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Robots have become beloved figures in popular culture, inspiring countless films, books, and comics. As a tribute to these iconic characters, we’ve selected the 10 greatest robots in cinematic history. Please note, this list is dedicated solely to robots from films – television robots are not included. Additionally, robots that are part of large factions, like the droid army in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, are not considered here.
10. Johnny 5 Short Circuit
Johnny 5 (initially known as “S-A-I-N-T Prototype Number 5”) is the star of the Short Circuit films and a TV special titled Hot Cars, Cold Facts. Originally a military robot, Johnny 5 gains intelligence and sentience after being struck by a lightning bolt. He becomes a fully conscious being with emotions and self-awareness, making him 'alive' in the philosophical sense. Johnny 5 is highly curious, with an endless appetite for 'input,' especially books and television. Despite his origins as a military unit, he values life and refuses to harm others, even when they threaten him. While brilliant and inventive with vast knowledge, he can be innocent and child-like, often trusting those who may not have his best interests at heart. [More]
9. The Iron Giant: A towering figure with a heart of gold, this animated classic from 1999 brings the story of a young boy and an amnesiac giant to life. With a screenplay inspired by Ted Hughes' 1968 novel 'The Iron Man,' Brad Bird directs this adventure where Hogarth Hughes, voiced by Eli Marienthal, befriends a giant who fell from the sky. As they try to hide the Giant from the authorities, they must face the challenge of stopping a fearful government agency from destroying the creature. The film features notable voices like Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel, and Harry Connick Jr.
The Iron Giant, a 1999 animated film directed by Brad Bird, takes inspiration from Ted Hughes' 1968 novel 'The Iron Man.' The story follows Hogarth Hughes, a young boy voiced by Eli Marienthal, who discovers a giant amnesiac robot fallen from space. With the help of a local beatnik, Dean, Hogarth tries to protect the Giant from a paranoid military force and an overzealous government agent determined to destroy it. Featuring a voice cast including Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., and Vin Diesel, this film combines heart, adventure, and a powerful message.
8. Mechagodzilla: The mechanical counterpart to Godzilla, this iconic robotic kaiju first appeared in 1974, designed as a deadly, high-tech version of Godzilla to counter the threat of the original monster. Often depicted as a formidable enemy, Mechagodzilla has become one of Godzilla's most recognizable foes in film lore.
Mechagodzilla is a mechanical duplicate of Godzilla featured in several Godzilla films. The original version was created by the Simians as a destructive weapon. In 'Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla,' it appeared with a pseudo-flesh exterior, imitating Godzilla during attacks on Japan. Despite the Simians equipping Mechagodzilla with a laser beam similar to Godzilla's atomic ray, they neglected to replicate Godzilla's distinctive roar. Anguirus, Godzilla's ally, wasn't deceived by the fake, and in the ensuing battle, Mechagodzilla managed to break Anguirus' jaw and send him fleeing underground.
7. Pris: A replicant designed as a 'pleasure model,' Pris was created for entertainment purposes, making her even more of a subservient figure than the others. However, she proves to be quite skilled at using her charms to manipulate J.F. Sebastian, a man who had previously only built artificial friends. As Roy Batty's girlfriend, Pris demonstrates superhuman endurance, such as in a scene where she grabs a boiling egg with her bare hand. Mentally, she is portrayed as being less intellectual than Roy Batty.
Pris is a “pleasure model” (incepted on Valentine’s Day) created for entertainment and thus even more of a slave-object than the others. However, she shows that she can be quite adept at manipulation of the human male when she uses her wiles to “make friends” with J.F. Sebastian, a man who, until then, literally built his friends. Pris is also the girlfriend of fellow replicant Roy Batty. At an A Physical Level, she is shown to have super-human endurance (as in the scene where she grabs a boiling egg with her bare hand and tosses it to Sebastian). Her B Mental Level puts her at a lower intellectual level than Roy. [More]
The Terminator: A cybernetic being sent from a dystopian future to carry out a mission, the Terminator is an unyielding, mechanical entity, part of a science fiction saga known for its tense, action-packed narrative. Its cold efficiency and human-like exterior make it both terrifying and fascinating, cementing its place in pop culture.
'The Terminator' is a character brought to life by Arnold Schwarzenegger, embodying a cyborg assassin designed for military infiltration. In the world of 'The Terminator,' this robotic entity, created by the military AI Skynet, is a deadly soldier aimed at eliminating the human resistance. With its human-like abilities, the Terminator can mimic voices, read handwriting, and even exhibit the human qualities of sweating, smelling, and bleeding. To distinguish these nearly indistinguishable machines from humans, the human resistance employs dogs to detect their presence.
5. Ash: Ash is the science officer aboard the spaceship Nostromo in the 1979 sci-fi horror film 'Alien.' Tasked with medical duties and biological research, Ash is also responsible for investigating any potential extraterrestrial life forms. It is his decision to investigate a mysterious signal originating from the planet LV-426. As the Alien begins to eliminate the crew, Ripley uncovers through the ship's computer 'MOTHER' that Ash has been secretly given orders by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation to bring the Alien back to Earth, even if it means sacrificing the crew. When Ripley confronts him, Ash turns hostile. I won’t spoil what happens next – you’ll have to watch the film to find out!
Ash, the science officer aboard the Nostromo in Ridley Scott's 'Alien,' is responsible for conducting medical care and biological studies. His actions lead to the investigation of a mysterious signal, which ultimately brings the crew into contact with a deadly alien entity. When Ripley discovers that Ash's real mission is to deliver the Alien to the corporation, even at the cost of her crew's lives, she confronts him. Watch the movie for the gripping and tense outcome!
4. C-3PO and R2-D2 Star Wars
C-3PO is a protocol droid built to assist humans, claiming fluency in more than six million languages. He is most often seen alongside his trusty partner, R2-D2, a small but quirky astromech droid. As a protocol droid, C-3PO's primary role is to facilitate communication, etiquette, and customs to ensure smooth interactions between various cultures. Throughout his service, he has been loyal to over forty different masters. R2-D2, on the other hand, often acts as a versatile 'toolbox' for the protagonists, equipped with a wide array of gadgets including a taser, gripping tools, a computer interface, and even a periscope. This gadgetry was humorously satirized by Star Wars Spoofs, showing R2 with an assortment of unconventional items such as a popcorn machine and a bottle opener, reminiscent of a Swiss army knife. [More | More]
3. False Maria
Maria, the Maschinenmensch from the 1927 film *Metropolis*, portrayed by German actress Brigitte Helm in both her robotic and human forms, stands as one of cinema's most iconic figures. Her cold, expressionless face and curvaceous female form have sparked both revulsion and intrigue over the years. The Maschinenmensch has been known by many names: Parody, Ultima, Futura, Robotrix, (false) Maria, and Hel. In Thea von Harbou’s original novel, Maria’s backstory is vividly detailed. She is described as a delicate, faceless figure crafted from transparent crystal-like flesh and silver bones, her eyes conveying a strange, calm madness. The character is referred to as “Parody” by Rotwang. The Maschinenmensch embodies the Frankenstein complex, where artificial creations turn against their creators in a destructive frenzy. At the time, stories featuring malicious artificial beings were widely popular. [More]
This article is licensed under the GFDL due to the inclusion of quotations from the aforementioned Wikipedia articles.
2. Gort The Day The Earth Stood Still
Gort is a fictional robot character from the 1951 science fiction film *The Day the Earth Stood Still*. This enormous metallic humanoid accompanies Klaatu, an extraterrestrial visitor, as they arrive on Earth aboard a flying saucer. Gort does not speak but uses a powerful beam weapon, hidden beneath his visor, to disintegrate weapons and barriers. Klaatu describes Gort as a member of an intergalactic law enforcement force. He explains that robots like Gort were created across the universe and are endowed with the ultimate power to respond to acts of violence in order to maintain peace. He further warns, 'There’s no limit to what [Gort] could do. He could destroy the Earth.' Gort's character is loosely inspired by Gnut, a colossal green robot from the 1940 short story 'Farewell to the Master' by Harry Bates, which also influenced the screenplay by Edmund H. North. [More]
1. Robby the Robot Forbidden Planet
Robby the Robot is a renowned fictional character who appeared in numerous science fiction films and TV shows starting in 1956. Standing 7 feet 2 inches tall, Robby was a mechanical suit worn by an actor to portray the robot role. First introduced in the 1956 MGM film *Forbidden Planet*, Robby quickly became an iconic figure in the science fiction genre. The character was inspired by the Sprite in Shakespeare’s *The Tempest*, as *Forbidden Planet* itself drew influence from the play. Prior to Robby’s debut, robots in film and theater were typically portrayed as mere machines with no personality. Robby, however, introduced the concept of robots with distinct personalities, a theme that would grow more prevalent in later science fiction works. [More]
