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Short Circuit poster

Short Circuit

1986 · 1h 38m · Science Fiction, Comedy, Family

IMDb 6.6 Metacritic 50 RT 62%

Watch it tonight if you want a genuinely charming '80s romp that holds up better than you'd expect — this is the rare family sci-fi comedy that actually nails both the humor and heart, with a robot sidekick that's legitimately endearing and a plot that moves with real momentum. Skip it only if you absolutely can't stand practical effects and earnest sentimentality, but honestly, that's when movies like this shine brightest.

Plot

After a lightning bolt zaps a robot named Number 5, the lovable machine starts to think he's human and escapes the lab. Hot on his trail is his designer, Newton, who hopes to get to Number 5 before the military does. In the meantime, a spunky animal lover mistakes the robot for an alien and takes him in, teaching her new guest about life on Earth.

Director: John Badham

Cast: Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens, Austin Pendleton, G.W. Bailey

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