Each film contains a brief synopsis, highlighting its relevance to game theory. Some films contain links to reviews, discussion, as well as links to the film's page at Amazon.com Some movie clips () and sound clips () are also available.

Film Description Clips (more info) Reviews

Dr. Strangelove Kubrick's cold war dark comedy. One five-minute scene explains credible commitment, highlighting the importance of clarity, irreversibility, and public knowledge. (Dark Comedy, 1964) Roger Ebert's review Movie scene: "Deterrence is the art of producing in the mind of the enemy the fear to attack ..." READ MORE

Murder by Numbers Two murderers are likely to go free. Each is confronted with the prisoner's dilemma when placed in separate rooms and threatened with the death penalty. "Just think of it as a game," the detective tells us, "Whoever talks first is the winner." Roger Ebert's review (Thriller, 2002) Movie web site Movie scene: "You think they'll keep talking without an attorney present? ... They want to prove they're smarter than we are." READ MORE

Return to Paradise A prisoner's dilemma with a twist. Neither criminal faces jail time if he refuses to confess, but if neither confesses, a friend will be put to death. (Drama, 1998) Roger Ebert's review Movie scene: The film's theatrical trailer READ MORE

War Games A defense department computer, after repeatedly playing tic-tac-toe, discovers grim trigger strategies and concludes that nuclear war is a "strange game - the only winning move is not to play." (Thriller, 1983) Sound clip: "Strange game. The only winning move is not to play." READ MORE

Ransom Irrationality improves Mel Gibson's bargaining power as he turns the tables on the kidnappers of his son. (Drama, 1996) Roger Ebert's review Movie scene: "Instead, I am offering this money as a reward on your head." NEW! READ MORE

House of Games David Mamet's directorial debut incorporates the finer elements of poker, confidence games, and con artists. What's there for a game theorist not to like? (Thriller, 1987) Roger Ebert's review READ MORE

500 Nations (vol. 2) Volume two of this eight part documentary features the story of the Spanish conqueror Cortez who burned his ships upon landing in Mexico as a form of commitment. (Documentary, 1995) READ MORE

Bad Manners Very reminiscent of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. A primary character is a game-theoretician. (Drama, 1998) Roger Ebert's review READ MORE

Playing RPS to Win Mixed strategies taken a bit too far in this comedic training video prepping a new batch of recruits for competitive Rock-Paper-Scissors. (Short Film, 2003) Watch an excerpt from the movie

RPS 2004: Road to the championship A mockumentary about players honing their skills and contemplating mixed strategies for the upcoming rock-paper-scissors championship. (Short Film, 2004) Watch the short film at YouTube