Short Circuit (1986) movie poster

Short Circuit (1986)

"Something wonderful has happened... No. 5 is alive."
ThumbScore
๐Ÿ‘ 88%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
๐ŸŽฌ 56% (RT: 62%, MC: 50) โ„น๏ธRT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
Science FictionComedyFamily

Where to Watch

Streaming
YouTube TV
Rent / Buy
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Director
Runtime
1h 38m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
6.6/10 (1,593 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
62%
Metacritic
50
Cast
Ally Sheedy as Stephanie Speck
Steve Guttenberg as Newton Crosby
Fisher Stevens as Ben Jabituya
Austin Pendleton as Howard Marner
G.W. Bailey as Skroeder
Tim Blaney as Number 5 (voice)
Yes. 88% of real audiences liked it based on 1,593 votes. Critics scored it lower at 56%, but audiences disagreed.
Overview
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. Wikipedia โ†—
Fun Facts
  • The iconic poster for Short Circuit was designed at the very last minute before marketing began.
  • The initial cut of Short Circuit was reportedly much longer, with several subplots removed to improve the pacing.
Audience Consensus

Short Circuit is a 1986 science fiction, comedy, family film directed by John Badham. 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. The film has been rated by 1,593 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers. As a science fiction film, Short Circuit delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling.

The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences. Short Circuit (1986) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape. The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

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What Reddit Thinks

r/movies
⬆ 1,730💬 641 comments
Short Circuit is the one movie that SHOULD get a reboot.
Hear me out: Short Circuit and Short Circuit 2 deserves a reboot. Robotics companies have been developing some wild advancements in robots over the... Read on Reddit →
Top comment: "As long as Johnny 5 looks like Johnny 5 I mean, tank treads and the shoulder cannon. Beyond that. ..."
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