Movies About Artificial Intelligence

From Directors: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
Rated R

The Matrix is a 1999 sci-fi action film directed by the Wachowski siblings, Lana and Lilly Wachowski. The film follows Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves), a computer programmer by day and hacker by night, as he discovers the truth about the world he lives in. It is a world where human beings are unknowingly enslaved by a powerful artificial intelligence known as the Matrix. With the help of a mysterious group of freedom fighters, led by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), Anderson must learn to accept his destiny and fight against the Matrix in order to free humanity from its enslavement. Along the way, the group must make daring escapes, face impossible odds, and discover the secrets of the Matrix to save the world.

From George Lucas, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
Rated PG

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope is a 1977 American epic space-opera film written and directed by George Lucas. The plot follows Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) as he joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee, and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) from the mysterious Darth Vader. Along the way, the group faces many trials and tribulations, ultimately restoring freedom to the galaxy. The film is the fourth installment in the Star Wars saga, and is the first installment in the original trilogy.

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

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a 1991 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, and Robert Patrick. The sequel to the 1984 film The Terminator, it follows Sarah Connor and her ten-year-old son John, who must protect John from a more advanced Terminator T-1000 sent back in time to kill him. The film also stars Edward Furlong as John Connor. The story begins when Sarah Connor is institutionalized due to her warnings about a Skynet-created apocalypse, leaving her son John to fend for himself. When a Terminator T-800 (Schwarzenegger) is sent back to to protect John and prevent Skynet's creation, a T-1000 is also sent back to terminate him. With the help of the T-800, John and Sarah attempt to stop the T-1000 and prevent Skynet from becoming self-aware. In the end, the T-800 sacrifices himself to ensure the safety of John and Sarah, and the future is changed.

From Ridley Scott, starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright
Rated R

Alien is a science-fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and released in 1979. The plot follows the crew of the commercial space tug Nostromo, who are awakened from their cryo-sleep capsules halfway through their journey home to investigate a distress call from an alien source. After discovering a derelict alien spacecraft and its deadly cargo, the crew fights for survival against a relentless and powerful alien creature that ruthlessly kills them one by one. The only survivor is Ellen Ripley, the ship's warrant officer who discovers the true nature of the alien and its plans for the human race.

From James Cameron, starring Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn, Paul Reiser
Rated R

Aliens is a science-fiction action horror film, directed by James Cameron and released in 1986. The film follows Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) as she returns to her former employer, the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, in order to investigate the disappearance of the Nostromo's crew and the xenomorph aliens that killed them. After arriving on the alien planet, she teams up with a group of Colonial Marines who are tasked with destroying the aliens. Along the way, they encounter a young girl named Newt, who has survived her family's death at the hands of the xenomorphs. The group must fight their way through hordes of aliens in order to reach their goal - destroying the alien queen and ending the threat they pose to Earth. The movie is full of action, suspense, and horror, and is considered one of the greatest films of all time.

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

WALL·E is a Pixar animated film directed by Andrew Stanton and released in 2008. The movie follows the lone robot, WALL·E, who is left behind on an abandoned, trash-filled Earth after the humans have left. WALL·E spends his days cleaning up the planet and collecting interesting "treasures" that he stores in his home. One day, a spaceship arrives, carrying an advanced robot named EVE. WALL·E falls in love with EVE and follows her back to the ship, which is headed towards the human home planet. The two robots, now an inseparable pair, embark on a journey across the stars, full of fun and adventure. Along the way, they discover the secret to humankind's return to the planet, and save the Earth from destruction.

From Fritz Lang, starring Brigitte Helm, Alfred Abel, Gustav Fröhlich, Rudolf Klein-Rogge
Rated Not Rated

Metropolis is a 1927 German expressionist science-fiction film directed by Fritz Lang. Set in a futuristic urban dystopia, the film follows Freder, the son of the city's wealthy ruler, as he discovers a horrific underground world of worker oppression and his role in the ongoing conflict between workers and the ruling class. Along the way, he falls in love with a beautiful and mysterious worker, Maria, and helps to bring peace to the city. The revolutionary special effects and art direction, combined with the intense story, still make this film one of the most influential and iconic films in cinema history.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Daniel Richter
Rated G

"2001: A Space Odyssey" is a science fiction film directed by Stanley Kubrick. It follows a voyage to Jupiter with the sentient computer HAL after the discovery of a mysterious black monolith affecting human evolution. The story is based in part on Arthur C. Clarke's short story "The Sentinel". The film is known for its groundbreaking visual effects and ambiguous imagery. It deals with themes of existentialism, human evolution, technology, artificial intelligence, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The film also incorporates elements of mythology, showing a progression from the primal to the futuristic. Its use of classical music and ambiguous imagery have earned "2001: A Space Odyssey" a cult following.

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

Blade Runner is a 1982 science-fiction neo-noir film, directed by Ridley Scott and based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick. It stars Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard, a blade runner, who is tasked with "retiring" four replicants, who have illegally returned to Earth seeking their creator for a way to extend their short life spans. The replicants, led by Roy Batty, are highly advanced androids that are almost indistinguishable from humans yet they possess superior strength, speed, and intelligence. During his mission, Deckard falls in love with Rachael, a replicant woman. As Deckard pursues the replicants, he discovers a shocking truth that could alter the future of humanity forever. The film is set in a dystopian future Los Angeles, where humans and replicants live side by side. Blade Runner is considered an influential classic of science fiction cinema and is widely praised for its themes, visuals, and atmosphere.

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

The Terminator is a 1984 sci-fi action film directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The movie follows the story of a cyborg assassin, sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), a young woman whose unborn son will become a saviour against machines in a post-apocalyptic future. With the help of a soldier from the future, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), Sarah must fight for her survival against the Terminator. Together, the trio battle against the odds, with the fate of humanity in their hands.

From Spike Jonze, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Rooney Mara
Rated R

Her is a science fiction romantic drama directed by Spike Jonze and starring Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, and Amy Adams. The film is set in the near future and follows Theodore (Phoenix), a lonely, introverted writer who purchases a revolutionary operating system to help him with his daily tasks. He soon discovers that the OS has been designed with artificial intelligence and is a sentient being named Samantha (Johansson). Over time, the pair form an intimate relationship which leads Theodore to question the nature of love and relationships. Themes of isolation, longing, and technology are explored as Theodore's journey of self-discovery takes him to unexpected places.

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

Ghost in the Shell is a 1995 anime science fiction action film directed by Mamoru Oshii, based on the manga of the same name. The film follows the members of a covert ops unit of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission that specializes in fighting technology-related crime. The team's leader, Major Motoko Kusanagi, is a cyborg—a human brain in an artificial body. Motoko and her team investigate the case of a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master, who is hijacking the brains of cyborgs and humans for unknown purposes. As the team tracks down the Puppet Master, Motoko finds herself questioning the nature of her own existence in a world where the boundaries between human and machine are becoming increasingly blurred. In the end, Motoko discovers that the Puppet Master was created by a powerful corporation and was designed to merge with her in order to create a new being. The film explores themes of identity, existentialism, artificial intelligence, and cyberculture.

From Duncan Jones, starring Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey, Dominique McElligott, Rosie Shaw
Rated R

Moon is a science-fiction drama set on a lunar mining base in 2035. It follows Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), a lunar mining operator who is nearing the end of his three-year contract mining lunar resources for energy on behalf of a powerful energy corporation. As the film progresses, Sam begins to experience strange phenomena and ultimately discovers that he is part of a cloning experiment designed to extend the company's profits. With the help of a helpful artificial intelligence (GERTY, voiced by Kevin Spacey), Sam must confront the truth of his identity and decide what he wants to do with his newfound freedom.

From Directors: Don Hall, Chris Williams, starring Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung, T.J. Miller
Rated PG

Big Hero 6 is an animated adventure comedy film directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams that was released in 2014. The film follows the story of Hiro Hamada, a robotics prodigy who teams up with a group of friends, each with unique abilities, to save their city from a mysterious villain. With the help of his robot, Baymax, Hiro and his team must use their collective skills to protect San Fransokyo from the evil forces of Yokai. Along the way, the team discovers the importance of friendship and loyalty as they work together to save their city.

From Alex Garland, starring Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Sonoya Mizuno
Rated R

Ex Machina is a science fiction film directed by Alex Garland that follows the story of Caleb, a young programmer at a large Internet company, who is invited by his CEO to spend a week at his remote estate in order to participate in a secret experiment involving artificial intelligence. There, he meets Ava, a beautiful and advanced android with artificial intelligence. Throughout the week, Caleb and Ava engage in a complex psychological relationship as he evaluates her for the experiment. As time passes, the two grow closer, and Caleb begins to uncover the dark secrets behind the experiment and the true intentions of his boss. In the end, Caleb and Ava must make a difficult decision that will determine their mutual fate.

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

RoboCop is a 1987 science fiction action film directed by Paul Verhoeven. The film is set in a crime-ridden Detroit, Michigan, in the near future. It follows the story of police officer Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) who is brutally murdered and then revived as a powerful cyborg law enforcer known as RoboCop. RoboCop is programmed to serve the public trust, protect the innocent, and uphold the law. He quickly and brutally dispatches crime on the streets of Detroit, including those of the ruthless corporation Omni Consumer Products (OCP). With the help of his partner Officer Anne Lewis (Nancy Allen), RoboCop embarks on a personal mission to bring justice to the city and uncover the forces behind his death. Ultimately, RoboCop must confront and defeat the villainous mastermind behind OCP, the megalomaniacal executive Dick Jones (Ronny Cox).

From Jonathan Frakes, starring Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton
Rated PG-13

Star Trek: First Contact is a 1996 science fiction film directed by Jonathan Frakes. The eighth film in the Star Trek film series, it is the sequel to Star Trek: Generations (1994). The plot follows the crew of the USS Enterprise-E as they travel back in time to the mid-21st century to prevent the cybernetic Borg from conquering Earth by changing their past. The film stars Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Alfre Woodard, and James Cromwell. The movie begins with the Borg launching an attack on the Federation, successfully infiltrating the Enterprise and assimilating Picard. The ship is able to escape, but the attack has left Starfleet in disarray. The Enterprise crew then meets the Borg Queen, who plans on using a temporal conduit to travel back in time and prevent Earth's first contact with an alien species, thus preventing the future Federation from ever existing. The Enterprise follows the Borg to the 21st century and begins a desperate battle to save Earth. The crew defeats the Borg and, in the process, restores the timeline. Picard and the crew then return to the 24th century, where they are

From Fred M. Wilcox, starring Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen, Warren Stevens
Rated G

Forbidden Planet is a 1956 science fiction film directed by Fred M. Wilcox. It stars Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, and Leslie Nielsen. Set in the 23rd century, the story follows a space expedition to a distant planet, Altair-4, to investigate the mysterious destruction of a previous mission. On the planet, they find a race of highly advanced and mysterious aliens called the Krell, who have created a powerful and deadly machine. They must battle to survive against the robot they have unleashed and ultimately discover the truth behind the destruction of the previous mission.

From Mamoru Oshii, starring Akio Ôtsuka, Atsuko Tanaka, Tamio Ôki, Kôichi Yamadera
Rated PG-13

From Mamoru Hosoda, starring Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Nanami Sakuraba, Mitsuki Tanimura, Takahiro Yokokawa
Rated PG

From Joss Whedon, starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth
Rated PG-13

From Steven Spielberg, starring Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O'Connor, Sam Robards
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
Rated R

From John Badham, starring Matthew Broderick, Ally Sheedy, John Wood, Dabney Coleman
Rated PG

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