23 Best Robot Movies You Should Watch

Fans of cyborgs, robots, mechs, and androids will definitely find an interesting film for themselves in our selection: the 23 best films about the robotic future of different genres, from action to romantic comedy. In the list, we have included both well-known classics and fresh films.

Blade Runner

Genre: Drama, Action, Science
Fiction Year: 1982
Country: USA
Director: Ridley Scott
Actors: Harrison Ford, Sean Young, Daryl Hannah
IMDb rating: 8.1

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Don’t be fooled by the year of release: the film, created by the legendary Ridley Scott and inspired by Philip K. Dick’s classic novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? It can’t help but be a cult hit. The future in The Runner is dark and dystopian. The lines between the artificial and the human are almost erased. It catches with its atmosphere: rainy streets, bright signs, and flaming neon skyscrapers, creating the appearance of the city of the future, full of mysteries and dangers. Later, the visual of The Runner, for which, by the way, the film was twice nominated for an Oscar, would become a model for many other artists, game developers, and directors who create science fiction about robots.

The film shows us 2019 Los Angeles, where Rick Deckard, played by Harrison Ford, is a hunter of fugitive “replicants,” bioengineered creatures that look indistinguishable from humans. Replicants are stronger, stronger, and more resilient than humans, but their lifespan is negligible even compared to human life. The renegade replicants are looking for their creator to extend the life of their machines, while Deckard is looking for them themselves. Many viewers agree that Rutger Hauer, who played one of the main roles in The Runner, was the real star of the film, although he appeared on the screen only towards the end. In any case, Blade Runner isn’t even universally recognized as the best robot movie. It’s a work of art that, after the end credits, leaves viewers speculating about the future and the nature of the human soul.

The Adventure of A.R.I.: My Robot Friend

Genre: Sci-Fi, Comedy
Year: 2020
Country: France
Director: Steven Shimek
Actors: Jude Manley, Sofia Alonghi
IMDb rating: 4.3

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Among the new films about robots, Robot Ari stands out for its format: it is a light and touching movie for viewers of any age, a story about true friendship that can be born in the most unexpected places and forms. Thus, the introverted and lonely boy Noa finds a true friend in a robot named Ari, for whose sake Noa is even ready to embark on a dangerous journey. Ari is not just a machine. He has artificial intelligence, even his feelings, and friendship with him helps Noah to reveal his own emotions to become more mature and stronger. The age rating of the film is 6+, which means that “Robot Ari” can be the very movie for the evening that is pleasant to watch with the family.

Zoe

Genre: science fiction, romance
Year: 2018
Country: USA
Director: Drake Doremus
Actors: Léa Seydoux, Ewan McGregor
IMDb rating: 6.1

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Zoe and Cole are scientists who work to create the ultimate robot companions for lonely people. Their goal is to develop synthetics: perfect romantic partners devoid of the weaknesses and flaws of real people. Such a start gives rise to a subtle melodramatic story about whether the feeling that the creator has for his creation can be considered sincere. The elegant, minimalist visuals of “Zoe” become the perfect backdrop to watch the acting of the main actors: Léa Seydoux and Ewan McGregor. Some of the viewers blame the excessive prolongation of certain plot moments, but whether this is really the case – decide for yourself while watching the film.

Elysium

Genre: Sci-fi, Action
Year: 2013
Country: USA, Canada
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Actors: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster
IMDb rating: 6.6

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The film is set in the year 2154, by which time social inequality had become the main criterion for building a new social order. The rich and powerful have moved to a space station called Elysium, where they have access to the most advanced technology and advanced medical care. The poor, on the other hand, remain on Earth, forced to struggle to survive in apocalyptic conditions. Max, the protagonist, is on a mission to get to Elysium in order to save his life and change the balance of power.

One of the film’s most striking pluses is the visual effects and the design of the world of the future. They are created with great attention to nuances and are detailed to the maximum. The world of Elysium and the shattered Earth look even better in 4K quality, so viewers can fully enjoy the visual component of the film and imagine this bleak but quite realistic version of the near future.

Surrogates

Genre: Thriller, Drama
Year: 2009
Country: USA
Director: Jonathan Mostow
Actors: Bruce Willis, Rosamund Pike
IMDb rating: 6.3

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In the world of “Surrogates,” virtual reality and artificial analogs of humans have become everyday life because people communicate, interact with each other, work, and relax through “surrogates,” their robot doubles. Surrogates are managed by connecting to a special system, and you don’t even need to leave your home for this. A series of mysterious murders forces Tom Greer, a police officer played by Bruce Willis, to venture into the real world and among indifferent people living their virtual lives, begin an investigation. The plot will not make the audience bored: there are tense chases, shootouts, logical puzzles, and episodes with a really deep philosophical background, which an attentive viewer will continue to scroll in his head after the end credits.

Real Steel

Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Year: 2011
Country: USA
Director: Shawn Levy
Actors: Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly
IMDb rating: 7.1

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If you’re a fan of boxing or want to fantasize about what the sport might look like in the future, don’t miss the best fighting game movie of mechanical robot giants. In Living Steel, boxing is replaced by the government with giant combat robot fights. Charlie Kenton, a former boxer, is trying to find himself in a new kind of martial arts and, together with his son “training” a robot named Atom, opens up a new path to success for himself. By the end of the film, you’ll find yourself not only enjoying the visuals of the fight scenes but also rooting for Atom and Charlie.

The Stepford Wives

Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Year: 2004
Country: USA
Director: Frank Oz
Actors: Nicole Kidman, Glenn Close
IMDb rating: 5.3

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This is a remake of the classic 1975 film, filmed, in turn, based on the fantasy novel by writer Ira Levin. Walter and Suzanne are the perfect couple, but they are going through a tough time. Having moved to a small town, they hope to find quiet happiness in it and take a break from the stresses of the big city. The people of Stepford are generous and hospitable: the men are polite and friendly, and the women are so utterly perfect that Susanna sees a big catch in all this. Whether she is right in her suspicions – see for yourself.

The Stepford Wives perfectly combines thriller and comedy: Frank Oz’s cinematic language adds a touch of irony and sarcasm to the film, not only making it spectacular but also leaving a reason for reflection on modern society and its standards of beauty and happiness.

Cyborg She

Genre: science fiction, comedy, melodrama
Year: 2008
Country: Japan
Director: Kwak Jae-Young
Actors: Haruka Ayase, Risa Ai
IMDb rating: 6.9

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How about bringing a touch of science fiction and philosophy to a romantic melodrama? The Japanese film Boku no kanojo wa saibôgu, also known as My Girlfriend is a Cyborg, begins classically: a young man named Jiro meets a girl with whom he spontaneously and unexpectedly falls in love. The girl, however, has a mysterious feature: she is a cyborg, a synthesis of artificial consciousness and a cybernetic body. And not just any cyborg, but a robot sent from the future to protect Jiro and hide a terrible secret from him. This film about robots fits perfectly into the genre of romantic cinema. It retains all its classic attributes, inviting the audience to reflect with Jiro on whether it is possible to love someone who is not physically human genuinely.

Bicentennial Man

Genre: Science Fiction, Romance, Drama
Year: 1999
Country: Germany, USA
Director: Chris Columbus
Actors: Robin Williams, Embeth Davidz
IMDb rating: 6.9

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A movie about robots can also be like this: sad, philosophical, and emotional. “Bicentennial Man” is a tender and tragic story in which Chris Columbus (who would direct the first Harry Potter two years later) reflects on the nature of humanity and the connections between man and those artificially created by him. The plot of the film revolves around the Robot Andrew: outwardly no different from the rest of his brethren, made for housework, inwardly, he is a creature that feels and experiences emotions. No longer a robot, but not yet a human. The plot of the film is based on the works of Asimov – the novel of the same name and the book “Positron Man,” written in collaboration with Robert Silverberg.

Westworld

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction
Year: 1973
Country: USA
Director: Michael Crichton
Actors: Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin
IMDb rating: 6.9

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Did you know that the basis for the creation of the series of the same name, which blew up the Internet a few years ago, was a film shot fifty years ago? And now, in our list of movies about robots, there is a real rarity that was ahead of its time, a unique example of the fusion of seemingly incomparable trends – science fiction and the classic western, which absorbed their best genre features. “Westworld” (aka “Western World” in other translations) takes us to a future where technological progress has benefited primarily the entertainment industry. The robots here are just hosts working on the territory of the Westworld Park Reserve: they are programmed to serve guests and obey prescribed programs. While guests enjoy the adventure and interact with the robotic “residents” of the park, the system that controls the robots begins to malfunction, and the guests of the park find themselves in mortal danger.

M3GAN

Genre: Horror
Year: 2022
Country: New Zealand, USA
Director: Gerard Johnstone
Actors: Allison Williams, Amy Donald
IMDb rating: 6.4

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This is another fantasy on the topic of whether artificial intelligence can become, if not a complete, then at least a partial replacement for an ordinary person when it comes to issues of socialization and upbringing. The main character, Sarah, is a girl of extraordinary abilities. In her free time, she is engaged in her project: the creation of a robot that will become not just a children’s toy but will also act as a nanny. Sarah has the opportunity to test the working prototype of such a robot doll – Megan – not in the laboratory but on her niece. This introverted and sad girl lost her parents in a disaster. The initial idea that it was the robot that would help the baby cope with the loss and protect her from the dangers of the world around her failed. Sarah gradually loses control of her creation, and Megan, led by orders to protect her ward, gains more and more freedom. This film will make you think about how vulnerable we are to what we create and how far we are willing to go in search of solace and meaning in today’s world of technology.

The Matrix Trilogy

Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Year: 1999
Country: USA
Director: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski
Actors: Keanu Reeves, Carrie Anne-Moss, Hugo Weaving
IMDb rating: 8.7

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Considered one of the most influential and iconic works in the history of science fiction and cinema, the Matrix trilogy forever changed the way the genre was viewed. It set a new bar for films about robots and artificial intelligence. And it would be very strange not to mention The Matrix in this compilation. Not only did these films rewrite the canons of the science fiction genre, but they also left an indelible mark on cultural and philosophical thought, forcing us to reflect on the nature of our reality.

Despite the lack of robots in the traditional sense, artificial intelligence and machines play a key role in the plot. The robots in The Matrix are AI machines that created virtual reality to suppress the consciousness of the human race and use it as a source of energy. People, unaware that their world is just an illusion, live their lives in subordination to this virtual reality called the Matrix.

Robot and Frank

Genre: Science Fiction, Comedy
Year: 2012
Country: USA
Director: Jake Schreier
Actors: Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon
IMDb rating: 7.0

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“Robot and Frank” is not your average robot movie. There will be no action scenes, visual effects on the verge of fantasy, explosions, and chases. Do not expect the script to work out deep existential problems; take a break from the sad leitmotifs of films, where a man and a robot are incompatible values. It’s a cozy, touching story about how friendship and real, deep intimacy can arise even where few expect it. Frank is an older man living in seclusion who faces imminent old age and gradually loses the ability to take care of himself. A high-tech robot assistant (voiced, by the way, by Peter Sarsgaard) comes to his aid. The Robot helps Frank with his daily tasks, but more importantly, it becomes a friend, gives him new goals, and regains his lost joy of life.

Chappie

Genre: Science Fiction, Drama
Year: 2015
Country: USA, South Africa
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Actors: Sharlto Colpie, Hugh Jackman, Dev Patel
IMDb rating: 6.8

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The film is set in the near future, where in Johannesburg, South Africa, overrun by criminals, robot police officers help maintain order. Chappie is an experimental specimen, actually a robot with the mind of a child. In the course of the story, having fallen into the hands of criminals, Chappie not only learns from them but also teaches himself, reminding his masters that in a world where only brute force and money are important, there is also kindness, mutual help, and care for others. Like a child, Chappie absorbs new information and learns by learning to separate good from evil good people from bad, but whether he will eventually be able to learn to make his own moral choices is something you will find out as the story progresses. In the main roles, in addition to Hugh Jackman (who, by the way, is not in the standard role of a villain here), the members of the Die Antwoord group appeared: Ninja and Yolandi Fisser.

I, Robot

Genre: Sci-fi, Action
Year: 2004
Country: USA
Director: Alex Proyas
Actors: Will Smith, Alan Tudyk
IMDb rating: 7.1

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In the list of science fiction films about robots, those films that were based on the books of recognized classics, for example, Isaac Asimov, always deserve special attention. “I, Robot” is based on four short stories from Asimov’s collection of the same name and, although it is not a repetition of them, still plays with the notorious laws of robotics in its way. The film is set in the near future, in the year 2035, in a world where robots have become an integral part of everyday life. In the story, the protagonist, Detective Del Spooner, played by Will Smith, begins an investigation into a mysterious murder in which a robot is suspected. His partner is a robot named Sonny, who has a certain degree of freedom in his actions and causes Spooner to feel cognitive dissonance and then openly doubt Sonny’s loyalty. In the course of his investigation, Spooner uncovers mysterious circumstances surrounding robots and their possible ability to break the laws of robotics.

A.I. Artificial Intelligence

Genre: Science Fiction, Drama
Year: 2001
Country: USA
Director: Steven Spielberg
Actors: Jude Law, Haley Joel Osment
IMDb rating: 7.2

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The events of the film unfold in the distant future when humanity has created advanced robots with artificial intelligence to serve humans. One of these robots, David, an experimental specimen, was created with a special ability to experience emotions, bonding, and love. David becomes part of a real family, where he is accepted as a son, but, as is often the case in robot films, the idyll soon collapses because David is not human. Rejected and lonely, he begins his journey aspiring to become a real boy, just like Pinocchio in Carlo Collodi’s fairy tale. David’s story is perhaps one of the most tragic and painful robot stories in modern cinema, and if you somehow managed to miss this particular movie, fix it next night! Spoiler alert: stock up on paper tissues; you’ll need them.

Ex Machina

Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller
Year: 2014
Country: United Kingdom
Director: Alex Garland
Actors: Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander
IMDb rating: 7.7

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Director Alex Garland has created a work that not only captivates with its exciting intrigue but also makes you think about the fundamental questions of the future of humanity. Against the backdrop of the most beautiful northern nature, the story of a young programmer named Caleb, who gets a chance to participate in a mysterious experiment, is revealed. He is invited to the secluded laboratory of his millionaire boss, Nate, where Ava, a prototype of a female robot with artificial intelligence, greets him. Caleb’s job is to communicate with Ava and learn about her through interaction. But with each encounter, it becomes clear that Ava is not just a mechanical creature; she has a mind of her own and even desires, and Caleb’s doubts about Nate’s true intentions grow stronger.

Garland builds the plot around aesthetically pleasing visuals and visuals that emphasize the overall atmosphere of the mystery and the questions that Caleb tries to find answers to until the very last minute of the film.

Transformers Series

Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Year: 2007
Country: USA
Director: Michael Bay
Actors: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox
IMDb rating: 7.0

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Transformers is an all-time robot action movie, one of the most spectacular blockbusters of the noughties, with great graphics and gorgeous special effects. The franchise, which began in 2007, quickly became a cult favorite for fans of car battles and science fiction, transferring the love for Transformers from the paradigm of comics, children’s animated series, and toys to quite adult, serious films. “Transformers” is a story about the battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons, two groups of sentient robots that can transform from ordinary machines into powerful combat transformers.

In this war, humanity is often on the brink of destruction, and this is where the protagonists, Sam Witwicky and his friends, come into play. Underneath the façade of glorious battles and impressive car racing, Transformers hides more subtle emotional issues. For example, the theme of human-robot interaction is played in films in an extremely touching way, and the Autobots themselves, despite their robotic appearance, are friends, get attached, sacrifice themselves, and feel gratitude. Transformers have become a part of cinematic history and have left an indelible mark in the hearts of many fans, showing that true heroism is not only inherent in humans but also in robots.

The Terminator series

Genre: Sci-fi, Action
Year: 1984
Country: USA
Director: James Cameron
Actors: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong
IMDb rating: 8.1

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Another franchise without which the selection would be incomplete. Even if you haven’t watched any part of The Terminator, you know for sure the legendary phrase “I’ll be back” and the shot with a thumbs up against the background of flames. It is the action movie directed by James Cameron that comes to mind first of all when it comes to science fiction films about robots. At the center of the plot here is the eternal struggle between humans and artificial machines. The series is also famous for its canonical characters: the Terminator, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Sarah Connor, who for many has become an image symbol of a strong woman, John Connor, a messiah boy, the future savior of humanity. The films in this franchise are definitely worth checking out, whether you limit yourself to Cameron’s first two or watch the series to the last movie of 2019: Terminator: Dark Fate.

I Am Mother

Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Thriller
Year: 2020
Country: Australia
Director: Grant Spitor
Actors: Clara Rugor, Rose Byrne
IMDb rating: 4.8

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It is a film about robots that offers a new look at the post-apocalyptic world and explores the moral dilemmas associated with the existence of artificial intelligence. In a forgotten underground bunker, a robot calling itself “Mother” raises a human child in isolation from infancy to adolescence. In a world devastated by an uncertain catastrophe, “Mother” sees herself as humanity’s last hope for survival and recovery. However, as the girl grows up, the relationship between her and the “Mother” becomes more complicated, and a conflict brews between them, which will bring terrible secrets to the surface.

Pacific Rim

Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Year: 2013
Country: USA
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Actors: Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba
IMDb rating: 6.9

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The year 2020, shown in the film, is already the past for us, the audience, but for the heroes of the story, it is not too far in the future. It was then that humanity faced an invasion of monsters rising from the depths of the ocean – kaiju. In response to this threat, a program was developed to create and pilot giant robots called jaegers. To describe and detail a world under the constant threat of kaiju attacks, Guillermo del Toro was inspired by the anime he watched in his youth. However, he tried to avoid direct references to specific films. In anime, the “mecha” genre is characterized by the presence of huge humanoid robots in the plot — the gamekeepers from “Pacific Rim” are exactly like that. During filming in Toronto, the filmmakers even built a life-size robot cockpit for more authentic footage.

WALL· E

Genre: Cartoon
Year: 2008
Country: USA
Director: Andrew Stanton
Actors: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight
IMDb rating: 8.4

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How could we, compiling a list of science fiction movies about robots, do without WALL-E? Created by Pixar, this animated masterpiece has become one of the symbols of cinema at the beginning of the 21st century. In a desolate world of garbage dumps, chaos, and desolation, only the little WALL-E, a robot cleaner who never stops working, remains a symbol of order. He must clean up the garbage, and even though this work has lost its meaning, WALL·E does it conscientiously, in the meantime amassing his collection of artifacts that are witnesses to human existence. The plot takes a new turn when EVA, a high-tech robot sent by humanity to search for signs of life, appears on the desert Earth. Winning the Oscar for Best Animated Picture, the story of WALL-E is forever in the hearts of children and adults around the world.