Hackers at 30: Nostalgia, Legacy & the Upcoming 4K Anniversary Edition

On September 15, 1995, Hackers hit theaters. Directed by Iain Softley and starring a young Angelina Jolie, Jonny Lee Miller, and Matthew Lillard, the film was dismissed on release but quickly grew into a cult classic. Today, as it marks its 30th anniversary, Hackers is getting new love with special screenings and a deluxe 4K edition.

Why Hackers Still Matters
The movie’s neon-drenched visuals, techno soundtrack, and over-the-top hacking sequences defined how a generation imagined the internet. Even if its “hacking” looks absurd by today’s standards, the energy, DIY rebellion, and “hack the planet” spirit still resonate in 2025’s culture of digital freedom, cyberpunk revival, and nostalgia for the ‘90s.

The 30th Anniversary Edition
A deluxe 30th anniversary 4K/Blu-ray edition arrives September 22, 2025, from 88 Films. The package includes remastered visuals, bonus features, and collector packaging — a must-grab for longtime fans and new viewers who want to experience it in crisp modern quality.

Screenings & Events
The anniversary is being marked with theater screenings, like the Somerville Theatre’s “Hackers 30th Anniversary” event. Expect more cult-cinema venues to host showings this fall.

Fun Facts

• The movie features one of Angelina Jolie’s breakout roles.
• Its soundtrack (Orbital, Underworld, The Prodigy) became as iconic as the film.
• The line “Hack the Planet!” still pops up in memes and retro T-shirts.
• It predicted cyber-rebellion themes that later became mainstream in Mr. Robot and other shows.
• Villain Eugene “The Plague” Belford, played by Fisher Stevens, famously rides a skateboard through corporate hallways — at one point trying to snatch a disk with the crucial hacking data. It’s a gloriously over-the-top moment that cemented his status as one of the strangest ‘90s movie villains.

Conclusion
Three decades later, Hackers is more than a movie — it’s a cultural time capsule of ‘90s tech optimism and digital rebellion. Whether you’re revisiting it for nostalgia or discovering it for the first time, this is the perfect moment to “hack the planet.”