Megaville (1990)
In a future where media is outlawed and thought is regulated, security agent Raymond Palinov (Billy Zane) infiltrates the independent zone of Megaville. As he delves deeper into the city’s underground networks, he begins to question the reality around him — and his own identity. Though low-budget and obscure, Megaville presents a dense dystopian narrative full of philosophical tension and mind-bending turns. Its bleak atmosphere, focus on information control, and themes of mental fragmentation have earned it cult recognition among die-hard cyberpunk fans.
Metropolis (1927)
In a towering futuristic city divided between wealthy elites and oppressed workers, Freder (Gustav Fröhlich), the son of the city’s master, discovers the brutal conditions of the lower class. As he falls in love with the prophet-like Maria (Brigitte Helm), he joins a movement to unite the two worlds. Directed by Fritz Lang, Metropolis is a landmark in science fiction and one of the earliest films to visualize themes now central to cyberpunk — including automation, class conflict, and the mechanization of humanity. Its iconic robot design and grand art-deco architecture continue to influence visual media to this day.
Minority Report (2002)
In the year 2054, Chief John Anderton (Tom Cruise) works for PreCrime, a police unit that arrests criminals based on foreknowledge provided by psychics called "precogs." When Anderton himself is predicted to commit a murder, he must uncover the truth behind the system he once upheld. Directed by Steven Spielberg and based on a story by Philip K. Dick, Minority Report explores themes of free will, determinism, and the dangers of predictive technology. Its slick visual style, gesture-controlled interfaces, and surveillance-heavy society have become defining elements of modern sci-fi cinema.
Moon 44 (1990)
In a dystopian future where corporations control off-world mining operations, undercover agent Felix Stone (Michael Paré) is sent to Moon 44 to investigate a series of mysterious disappearances. There, he uncovers a power struggle between corrupt supervisors, prisoners turned pilots, and AI-controlled drones. Directed by Roland Emmerich before his Hollywood breakthrough, Moon 44 blends industrial sci-fi with corporate paranoia and early cyberpunk aesthetics. Though limited by budget, its dark atmosphere, synth-heavy soundtrack, and themes of exploitation and surveillance resonate with genre fans.
Mute (2018)
In a neon-lit Berlin of the near future, Leo (Alexander Skarsgård), a mute bartender, searches for his missing girlfriend in the city’s criminal underworld. As his investigation deepens, he crosses paths with corrupt surgeons, gangsters, and data traffickers. Directed by Duncan Jones (Moon), the film exists in the same universe as Moon (2009) and draws heavy influence from classic cyberpunk visuals. Though divisive among critics, Mute is noted for its grimy futuristic aesthetic, bleak tone, and themes of isolation and technological intrusion.