Best Robot Movies

From James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick
Rated R

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton and Edward Furlong. The movie follows Sarah Connor and her son John as they attempt to protect John from a powerful, advanced cyborg called the T-1000, sent back in time from the future to assassinate him. The Connors are aided by a reprogrammed T-800, a cyborg similar to the T-1000 but designed to protect John. As they try to survive and complete their mission, they learn more about the future they are trying to prevent and discover that they can make a difference. Ultimately, they must destroy the Cyberdyne Systems research facility in order to prevent Judgment Day—the day Skynet becomes self-aware and launches a nuclear war that will virtually wipe out the human race. Terminator 2: Judgment Day is considered one of the greatest action films of all time, praised for its groundbreaking special effects, thrilling action sequences and its exploration of the ethical and moral implications of using technology as a weapon.

From Andrew Stanton, starring Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard
Rated G

WALL·E is a 2008 American computer-animated science fiction film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and directed by Andrew Stanton. The story follows a robot named WALL·E, who is designed to clean up an abandoned, waste-covered Earth far in the future. He eventually falls in love with another robot named EVE, and follows her into outer space on an adventure that changes the destiny of both his kind and humanity. Along the way, they explore the issues of consumerism, ecology, and human isolation. Ultimately, WALL·E and EVE help restore humanity to a utopian society free of waste and pollution.

From James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, Paul Winfield
Rated R

The Terminator is a sci-fi action movie released in 1984 and directed by James Cameron. It follows the story of a cyborg assassin sent from the future to kill Sarah Connor, a waitress who will eventually become the mother of a resistance leader in a future war against machines. In order to protect Sarah, a soldier from the future named Kyle Reese is also sent back in time to protect her. Together, the two are pursued by the relentless Terminator, who will stop at nothing to complete his mission. With the help of others, Sarah and Kyle attempt to outwit and outrun the Terminator as they search for a way to stop its mission. In the end, they must make a sacrifice in order to save Sarah’s future son and prevent the war between humans and machines.

From Brad Bird, starring Eli Marienthal, Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel
Rated PG

The Iron Giant is a 1999 animated science fiction film directed by Brad Bird. Set in the 1950s, the film follows the story of a boy named Hogarth, who discovers a giant robot from outer space that has crash-landed on Earth. With the help of a local beatnik named Dean, Hogarth must keep the Iron Giant a secret as they teach him to be a kind and gentle giant. The Iron Giant soon finds himself in a battle against government agents who want to use him for their own sinister purposes. Along the way, Hogarth and the Iron Giant form an unbreakable bond and Hogarth learns the meaning of friendship, family and loyalty.

From Ridley Scott, starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos
Rated R

Blade Runner is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford. Set in a dystopian Los Angeles in the year 2019, the film follows a "blade runner" named Rick Deckard, who is tasked with hunting down and retiring a group of replicants who have escaped from an off-world colony. As Deckard investigates, he soon discovers a larger conspiracy that could have catastrophic consequences for humanity. The film is noted for its dystopian atmosphere, its exploration of the nature of humanity, and its philosophical undertones.

From Mamoru Oshii, starring Atsuko Tanaka, Iemasa Kayumi, Akio Ôtsuka, Kôichi Yamadera
Rated TV-MA

Ghost in the Shell is a 1995 anime film directed by Mamoru Oshii. Set in a post-cyberpunk future, the story follows a female cyborg who is the first of her kind and is a part of an elite anti-cyber crime task force. She is tasked with hunting down an elusive hacker known as the Puppet Master. As the investigation progresses, she begins to uncover secrets about her own nature, identity, and purpose. Along with action sequences, the film also offers a thought-provoking look at the implications of technology and its effects on humanity. The film is widely considered one of the most influential anime films of all time.

From Paul Verhoeven, starring Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Dan O'Herlihy, Ronny Cox
Rated R

RoboCop is a classic science fiction action film, directed by Paul Verhoeven and released in 1987, starring Peter Weller as the title character. The film is set in a dystopian Detroit, where a police officer, Alex Murphy (Weller) is killed in the line of duty. However, Murphy's body is reconstructed using cybernetics, and he is resurrected as RoboCop, a cybernetic law enforcement officer. With his new powers, RoboCop is tasked with stopping crime and corruption in the city. Along the way, he discovers the truth behind his resurrection and the truth of the crime syndicate that killed him in the first place. In the end, RoboCop is successful in eliminating the crime syndicate and restoring justice to the city.

From Alex Proyas, starring Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood, Alan Tudyk
Rated PG-13

From Michael Bay, starring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson
Rated PG-13

From Shawn Levy, starring Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, Dakota Goyo, Anthony Mackie
Rated PG-13

From Michael Crichton, starring Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, James Brolin, Norman Bartold
Rated PG

From Chris Columbus, starring Robin Williams, Embeth Davidtz, Sam Neill, Oliver Platt
Rated PG

From McG, starring Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood
Rated PG-13

From Jonathan Mostow, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl, Kristanna Loken, Claire Danes
Rated R

From Michael Bay, starring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson
Rated PG-13

From Irvin Kershner, starring Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Belinda Bauer, Dan O'Herlihy
Rated R

From John Bruno, starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Sutherland, William Baldwin, Joanna Pacula
Rated R

From Albert Pyun, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Deborah Richter, Vincent Klyn, Alex Daniels
Rated R