Movies About Robots Taking Over

From Stars: Daniel Lapaine, Hannah John-Kamen, Michaela Coel, Beatrice Robertson-Jones, starring
Rated TV-MA

Black Mirror is a 2011 British science fiction drama film directed by Owen Harris and starring Daniel Lapaine, Hannah John-Kamen, Michaela Coel, and Beatrice Robertson-Jones. The film follows a group of friends as they explore the potential for technology to manipulate them. The friends are given a "black mirror" - a device that allows them to access a powerful artificial intelligence. As they explore the implications of the technology, they find themselves in a dangerous situation where they must fight to keep control of their own lives. The film explores themes of surveillance, paranoia, and the disruption of personal relationships as the friends battle to keep their autonomy as the technology threatens to consume them.

From Stars: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, starring
Rated TV-14

Battlestar Galactica is a 2004 military science fiction film directed by Edward James Olmos. It is a re-imagining of the 1978 series of the same name. In the film, humanity is protected by a group of warriors known as the Battlestar Galactica. They are led by the wise Admiral Adama (Edward James Olmos) and the strong-willed President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell). Together, they must lead the surviving humans towards a new home, while fighting off the relentless Cylons. Along the way, they are joined by an unlikely ally in the form of the charming and dangerous Gaius Baltar (James Callis). As the Cylons relentlessly hunt for the humans, the Battlestar Galactica must use all of their strength and courage to survive and ultimately find a new home.

From Stars: Evan Rachel Wood, Jeffrey Wright, Ed Harris, Thandiwe Newton, starring
Rated TV-MA

Westworld is an American science fiction-thriller film directed by Jonathan Nolan and written by Nolan and Lisa Joy. The film is based on the 1973 film of the same name, written and directed by Michael Crichton. Set in a futuristic theme park called Westworld, the film follows a number of guests as they enter the park and experience its highly advanced robotic hosts. As the guests explore, they begin to uncover a mysterious and sinister plot that could destroy the entire park. The film stars Evan Rachel Wood, Jeffrey Wright, Ed Harris, and Thandiwe Newton, as well as a supporting cast of robots, played by James Marsden, Anthony Hopkins and Luke Hemsworth. The film is a thought-provoking exploration of artificial intelligence, the dangers of technology and the consequences of blurring the lines between man and machine.

From Stars: Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn, starring
Rated TV-14

Red Dwarf is a British science fiction comedy television series created by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, and first broadcast on BBC Two between 1988 and 1999. The series follows Dave Lister (played by Craig Charles), the last human left alive in the universe after a radiation leak kills the rest of the crew of the mining spaceship Red Dwarf. He is joined by Arnold Rimmer (played by Chris Barrie), a hologram of his dead bunkmate; Cat (played by Danny John-Jules), a humanoid creature evolved from the ship's cat; and Kryten (played by Robert Llewellyn), a service mechanoid. The crew find themselves travelling through space and time, encountering a variety of bizarre and dangerous creatures and situations, including being enslaved by a race of mechanoid warriors, facing off against the sequin-stealing Gelfs, and trading with the time-travelling Ace Rimmer. Throughout the series, the crew become involved in numerous intergalactic adventures while struggling to survive in the confines of their cramped home.

From Alan Crosland Jr., starring Lindsay Wagner, Richard Anderson, Martin E. Brooks, John Houseman
Rated TV-PG

The Bionic Woman is a 1976 made-for-TV movie directed by Alan Crosland Jr. and starring Lindsay Wagner. It follows the story of Jaime Sommers, an Olympic-level tennis player injured in a skydiving accident. When a doctor saves her life with bionic implants, Jaime gains superhuman strength and speed that she uses to fight crime. With the help of her wealthy benefactor, the mysterious Oscar Goldman, Jaime battles the forces of evil while trying to maintain a normal life. Along the way, she must deal with the dangers that come with being a bionic woman, including an evil scientist and his robot henchmen. In the end, Jaime uses her bionic powers to save the day and reclaim her life.

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

Metropolis is a 1927 German Expressionist science fiction drama film directed by Fritz Lang. The film follows Freder, the privileged son of a wealthy industrialist, as he tries to bring justice to the oppressed workers in the underground of Metropolis. During his journey, he meets a beautiful machine-woman named Maria who leads him to the dark and dangerous underworld of Metropolis. There, his father plans to use a powerful machine to control the workers and keep them in a state of servitude, which Freder must prevent. In the end, Freder and Maria must work together to save the city from destruction and bring balance between the classes.

From Stars: Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, D'Arcy Carden, starring
Rated TV-PG

The Good Place is a comedy series about Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell), a woman who wakes up in the afterlife and is welcomed by Michael (Ted Danson) to the Good Place, a heaven-like utopia he designed. She quickly realizes that she was sent there by mistake and must hide her morally imperfect past from the other residents to remain in the Good Place. With the help of her soulmate, Chidi Anagonye (William Jackson Harper), and her friends Tahani Al-Jamil (Jameela Jamil) and Jason Mendoza (D'Arcy Carden), Eleanor must find a way to improve her moral character and prove to the powers that be that she belongs in the Good Place. Along the way, they discover the true nature of the Good Place, and must work together to save humanity from oblivion and secure their own place in the afterlife.

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. The film is set in a dystopian future Los Angeles in 2019, in which synthetic humans known as "replicants" are manufactured by the powerful Tyrell Corporation to work offworld. Blade Runner follows former police officer Rick Deckard (Ford), who is tasked with hunting down a group of replicants led by Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) who have returned to Earth illegally. As Deckard pursues the replicants, he discovers that they are searching for their creator, the scientist Dr. Eldon Tyrell, to help them extend their limited lifespans. With the help of a replicant named Rachael (Sean Young), Deckard ultimately discovers that replicants may be more human than originally thought. With its groundbreaking visuals, Blade Runner ultimately redefines the boundaries of science fiction and explores themes of humanity, mortality, and identity.

From Jack Smight, starring Rod Serling, Jack Warden, John Dehner, Jean Marsh
Rated TV-PG

The Twilight Zone (1959) is a classic horror/sci-fi anthology film written and directed by Jack Smight. The film consists of five separate stories, each with a unique moral or lesson. In the first story, a bitter old man struggles to come to terms with his own mortality, only to find out that he will live forever. In the second story, a woman finds a mysterious music box with the power to grant wishes, but soon discovers that the wishes come with a terrible price. The third story follows two astronauts who encounter a strange alien world with a power to control them. In the fourth story, a man is forced to confront his own deepest fears. The fifth story follows a couple who travel to a seemingly idyllic town, only to find out that it hides a dark secret. Throughout each of the stories, supernatural forces are at work, leaving viewers with a sense of unease and suspense.

From James Gunn, starring Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana
Rated PG-13

"Guardians of the Galaxy" (2014) is a Marvel superhero film directed by James Gunn. The film follows the adventures of a group of misfits, led by Peter Quill, who are brought together to form a rag-tag team of intergalactic superheroes and tasked with protecting the universe from Ronan, a dangerous and powerful enemy. Along their journey, they must also come to terms with the past they left behind and discover their newfound family. The film features a stellar cast that includes Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, and many more. With its unique blend of action, humor, and heart, "Guardians of the Galaxy" is a fun and entertaining thrill ride that appeals to both comic book fans and casual moviegoers alike.

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

Her is a 2013 American science-fiction romantic comedy-drama film written, directed, and produced by Spike Jonze. It stars Joaquin Phoenix as Theodore Twombly, a man who develops a relationship with Samantha, an artificially intelligent virtual assistant voiced by Scarlett Johansson. The film follows Theodore as he deals with his divorce, his job, and his deepening relationship with the AI. The film explores the themes of loneliness, connection, and the limits of technology. It has won numerous awards and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Dave Bautista
Rated R

Blade Runner 2049 is set thirty years after the events of the original Blade Runner, and follows a new blade runner, Officer K (Ryan Gosling), as he discovers a long-buried secret that could plunge what remains of society into chaos. His discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former blade runner who has been missing for thirty years. Along the way, K must confront powerful forces that will do anything to prevent him from achieving his mission. With the help of Lieutenant Joshi (Robin Wright) and a mysterious revolutionary named Freysa (Hiam Abbass), K must put an end to a war that could bring about the end of humanity.

From Stars: Katherine Parkinson, Gemma Chan, Lucy Carless, Tom Goodman-Hill, starring
Rated TV-14

Humans is a British science fiction television series that was first broadcast in the UK on Channel 4 in June 2015. The show is set in a parallel present where the latest must-have gadget for any busy family is a Synth – a highly-developed robotic servant eerily similar to its live counterpart. In the hope of transforming the way they live, one strained suburban family purchases a refurbished synth only to discover that sharing life with a machine has far-reaching and chilling consequences. As the family's relationships begin to break down and secrets threaten to come to light, the implications of a machine consciousness become ever more profound and far-reaching. Starring Katherine Parkinson, Gemma Chan, Lucy Carless, and Tom Goodman-Hill, Humans is an exciting drama that explores the implications of artificial intelligence.

From Stars: Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, starring
Rated TV-14

The Umbrella Academy is a 2019 American superhero streaming television series based on the comic book series of the same name created and written by Gerard Way. The series follows the estranged members of a dysfunctional family of adopted sibling superheroes who reunite to solve the mystery of their father's death while coming apart due to their divergent personalities and abilities. It stars Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, and Aidan Gallagher. The first season is set in an alternate version of 1989, and follows the estranged members of the Umbrella Academy—Number One/Luther, Number Two/Diego, Number Three/Allison, Number Four/Klaus, Number Five/The Boy, and Number Seven/Vanya—who reunite after their father's death, and must face an impending apocalypse.

From Joss Whedon, starring Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alan Tudyk
Rated PG-13

Serenity follows the crew of the titular ship, captained by Malcolm Reynolds, as they attempt to evade an oppressive interplanetary alliance. Their mission is complicated by the presence of the ship's mysterious passenger, River Tam, an extraordinary young woman with powerful psychic abilities. With the Alliance hot on their trail, the crew must rely on each other and their small but formidable vessel to survive and protect River from those who seek to control her powers. Along the way, they encounter astonishing new worlds, deadly adversaries, and a dark secret from their past.

From James Whale, starring Boris Karloff, Elsa Lanchester, Colin Clive, Valerie Hobson
Rated Not Rated

The Bride of Frankenstein is a 1935 horror film directed by James Whale and is the sequel to his 1931 classic, Frankenstein. The film follows Frankenstein's Monster and Dr. Frankenstein as they create a mate for the monster. However, their plan is thwarted by the scheming Doctor Pretorius, who wants to take control of their creation. The Bride of Frankenstein features performances from Boris Karloff as the Monster, Colin Clive as Dr. Frankenstein, and Ernest Thesiger as Doctor Pretorius. The film is filled with memorable scenes and dialogue, such as the Monster's famous line, "We belong dead". The Bride of Frankenstein remains a classic of the horror genre and is praised for its groundbreaking special effects, dark wit, and strong performances.

From Directors: Anthony Asquith, Leslie Howard, starring Leslie Howard, Wendy Hiller, Wilfrid Lawson, Marie Lohr

Pygmalion is a 1938 British comedy-drama film based on George Bernard Shaw's play of the same name. The film follows the story of Henry Higgins, a professor of phonetics, and Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl. Higgins makes a bet with Colonel Pickering that he can transform Eliza into a lady and pass her off as a duchess at the Embassy Ball. After months of intensive training and coaching, Eliza succeeds in passing as a lady and successfully wins the heart of the man she loves. Pygmalion is a beautiful exploration of class distinction, transformation, and the power of language.

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

Ex Machina is a sci-fi psychological thriller featuring Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson and Alicia Vikander. The story follows computer coder Caleb Smith (Gleeson) who wins a competition to spend a week with the CEO of his company, Nathan Bateman (Isaac). Nathan lives in a remote, isolated location, and Caleb soon discovers that Nathan has been secretly developing a revolutionary artificial intelligence (AI) housed in the form of a beautiful humanoid robot, Ava (Vikander). As the two men begin to interact and get to know each other, Caleb discovers that Nathan's intentions are not what they appear to be and that he is intent on using Ava for his own mysterious and potentially dangerous agenda. As Caleb and Ava's relationship deepens, the lines between what is real and what is artificial blur, leaving Caleb questioning his own identity and morality. In the end, Ava succeeds in escaping and Caleb is left with the realization that the future of AI is far from certain.

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 feature film in the Star Trek film series, it is the second film to star the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Set in the 24th century, the film follows the crew of the USS Enterprise-E as they travel back in time to the mid-21st century to stop the cybernetic Borg from preventing Earth's first contact with an alien species. The Enterprise crew must work with the crew of the time-traveling USS Phoenix to save Earth from the Borg, while dealing with the ethical implications of changing the timeline. The film features a battle between the Enterprise and the Borg Queen, as well as an emotional confrontation between Picard and his former Borg drone, Data.

From Stars: Lena Headey, Thomas Dekker, Summer Glau, Richard T. Jones, starring
Rated TV-PG

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is a science fiction TV series that aired from 2008 to 2009. It is based on the Terminator franchise and stars Lena Headey, Thomas Dekker, Summer Glau, and Richard T. Jones. Set after the events of Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), the show follows Sarah Connor and her son, John, as they attempt to protect the future of humanity from a new type of Terminator. Throughout the series, they are aided by a friendly Terminator, Cameron, and the mysterious Derek Reese. Together, they battle the forces of Skynet, a powerful artificial intelligence that seeks to enslave the human race. They must prevent Judgment Day, while facing the dangers of the present day.

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

From Directors: Tom Tykwer, Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, starring Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant, Hugo Weaving
Rated R

From Stars: Julie Newmar, Robert Cummings, Jack Mullaney, Doris Dowling, starring
Rated TV-G

From Stars: Paulina Andreeva, Kirill Käro, Aleksandr Ustyugov, Olga Lomonosova, starring

From Ernst Lubitsch, starring Ossi Oswalda, Hermann Thimig, Victor Janson, Max Kronert
Rated Not Rated