The 25 Best Movie Robots Of All Time

This weekend, director Neill Blomkamp adds a new member to an exclusive club: movies with really cool robots. It's a cross-section of movies big and small that drive the story forward with characters made of metal and wire. Sometimes they're menacing, sometimes they're hilarious, but the best movie robots are always unforgettable.

In honor of Blomkamp's movie, Chappie, I've ranked my 25 favorite movie robots of all time. It wasn't an easy task. There are so many subtle differences you have to consider. Is a cyborg a robot? Is an alien a robot? For example, Darth Vader is "more machine than man," just like RoboCop. Are they both robots? In the end I went with my gut. If the character felt like a robot, or its robotic nature added something to the movie, it made the list. Also, this is (once again) a personal list. I didn't grow up on Westworld or The Day the Earth Stood Still. I never really felt like Blade Runner's replicants were robots. So it's a little weird and surprising but hopefully that's why you want to check it out. Hit the jump to find out the 25 Best Movie Robots of All Time.

25. Chappie, Chappie (2015)

Yes Neill Blomkamp's latest creation is new. And no, the movie isn't that good. But Chappie is unlike any robot you've ever seen, wrapping innocence and strength into one very interesting and fun package.

24. Future Sentinels, X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

The Sentinels have always been a big part of the X-Men universe. I loved them in the comics and while their first major big screen incarnation was very different from their comic book origins, they were beautiful, deadly and so unbeatable that the X-Men had to change time to do triumph over them.

23. Sentinels, The Matrix (1999)

The spider-like like killing machines that rule over the real world in the Wachowskis' masterpiece are both terrifying and really, really sleek. You're scared of them, but you want to see more.

22. Gigolo Joe, A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

Haley Joel Osment's David may have been the main character but it was Jude Law's character that always made me laugh. His tangible human features and winning personality are just so perfect.

21. Robbie, Forbidden Planet (1956)

He's clunky, he's weird, but few robots are more iconic, influential or memorable than Robbie the Robot.

20. EVE, Wall-E (2008)

Sleek, strong and full of heart, EVE is a force to be reckoned with. She's got guns, a jaw-dropping design and more personality with a few words than some humans have with billions.

19. Gipsy Danger, Pacific Rim (2013)

This rough and rugged Jaeger might need two people to pilot him, but that doesn't stop him from being bad ass and all but indestructible. In a world of giant robots, he's the king.

18. Dot Matrix, Spaceballs (1987)

Played by the late, great Joan Rivers, Dot Matrix is the perfect C-3PO joke. She's funny, she's protective, and she's got a virgin alarm. What's not to love?

17. ED-209, RoboCop (1987)

The first time I saw ED-209 in RoboCop, I was hard pressed to think of a more formidable villain. That imposing figure still holds up today. It's a little bulky, but it's totally bad-ass.

16 . IG-88, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

The Star Wars movies don't tell us much about this lanky bounty hunter we briefly meet on a Star Destroyer, but his design is unforgettable and imposing. Or maybe it's just because I owned the toy as a kid.

Hit the link below to continue reading and find out the 15 best movie robots of all time.

15. Bruce, Jaws (1975)

This is a bit of a cheat. In the movie, Bruce is Jaws, a live, killer Great White shark. He's alive. That's not my pick here. I'm picking the robot Steven Spielberg used to create those effects. The actual mechanical model. It was so bad, it made the movie good and earned a spot on my list.

14. T-1000, Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

Liquid metal destruction with a baby doll face and a penchant for "The Galleria," the T-1000 was literally frightening in James Cameron's classic sequel. He was also unlike any robot we'd ever seen before.

13. Atom, Real Steel (2011)

The sparring robot turned champion is the heart and soul of this fun, underrated mix of sci-fi and sports. He's got personality, a great story and can really take a punch.

12. Optimus Prime, Transformers (2007)

I do love the animated Optimus Prime but Michael Bay's live action version wins out here. He's an unfathomable feat of design that's both gorgeous and somehow realistic. The character itself is great too, a born leader with incredible gravitas.

11. C-3P0, Star Wars (1977)

This rank is probably a little surprising if you know me. Look, I love the nervous, bumbling protocol droid. He's got a heart of gold, and a body to go along with it. He just doesn't take as much action as some of his robotic counterparts.

Hit the link below to continue reading and find out the top 10 best movie robots of all time.

10. Maschinenmensch, Metropolis (1927)

Simply put, the most influential movie robot of all time both in terms of design and function. Iconic, beautiful, a true marvel.

9. Wall-E, Wall-E (2008)

Few robots have ever had the personality or lovability of this Pixar creation. He's heroic and vulnerable. A dedicated worker and true romantic. Wall-E is just plain awesome. While you're here, check out some WALL-E easter eggs you may have missed while watching the film.

8. Daryl, D.A.R.Y.L (1985)

Growing up, robots were rarely as relatable and cool as Daryl. He was a kid, like me, so you wanted to be him. There was kindness there and, eventually, some secrets that cemented my love of the character.

7. Jinx, Space Camp (1986)

This is another one of those robots that reverberated through my childhood. Jinx has a distinct look, great personality and is a rule breaker. Plus he's friends with Joaquin Phoenix in one of the most fascinating places in the world.

6. Bishop, Aliens (1986)

Unlike his previous counterpart, Ash, Bishop isn't defective. He's loyal, brave, a genius with a knife, a genius in general, and has a pretty good personality...for a robot.

Keep on going to find out the top 5 best movie robots of all time.

5. Robocop, RoboCop (1987)

Alex Murphy may be more human than robot, but it's his robot side that makes him so special, memorable and just plain kick ass. Super cool design, one of my favorite guns of all time and anyone who can beat the ED-209 is good in my book.

4. T-800, The Terminator (1984)

He's good, he's bad, he's a protector, he's a martyr, Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic turn as the unstoppable robot is simply unforgettable. And while I prefer the T2 version (pictured above) that version wouldn't exist without the first, so we'll sort of package them together.

3  Johnny-5, Short Circuit (1986)

Growing up in the Eighties, Johnny-5 was the most memorable robot out there. Besides being a staple of pop culture, he was funny, he was crazy, and unlike most other robots on this list, he was very robotic. He didn't really resemble a human, except in the fact that he has a heart like one.

2. The Iron Giant, The Iron Giant (1999)

Brad Bird's amazing creation is all about duality. He's a weapon, he's a protector, he's bad, he's good, he's got a distinctly retro vibe, but is filled with modern technology. The Iron Giant is an insanely beautiful and awesome robot.

And the best movie robot of all time is...

1. R2-D2, Star Wars (1977)

R2-D2 is everything you want in a robot. He's got charisma, he's resourceful, he's cute, funny, brave and insanely adaptable. The design is unforgettable and he's absolutely indispensable in a pinch. Pretty much, he's the best movie robot ever.

Discuss: What droids are missing from our top 25 movie robots of all time list? What robots would you have put on your list?