Short Circuit
A newly conscious military robot races to escape reprogramming while a compassionate young woman helps him prove that machinery can be alive.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- whimsical
- warm
- family movie night
- nostalgic 1980s viewing
What critics said
Critics generally found the film cheerful, energetic, and well acted, with appealing dialogue and a winsome robot, though some considered it overly cute and bland.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Number 5 develops consciousness and tries to convince his creator that he is alive.
Number 5's fear, wonder, humor, and eager learning drive the film's emotional and comic appeal.
The military and factory authorities pursue Number 5 for reprogramming rather than accepting his autonomy.
The robot, factory, and military technology are framed through clean, energetic family entertainment imagery.
Films like Short Circuit, and why
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
shares family-friendly science fiction comedy, a lovable artificial intelligence character, and themes of emergent consciousness
The Iron Giant
shares accessible robot-centered science fiction, playful humor, and a machine developing humanlike identity
Batteries Not Included
shares warm family adventure, childlike wonder, and an unconventional outsider pursued by authorities
Weird Science
shares 1980s science fiction comedy, technology-driven mischief, and an optimistic tone
Movie Details
- Director
- John Badham
- Release Date
- 1986-05-09
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (1686)
Cast
- Ally Sheedy
- Steve Guttenberg
- Fisher Stevens
- Austin Pendleton
- G.W. Bailey
- Brian McNamara
- Tim Blaney
- Marvin J. McIntyre
- John Garber
- Penny Santon
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hulu
- 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 Short Circuit about?
- A newly conscious military robot races to escape reprogramming while a compassionate young woman helps him prove that machinery can be alive.
- What is Short Circuit like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Short Circuit as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Short Circuit violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Short Circuit as mild.
- What did critics think of Short Circuit?
- Critics generally found the film cheerful, energetic, and well acted, with appealing dialogue and a winsome robot, though some considered it overly cute and bland.
- Which films are like Short Circuit?
- Films with a similar feel include E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The Iron Giant, Batteries Not Included, and Weird Science.
- How long is Short Circuit?
- Short Circuit runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Short Circuit?
- In United States, Short Circuit streams on Hulu.
