Who isn’t into robots and artificial intelligence? Both are fascinating and cool interweaving fields of science, now influencing our lives in one way or another. It is no wonder that it has been a source of inspiration for many movies, offering plots that spur and test the audiences’ imagination. Many of these flicks also offered famous sentient robots, which then became a subject for many modelers. Whether you want to contemplate more about the concepts, search for a new droid model to make, or simply want to keep boredom at bay, here are the top movies about robots and artificial intelligence you shouldn’t dare to miss.
Wall-E
Wall-E is a computer-animated film under Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios in 2008, revolving around the story of a lone, trash-compactor robot left to clean the environmentally-compromised, abandoned Earth. One day, another robot called EVE visited to probe the planet but also captured Wall-E’s heart. While the flick seems to be light, filled with comedy, romance, and galactic adventure, it’s also brimming with thematic concepts, showing how humans can destroy the planet then ultimately depending on artificial intelligence for survival.
The Matrix
Released in 1999, The Matrix is one of the most intriguing and ambitious movies of its time, both in visuals and in theme. A four-category Academy Awards winner, the flick features AI machines controlling a dystopian world, trapping and subduing humans in a simulated reality called the “Matrix” while utilizing their bodies as their energy source. A computer hacker named Neo finds out about the deception and plays a significant part in the war against the evil cyber-intelligence.
Star Wars
One of the world’s most popular and successful movie franchises ever, the Star Wars trilogy follows the journey of Luke Skywalker in becoming a Jedi while fighting against the evil Galactic Empire. Two mechanical beings played pivotal roles in the flick, the famous duo of C3-PO and his droid companion R2-D2. Both are AI robots with human-like characters and emotions. Their incorporation in the film serves as an excellent approach to see how audiences will perceive once more capable AIs eventually become part of the society in the future.
Ex Machina
Penned and directed by Alex Garland, Ex Machina circles on the story of a programmer chosen by his CEO to conduct the Turing test on a highly advanced droid. As they try to discover the human-like qualities and capabilities of Ava, a beautiful, seductive humanoid AI, they soon find out that she is way more self-perceptive and delusive than what they’ve envisioned.
I, Robot
In a world set in 2035, robots replaced humans in many public service positions, working under three laws to ensure the safety of humankind. Detective Del Spooner (Will Smith), a technophobic cop, works with a robotic expert (Bridget Moynahan) to find out the truth about the suicide of the U.S. Robotics founder but soon uncovers a shocking scheme that poses an imminent threat to humanity.
Blade Runner
A classic sci-film released in 1982, Blade Runner takes on the story of an ex-policeman turned special agent assigned to track down and eliminate violent bio-engineered human droids called “replicants.” As he delves into his special assignment deeper, the once broken and cold man starts to question himself and the trueness of his identity.
A.I. Artificial Intelligence
Another directorial brainchild of Steven Spielberg, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, features a child-like robot named David, who was intentionally programmed with the capability to love and was adopted for a test case by a couple. As he starts his journey to becoming human by possessing human-like affection, fears, and drives, the world keeps telling him explicitly that he is not, forcing him to find out where he truly belongs.
Interstellar
Interstellar is a 2014 sci-film set in a failing Earth where humans are already struggling for survival. As they’re on the brink of extinction, a group of astronauts uses interstellar travel to search for any habitable planet that can serve as the new home of humanity. The movie features two AI robots, TARS, and CASE. They appear in quadrilateral bodies, placing function as the topmost priority rather than humanness and proving the endless designs possible in the world of artificial intelligence and robotics.
Transcendence
Transcendence revolves around the story of a scientist’s drive and thirst for knowledge, which soon transforms into a ubiquitous, dangerous search for power after his consciousness has been uploaded into one sentient machine and program. The movie was released in 2014, headlined by Johnny Deep, Morgan Freeman, and Rebecca Hall.
Her
Her takes on a unique approach in tackling artificial intelligence. It brings human-computer interaction to a whole new level, encompassing virtual romance with Theodore, a soulful and melancholic man who becomes fascinated with “Samantha,” his operating system. Their relationship deepens into love amidst the disparities between humans and computers, providing lessons on both love and the possibilities of artificial intelligence.