Top 10 Best Movie Cyborgs

“Universal Soldier” (1992)

Action star Jean-Claude Van Damme has a long, storied resume to his credit, including starring in a film that was actually titled “Cyborg.” Van Damme didn’t portray a cyborg in that film, but his character of Luc Deveraux from 1992’s “Universal Soldier” certainly fits the bill. Deveraux is a military man killed in Vietnam, but cryogenically frozen for future scientific experimentation. This results in Deveraux becoming a genetically augmented super soldier, but he isn’t the only one. “Universal Soldier” pits cyborg against cyborg as Deveraux faces off against the sergeant from his old outfit, who has gone insane.

“Dr. No” (1962)

Everybody has a favorite James Bond villain, but there’s always something special about the OG. Dr. Julius No was 007’s first cinematic adversary, a cunning criminal mastermind who just so happens to be missing his hands. No is a cyborg, having replaced his severed appendages with metal replacements, although No doesn’t necessarily need them to get one over on Bond. Still, Dr. No’s impressive physical presence, combined with his amorality and dizzying intellect made him an all-time iconic Bond baddie. Said simply: Dr. No set the template for many other power-hungry fiends to emerge in his wake.

“Hobbs & Shaw” (2019)

Nobody goes to a “Fast & Furious” movie for logic, physics, or even good taste. They show up for the explosions, the CGI stunts and the overacting. Idris Elba definitely seemed to be having a good time when he played Brixton Lore in this spin-off flick from the “F&F” franchise, titled “Hobbs & Shaw.” Lore was shot and left for dead during his tenure with the terrorist organization Eteon, only to be revived as a super soldier. The impressive power of his cybernetic enhancements and prosthetic limbs are matched only by his boastfulness, since Lore often proclaims himself to be a “Black Superman.”

“Deadpool 2” (2018)

Marvel fans waited a long time for the comic character Cable to be adapted for the big screen. Josh Brolin’s iteration of Cable possesses little of the character’s initial mutant powers of telekinesis, but instead takes on a more cyborg-like direction. This ties into the young Cable’s infection with a techno-organic virus at the hands of Apocalypse. As a result, Brolin’s Cable highlights the mutant’s telescopic, infrared eye, while other abilities of the character include hacking to computer systems and time-travel. As for Cable’s trademarked surliness? We think Brolin nailed that aspect of the character, as well.

“Alita: Battle Angel” (2019)

It isn’t necessarily the easiest task to adapt a Japanese manga for western audiences, never mind one as sprawling as “Alita: Battle Angel.” The film’s ambitious visuals won over many doubters, however, particularly thanks to Rosa Salazar’s motion-captured performance as the title character. Alita is an amnesiac who is struggling to make sense not only of her past, but also of her cybernetic nature. She admittedly only appears in human form sparingly, with many details of her backstory stressing the fact that Alita was turned into a cyborg at a very young age. Despite this, Alita’s striking appearance and fearsome fighting abilities make her a standout (and breakout) crossover star.

“Star Trek: First Contact” (1996)

The Borg is often mentioned on short lists of fan favorite “Star Trek” franchise villains, full stop. And it’s easy to see why, too, since their physical design is so fascinating, and their motivations so compelling. The Borg operate as a hive mind, sure, but they’re also cybernetic aliens by nature, seeking to assimilate new tech and cultural knowledge across the universe. They also forcibly modify their victims with surgical implants, in an attempt to create what The Borg sees as “perfection.” Meanwhile, the end results of these experiments often feels like a fate worse than death.

“Justice League” (2017)

This entry may seem like a softball, but you know what they say: if the cybernetic shoe fits…wear it! Cyborg (a.k.a. Victor Stone) has appeared in a lot of small screen DC Comics adaptations, as well as some animation. 2017’s “Justice League” saw Ray Fisher bring Cyborg to the big screen, a take that changes some aspects of the character’s back story. The end results are the same, however, with Stone seeing his body adapted with interdimensional tech. The upgrades include the abilities to technopathically harness his advanced body weaponry, as well as the power of flight. Thankfully, this Cyborg is on our side.

“RoboCop” franchise (1987-)

He’s the future of law enforcement. Half man. Half machine. All cop. These are just a few of the taglines from 1987’s “RoboCop,” and they succinctly describe the plot of this ultra-violent action movie classic. Officer Alex Murphy is a Detroit cop who’s cornered and shot to pieces by Clarence Boddicker and his gang. Murphy is then made a part of an experimental corporate project, and turned into RoboCop. This cyborg is now assigned to the streets, utilizing his offensive upgrades, resilient exoskeleton and computerized targeting systems to take on city crime, one bad guy at a time.

“The Terminator” franchise (1984-)

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 barely scrapes by our criteria, because one could argue that he’s essentially an android, not a cyborg. That said, the T-800’s own admission that he’s “living tissue over a metal endoskeleton” lends him enough human parts to lend him a prime spot on our list. And why not? There’s arguably very few sci-fi action films as perfect as the first two “Terminator” films, while Arnie’s T-800 works brilliantly as both a hero and villain. It doesn’t matter if this cyborg from the future is cracking quips or shooting up Tech Noir, The T-800 is an all-timer.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Bucky Barnes, Updated for Battle

Mostly Human… Save for the “Hand Grenade”

A Cyborg Bounty Hunter in the Year 2027

“Star Wars” franchise (1977-)

Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi may have referred to Anakin Skywalker as “more machine now than man,” but there’s no denying that Darth Vader is the most influential cyborg in the galaxy. It’s a perfect cinematic storm, really. James Earl Jones’ booming voice helps define the character’s personality, but his imposing design also underlines Vader as a physical threat. Elsewhere, there’s Hayden Christensen’s performance as a young Skywalker, crippled by Kenobi during their duel on Mustafar. Here, we see the young man, once thought of as “the chosen one,” fully corrupted by the Galactic Empire and turned into the Darth Vader we fear and respect…but also love.