Nerds are well known for their entertainment preferences. We come out in large numbers to show support for almost anything which may be close to what we like.
Now, there are many films which could be argued as more popular amongst the community, but these just so happen to be not only loved but also well referenced in terms of everyday conversation. Some of these movies are indeed based off books; however, most often the popularity–even amongst nerds–reemerged when the movie hit theaters.
For your convenience and mine, I will clump the trilogies together. And with that, I will leave you with the list of 10 movies nerds love and reference.
- Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Why nerds love it: Alright, so not everyone loved it (which is why it isn’t higher on the list), but I (and many others) swear by this film. The hilarity, extra-terrestrials, and deconstruction and reconstruction of Earth are perfect examples of magnificence.
How it’s referenced: 42. That is all you need to know.
- Matrix
Why nerds love it: A computer geek turns out to be the “chosen one” with kick ass fighting ability and gets a pretty hot girlfriend. As well, the idea of being plugged into a virtual reality gives many of us a hope for life being better than it is today. What’s not to love (besides Keanu Reeves being Keanu Reeves)?
How it’s referenced: Neo, artificial intelligence, and the slow motion fighting are amongst many of the frequently mentioned subjects in life of nerds. Alright, so the slow motion fighting is often coupled with this lists #1.
- Terminator
Why nerds love it: Robots fighting robots, Arnold being bad ass, tons of explosions, and just the thought about the possibilities of AI in the future.
How it’s referenced: Anything Arnold related generally has to do with the Terminator. “I’ll be back”, the sunglasses, being completely kick ass, etc. Then once you add in the talk about robots starting a war (although this can also be attributed to I, Robot), the liquid robot, the term ‘terminator’ when talking about robots, and the oh so much love for Linda Hamilton in the 80s you have a movie that is referenced almost daily.
- Planet of the Apes
Why nerds love it: Traveling faster than life and going to far away places is a dream of many nerds (and so is dating a chimp… oops, did I say that?). Once you add in the fact that humans ruined humanity, well, you are right down nerd-alley.
How it’s referenced: This film is all about the quotes. “Take your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!” and “You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!” are always the favorite. These quotes aren’t always mentioned of course, but when they are it is always awesome.
- Soylent Green
Why nerds love it: Futurism, overpopulation, global warming, and the police overstepping their powers. This movie is essentially what nerds talk about daily but all wrapped up into a film. Oh, except the eating other humans part-unless you count zombies.
How it’s referenced: This film is often talked about when it comes to global warming and the police over stepping their limits. Of course, this is my favorite: “It’s people. Soylent Green is made out of people.” Mmm.. delicious humans. This subject is talked about both seriously and non-seriously. Just imagine, if everyone gave their meat to the hungry after death the world would have a lot less starvation and many more cannibals. Earth needs more cannibals. It helps keep things interesting.
- Lord of the Rings
Why nerds love it: Everyone loves an orc, dwarf, goblin, and elf war. If you don’t, then you probably aren’t a nerd. Yep, “probably.” That is, because you might just be a nerd who acts like you hate the films because it is popular. In that case, you are would be the ultimate nerd.
How it’s referenced: The books are definitely referenced more with mega-nerds speaking in Elvish. Nonetheless, the films still make it into conversations quite often. One reason, the films completely kicked ass. The second reason, many female nerds absolutely love the elf. But -how- exactly is the film referenced? Mainly with calling others Gollum or speaking in his voice.
- Back to the Future
Why nerds love it: An entire generation of nerds grew up wishing they could ride a hover board and time travel due to this movie. The hover boards, time travel, the humor, and seeing the bad guy get manure dumped on somehow floats our boat. If it wasn’t for the third film, the Back to the Future trilogy would rank higher on everyones list as must see.
How it’s referenced: The flux capacitor. Whenever time travel is mentioned, the flux capacitor is a sentence after. Mr. Fusion is another which is mentioned quite often. How cool would it be to turn garbage into energy? Well, nerds are working on it. Obviously, Mr. Fusion makes its way into conversations as an alternative energy source quite often as well. Others: DeLorean, hover boards, flying cars.
- 2001: A Space Odyssey
Why nerds love it: Stanley Kubrik always has great cinematography and this film is no different. Add in the evolution of humans, space travel, and great special effects (which have aged incredibly well some 40-years after) and you have a great flick. This film is often seen as one of the best films of all time, so it shouldn’t be surprising that it makes the list.
How it’s referenced: The computer, Hall 9000, always seems to make its way into conversations. Don’t ask me how, but it just happens. We just love evil computers. Ironic, eh?
- Star Trek
Why nerds love it: Nerds love almost everything about the enormous Star Trek franchise. Warp speed, the many humanoid races with wide-ranging back stories, each character having a deep personality and history, the connections between each Star Trek film are just to name a few.
How it’s referenced: “Beam me up Scotty!” is just one of the many quotes famously said on Star Trek. What is most popular, or rather, mostly known by non-Trekkies, are the fans who dress up as Vulcans or Klignons for conventions (or role play, I don’t judge).
- Star Wars
Why nerds love it: Mmm… Jedi powers they have. Yes, everyone loves Yoda. A green frog who talks and has super powers? Awesome. A chosen one who sets out to save the galaxy (and just so happens to look human)? Even better. Add in space travel, lightsabers, and Harrison Ford and you just might have one of the best films made for nerds of all-time.
How it’s referenced: Every nerd and their sister has at one time spoken into a fan to sound like Darth Vader. Don’t deny it! Then you have nerds who talk like Yoda, nerds who dress like space troopers, and others who dance around with lightsabers. Of course, I can’t forget to mention the Leia costume.
You might be wondering why there is a funky ordering or why Tron, Logan’s Run, or others aren’t mentioned. Obviously, that is because some films aren’t well referenced in nerd culture and some movies are more loved than others. Besides, if you dislike this list, comment and tell me what you think it should be.
Written: Apr 27, 2009
Chinaren
April 28, 2009 @ 10:22 am
I say ST should be number 1.
Make it so.
God, I’m such a nerd.
Gary R. Hess
April 29, 2009 @ 2:53 am
I’ve always liked the episodes better. I can’t wait until the new movie comes out though, it looks awesome.
Nightfall
May 4, 2009 @ 5:35 am
The Matrix is my favorite, second is Starwars. How about a list for 10 Scifi books nerds love.