() — Depending on who you talk to, artificial intelligence (AI) is either going to save the world or destroy it.
With Hollywood in the midst of a writers’ strike, partly due to concerns about AI, we’ve put together a list of some of the movies you can watch to remind yourself of the power (and potential dangers) of technology.
Because who doesn’t fancy a movie marathon to relax?
“WALL-E”
“WALL-E” (2008) by Pixar. (Credit: Pixar)
Let’s start with one that strikes a chord.
This 2008 film blends science fiction, computer animation, and romance to tell the story of a lonely robot whose job it is to pick up trash on a 22nd century Earth decimated by pollution and deserted.
“WALL-E” falls in love with another robot, leading to all kinds of action and a movie for the whole family. (It’s also a good reminder to look away from screens more often.)
“The Mitchells vs. the Machines”
“The Mitchells vs. the Machines” (2021). (Credit: IMDb)
Speaking of fun for the whole family, this 2021 animated film is about a dysfunctional family trying to save the world from a robot revolution while on a road trip.
If that doesn’t sound like summer, nothing will.
“Minority Report”
Tom Cruise, Neal Mcdonough and Colin Farrell in “Minority Report” (2002). (Credit: Moviestore/Shutterstock)
This one is definitely darker.
What do you get when you mix Tom Cruise’s performance with Steven Spielberg’s direction and a film based on the writings of famed author Philip K. Dick?
The result is this 2002 sci-fi blockbuster, set in a world where technology can predict murders before they happen and catch murderers before they happen.
“Matrix”
Carrie-Anne Moss and Keanu Reeves in “The Matrix” (1999). (Credit: Jasin Boland/Warner Bros/Village/Shutterstock)
Arguably the most famous film on this list, the 1999 original kicked off a franchise starring Keanu Reeves as cybercriminal programmer Neo, who lives in a world dominated by robots.
Naturally, this happened after said robots rebelled against the humans, because isn’t that what worries people because it is a frequent theme in these types of movies?
“War Games”
Ally Sheedy and Matthew Broderick in “War Games” (1983). (Credit: Moviestore/Shutterstock)
Technology leading us to the precipice of nuclear destruction is another regular theme of the movies (as well as a real-life concern).
In this 1983 sci-fi thriller, Matthew Broderick stars as a hacker who breaks into a supercomputer trying to start a war with the Soviet Union.
“M3GAN”
Amie Donald in “M3GAN” (2022). (Credit: IMDb)
This movie definitely won’t ease your concerns about AI.
An artificially intelligent doll draws on the human emotions of jealousy and anger to confront the one she believes stands between her and her human companion.
Horror science fiction is doubly problematic and doubly enjoyable, depending on the audience.
“Terminator”
Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Terminator” (1984). (Credit: Moviestore/Shutterstock)
No self-respecting AI list would be complete without the granddaddy of them all.
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as a murderous cyborg who travels from the future to kill a woman who will later give birth to a son who, when grown up, will save humanity from a hostile form of artificial intelligence.
From the iconic catchphrase “I’ll be back” to a sequel franchise, this 1984 film is in the spirit of pop culture.
