When The Social Network hit theaters in 2010, it was an instant classic. David Fincher’s masterful direction, Aaron Sorkin’s razor-sharp script, and powerhouse performances from Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake made it a riveting look at the tumultuous origins of Facebook.
Over a decade later, The Social Network remains one of the defining films of the 21st century. It perfectly captured the rise of social media and how it would go on to transform society in ways we were only beginning to understand. Watching it now, it feels more relevant than ever.
If you’re craving more movies like The Social Network that provide gripping insight into fascinating real-life stories and flawed yet compelling characters, look no further. Here are 18 must-see films that scratch a similar itch:
1. Steve Jobs (2015)
Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Aaron Sorkin (who also penned The Social Network), Steve Jobs is another mesmerizing dive into the life of a tech visionary. The film is structured around three key product launches in Jobs’ career, shedding light on his brilliance, his demons, and his complicated relationships.
Michael Fassbender disappears into the role of the mercurial Apple co-founder, capturing his intensity, charisma and cruelty. Like The Social Network, it’s a portrait of a man who changed the world, but lost himself along the way. With Sorkin’s trademark wit and rat-a-tat dialogue, Steve Jobs is endlessly watchable.
2. Moneyball (2011)
On the surface, a movie about baseball statistics might not seem to have much in common with the creation of Facebook. But Moneyball, based on Michael Lewis’ non-fiction book, is really a story about disrupting the status quo and using data in revolutionary ways – not unlike what Mark Zuckerberg did with social media.
Brad Pitt stars as Billy Beane, the general manager of the cash-strapped Oakland Athletics who turns to analytics to build a competitive team. Jonah Hill is a revelation as his number-crunching sidekick Peter Brand. Like The Social Network, Moneyball takes a potentially dry subject and turns it into a funny, moving underdog tale. It’s a home run.
3. The Big Short (2015)
Another adaptation of a Michael Lewis book, The Big Short tackles the 2008 financial crisis with darkly comedic flair. Director Adam McKay (yes, the Anchorman guy) uses fourth-wall breaks, celebrity cameos and other clever techniques to make complex financial concepts accessible.
Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt lead an all-star cast as the misfits and oddballs who saw the housing crash coming and bet against the banks. Like The Social Network, The Big Short shines a harsh light on greed, hubris and the dark side of innovation. It’s a wild, infuriating ride that will leave your jaw on the floor.
4. Whiplash (2014)
Whiplash isn’t about tech bros or billion-dollar companies, but it shares The Social Network‘s fascination with the toxic, destructive side of male ambition and genius. Miles Teller stars as a young jazz drummer determined to be one of the greats, even if it destroys him. J.K. Simmons is unforgettable as his abusive instructor who pushes him to the brink.
Writer-director Damien Chazelle keeps the tension ratcheted up to 11, building to an explosive final act that will leave you breathless. Like The Social Network, Whiplash asks provocative questions about the cost of greatness and the blurred lines between passion and obsession. It’s a dizzying, unforgettable experience.
5. A Few Good Men (1992)
Aaron Sorkin’s breakout script, A Few Good Men is a riveting courtroom drama that hinges on a cover-up within the U.S. military. Tom Cruise stars as a cocky Navy lawyer tasked with defending two Marines accused of murder. Demi Moore is his by-the-book co-counsel, and Jack Nicholson steals the show as a fearsome colonel.
Like The Social Network, A Few Good Men is a showcase for Sorkin’s whip-smart dialogue and flair for dramatic confrontations. The famous “You can’t handle the truth!” scene is an all-timer. But beyond the memorable lines, it’s a gripping exploration of power, integrity and the price of standing up for what’s right.
6. The Founder (2016)
The Founder tells the story of Ray Kroc, the milkshake machine salesman who turned McDonald’s into a global empire. But this isn’t a feel-good biopic. It’s a searing look at the dark side of the American Dream, and how one man’s ruthless ambition destroyed the very people who made his success possible.
Michael Keaton is electrifying as Kroc, capturing his charm, his drive and his utter lack of scruples. Like The Social Network‘s Mark Zuckerberg, he’s a protagonist who becomes harder and harder to root for as the story unfolds. The Founder is a fascinating portrait of a business titan and the birth of a cultural institution, warts and all.
7. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street is a wild, hedonistic ride through the excesses of 1990s stock market fraud. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Jordan Belfort, a real-life stockbroker who made a fortune by swindling investors and indulging in every conceivable vice along the way.
Like The Social Network, The Wolf of Wall Street is a mesmerizing portrait of unchecked ambition and the intoxicating allure of wealth and power. It’s also darkly funny, with a manic energy that matches Belfort’s drug-fueled lifestyle. At three hours long, it’s an epic of debauchery and moral decay that will leave you equal parts exhilarated and appalled.
8. Molly’s Game (2017)
Another Aaron Sorkin joint, Molly’s Game marks the celebrated writer’s directorial debut. Jessica Chastain stars as Molly Bloom, a real-life entrepreneur who ran high-stakes poker games for Hollywood celebrities, business tycoons and the Russian mob.
Like The Social Network, Molly’s Game is a whip-smart exploration of ambition, power dynamics and gender politics. Chastain is a force of nature as Molly, navigating a treacherous world with brains, beauty and sheer force of will. With Sorkin’s signature rapid-fire dialogue and a stacked supporting cast (including Idris Elba, Kevin Costner and Michael Cera), it’s a thrilling peek into a shadowy subculture.
9. The Insider (1999)
Michael Mann’s The Insider tells the true story of Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe), a whistleblower who exposed the tobacco industry’s lies about the dangers of smoking. Al Pacino co-stars as Lowell Bergman, the “60 Minutes” producer who risks his career to bring Wigand’s story to light.
Like The Social Network, The Insider is a gripping David-vs-Goliath tale of an ordinary man taking on a powerful institution. Crowe and Pacino are both phenomenal, capturing the high-stakes tension and moral complexity of the situation. With Mann’s meticulous direction and a smart script, it’s a masterful journalism thriller that still resonates today.
10. Shattered Glass (2003)
Shattered Glass tells the true story of Stephen Glass (Hayden Christensen), a rising star at The New Republic magazine who was caught fabricating stories in the late 1990s. Peter Sarsgaard co-stars as the editor who slowly uncovers the extent of Glass’s deception.
Like The Social Network, Shattered Glass is a fascinating character study of a young man whose ambition and need for validation lead him down a dark path. Christensen is excellent as Glass, capturing his charm, his insecurity and his capacity for self-delusion. It’s a gripping cautionary tale about the importance of journalistic integrity and the seductive power of fame.
11. The Bling Ring (2013)
Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring is a stylish, satirical look at a group of celebrity-obsessed teenagers who robbed the homes of Hollywood stars in the late 2000s. Emma Watson leads the cast as the ringleader of the fame-hungry thieves.
Like The Social Network, The Bling Ring is a commentary on the dark side of youth culture and the corrosive influence of social media. Coppola captures the emptiness and ennui of her privileged characters, who see breaking the law as just another way to get likes and followers. It’s a haunting, darkly funny portrait of a generation lost in the digital age.
12. The Aviator (2004)
Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator is an epic biopic of Howard Hughes, the eccentric billionaire who revolutionized the aviation industry and Hollywood in the early 20th century. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Hughes, capturing his brilliance, his daring and his descent into mental illness.
Like The Social Network, The Aviator is a portrait of a visionary who changed the world, but struggled with personal demons. Scorsese brings Hughes’ larger-than-life story to vivid life, from his daring flight around the world to his battles with the U.S. government. With stunning visuals and a great supporting cast (including Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn), it’s a grand, sweeping tale of ambition and madness.
13. The Imitation Game (2014)
The Imitation Game tells the story of Alan Turing, the brilliant mathematician who cracked the Nazis’ Enigma code during World War II, but was later persecuted for his homosexuality. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Turing, capturing his genius, his social awkwardness and his tragic downfall.
Like The Social Network, The Imitation Game is a powerful portrait of a misunderstood genius who changed the course of history. It’s also a poignant commentary on the injustices faced by LGBTQ people in the not-so-distant past. With a strong supporting cast (including Keira Knightley and Matthew Goode) and a smart, emotional script, it’s a moving tribute to a true hero.
14. Spotlight (2015)
Spotlight tells the true story of the Boston Globe journalists who uncovered a massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the Catholic Church. Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams lead an excellent ensemble cast as the dogged reporters who refused to back down in the face of intimidation and resistance.
Like The Social Network, Spotlight is a gripping procedural that shows the power of determined individuals to effect change and hold powerful institutions accountable. Director Tom McCarthy keeps the focus on the human cost of the scandal, and the bravery of the survivors who came forward. It’s a masterful, deeply moving film that celebrates the vital importance of investigative journalism.
15. The Fifth Estate (2013)
The Fifth Estate tells the story of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his colleague Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Daniel Brühl), who challenged the power structures of the world by publishing classified information online.
Like The Social Network, The Fifth Estate grapples with the disruptive impact of technology on society and the complex motivations of the people behind it. Cumberbatch is mesmerizing as the brilliant, paranoid Assange, and the film raises thought-provoking questions about transparency, privacy and the public interest. While it received mixed reviews, it’s a fascinating snapshot of a transformative moment in history.
16. The Report (2019)
The Report tells the true story of Daniel Jones (Adam Driver), a Senate staffer who led an investigation into the CIA’s use of torture after 9/11. Annette Bening co-stars as Senator Dianne Feinstein, who fought to make the report public in the face of fierce opposition from the intelligence community.
Like The Social Network, The Report is a gripping political thriller that shows the human cost of institutional corruption and the importance of speaking truth to power. Driver is excellent as the dogged, idealistic Jones, and writer-director Scott Z. Burns keeps the complex story clear and compelling. It’s a sobering, important film that sheds light on one of the darkest chapters in recent American history.
17. The Laundromat (2019)
Steven Soderbergh’s The Laundromat is a darkly comedic look at the Panama Papers scandal, which exposed a vast network of offshore tax havens used by the wealthy and powerful to hide their assets. Meryl Streep stars as a widow who stumbles upon the conspiracy while investigating an insurance fraud, and Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas play the smooth-talking lawyers at the center of it all.
Like The Social Network, The Laundromat uses a sprawling, unconventional structure to tell a complex story about the intersection of money, power and corruption. Soderbergh keeps things lively with fourth-wall breaks, cameos and stylistic flourishes, even as he delves into the human cost of financial malfeasance. It’s a smart, entertaining film that will leave you both laughing and outraged.
18. The Wizard of Lies (2017)
The Wizard of Lies tells the story of Bernie Madoff (Robert De Niro), the financier who orchestrated the largest Ponzi scheme in history, defrauding investors of billions of dollars. Michelle Pfeiffer co-stars as his wife Ruth, who struggles to come to terms with her husband’s crimes and the destruction of their family.
Like The Social Network, The Wizard of Lies is a portrait of a brilliant, charismatic man whose ambition and hubris led him to ruin. De Niro is excellent as Madoff, capturing his charm, his arrogance and his utter lack of remorse. Director Barry Levinson keeps the focus on the human drama behind the headlines, showing the devastating impact of Madoff’s crimes on his victims and his own family. It’s a powerful, unsettling film that serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked greed.
These 18 films all share The Social Network‘s fascination with ambition, power, and the disruptive impact of technology on society. From biopics of visionary leaders to exposés of institutional corruption, they offer gripping insights into some of the most compelling stories of our time.
Whether you’re in the mood for a political thriller, a dark comedy or a character-driven drama, there’s something on this list for everyone who loved The Social Network. So grab some popcorn, settle in and prepare to be riveted by these must-see movies.
