Top 10 Robots in film

Robots are very fickle objects in science fiction.

They can be help or hinder. They are massively efficient, but that can lead to unruly results. Isaac Asimov debuted his theory on the three laws of robotics in his sci-fi books including I, Robot. Others have taken their own liberties with the concept of created, mechanical beings.

Robots do exist in some form today, like with mechanized hands working factory assembly lines. Attempts at creating human-like robots are being made, albeit with somewhat creepy results. Who knows whether people will create Terminator-like machines in the near future, or even SKYNET.

For science fiction in film, there are plenty of robots present. To be chosen, these robots had to be completely created and not exclusively AI, with almost no human or living mind carried over. Sorry, cyborgs.

The Celebrity Café counts down the top 10 robots in film.
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10. Evil Bill and Ted, ‘Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey’
What can you say about these chaotic robotic versions of the two lead characters from the future? As long as they’re played by Alex Winters and Keanu Reeves with slightly darker comedy, it won’t matter, especially when they kill off the real characters. So much for that final fight, though.

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9. 9, ‘9’
Spoiler alert; the robotic dolls in this film bend the rules for the list, since their creator used parts of his soul to bring them alive. The titular character, voiced by Elijah Wood, has a childlike wonder and refreshingly courageous attitude that lacks in the other dolls in the post-apocalyptic tale. However, he’s low on this list since his wonder revived a mechanical monster.

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8. Transformers, ‘Transformers’ films
Yes, both Autobots and Decepticons, and yes, the Michael Bay films included. Optimus Prime had always been a courageously heroic leader with Megatron opposing through power and fear. Each of the robots’ personalities was cartoonish, yet they were sometimes more interesting to watch than the human characters, which says a lot.

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7. Bishop, ‘Aliens’
Ellen Ripley had plenty of reasons to dismiss this android, given her experience with one in the previous film. However, Bishop manages to prove himself in dangerous situations, especially risking his life to save Ripley and a little girl. Too bad the queen Xenomorph got to him.

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6. R2-D2, ‘Star Wars’ films
C-3PO is a droid only made for protocol, but the famous droid R2 has seen it all. Only communicating through beeps and other high-pitches sound effects, R2 has helped Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker in tight situations, as well as the trio of Luke, Leia and Han Solo later on. The droid is really an integral hero in this famous series.

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5. Sonny, ‘I, Robot’
This robot, played by Alan Tudyk of Firefly, is at the center of a murder investigation, always seeming to know more than he shows along with his deceased creator. By the end of the film, he is one of the heroes with Will Smith as they try to stop a crazy AI. Sonny is also a capable fighter, though audiences didn’t see him in action until the end.

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4. Robot Maria, ‘Metropolis’
This very old silent film depicted one of the earliest robots. This robot would later take on the form of the female protagonist Maria, going against her biblical teachings by creating pandemonium leading to its apocalypse. This film inspired a Japanese manga with the same name but a different story, and its anime film would differ from the manga’s material as well.

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3. Terminator, ‘Terminator’ films
No matter the robot’s model iteration and actions (especially when some were reprogrammed), the Terminators were always menacing. John Connor must’ve been a major thorn on SKYNET’s side if they decided to send robots back in time to kill the mother and even a pre-teen John. Whether human or machine, everybody seems resistant to their destinies and fate.

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2. Roy Batty, ‘Blade Runner’
What would happen if you knew your natural expiration date, and it was getting closer? Roy and other Replicants knew, killing for the opportunity to extend their lives in this movie. Roy also had the opportunity to let Harrison Ford’s protagonist fall off a building to his death, but saved him to make a point about life and mortality.

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1. WALL-E, ‘WALL-E’
A small trash-compacting robot that was left on an abandoned Earth for so many years, WALL-E began to collect things that aided in his character’s evolution overtime. The designers excellently allowed subtle expressions to come through its industrial design, making him the top robot on the list. With almost no dialogue, WALL-E conveyed personality and quirkiness that created a uniquely adorable character.