Stand by Me Doraemon to The Terminator: the best robot movies ever

One of Bruce Willis’ famously average movies (that I love) is Surrogates, a film set in a world where beautiful robots are controlled by people at home, in the best virtual reality experience you can imagine. People aren’t ever flawed or injured because if your surrogate is harmed you can simply repair it or get another one. The story follows one surrogate cop (played by Bruce Willis) who investigates an unusual mystery – the deaths of surrogates that are leading to the deaths of their operators.
Ginny Wong, Sub-editor

If you want to feel the iron love, look no further than the original Star Wars movie, and quite a few of the other movies in the franchise. Who can resist the astromech R2D2? Like all droids, he’s resourceful and endearing. Everyone knows he’s better than all the other astromechs because he’s never had a memory wipe. This allows him to develop his courage and his feelings, too, because he really bonds with Luke Skywalker’s X-wing. He’s responsible for ensuring the ship’s safety and has been recognised by the queen for all his great work. R2D2 has lived for ages and been in many battles. In fact, he played a key role in saving the galaxy – you’re welcome.
Susan Ramsay, Editor

I am not a big sci-fi fan but I have to put James Cameron’s The Terminator, released in 1984, at the top of my list of all-time favourite movies. Arnold Schwarzenegger is perfectly cast as the cyborg sent to kill the woman whose unborn son would lead an uprising against the machines in the future. Along the way, Arnie’s character battles the man who has been sent to protect the woman and save humanity. The special effects may not be great but who cares! The Terminator combines a clever plot with great suspense and non-stop action. It’s a real treat for sci-fi fans.
M. J. Premaratne, Sub-editor

What does mankind do when monsters known as Kaiju start appearing from beneath the Pacific Ocean? That’s right, build giant robots to fight them! These robots, known as Jaegers, are mankind’s last defence against the creatures. The movie follows two robot pilots as they try to combat the Kaiju. Although the Jaegers aren’t perfect, it’s impossible not to root for them as they sucker punch the Kaiju. Pacific Rim is a must-watch for any robot or action movie fan.
YP cadet Charlotte Fong

WALL-E is a great film. WALL-E follows a probe called EVE that he falls in love with, until she goes into standby mode. Not only does the film touch upon the very topical theme of the future of our planet (humans have had to abandon Earth because all the rubbish has made the planet too toxic to live on), it’s also just a cute love story. Everyone wants someone who sees them the way WALL-E sees EVE.
Lucy Christie, Sub-editor

Bicentennial Man follows the “life” of android Andrew (Robin Williams. My heart is still broken.) who, instead of being just another household appliance like androids are meant to be, starts showing human characteristics. He learns humour, creativity, compassion, curiosity, kindness, and all those things that differentiate people from inanimate objects. As Andrew becomes more “human”, he fights to be recognised as such. This movie is funny, tragic, enlightening and thoroughly entertaining, and the ending reminds us all that it’s not how others see us, but how we value ourselves, that’s important.
Heidi Yeung, Web sub-editor

This robot isn’t made of metal. Nor does he make mechanical sounds when he moves. He’s a big, marshmallow-looking hugging companion made of inflatable plastic. Baymax is a robot health-care companion made by Tadashi – the older brother of the main character, Hiro. He starts off with the sole purpose of helping Hiro through his grief of losing Tadashi in a fire, but the journey brings Baymax, Hiro, and their friends into a much bigger adventure as they uncover the true reason behind Tadashi’s death.
YP cadet ​Serena Tam

I, Robot with Will Smith is one of the better robot movies to come out of Hollywood. It has action, a decent plot, great acting and writing, so that you don’t need to turn your brain off. It’s better than that disappointment Chappie at least.
Wong Tsui-kai, Web reporter

If you are looking for a robot movie which is about love, A.I. Artificial Intelligence is your best choice. David is a prototype model robot designed to resemble a human child and to display love for his human owners, whose real son, Martin, is very ill. David becomes too emotionally attached to his owners, to such an extent that he wants to become a real boy to win their affection – but he is abandoned after a cure is found for Martin. The story is packed with emotion and of the powerful feelings that David develops for other robots and for his “mother”.
Tiffani Choi, Junior Reporters’ manager

Adapted from the Japanese manga, Stand by Me Doraemon is about friendship, bullying and growing up. This is the origins story of the robotic Doraemon, who comes from the future to befriend the main character, Nobita Nobi. The movie focuses on Doraemon leaving Nobita, and how Nobita handles it. A definite tearjerker!
Ben Pang, Reporter