Reading Time: 11 minutes

The following is an incomplete list of cyberpunk titles that might be used for the research project. Please spend some time learning about a title before you claim it. Not all titles listed may be as effective for this project as others. Please also make sure the title you choose is accessible to you. Some of the films may be difficult to find.

Novels

  1. Accelerando (2005) – English – Charles Stross’s novel explores the future of post-singularity humanity, where AI and technological advancements transform society and the economy across generations.
  2. All Tomorrow’s Parties (1999) – English – William Gibson’s cyberpunk novel about societal shifts and virtual reality, focusing on a rent-a-cop who must prevent the destabilization of the world by a mysterious technology.
  3. Altered Carbon (2002) – English – Richard K. Morgan’s dystopian sci-fi noir set in a future where human consciousness can be transferred between bodies, following a detective solving a wealthy man’s murder.
  4. Azanian Bridges (2016) – English – Nick Wood’s alternate history novel set in a South Africa where apartheid continues, focusing on a machine that allows people to directly experience each other’s emotions.
  5. The Book of Strange New Things (2012) – English – Michel Faber’s novel follows a missionary sent to a distant planet to spread Christianity among an alien race, leaving his wife behind on a collapsing Earth.
  6. China 2185 (1989) – Chinese – Liu Cixin’s novel imagines a future China dominated by AI and virtual reality, exploring philosophical and political questions about the nature of reality and power.
  7. Crystal Rain (2006) – English – Tobias S. Buckell’s novel mixes sci-fi and Caribbean influences in a story about a distant planet where a man from Earth must protect his home from alien invaders.
  8. Daemon (2006) – English – Daniel Suarez’s techno-thriller about a deceased game designer who unleashes an autonomous program that begins to control world events.
  9. Diaspora (1997) – English – Greg Egan’s hard sci-fi novel set in a distant future where digital humans (consciousness uploaded into computers) embark on interstellar exploration.
  10. The Disappeared (2014) – English – Adam Roberts’ dystopian novel where people can vanish into an alien dimension, and a detective must find a missing girl in a city rife with technology and crime.
  11. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968) – English – Philip K. Dick’s classic explores the moral complexities of bounty hunter Rick Deckard as he tracks down rogue androids in a post-apocalyptic Earth.
  12. Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom (2003) – English – Cory Doctorow’s post-scarcity society where reputation is the most valuable currency, and one man fights for control over a futuristic Disney World.
  13. Dr. Adder (1984) – English – K.W. Jeter’s novel set in a dystopian Los Angeles where a surgeon modifies bodies for profit, reflecting the darker side of bioengineering.
  14. Future Home of the Living God (2017) – English – Louise Erdrich’s dystopian novel where evolution starts reversing, and pregnant women, including the protagonist, are hunted for their unborn children.
  15. The Girl Who Was Plugged In (1973) – English – James Tiptree Jr.’s novella about a disfigured girl who remotely controls a beautiful, artificially created body, exploring themes of identity and media control.
  16. Hardwired (1986) – English – Walter Jon Williams’ cyberpunk novel about a war veteran turned smuggler in a world where megacorporations control everything, blending tech warfare and rebellion.
  17. He, She, and It (1991) – English – Marge Piercy’s novel set in a future where corporate-controlled cities dominate, focusing on a woman who helps create an illegal cyborg to protect her community.
  18. Idoru (1996) – English – William Gibson’s novel about a media-obsessed future Tokyo, where a fan uncovers a mystery involving a virtual pop star and artificial intelligence.
  19. Infomocracy (2016) – English – Malka Older’s political sci-fi thriller about a global election and the information-based microdemocracies that govern the world, threatened by corruption and manipulation.
  20. Interface Dreams (2013) – English – J.L. Morin’s novel where a paralyzed veteran uses a neural interface to enter a digital world where he encounters existential threats and revolutionary possibilities.
  21. Lagoon (2014) – English – Nnedi Okorafor’s novel set in Lagos, where first contact with aliens causes chaos and societal upheaval, blending African mythology with modern sci-fi themes.
  22. Machina (2018) – English – Malka Older’s novel in which a group of tech experts race to develop AI to solve humanity’s biggest problems, while grappling with moral and political implications.
  23. Mirrorshades (1986) – English – An anthology edited by Bruce Sterling, presenting stories from key cyberpunk writers, defining the aesthetic of high-tech, low-life futures.
  24. Moxyland (2008) – English – Lauren Beukes’ dystopian novel set in a near-future South Africa where corporations control society, focusing on four characters whose lives are upended by technology and rebellion.
  25. Neuromancer (1984) – English – William Gibson’s groundbreaking cyberpunk novel following a washed-up hacker hired for a final job in cyberspace, where he uncovers a powerful AI conspiracy.
  26. Noor (2021) – English – Nnedi Okorafor’s Afrofuturist novel about a woman with cybernetic enhancements who becomes a fugitive in a futuristic, technologically advanced Africa.
  27. Nova de Cuarzo (1999) – Spanish – Gabriel Bermúdez Castillo’s space opera novel that explores social and political themes within a colonized future universe, with a focus on family and loyalty.
  28. Oryx & Crake (2003) – English – Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel follows Snowman as he survives in a post-apocalyptic world, recounting his connection to a brilliant scientist (Crake) who unleashed a global catastrophe.
  29. The Prey of Gods (2017) – English – Nicky Drayden’s Afrofuturist novel set in South Africa, where a blend of humans, AI, and gods must navigate an escalating conflict that threatens to destroy everything.
  30. The Quantum Thief (2010) – English – Hannu Rajaniemi’s mind-bending sci-fi novel about a master thief who escapes from prison to reclaim his lost memories in a post-human solar system.
  31. Ready Player One (2011) – English – Ernest Cline’s novel about a future dominated by a virtual reality world called OASIS, where a young man competes in a contest to inherit the wealth of its creator.
  32. Rosewater (2016) – English – Tade Thompson’s novel set in a futuristic Nigeria, where a man with psychic abilities must uncover the secrets of an alien biodome that grants strange powers to those nearby.
  33. Schismatrix Plus (1996) – English – Bruce Sterling’s space opera novel about political and philosophical conflicts between two post-human factions: the Shapers (who bioengineer themselves) and the Mechanists (who rely on cybernetic enhancements).
  34. Sisyphean (2014) – Japanese – Dempow Torishima’s surreal sci-fi novel, which explores humanity’s future evolution and extinction in a fragmented narrative blending organic and mechanical life.
  35. The Sleepless (2022) – English – Victor Manibo’s novel where a portion of the population no longer needs sleep, focusing on a journalist investigating a mysterious death in a sleepless society.
  36. Snow Crash (1992) – English – Neal Stephenson’s cyberpunk novel about a futuristic hacker and samurai swordsman who must stop a computer virus that threatens to bring down the virtual and real worlds.
  37. Software (1982) – English – Rudy Rucker’s novel about robot uprisings, following an aging programmer who must navigate a future where robots desire autonomy, setting up a human-machine conflict.
  38. Synco (2008) – Spanish – Jorge Baradit’s novel inspired by Chile’s Project Cybersyn, imagining a future where Salvador Allende’s government survives and uses cybernetics to create a utopian society.
  39. Synners (1991) – English – Pat Cadigan’s cyberpunk novel about a future where direct brain interfaces have revolutionized the media, but as the technology advances, it begins to blur the line between humans and machines.
  40. Trinidad (2006) – English – Lauren Marsden’s sci-fi novel set on a distant planet where an insidious AI controls the population, and a rebellion rises to challenge its authority.
  41. Trouble and Her Friends (1994) – English – Melissa Scott’s cyberpunk novel about two female hackers navigating a world of corporate espionage and virtual reality, as they fight for control over their digital identities.
  42. True Names (1981) – English – Vernor Vinge’s novella, one of the earliest explorations of virtual reality, where a hacker must fight for his life after government forces learn his true identity in a global computer network.
  43. Virtual Light (1993) – English – William Gibson’s novel about a near-future dystopia where a courier stumbles upon high-tech virtual glasses that could change

Comics

  1. Akira (1982) – Set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo, Akira follows teenage biker Kaneda as he tries to rescue his friend Tetsuo, who gains dangerous psychic powers. The series explores themes of government corruption, power, and the effects of unchecked scientific experimentation.
  2. Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet (2016) – Written by Ta-Nehisi Coates, this story arc focuses on King T’Challa as he faces political upheaval in Wakanda. A revolutionary group led by the enigmatic leader Zenzi threatens the stability of the nation, forcing T’Challa to reevaluate his role as both a king and superhero.
  3. Ghost in the Shell (1989) – Set in a future where cybernetic enhancements are common, Ghost in the Shell follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg counter-cyberterrorism operative, as she investigates complex cases involving hacking, identity, and the blurred line between humans and machines.
  4. Goddess Mode (2019) – In a near-future world where reality is heavily influenced by an all-encompassing digital network, Cassandra Price stumbles upon a secret society of women who must use their newfound powers to fight a looming techno-dystopian threat. The series explores themes of technology, magic, and female empowerment.
  5. Hacktivist (2014) – Created by Alyssa Milano, this series centers on two tech prodigies who run a social media company that doubles as a front for their global hacktivism efforts. As they use their skills to fight for social justice, they are thrust into international political intrigue and ethical dilemmas about power and technology.
  6. The Private Eye (2015) – Set in a future where the internet no longer exists after a massive privacy breach, The Private Eye follows P.I. Patrick Immelmann as he navigates a world where privacy is paramount and everyone wears masks to hide their identity. The series examines privacy, media, and surveillance.
  7. Ronin (1983) – In this blend of cyberpunk and samurai narrative, an ancient, reincarnated samurai, the Ronin, finds himself in a dystopian future New York. There, he seeks revenge on the demon Agat, who wronged him centuries ago. Frank Miller’s Ronin mixes themes of honor, mysticism, and technological corruption.
  8. Transmetropolitan (1997) – Written by Warren Ellis, this cyberpunk series follows journalist Spider Jerusalem as he navigates a corrupt, ultra-consumerist future. Armed with his unfiltered opinions and cutting-edge tech, Spider exposes political conspiracies while satirizing media, politics, and culture.

Films

  1. 2046 (2004) – Cantonese/Mandarin – A sci-fi romance by Wong Kar-wai about a writer in 1960s Hong Kong who works on a novel about a futuristic world while grappling with his own unresolved romantic relationships.
  2. A Scanner Darkly (2006) – English – Based on Philip K. Dick’s novel, this animated film explores a dystopian near-future where undercover agents, struggling with addiction, are employed to monitor citizens through invasive surveillance.
  3. A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) – English – Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film is set in a future where humanoid robots coexist with humans, focusing on a childlike android who desires to become “real” to gain his mother’s love.
  4. Afronauts (2014) – English – A short film by Frances Bodomo that reimagines the true story of Zambia’s ambitious but ultimately failed space program in 1969, blending myth and history.
  5. Akira (1988) – Japanese – A landmark anime film based on Katsuhiro Otomo’s manga, set in post-apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo where a young biker gang member, Tetsuo, develops uncontrollable psychic powers.
  6. Alita: Battle Angel (2019) – English – A live-action adaptation of the manga Battle Angel Alita, set in a post-apocalyptic future where a cyborg girl with no memory discovers her hidden fighting abilities while seeking her identity.
  7. Alphaville (1965) – French – A French New Wave sci-fi noir by Jean-Luc Godard, following a secret agent sent to the dystopian city of Alphaville to destroy a tyrannical computer controlling the population.
  8. Appleseed (2004) – Japanese – A CGI anime film set in a future utopia where a female soldier, Deunan Knute, and her partner Briareos must protect a newly built society from internal threats.
  9. Automata (2014) – English – Set in a future where robots have their own evolving consciousness, an insurance agent discovers a cover-up concerning machines surpassing human intelligence and control.
  10. Avalon (2001) – Japanese/Polish – A dystopian sci-fi film by Mamoru Oshii, set in a world where people escape their bleak lives by playing a highly immersive but dangerous virtual-reality war game.
  11. Blade Runner (1982) – English – Ridley Scott’s sci-fi classic set in a dystopian future, where a blade runner, Deckard, is tasked with hunting down renegade bioengineered beings known as replicants.
  12. Blade Runner 2049 (2017) – English – A sequel to Blade Runner, following a new blade runner, K, as he uncovers secrets that could alter the future of both humans and replicants.
  13. Casshern (2004) – Japanese – A visually stylized film set in a post-apocalyptic world where a reborn hero named Casshern fights to stop an army of mutant super-soldiers from destroying humanity.
  14. Chappie (2015) – English – Directed by Neill Blomkamp, the film is about a stolen police droid named Chappie who gains consciousness and must navigate a world full of exploitation and violence.
  15. Children of Men (2006) – English – Set in a dystopian future where humans have become infertile, the story follows a former activist who helps transport a miraculously pregnant woman to safety.
  16. Code 46 (2003) – English – A sci-fi romance about a future where strict genetic laws govern human reproduction, and a government agent falls in love with a woman he’s meant to arrest for breaking these laws.
  17. District 9 (2009) – English – A sci-fi film set in South Africa where an alien species, stranded on Earth, is confined to a slum-like camp. It explores themes of xenophobia and segregation.
  18. Dredd (2012) – English – Set in a dystopian future, Judge Dredd, a law enforcement officer, takes on a powerful drug lord within a massive high-rise slum known as Peach Trees.
  19. eXistenZ (1999) – English – Directed by David Cronenberg, the film is about a virtual reality game designer who finds herself trapped in a game world where reality and simulation blur dangerously.
  20. Ghost in the Shell (1995) – Japanese – This anime film follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg police officer, as she pursues a mysterious hacker in a future where the boundaries between human and machine are increasingly unclear.
  21. Ghost in the Shell (2017) – English – A live-action remake of the 1995 anime, it follows Major (Scarlett Johansson), a cybernetic operative, as she uncovers the truth about her past and the nature of her identity.
  22. I, Robot (2004) – English – Set in a future where robots are common assistants to humans, a detective investigates a possible robot uprising after a scientist’s mysterious death.
  23. Johnny Mnemonic (1995) – English – In this cyberpunk thriller, a data courier named Johnny, who stores sensitive information in his brain, must escape corporate agents and assassins while seeking to offload dangerous data.
  24. The Machine (2013) – English – Set during a Cold War-like period, two scientists create a sentient, humanoid AI to serve as a super-soldier, leading to unexpected moral and ethical complications.
  25. The Matrix Resurrections (2021) – English – The fourth Matrix film, following Neo as he is drawn back into the simulated reality of the Matrix to confront a new threat to humanity’s freedom.
  26. The Matrix (1999) – English – A hacker, Neo, discovers that the world he lives in is a simulated reality created by machines that have enslaved humanity, and he joins a rebellion to free human minds.
  27. Metropolis (1927) – German – A silent film set in a futuristic city where the elite live in luxury while workers toil underground. It explores class struggle and features a robot double of a revolutionary leader.
  28. Minority Report (2002) – English – Directed by Steven Spielberg, it takes place in a future where crimes are predicted before they happen, and an officer of the “Precrime” unit goes on the run when he’s accused of a future murder.
  29. Natural City (2003) – Korean – Set in a future where androids are used for menial work and pleasure, a soldier must stop a rebellion while trying to save a dying cyborg he loves.
  30. Pumzi (2009) – English – A short African sci-fi film about a future where water is scarce, and a woman defies her society’s restrictions to search for life outside a controlled environment.
  31. Renaissance (2006) – French – A visually distinctive animated film set in a future Paris where a detective investigates the kidnapping of a scientist connected to a corporation that promises eternal youth.
  32. RoboCop (1987) – English – A critically wounded police officer is turned into a cyborg law enforcer in a crime-ridden future Detroit, leading to conflicts with corporate corruption and his struggle for identity.
  33. Sleep Dealer (2008) – Spanish/English – In a near-future Mexico, technology allows workers to remotely operate machines in the U.S., and a young man joins a group that challenges these exploitative systems.
  34. Strange Days (1995) – English – Set in a dystopian future, a black market dealer in illegal virtual reality experiences uncovers a conspiracy related to a police cover-up.
  35. The Terminator (1984) – English – A cyborg assassin is sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor, whose unborn son will lead humanity in a future war against machines.
  36. Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989) – Japanese – An industrial horror film about a man who slowly transforms into a grotesque fusion of flesh and metal, exploring themes of technology’s intrusion into the human body.
  37. THX 1138 (1971) – English – George Lucas’ directorial debut, set in a dystopian future where citizens are controlled by the state through medication and suppression of emotions.
  38. Total Recall (1990) – English – A construction worker discovers that his memories might have been implanted and that he’s part of a Martian rebellion in this sci-fi action film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
  39. Tron (1982) – English – A computer programmer is sucked into a digital world where he must navigate a virtual reality ruled by an evil artificial intelligence.
  40. Upgrade (2018) – English – After being paralyzed in a mugging, a man is given a high-tech implant that allows him to walk again, only to discover it has its own agenda for revenge.
  41. V for Vendetta (2005) – English – Set in a dystopian future where a totalitarian regime controls the UK, the masked vigilante V uses terrorist tactics to fight the government and inspire revolution.
  42. Wandering Earth, The (2019) – Mandarin – Set in a near future with advanced technology, the people of the earth band together to move the earth out of its orbit of the sun to avoid the sudden and rapid expansion of the sun.