Astro Boy
A superpowered robot child searches for belonging in a futuristic city while confronting the grief and expectations of the scientist who created him.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- energetic
- earnest
- sentimental
- family movie night
- kids weekend viewing
What critics said
Critics found Astro Boy visually energetic and emotionally sincere but conventional, tonally uneven, and overburdened by action.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Astro is a powerful robot created in the image of a lost child and struggles to be accepted as an individual.
Metro City’s technological prosperity contrasts with the netherworld where discarded robots fight for survival.
Dr. Tenma creates Astro in the image of his deceased son but rejects him when the robot cannot fulfill that expectation.
The film emphasizes a vividly designed futuristic city, superpowered robot movement, and climactic mechanical action.
Films like Astro Boy, and why
The Iron Giant
Shares child-friendly science fiction, emotional family themes, robot heroism, and polished animated action.
Robots
Shares futuristic adventure, young protagonists, comic robot characters, and accessible action spectacle.
Big Hero 6
Shares animated superhero storytelling, colorful world-building, family-oriented humor, and heroic self-discovery.
Movie Details
- Director
- David Bowers
- Release Date
- 2009-10-15
- Runtime
- 94 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (1704)
Cast
- Freddie Highmore
- Kristen Bell
- Nathan Lane
- Eugene Levy
- Matt Lucas
- Bill Nighy
- Donald Sutherland
- Charlize Theron
- Nicolas Cage
- Madeline Carroll
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel, MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Astro Boy about?
- A superpowered robot child searches for belonging in a futuristic city while confronting the grief and expectations of the scientist who created him.
- What is Astro Boy like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Astro Boy as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Astro Boy violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Astro Boy as moderate.
- What did critics think of Astro Boy?
- Critics found Astro Boy visually energetic and emotionally sincere but conventional, tonally uneven, and overburdened by action.
- Which films are like Astro Boy?
- Films with a similar feel include The Iron Giant, Robots, and Big Hero 6.
- How long is Astro Boy?
- Astro Boy runs 94 minutes.
- Where can I watch Astro Boy?
- In United States, Astro Boy streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel, MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel.
