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Short Circuit

Play trailer 1:44 Poster for Short Circuit PG 1986 1h 38m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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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Short Circuit

Short Circuit

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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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Critics Reviews

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Catharine Rambeau Detroit Free Press 10/27/2021
5/10
Folks who like tweaking the Army or those with a special fondness for adorable robots may enjoy this harmless, reasonably funny film. Go to Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune 04/02/2014
1/4
The film has nowhere to go except to give us a predictable initial confrontation between Guttenberg and Sheedy over military weapons. Go to Full Review Desmond Ryan Philadelphia Inquirer 04/02/2014
2/4
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. Go to Full Review Dan Webster Spokesman-Review (Washington) 07/27/2024
3/4
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. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 09/07/2020
7/10
It's the charming machine and his damsel-in-distress who keep the picture afloat, putting a twist on conventional movie romances. Go to Full Review Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed 10/15/2018
In the spectrum of "Mac and Me," and "E.T.," its right there smack dab in the middle with "Batteries Not Included." Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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T W. @Ttheman 4d Short Circuit is a definite classic, with a charming robot, great humor and amazing soundtrack. Happy 40th Anniversary to this classic! See more Duante H. @Duante2026 Mar 10 The Best Classic Movie Ever See more Garrett B @gmoney637 Mar 10 A clever and humorous sci-fi comedy with a classic charm to it. See more Robson C @RT82519826 Mar 7 Um robô criado para fins militares é atingido por um raio e tem sua programação alterada, ganhando consciência e valores próprios. Após fugir do laboratório, passa a ser caçado pela empresa que o desenvolveu. Sua única aliada é a dona de um food truck, amante dos animais. O filme, um divertido exemplar dos anos 80, tem no androide Número 5 seu maior charme: o trabalho de efeitos visuais consegue transmitir emoções com poucos recursos, e mesmo que algumas cenas envelheçam mal, ainda impressiona em uma era dominada por CGI. O elenco parece cumprir tabela, especialmente Steve Guttenberg, enquanto Ally Sheedy e Fisher Stevens se destacam — apesar do estereótipo do cientista indiano. Tornou-se um clássico da Sessão da Tarde, embora pareça faltar um pouco de alma, ironicamente algo que o próprio robô acaba encontrando. See more Ben P @RT03959963 Jan 23 I liked this movie quite a bit! Recommend watching. See more Erica B @RT57266620 Aug 13 Definitely a movie ahead of its time! See more Read all reviews
Short Circuit

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Cast & Crew

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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

Movie Clips

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Short Circuit

Short Circuit: Official Clip - Your Mama Was a Snowblower Short Circuit: Official Clip - Your Mama Was a Snowblower 2:00 Short Circuit: Official Clip - It Just Runs Programs Short Circuit: Official Clip - It Just Runs Programs 2:01 Short Circuit: Official Clip - Disassembling Frank's Car Short Circuit: Official Clip - Disassembling Frank's Car 2:08 Short Circuit: Official Clip - Spontaneous Emotional Response Short Circuit: Official Clip - Spontaneous Emotional Response 2:01 Short Circuit: Official Clip - Number 5 Is Still Alive Short Circuit: Official Clip - Number 5 Is Still Alive 1:54 Short Circuit: Official Clip - Struck By Lightning Short Circuit: Official Clip - Struck By Lightning 1:59 Short Circuit: Official Clip - It's Gone Berserk Short Circuit: Official Clip - It's Gone Berserk 1:50 Short Circuit: Official Clip - NOVA Demonstration Short Circuit: Official Clip - NOVA Demonstration 1:50 View more videos

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Short Circuit

Short Circuit: Trailer 1 Short Circuit: Trailer 1 1:44 View more videos
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Short Circuit

Short Circuit (1986) Short Circuit (1986) View more photos

Movie Info

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