Cyberpunk 2077 releases Thursday, September 17th, 2020 - but in the meantime, here are some excellent movies, games, books and music in the Cyberpunk genre that will keep all of you Choombas in hype-mode during the short wait until then ;)
Blade Runner
The undisputed Godfather and originator of the look and atmosphere we call "Cyberpunk". Based on Philip K. Dick's 1968 novel "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?" and 2 years before William Gibson delivered "Neuromancer", Ridley Scott delivered this benchmark in Cyberpunk cinema.
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Blade Runner 2049
Denis Villeneuve's more than worthy sequel to the paradigm of Cyberpunk cinema, 1982's original "Blade Runner ". This 2017 Oscar winner blew me away, as I thought that nothing could even come close to the original - and this one did.
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Akira
Arguably the most famous, successful and renowned of the Japanese Cyberpunk movies is Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira. Released in 1988, This one is an absolute must-see. This project was done before CG animation became a mainstream addition to the medium and as such, 99% of everything you see is hand drawn, down to the last detail. This movie will blow your mind at the incredible level of detail displayed on the screen.
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Ghost In The Shell [anime and live-action version]
Japan's other incredible entry into the realm of Cyberpunk is Mamoru Oshii's 1995 anime film based on Masamune Shirow's 1989 manga of the same name. It is a visual feast for the senses. The 2017 live-action remake is at times a near shot-for-shot reimagining of the original landmark anime.
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Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
The undisputed king of the Post-Apocalyptic Action film genre; Mad Max 2 [The Road Warrior in North America] is an onslaught of a movie. All the films in the Mad Max saga are superb - but this one is the best of the bunch. Definitely one to watch to get acquainted with the Cyberpunk Nomad Life Path🤘
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Hokuto no Ken/Fist Of The North Star
What do you get when you combine the best parts of Mad Max, with a dash of Bruce Lee? You get Kenshiro - the badass hero of the Wastelands!
You can't talk about Mad Max and not mention Hokuto no Ken/Fist Of The North Star. This legendary anime started as a Manga series in Weekly Shōnen Jump, written by Buronson and illustrated by Tetsuo Hara from 1983-1988 and then became a TV series in 1984; followed by a cult-classic movie in 1986 [1991 in North America]. Don't miss out on either the TV series or the film - they are spectacular and will definitely get you into the Cyberpunk Nomad mindset.
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Strange Days
The first time I can remember seeing Ralph Fiennes onscreen was in this movie. Great atmosphere and a thrilling plot make this 1995 flick a fun ride. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, written by James Cameron and set in a "future" Los Angeles in 1999 on the Eve of the Millennium; the Cyberpunk nods are strong with this one; as the "SQUID" [Super-conducting Quantum Interference Device] is the very defintion of Cyberpunk 2020's "Braindance" and the oppressive police state and general dystopian aesthetic of society are tropes common in the Cyberpunk genre.
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The Matrix
What can be said about this 1999 movie that hasn't been said already? If you haven't already seen this loving homage to Cyberpunk, anime and Kung-Fu films; please treat yourself and watch it as soon as possible!
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Robocop
Paul Verhoeven's take on Cyberpunk and dystopic society. If you can see the unrated version of this 1987 classic, you are in for one gory, bloody, pleasure of a time!
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Robocop 2
RoboCop returns in this 1990 sequel to the 1987 original. Directed by Irvin Kershner [Director of "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back"], no expense was spared on violence, spectacle, atmosphere and giving the audience an amazingly good time.
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Runaway
Tom Selleck and Gene Simmons from Kiss star in this Sci-fi, Cyberpunk thriller. Aside from a gripping narrative, this is the first movie to feature smart-guns with smart-bullets that lock-onto, follow and track specific targets. Also included are cars that drive themselves, robot assassination spiders and a mesmerizing soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith.
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Virtuosity
This movie is awesome! It has heavy Cyberpunk atmosphere, settings, tech and action with a great narrative and a kick-ass soundtrack!
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If you want to check it out, it's actually free on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Qen1sQf7g5A
Freejack
This 1992 Cyberpunk Sci-fi flick is simply a good time. Starring Emilio Estevez, Anthony Hopkins and Mick Jagger co-stars as the villain's henchman. He actually does a decent job acting!
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TRON
One of Disney's best movies, this Cyberpunk thriller is about a computer programmer turned arcade owner that gets literally pulled into the master control program of the company he used to work for and has to battle his way out as a program himself.
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TRON: Legacy
Great special effects, great acting, great atmosphere and an amazing soundtrack by Daft Punk make this movie a must-watch.
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I, Robot
Based on Isaac Asimov's 1950 short story collection of the same name, Will Smith takes us for a ride full of visually stunning Cyberpunk settings and action-packed set-pieces.
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Johnny Mnemonic
This Keanu Reeves 1995 pre-Matrix outing is a very entertaining Cyberpunk treat. It is based on William Gibson's short story that appeared in Omni Magazine circa 1981. The soundtrack is composed by Brad Fiedel, who also composed the soundtrack to "The Terminator". It is also the inspiration for the Kendachi Monowhip/Slice N' Dice in Cyberpunk 2020.
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Ready Player One
Steven Spielberg directs this 2018 feature and gives us an incredibly stunning visual feast for the eyes and ears in this thrilling Cyberpunk dystopia where people escape into the virtual reality world of the OASIS.
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Alita: Battle Angel
Directed by Robert Rodriguez and produced by James Cameron, this film covers the Cyberpunk tropes of a dystopian society, cyberware augmentation and neon nights. The special effects are next-level - as is the action. Don't pass on this one🤘
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The Fifth Element
Luc Besson's 1997 very colorful and vibrant take on Cyberpunk is far from perfect, but it's atmosphere will draw you in from the opening scene to the ending credits. Also look for Gary Oldman wearing half of a plastic bowl on his head.
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The Running Man
This 1987 film is based on the 1982 Stephen King short story of the same name. King wrote it under the pen name of "Richard Bachman". It is an incredibly fun movie and has an epic synth soundtrack composed by Harold Faltermeyer.
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Pacific Rim
Guillermo del Toro's 2013 cinematic take on Giant Robo/Cyberpunk anime. It's really, really good :)
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Judge Dredd
Sylvester Stallone stars in this 1995 Cyberpunk action thriller that is equal parts atmosphere and action.
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Dredd
Karl Urban stars in this 2012 film that takes the mantle of the Judge Dredd franchise and blazes a new trail all it's own.
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Total Recall
This 1990 Paul Verhoeven Cyberpunk film is also one of his finest works. Featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, it is based on the short story "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale" written by Philip K. Dick in 1966. The 2012 remake is great too, especially since they made the world visually fit more into the Blade Runner universe, since Philip K. Dick wrote it as such.
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Minority Report
Another movie based off of a Philip K. Dick story, this time from 1990. Seriously, this guy was unknowingly the master of Cyberpunk science fiction. This 2002 movie features several of the tropes that Cyberpunk science fiction is famous for, including a dystopic society, body modifications and implants, as well as great atmosphere.
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Brazil
This 1985 Terry Gilliam movie is thick on atmosphere and delivers just the right amount of Cyberpunk to it's viewers. Look for a cool cameo from Robert De Niro and a suitably amazing performance from Jonathan Pryce.
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Equilibrium
This 2002 movie is incredible! In a bleak, dystopian future, the Grammaton Clerics keep order in a lawless society. It's a cult-classic and one of the best action films ever made. The climax of the film is the very definition of "epic".
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eXistenZ
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The Terminator
This 1984 Schwarzenegger classic is Cyberpunk, dystopian, brutal and the soundtrack by Brad Fiedel is legendary.
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Surrogates
This 2009 film is incredibly good! The Cyberpunk atmosphere & aesthetics are strong with this one and Bruce Willis delivers an impactful performance.
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Elysium
Quite literally the definition of Cyberpunk, which includes body modification, cybernetic implants, mega corporations using the elite to control society and the like. Matt Damon stars in this and it is an absolute blast from start to finish!
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Paycheck
Another great Cyberpunk Sci-fi classic based on a short story by Philip K. Dick.
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Upgrade
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Bloodshot
This movie may have a very low rating on Rotten Tomatoes; but sometimes Rotten Tomatoes' tomato reviews are just plain rotten. If you liked "Upgrade", then you will absolutely adore this movie! All the tropes of Cyberpunk cinema are present - a dystopian society, a large corporation attempting to rule the world, cyberware augmentations and brutal, badass action. Do yourself a favor and don't let this one pass you by due to it's reviews/ratings👍
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The Lawnmower Man
Based on a short story by Stephen King [which he sued New Line Cinema for it not meaningfully resembling his story], the plot revolves around Jobe Smith - a simple minded gardener and Dr. Lawrence Angelo - a scientist who experiments on Jobe using Virtual Reality as a means to make him more intelligent. Part Cyberpunk and part Sci-fi Horror; this is an entertaining movie with great [for it's time] special effects and a gripping narrative.
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12 Monkeys
The modern world setting is decidedly Cyberpunk - and this is a truly good film that weaves time-travel and mystery into it's clever narrative.
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Repo Men
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Snatcher
Hideo Kojima's masterful blending of Blade Runner and Akira's world and atmosphere, the Terminator's endoskeletons and the premise of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. It released in 1988, under the genre of "Cyberpunk Adventure" and it was a huge hit and now has attained cult-status.
Blade Runner [PC, 1997]
This is a point-and-click adventure game for the PC developed by Westwood Studios and published by Virgin Interactive. The game isn't a version of Ridley Scott's 1982 film, it's an original story, which is told alongside the film's narrative and occasionally intertwining with it. It's a very good game and worth playing.
Shadowrun
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Rise Of The Dragon
First released in 1990 for the Macintosh and DOS and then again in 1993 for the Amiga and SEGA CD, this heavily Blade Runner inspired game features great atmosphere and a cool, moody soundtrack. It plays in a similar style to Snatcher and is a Cyberpunk Noir detective adventure. Definitely worth checking out.
Deus Ex
This 2000 video game set in a Cyberpunk, dystopian world, features nanomachine-enhanced protagonist JC Denton as he goes against the likes of Majestic 12, the Triads and even the Illuminati. The game has a sequel titled Deus Ex: Invisible War and 2 prequels, Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided.
Detroit: Become Human
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Cyberpunk 2020
Cyberpunk Red
Created by Mike Pondsmith and heavily inspired by the movie "Blade Runner" and William Gibson's novel "Neuromancer", these are Tabletop Role-Playing games where you create a character and then play them in any way that you choose, on the gritty, rain-soaked, atmospheric neon streets of Night City. These are the games that inspired and precede Cyberpunk 2077 and their lore is crucial to understanding the goings-on in that game.
Remember, you're not trying to save the world; you're only trying to save yourself.
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Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?
This book was made into the Cyberpunk movie to end all Cyberpunk movies, which was Ridley Scott's 1982 film "Blade Runner".
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Neuromancer
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Cyberpunk Radio
Here are some Cyberpunk themed Synthwave and New Retro Wave music videos to get you into the Cyberpunk mood!
Also a great Synthwave mix:
Also check out these Synthwave/Techno-Metal artists for a healthy dose of Cyberpunk:
• Perturbator
• Lazerhawk
• Gunship
• Carpenter Brut
• Cloud Battalion
• The Neon Droid
• Robert Parker
• Miami Nights 1984
• Dance With The Dead [Totentanz]
• Kavinsky
• Street Cleaner
• Electric Dragon
• Daniel Deluxe
• Dynatron
• Power Glove
• Grum
• Com Truise
• Mitch Murder
• Scandroid
• FM Attack
• Occams Laser
• Le Matos
• Turbo Knight
• Caspro
• Waveshaper
• Droid Bishop
• GosT
• Celldweller
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