10 Movies and Shows Like Silicon Valley (2014)

Description: Similar to Silicon Valley, The IT Crowd is a comedy series that revolves around the quirky and often absurd world of tech professionals. Both shows highlight the eccentricities of tech culture, with a focus on the misfits who work in the industry. The humor in both shows stems from the characters' social awkwardness and the ridiculous situations they find themselves in due to their tech-centric lives.

Fact: The IT Crowd was created by Graham Linehan, who also co-created Father Ted. The show was initially rejected by Channel 4 but was later picked up after a successful pilot. The iconic 'Have you tried turning it off and on again?' line became a cultural reference in tech support humor.

Description: The Big Bang Theory shares Silicon Valley's focus on geek culture and the lives of socially awkward but highly intelligent individuals. Both shows use humor to explore the quirks of tech-savvy characters, though The Big Bang Theory has a broader scope, including physics and other sciences.

Fact: The show was originally pitched as 'Lenny, Penny, and Kenny' before becoming The Big Bang Theory. The theme song is by the Canadian band Barenaked Ladies. The show's scientific content was vetted by UCLA professor David Saltzberg.

Description: The Social Network, like Silicon Valley, delves into the world of tech startups and the personalities behind them. Both explore themes of ambition, betrayal, and the high-stakes environment of Silicon Valley. The film's portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg's rise mirrors the competitive and often cutthroat nature of the tech industry seen in Silicon Valley.

Fact: The screenplay was written by Aaron Sorkin and is based on the book The Accidental Billionaires. Jesse Eisenberg prepared for his role by studying tapes of Mark Zuckerberg's public appearances. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay.

Description: Black Mirror and Silicon Valley both explore the impact of technology on society, but Black Mirror does so through a dystopian lens. Each episode of Black Mirror presents a standalone story that examines the potential dark side of technological advancements, much like how Silicon Valley often satirizes the unintended consequences of tech innovations.

Fact: The show's title refers to the black screens of devices when they are turned off. Charlie Brooker, the creator, was inspired by The Twilight Zone. The episode 'San Junipero' won two Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Television Movie.

Description: The Internship shares Silicon Valley's setting in the tech world, specifically at Google. Both highlight the culture of tech companies and the challenges of fitting into that environment. The film's comedic take on internships at a major tech company parallels Silicon Valley's satirical look at startup life.

Fact: The film was shot on location at Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California. Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson starred together in the film, reuniting after their success in Wedding Crashers. Google cooperated with the production, providing access to its campus and employees.

Description: Halt and Catch Fire shares Silicon Valley's focus on the tech industry, but it takes a more dramatic approach, exploring the personal and professional lives of its characters during the PC revolution of the 1980s and 1990s. Both shows delve into the challenges of innovation, the pressure to succeed, and the impact of technology on society.

Fact: The title refers to a computer machine code instruction that causes the computer to stop functioning. The show was initially set in the early 1980s but later jumped to the 1990s to explore the rise of the internet. Despite critical acclaim, the show struggled with low ratings throughout its run.

Description: The Circle, like Silicon Valley, critiques the tech industry's influence on privacy and personal freedom. Both explore the ethical implications of tech companies' power and the consequences of their innovations. The film's dystopian view of a tech giant's control over society mirrors some of the darker themes in Silicon Valley.

Fact: The film is based on the novel of the same name by Dave Eggers. Emma Watson and Tom Hanks star in the film. The movie's production design was inspired by real tech companies like Apple and Google.

Description: Mr. Robot shares Silicon Valley's tech-savvy protagonist and a deep dive into the world of coding and hacking. However, Mr. Robot takes a much darker and psychological approach, focusing on cybersecurity and corporate espionage. Both shows, though tonally different, highlight the power and dangers of technology in modern society.

Fact: The show's creator, Sam Esmail, originally intended it to be a film. Rami Malek won an Emmy for his portrayal of Elliot Alderson. The show's depiction of hacking was praised for its accuracy by cybersecurity experts.

Description: Upload, like Silicon Valley, is set in a tech-driven future and uses humor to explore the implications of digital advancements. Both shows feature startups and tech companies pushing the boundaries of innovation, though Upload focuses more on the afterlife and virtual reality.

Fact: The show was created by Greg Daniels, who also worked on The Office and Parks and Recreation. The concept was inspired by the idea of digital immortality. The show's visual effects were created using a combination of practical sets and CGI.

Description: Devs, like Silicon Valley, explores the tech industry's cutting-edge innovations, but with a darker, more philosophical tone. Both shows examine the consequences of technological advancements and the ethical dilemmas they present. Devs focuses on a secretive tech company, similar to how Silicon Valley portrays the inner workings of a startup.

Fact: Devs was created by Alex Garland, known for his work on Ex Machina and Annihilation. The show was filmed on location in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area. The series explores themes of determinism and free will, heavily influenced by quantum mechanics.