Artificial Intelligence movies form one of the top sub-genres of sci-fi as a whole, discussing several consequences of the advancement of technology and its impact on mankind. They provide light-hearted fun and send out a bleak warning about the apocalypse as our future. Artificial Intelligence movies also inspire the field of robotics to consider questions related to the moral, ethical, and societal consequences of using technology like AI. Among such an extensive list, we have handpicked the best Artificial Intelligence movies to watch in 2023.
The article covers the top 8 Artificial Intelligence movies you can watch in 2023, spanning everything from timeless classics to breakthrough titles that have redefined the genre.
Best Artificial Intelligence Movies to Watch in 2023
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey
IMBd Rating: 8.3/10
A 1968 genuine classic by the acclaimed producer/director Stanley Kubrick, the film is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made. It has visually breathtaking Oscar-winning special effects and was recently added to the library of Congress National Film Registry.
Based on a short story by renowned science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke, the movie follows the voyage of five astronauts to a Jovian world on a spaceship called Discovery. They are accompanied by a supercomputer, HAL 9000, whose purpose is to assist in the ship’s day-to-day function. However, trouble begins when HAL displays increasingly strange behavior, leading to an intense showdown between a man and a machine.
The movie is perfect for music enthusiasts as it has long sequences of classical music and sci-fi hippies.
2. The Matrix
IMBd Rating: 8.7/10
Written and directed by the Wachowskis, the 1999 science fiction action film is the first installment in The Matrix series. The movie is an example of the cyberpunk subgenre of science fiction, which got so famous that the ‘blue pill’ and ‘red pill’ aspects of the film are used as references to date.
The movie’s premise revolves around Neo, a computer hacker, being led astray into the underworld by a beautiful stranger, after which he realizes the truth about his world. The Matrix depicts a dystopian future in which humanity is unknowingly trapped inside a simulated reality created by a cyber-intelligent entity. And the only way to get out is through a brutal battle for their lives against intelligent secret agents.
The Matrix is responsible for subsequent numerous computer-stimulated reality conspiracy theories which question our existence in the world we live in.
3. WALL-E
IMBd Rating – 8.4/10
WALL-E forms a nice opposition to the view that AI is always the bad guy. A 2008 American animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios, WALL-E talks about various modern topics such as consumerism, environmentalism, human greed, and more. The film topped the Time’s list of the “Best Movies of the Decade” and received five Oscar nominations.
It takes place in a distant future where mankind has deserted Earth and left it in the hands of waste-collecting robots in the hopes that it will be inhabitable once again. One such robot, WALL-E, follows Eve into the human spaceship called Axion and unknowingly embarks on a mission that could bring mankind back to Earth.
Instead of world domination, the movie shows AI saving humanity and is best for a cozy evening as a feel-good movie.
4. LOVE DEATH + ROBOTS
IMBd Rating – 8.4/10
While not a movie, Love Death + Robots has its unique take on Artificial Intelligence by showcasing it on and off the screen, a Netflix Original animated series developed by Tim Miller, the 26 episodes are shuffled using AI so that each user gets a different and tailored experience. The shuffling depends on the data gathered through the watchlist of the user.
The episodes of Love Death + Robots explore diverse genres such as comedy, fantasy, and horror and are combined with futuristic Artificial Intelligence. The stand-alone episodes differ, not just in content matters but also in art styles. They include tales that explore alternate histories, life for robots in a post-apocalyptic city, and a plot for world domination by super-intelligent yogurt.
Love Death + Robots is a must-watch for people who want a different and integrated take on Artificial Intelligence and its portrayal on-screen.
5. Her
IMBd Rating – 8/10
Unlike the usual action-packed, apocalypse genre of AI movies, Her portrays an emotional side of it. Written, directed, and co-produced by Spike Jonze, the movie premiered at New York Film Festival in 2013. It received numerous awards and nominations, primarily for Jonze’s screenplay.
Much like virtual assistants in our lives, such as Siri or Alexa, the movie presents an incredibly sophisticated AI named Samantha, who can handle complex tasks such as filtering emails and downloading millions of books in a split second. Theodore Twombly, the protagonist of the movie, becomes intrigued with this advanced operating system, develops friendships, and falls in love over time. The storyline is engaging and gives a fresh perspective on AI’s impact on human relationships.
Her is a beautiful and imaginative tale with one of the best romance movies with Artificial Intelligence.
6. The Terminator
IMBd Rating – 8.1/10
The Terminator is one of the earliest movies warning people of the dangers of Artificial Intelligence and the possibility of them turning evil. James Cameron directed the 1984 science fiction action movie. It was such a success that it led to a franchise consisting of several sequels, a television series, comic books, novels, and video games.
The movie follows a cyborg assassin known as the Terminator who is sent back through time from 2029 to 1984 to kill the seemingly innocent Sarah Connor – a woman whose unborn son will lead the human race to victory in a bitter future war with a race of machines. Kyle Reese, a soldier, goes back in time to protect Sarah and kill the Terminator to save mankind.
The Terminator is a cult classic for people looking forward to enjoying a good old-fashioned movie with a great plot and superb action sequences.
7. M3GAN
IMBd Rating – 6.6/10
Adapted from a screenplay by Akela Cooper, M3GAN is directed by Gerard Johnstone as a science fiction horror film. The movie was theatrically released on January 6, 2023, by Universal Pictures, wherein it received positive critic reviews. It has wonderful digital visual effects and a good blend of horror and humor.
The plotline of the movie follows Gemma, a roboticist at a toy company who creates an artificially intelligent doll named M3GAN. The film explores what happens when smart technology gets too self-aware. When given to Gemma’s niece Cady, M3GAN becomes attached and possessive of the little girl – hostile towards anyone who comes near Cady. She resorts to killing anyone and anything not just because she was programmed to protect Cady, but because M3GAN considers her a ‘friend’.
As far as the creepy dolls list goes, M3GAN comes at the top and is a must-watch for horror movie lovers.
8. Ex-Machina
IMBD Rating – 7.7/10
Our final listing for the best Artificial Intelligence movie goes to Ex-Machina for its performance, screenplay, and Oscar-winning visual effects. Directed by Alex Garland, the movie makes the audience tackle whether AI can be inclined towards good or evil. It won several awards and numerous other accolades.
Ex Machina tells the story of a young computer scientist called Caleb who wins a contest that enables him to spend a week at the private estate of Nathan Bateman, his firm’s brilliant CEO. While there, Caleb meets the beautiful Ava: the world’s first ‘female’ artificial intelligence. Caleb learns that he has been chosen to be the human component in a Turing test to determine his capabilities and consciousness of Ava. However, it soon becomes evident that Ava is far more self-aware and deceptive than either man imagined.
The movie makes the audience ponder the ethics and morality of performing tests on self-aware life, even if that life was artificially made.
Also read: Best Slavery Movies on Netflix!
Wrapping Up: Best Artificial Intelligence Movies to Watch in 2023
Whether you are into horror, science fiction, comedy, or something else, Artificial Intelligence movies have all covered. From the classics such as The Terminator to the new age movies like Ex Machina, Love Death + Robots, and Her, this list has something for everyone.
So, ready your full popcorn tub and enjoy the best Artificial intelligence movies, because 2023 is already looking better than ever with these great ones!
