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Short Circuit

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Short Circuit

PG

Released May 9, 1986

1h 38m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

62%

Tomatometer

39 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

After a lightning bolt gives it human emotions and intelligence, a military robot escapes and finds refuge at the home of an animal-loving pacifist (Ally Sheedy).

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Critics Consensus

Amiable and good-natured but also shallow and predictable, Short Circuit is hardly as deep or emotionally resonant as E.T. -- though Johnny Five makes for a charming robot protagonist.

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Catherine Rambeau

Detroit Free Press

Folks who like tweaking the Army or those with a special fondness for adorable robots may enjoy this harmless, reasonably funny film.

Rated: 5/10

Oct 27, 2021

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

The film has nowhere to go except to give us a predictable initial confrontation between Guttenberg and Sheedy over military weapons.

Rated: 1/4

Apr 2, 2014

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Desmond Ryan

Philadelphia Inquirer

One of the stranger ironies to be found in Hollywood these days is that some of its most resourceful directors use high-tech wizardry and state-of- the-art movie technology to make films that rail against the tyranny of science.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 2, 2014

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Dan Webster

Spokesman-Review (Washington)

You've seem it before, and it's got a sweetness that makes even Steven Spielberg look a little like Scrooge, but you'll be hard pressed to find a better film to both entertain your kids and teach them an important lesson about the meaning of life.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 27, 2024

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

It's the charming machine and his damsel-in-distress who keep the picture afloat, putting a twist on conventional movie romances.

Rated: 7/10

Sep 7, 2020

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Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

In the spectrum of "Mac and Me," and "E.T.," its right there smack dab in the middle with "Batteries Not Included."

Oct 15, 2018

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Michael D L

Awesome Movie mixed with comedy and action

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/20/25

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Audience Member

This was an absolute masterpiece, how dare anyone give it less than 4 stars. What a classic, wonderful story. Have you witnessed the BS Hollywood spews out these days?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/18/25

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Monica S

I loved this as a child. So my child self is giving it a very high rating.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/25

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Dave C

Love, love, love this! AI and robotics in an intelligent, funny, warm, and nerdy sci-fi hosted by some of the top acting talent of its era. It plays just as well now as it did when I first watched it decades ago.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/07/24

Full Review

Norm W

I first watched Short Circuit with my child. We have since watched it together when he was a teenager. Both times we said it is one of a few classic kids movies. I recently watched it again and enjoyed the pure fun of the story. There may be only one exception as a child’s movie: swearing. I ignored the profanity the first time I saw it. I asked my child if it was noticed, but it wasn’t. Children don’t perceive the few times profanity was used because the delivery was swift and not material to the dialog. Just one more thing, for today’s overly sensitive audiences they might perceive a couple of “politically incorrect” items that could offend, but still funny, even campy. The anamatronics and puppetry in the movie is exceptional. It makes you believe that the robot is alive. To an adult in 2024, it might sometimes look a little cartoonish, but to me it sets the story in a simpler time when plots relied on solid story lines and not glitzy CG special effects. Think of Starwars with all the rubber puppets and the shaky speeder. I believe that if this movie were remade using CG, it would flop. I will keep this movie in my collection to watch again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/11/24

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Gary M

This movie is awesome. Just the work they did with the robots alone is worth more than the 5 stars.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/10/24

Full Review

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John Badham

Director

Ally Sheedy

Stephanie Speck

Steve Guttenberg

Newton Crosby

Fisher Stevens

Ben Jabituya

Austin Pendleton

Howard Marner

G.W. Bailey

Skroeder

Short Circuit: Official Clip - Your Mama Was a Snowblower

2:00

Short Circuit: Official Clip - It Just Runs Programs

2:01

Short Circuit: Official Clip - Disassembling Frank's Car

2:08

Short Circuit: Official Clip - Spontaneous Emotional Response

2:01

Short Circuit: Official Clip - Number 5 Is Still Alive

1:54

Short Circuit: Official Clip - Struck By Lightning

1:59

Short Circuit: Official Clip - It's Gone Berserk

1:50

Short Circuit: Official Clip - NOVA Demonstration

1:50

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Synopsis

After a lightning bolt gives it human emotions and intelligence, a military robot escapes and finds refuge at the home of an animal-loving pacifist (Ally Sheedy).

Director: John Badham
Producer: Lawrence Turman, David Foster
Screenwriter: S.S. Wilson, Brent Maddock
Distributor: TriStar Pictures, Image Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: TriStar Pictures, Producers Sales Organization, Turman-Foster Company
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 9, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 6, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $39.0M
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Surround

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