The Top 10 AI Movies, Ranked

      Here are the 10 finest films about A.I.

      Authored by a human.

      Because we still have our uses.

      Ashley Scott and Jude Law in A.I. Artificial Intelligence – Credit: C/O

      Stanley Kubrick spent twenty years developing A.I. Artificial Intelligence, inspired by Brian Aldiss's short story “Supertoys Last All Summer Long.”

      After Kubrick's passing in 1999, Steven Spielberg took the reins. Spielberg’s adaptation narrates the tale of David (Haley Joel Osment), a mecha who aspires to be a real boy — a clear homage to the story of Pinocchio.

      9. The Artifice Girl (2023)

      Tatum Matthews as The Artifice Girl – Credit: C/O

      Filmmaker Franklin Ritch crafts a DIY sci-fi gem, depicting a computer whiz (Ritch) who creates a child (Tatum Matthews) to attract and capture malicious individuals online. Yet, when the A.I. girl becomes sentient, it raises complex ethical dilemmas.

      Do we genuinely believe The Artifice Girl, made with a minimal budget and a small cast, surpasses Steven Spielberg’s A.I.? Honestly, yes.

      And Rotten Tomatoes agrees.

      8. Her (2013)

      Amy Adams and Joaquin Phoenix in Her – Credit: C/O

      An impactful film that showcases the subtle ways technology captivates us.

      The soothing voice of artificial intelligence entity Scarlett Johansson offers solace and companionship to the lonely Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix).

      However, he soon realizes he may not be as special as he thinks.

      7. M3gan (2023)

      M3gan – Credit: C/O

      This entertaining horror film released earlier this year might seem absurd at first glance — a murderous A.I. doll, really? But it actually delves into the temptation for parents to delegate child-rearing to technological distractions, ranging from talking dolls to screens.

      Why is there a 3 in M3gan’s name? We're not sure. We just adore the quirky oddness this modern horror classic brings.

      6. Black Mirror: ‘San Junipero’ (2016)

      The Black Mirror episode “San Junipero” – Credit: C/O

      While not a film, this standalone TV episode is as remarkable as any movie, so we’re including it. “San Junipero” offers a rare portrayal of artificial intelligence that isn’t dystopian.

      It unfolds in a world where A.I. is so commonplace that it's no longer recognized as A.I.

      However, it’s hard to label a hyper-realistic ’80s nostalgia simulation, where individuals go when they (spoiler alert, if you haven’t seen this exquisite episode) pass away.

      5. RoboCop (1987)

      ED-209 in RoboCop – Credit: C/O

      Perhaps the most compelling argument against employing artificial intelligence in law enforcement occurs during a scene where the ED-209, the “enforcement droid” built for “urban pacification,” demonstrates its so-called policing abilities—and completely destroys a corporate volunteer acting as an “arrest subject.”

      The volunteer, Mr. Kinney, is instructed to aim a gun at ED-209, which then courteously commands him to drop the weapon — giving him 20 seconds to comply. He follows through! He truly does. But a snarling ED-209 doesn't observe Mr. Kinney relinquishing the firearm, leading to an over-the-top response.

      Although RoboCop is sharp satire, it also offers a hint of hope: RoboCop himself (Peter Weller) is a hero who utilizes technology yet maintains his humanity.

      4. Blade Runner (1982)

      Sean Young in Blade Runner – Credit: Warner Bros

      This 1982 film by Ridley Scott, featuring Harrison Ford as replicant-hunter Deckard, was ahead of its time in envisioning a scenario we all dread today: a reality where artificial intelligence beings are indistinguishable from humans.

      In Blade Runner, based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, even the replicants occasionally fail to realize they are, in fact, replicants.

      It’s a visually stunning neo-noir and one of the most referenced films ever created.

      3. The Matrix (1999)

      We are all in The Matrix – Credit: C/O

      In The Matrix, the Wachowskis’ remarkable foretelling of our contemporary world, countless individuals live out online fantasies while their physical forms exist in a state of stasis.

      That seems about right.

      Whether it’s scarier than the scenario in the top film on our list is subjective.

      2. The Terminator (1984)

      A memorable early poster for The Terminator – Credit: C/O

      James Cameron's The Terminator has been endlessly parodied and has spawned some disappointing sequels, making it easy to overlook the brilliance and terror of the original. Terminator 2, of course, is the only exceptional sequel and one of the greatest sequels