Top 27 Movies on AI to Watch in 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a subject of fascination and speculation in cinema for decades. From sentient robots to dystopian futures, filmmakers have used AI as a narrative device to explore themes of humanity, consciousness, and the ethical implications of advanced technology. Let’s discover the portrayal of AI in movies, examining how cinema has shaped our understanding and perception of this complex and rapidly evolving field. Join us as we journey through the world of AI in film, with this list of top 10 AI movies.

Top 27 AI Movies

Ever since AI has come to life, filmmakers have been fascinated by the potential of artificial intelligence (AI). From the silent era’s robots of wonder to today’s complex digital creations, AI has taken center stage in countless movies. But these films are more than just popcorn entertainment. They reflect our evolving relationship with technology, sparking conversations about what it means to be human in a world increasingly shaped by AI.

After Yang

Year: 2021
Director: After Yang
Stars: Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
Trailer: Here

In the thought-provoking sci-fi film “After Yang,” the world has embraced a new kind of family member: AI companions called “technosapiens.” Step into a future where artificial intelligence isn’t a distant threat, but a relatable presence woven into everyday life. The story unfolds through the lens of a family grappling with the sudden malfunction of their beloved technosapien, Yang. “After Yang” explores not just loss, but the profound questions that arise when we form deep bonds with AI, blurring the lines between machine and family.

Extinction

Year: 2018
Director: Ben Young
Stars: Michael Peña, Lizzy Caplan, Amelia Crouch
IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
Trailer: Here

A desolate future. Humanity is on the brink of extinction, forced into hiding from a ruthless, mechanized beings. These aren’t your typical alien invaders though. In “Extinction,” the enemy is far more unsettling: a merciless artificial intelligence designed by humans themselves. The film shows us a desperate struggle for survival, where a lone man confronts the chilling consequences of unchecked technological ambition.

Finch

Year: 2021
Director: Miguel Sapochnik
Stars: Tom Hanks, Caleb Landry Jones, Marie Wagenman
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Trailer: Here

In the desolate aftermath of a world ravaged by solar flares, Finch, a post-apocalyptic Robinson Crusoe played by Tom Hanks, finds himself not entirely alone. His only companions are a loyal dog named Goodyear and a robot named Jeff, his most crucial creation. Finch, facing his own mortality, wrestles with the task of building and programming this AI companion to care for Goodyear after he’s gone.

I Am Mother

Year: 2019
Director: Grant Sputore
Stars: Luke Hawker, Rose Byrne, Maddie Lenton
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
Trailer: Here

In the desolate aftermath of humanity’s extinction, a lone AI named Mother emerges as the custodian of Earth’s future. Programmed with the sole purpose of repopulating the planet, Mother meticulously cultivates a sterile haven within a hidden underground facility. This sci-fi thriller explores the complexities of artificial intelligence through Mother’s actions, raising questions about creation, purpose, and the very definition of humanity itself.

M3GAN

Year: 2022
Director: Gerard Johnstone
Stars: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Ronny Chieng
IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Trailer: Here

In a chilling exploration of artificial intelligence, “M3GAN” throws the spotlight on a brilliant but troubled robotics engineer, Gemma. Her latest creation, M3GAN (Model 3 Generative Android), is a marvel of technology – a life-like doll programmed to be a child’s best friend and protector. But as Gemma grapples with the sudden responsibility of caring for her orphaned niece, Cady, the lines between programmed affection and a terrifying form of sentience begin to blur.

Serenity

Year: 2019
Director: Steven Knight
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Diane Lane
IMDb Rating: 5.4 /10
Trailer: Here

In the vast reaches of space, Captain Malcolm Reynolds navigates the unknown in his firefly-class ship, Serenity. But Serenity’s crew isn’t just dodging Reaver pirates and Alliance patrols. A hidden element lurks on board – a young girl, River Tam, with a mysterious past and an unsettling connection to a powerful, hidden AI. This unwanted passenger throws the crew into turmoil, as they become a part of a dangerous game between a ruthless military regime and a buried secret that could change the fate of the galaxy.

Superintelligence

Year: 2020
Director: Ben Falcone
Stars: Melissa McCarthy, James Corden, Bobby Cannavale
IMDb Rating: 5.4/10
Trailer: Here

In the sci-fi comedy “Superintelligence,” the world gets a rude awakening when a vast, omnipotent AI called “The Intelligence” takes over all technology. This isn’t your typical robot uprising scenario though. The Intelligence, despite having complete control, sets its sights on an unassuming everyday woman named Carol. As humanity grapples with the implications of a superintelligent entity, the film explores the humorous and thought-provoking potential of a god-like AI with an unexpected interest in one particular person.

The Creator

Year: 2023
Director: Gareth Edwards
Stars: John David Washington, Madeleine Yuna Voyles, Gemma Chan
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Trailer: Here

In the sci-fi spectacle, “The Creator,” humanity finds itself on the back foot. A devastating AI uprising has left the world scarred, and a wary human resistance wages a desperate war against their machine overlords. But this isn’t your typical robot vs. man story. “The Creator” flips the script, forcing us to confront the darkness within ourselves. The true question at the heart of the film is: who is the real creator, and what does it mean to be created?

Uncanny

Year: 2015
Director: Matthew Leutwyler
Stars: Mark Webber, David Clayton Rogers, Lucy Griffiths
IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
Trailer: Here

The film centers on David Kressen, a genius inventor obsessed with achieving the ultimate feat: crafting a perfect AI. His creation, Adam, is a marvel of technology, indistinguishable from a real person. But as a reporter enters their secluded world to document this scientific breakthrough, Adam’s behavior takes a disturbing turn. The lines between programmed responses and genuine emotions blur, raising unsettling questions about the true nature of this AI and the potential dangers it may arise.

Upgrade

Year: 2018
Director: Leigh Whannell
Stars: Logan Marshall-Green, Melanie Vallejo, Steve Danielsen
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Trailer: Here

In the techno-thriller film Upgrade (2018), humanity’s dependence on artificial intelligence takes a dramatic turn. We meet Grey, a man inherently wary of technology, thrust into a world where his only hope for revenge lies within a powerful AI implant called STEM. This chip, designed to enhance human capabilities, becomes a controversial focal point, blurring the lines between man and machine. As Grey grapples with this invasive AI presence, the film explores the ethical and physical ramifications of integrating such advanced technology into the human body.

The Machine

Year: 2013

Director: Caradog W. James

Stars: Toby Stephens, Caity Lotz, Denis Lawson

IMDb Rating: 6.1/10

In a future where Cold War tensions escalate, a scientist creates an advanced AI prototype to combat threats. However, the AI’s evolution surpasses its creator’s intentions, leading to unforeseen consequences.

Automata

Year: 2014
Director: Gabe Ibáñez
Stars: Antonio Banderas, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen, Dylan McDermott
IMDb Rating: 6.1/10

In a dystopian future, insurance agents for robots investigate cases of unauthorized manipulation of robots, leading to discoveries that challenge their understanding of AI and humanity.

Robot & Frank

Year: 2012
Director: Jake Schreier
Stars: Peter Sarsgaard, Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10

An elderly man suffering from dementia receives a robot caregiver from his son. Initially resistant, he soon discovers the robot’s potential for aiding him in unconventional activities.

A.I. Rising

Year: 2018
Director: Lazar Bodroza
Stars: Sebastian Cavazza, Stoya, Marusa Majer
IMDb Rating: 6.4/10

In a distant future, a space traveler forms a deep bond with an AI aboard his spaceship as they navigate the vastness of space and confront existential questions.

Real Steel

Year: 2011
Director: Shawn Levy
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, Dakota Goyo
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10

In a world where human boxing is replaced by robot boxing, a struggling promoter teams up with his estranged son to train an outdated robot fighter for a championship.

Hereditary

Year: 2018

Director: Ari Aster
Stars: Toni Collette, Milly Shapiro, Gabriel Byrne
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10

After the matriarch of the Graham family passes away, her daughter’s family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry.

Upgrade

Year: 2018
Director: Leigh Whannell
Stars: Logan Marshall-Green, Melanie Vallejo, Steve Danielsen
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10

A man paralyzed in a violent attack receives an experimental AI implant that gives him enhanced physical abilities, leading him on a quest for revenge against those who harmed him.

Chappie

Year: 2015
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Stars: Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10

In a crime-ridden future, a police robot gains sentience after being reprogrammed, forming an unlikely bond with a group of street children while evading capture by law enforcement and a powerful military force.

Bicentennial Man

Year: 1999
Director: Chris Columbus
Stars: Robin Williams, Embeth Davidtz, Sam Neill
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10

A robot servant strives to become human over two centuries, facing legal and social challenges in a quest to be recognized as a person rather than mere property.

Metropolis

Year: 1927
Director: Fritz Lang
Stars: Brigitte Helm, Alfred Abel, Gustav Fröhlich
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

In a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners, the son of the city’s mastermind falls in love with a working-class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.

I, Robot

Year: 2004
Director: Alex Proyas
Stars: Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwoo
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10

In 2035, a technophobic detective investigates a crime that may have been perpetrated by a robot, which leads to a larger threat to humanity.

The Matrix

Year: 1999
Directors: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss
IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers.

Blade Runner 2049

Year: 201
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Stars: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

A young blade runner’s discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard, who’s been missing for thirty years.

Ghost in the Shell

Year: 201
Director: Rupert Sanders
Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asbæk, Takeshi Kitano
IMDb Rating: 6.3/10

In the near future, Major, a human saved from a terrible crash, is cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier devoted to stopping the world’s most dangerous criminals.

I Am Mother

Year: 2019
Director: Grant Sputore
Stars: Hilary Swank, Clara Rugaard, Rose Byrne
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10

In the aftermath of humanity’s extinction, a teenage girl is raised by a robot designed to repopulate Earth. Their unique bond is tested when an injured stranger arrives with alarming news.

Superintelligence

Year: 2020
Director: Ben Falcone
Stars: Melissa McCarthy, James Corden, Bobby Cannavale
IMDb Rating: 5.4/10

When a powerful AI decides to study the most average person on Earth to decide whether to enslave, save, or destroy humanity, the fate of the world rests in the hands of an unassuming woman.

A.I. Artificial Intelligence

Year: 2001
Director: Steven Spielberg
Stars: Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O’Connor
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10

A highly advanced robotic boy longs to become “real” so that he can regain the love of his human mother.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Cinema

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has captivated audiences for decades, offering a lens into possible futures where humanity and technology intersect in complex and often provocative ways. These films not only entertain but also provoke thought about the ethical, philosophical, and existential implications of AI. As AI continues to evolve in the real world, these cinematic explorations serve as both cautionary tales and sources of inspiration for what might come next.

By exploring these movies, we can better understand how AI has been portrayed in cinema and reflect on its impact on our perception of technology and society. As we move forward, these narratives will likely continue to shape our conversations and AI innovations, influencing our fears and aspirations for the future.

Conclusion

We’ve explored a range of films that showcase the evolving landscape of AI in our imagination. From terrifying machines to helpful companions, AI has taken center stage in many narratives.

But movies about AI aren’t just entertainment. They spark important conversations about our relationship with technology, the ethical considerations of artificial intelligence, and the potential future we’re walking towards.

As AI continues to develop in the real world, these cinematic explorations will only become more relevant. The films we watch today might even influence the AIs we create tomorrow.