Top 10 Human vs Robot Fights in Movies

Top 10 Human vs. Robot Fights in Movies



This is Man vs Machine in its most primitive form. Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Human vs. Robot Fights in Movies.





For this list, we’re looking at the best direct fights between humans and robots on the big screen. Something like “Real Steel,” where the human controls a machine to fight, does not qualify. Participants must be strictly either human or robot, not falling in between either - sorry, “RoboCop.”Also: spoiler alert!

“Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015)



Man, God, and a Hulk vs machine: after Tony accidentally creates a program hell bent on eradicating all of humanity, it’s up to the Avengers to save humankind once again. Ultron is a charming, smarmy, and psychotic AI more than capable of holding his own against any of the Avengers in a one to one fight. There’s no shortage of great action scenes throughout “Age of Ultron,” but the final battle that pits the team against an entire army of Ultron clones is a real feast for the eyes. With a city floating mid air and countess civilians to rescue, this fight is seriously high stakes!

“I, Robot” (2004)

Looks like the three laws of robotics aren’t quite enough to stop an uprising. Del Spooner is a Chicago police detective who distrusts robots because they once saved him from drowning instead of a little girl who was stuck in the car with him. While investigating the murder of Dr. Lanning, the co-founder of U.S. Robotics, the hot headed officer is ambushed by two trucks full of NS-5 robots and a fantastically chaotic scene ensues. Admittedly, the special effects do not hold up all that well in retrospect, but watching Will Smith fight off dozens of robots while delivering a few snappy one liners never gets old.

“Chappie” (2015)

For once, we are siding with the robot, despite his opponent being Wolverine. And to be honest, this is more of a beat down than a fight. Programmer and scientist Deon Wilson created Chappie to be the first AI capable of human emotion, but Chappie is kidnapped by gangsters, going on to form a deep friendship with and help in their criminal exploits. Eventually, the loveable robot is hunted down by a murder bot, controlled by Deon’s competitor, Vincent, who kills one of the kidnappers-turned-family. After the two machines duke it out, a furious Chappie tracks Vincent down to dish out some revenge, and boy is it ever sweet.

“Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” (2002)

Yes – the prequels exist and they even got a few things right. One of the most important moments in the history of Star Wars, the Battle of Geonosis marks the return of the Jedi to active duty after years of passiveness. It launches with an epic arena battle; pitting Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Padmé Amidala against a myriad of creatures before the 200+ Jedi arrive. In turn, Count Dooku unleashes a never ending droid army, which slowly but surely overwhelms the much smaller rebellion. The Battle of Geonosis was the epic opening shot of the Clone Wars, a conflict which would stretch on for roughly three years.

“The Matrix Revolutions” (2003)

It would take a few hours to explain exactly what happened in the lead up to and during this battle. So instead, let’s just cut right to the fun part – 250,000 Sentinels attack Zion and it is up to Commander Lock to plan out a suitable defense strategy. The Sentinels quickly break through Zion’s outer defenses using massive drills. With everything to lose, the remaining humans mount mechs carrying massive machine guns and the Battle for Zion is on. Though not everyone was happy with how this trilogy ended, few can fault this epic showdown between man and machine.

“Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991)

A naked Arnold Schwarzenegger walks into a biker bar...Oh, have you heard this one before? After the T-800’s unforgettable clothing hunt in the first Terminator film, James Cameron and co. had to go bigger and better for the sequel. Sent back to 1995 by the resistance to stop the T-1000 from killing John Connor, Arnold politely asks a patron of the local bar for his clothes, boots, and motorcycle; while pretty much every woman in the joint checks him out. After the biker rudely declines, the T-800 decides to test out his pitching arm using humans instead of balls. This scene is so iconic, countless of parodies have been made.

“The Incredibles” (2004)

At times, it can suck being a superhero. The public turns on Mr. Incredible and other Supers due to collateral damage caused by their battles, and which result in a slew of lawsuits. 15 years after retiring, a bored and unemployed Bob Parr steps back into his Mr. Incredible persona to go on a mission to destroy a rogue Omnidroid. Despite being out of shape and practice, Bob makes good use of his experience and intelligence by forcing the robot to essentially beat itself up. The second Omnidroid fight is awesome as well, but this one hit a perfect balance between action, drama, and comedy.

“Blade Runner” (1982)

For one short scene, Ridley Scott’s sci-fi epic transforms into a pure horror film. Harrison Ford is Rick Deckard, a Blade Runner whose job is to track androids and retire them. On the hunt for four replicants hiding out on Earth, the ex-police officer’s investigation leads him to the apartment of J.F. Sebastian, a gifted genetic designer. Crawling with Sebastian’s twisted creations, including the acrobatic Pris who can hide in plain sight, this fun-house of creepiness is the perfect setting for this memorable but short confrontation.

“X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014)

Spread across the entire runtime, this battle serves as the narrative’s driving force. Designed to identify and kill mutants on site, robotic Sentinels have brought the X-Men to the brink of extinction. Professor Xavier devises a plan to send Wolverine back in time to stop Mystique’s assassination of Bolivar Trask, as it leads to her capture and DNA being used for the Sentinels. Desperate to buy Hugh Jackman some time, the remaining X-Men risk their lives to try and fend off the robotic army’s onslaught. This sequence is not only visually splendid but emotionally exhausting.





Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:



The Robot vs. Major Don West

“Lost in Space” (1998)





Iron Giant vs. the Army

“The Iron Giant” (1999)





Scorponok Desert Battle

“Transformers” (2007)





Nathan vs. Ava & Kyoko

“Ex Machina” (2014)







Peter Martin vs. The Gunslinger

“Westworld” (1973)

“The Terminator” (1984)

Over the course of less than two hours, Sarah Connor transitions from a normal waitress to a relatable action star capable of convincingly surviving a battle against the T-800. Set in a hellish metal factory, the epic finale sees the two humans largely failing to run away from the terrifying robot, which by that point had shed its Arnold Schwarzenegger skin. Even after being lit on fire and blown up by Kyle, the T-800 continues seemingly on its single-minded mission to kill Sarah Connor. Thankfully, it gets squashed before it can complete its mission, but what a fight!