20 Movies Every Nerd Must See Before They Die

By Jack Pooley /

9. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Nobody could have suspected that this $400,000 indie comedy would end up grossing an astonishing $46.2 million worldwide and cementing itself as a cult classic for nerds everywhere. Following social outcast Napoleon (Jon Heder) as he attempts to help his new buddy Pedro (Efren Ramirez) win the class presidency, this movie is propelled forward by its fierce, hilarious originality. Heder gives a superb performance in the title role, and though the narrative itself is nothing special, the film is dripping with unique personality and memorable moments, be it "Do the chickens have large talons?" or that iconic dance scene at the end. It may not be the smartest or most dramatically riveting movie ever, but there's nothing else on Earth like it, and misfit nerds the world over will surely connect with it.