silicon Valley. Season three explores how scaling a blockchain-based company can lead to betrayal, hacking, and moral compromise.
Though technically a series and not a film, StartUp is often grouped with the best crypto movies because it captures the same energy and intensity. Unlike most blockchain movies, it doesn’t just show Bitcoin—it builds a fictional blockchain startup from scratch, giving viewers a front-row seat to both the excitement and the chaos. For anyone who wants drama, tension, and a glimpse into the startup side of crypto, StartUp is as addictive as any movie.
#6. Mr. Robot (2015–2019) – TV Series, 4 Seasons
While not purely about cryptocurrency, Mr. Robot has earned a place among the best Bitcoin movies and blockchain stories because of how it integrates digital currency into a much larger tale of hacking, surveillance, and resistance. The show follows Elliot Alderson, a troubled cybersecurity engineer recruited by the underground group fsociety to bring down a corrupt mega-corporation.
Throughout its four seasons, Bitcoin plays a critical role in financing hacks, moving money anonymously, and exposing how fragile traditional financial systems can be. Unlike many blockchain movies that exaggerate the tech, Mr. Robot prides itself on realism, showing exactly how hackers and activists might actually use crypto. It’s a rare show where the technology is not just background—it’s a character in the story.
With stellar performances and a gripping plot full of twists, Mr. Robot remains a favorite not only among tech fans but also anyone who wants to see how crypto fits into global power struggles. Whether you’re watching it on Netflix or other streaming platforms, it’s one of the best crypto movies on Netflix and beyond because it captures both the danger and the promise of digital money.
Looking for what’s fresh this year? Check out our guide on New Crypto Movies 2025: Released and Upcoming for the latest titles.
Top Documentaries About Cryptocurrency
Here are the top documentaries about cryptocurrency that combine education with gripping, real-world storytelling:
#1. Banking on Bitcoin (2016) – Documentary Film
- Type: Movie, 1h30m
- Where to Watch: Netflix (in select regions), Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
When people mention the best Bitcoin movies, Banking on Bitcoin almost always comes up. This documentary explores the early days of Bitcoin, from its mysterious origins in 2009 to its sudden explosion in mainstream media. Viewers meet pioneers, developers, and entrepreneurs who saw Bitcoin not just as money but as a revolution against centralized banking.
The film also dives into controversies, such as the Silk Road scandal and early government crackdowns, showing how Bitcoin’s promise of freedom clashed with fears of crime and instability. What makes Banking on Bitcoin one of the most essential crypto documentaries is how it balances technical explanations of blockchain with human stories of ambition, risk, and belief in change. Even though it was released in 2016, it still holds up as a snapshot of how disruptive Bitcoin felt in its infancy.
#2. The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014) – Documentary Film
- Type: Movie, 1h36m
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
Another entry in the best Bitcoin movies category, The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin follows Daniel Mross, a computer programmer who becomes fascinated by the rise of digital money. Shot during Bitcoin’s early years, this documentary captures the energy and chaos of a growing community—from basement miners running noisy rigs to entrepreneurs pitching Bitcoin startups at conferences.
What makes it one of the most insightful crypto documentaries is the way it shows the optimism and volatility side by side. While some people saw life-changing wealth, others were ruined by scams or crashes. It’s not just a blockchain movie about technology—it’s about culture, community, and the risks of being an early adopter. For modern viewers, it’s also fascinating to look back and see how many predictions came true—and how many didn’t.
#3. Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (2022) – Netflix Documentary
- Type: Movie, 1h30m
- Where to Watch: Netflix
One of the best crypto movies on Netflix isn’t a thriller—it’s a true-crime documentary. Trust No One tells the story of QuadrigaCX, once Canada’s largest crypto exchange, and its CEO Gerald Cotten, who allegedly died in India in 2018, taking $250 million in customer funds with him.
The film follows angry investors who believe Cotten may have faked his death to escape justice. It blends interviews, social media sleuthing, and conspiracy theories to paint a picture of paranoia and betrayal. As a crypto documentary, it works because it shows the real risks of trusting centralized platforms, even in a decentralized world. Unlike fictional blockchain movies, this one is grounded in real losses, real fear, and an ending that still leaves viewers with unanswered questions.
#4. Bitconned (2024) – Netflix Documentary
- Type: Movie, 1h30m
- Where to Watch: Netflix
One of the newest entries in crypto documentaries, Bitconned tells the story of the Centra Tech scam, where three young men launched a flashy ICO (Initial Coin Offering) that promised a crypto debit card but turned out to be a fraud. Celebrities like Floyd Mayweather and DJ Khaled even promoted it, which made the scam explode before the truth came out.
The film is gripping because it feels like a Hollywood movie, but everything really happened. For viewers looking for the best Bitcoin movies that highlight scams and greed, Bitconned is both entertaining and sobering. It also reminds audiences that crypto innovation can attract not just visionaries but also con artists.
#5. Trust Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018) – Documentary Film
- Type: Movie, 1h24m
- Where to Watch: iTunes, Amazon, Google Play
While most crypto documentaries focus on Bitcoin specifically, Trust Machine is different. Directed by Alex Winter, it’s one of the few true blockchain movies that explores the technology itself. The film explains how blockchain works, why it matters, and how it can change industries beyond finance—like supply chains, voting systems, and even art. What makes it a strong pick for lists of the best crypto movies is its balance: it doesn’t ignore the hype or the scams, but it shows that blockchain is bigger than speculation. For viewers who want to understand the backbone of cryptocurrency rather than just the scandals, this is the documentary to watch.
Conclusion
From high-stakes thrillers to investigative crypto documentaries, the world of film has embraced Bitcoin, blockchain, and digital money as stories worth telling. The best crypto movies on Netflix and beyond—whether scripted dramas like Crypto or true-crime films like Trust No One—prove that cryptocurrency is no longer just a niche topic for tech experts. It has become part of mainstream culture, reflecting society’s fascination with risk, innovation, and trust in the digital age. This list highlights the best crypto films overall, but if you want to dive deeper into Bitcoin documentaries or upcoming releases, explore our related posts on Top 5 crypto Movies to understand bitcoin
What makes the best Bitcoin movies and blockchain movies so powerful is their ability to entertain while also educating. Thrillers like Silk Road dramatize the dangers of darknet markets, while films like Banking on Bitcoin or Bitconned show real-life consequences of greed and ambition. Together, they create a tapestry of how crypto is shaping our present and future.
