There are literally countless robots on film, beloved for their personalities and design alike. In fact, the more humanity that they flaunt, the more popular they can be. However, their sheer strength can be vicariously entertaining and visually impressive. And the constantly escalating advancements in CGI have only bolstered their battles and realism on screen.
Naturally, this can’t be a complete or totally objective list. However, there are some staples that simply cannot be ignored, and should certainly be celebrated. A great deal of voice acting, artistry, and special effects go into every robot. Through the resulting imagery, often accompanied with great storytelling that invokes genuine investment, cinema has offered up some thrilling fight scenes.
10 Big Hero 6: Revenge
This was a surprisingly emotional film, unafraid of approaching death and grief in an honest way. The protagonist isn’t without his flaws, and even misuses Baymax to attempt revenge at one point.
This poignant scene is far more exciting than the finale because of its tragedy. The corruption of Baymax’s purpose actually betrays the hero’s brother, who designed him to heal. Baymax is legitimately frightening in the scene, especially due to the film’s scientific approach to robots.
9 RoboCop (1987): Fleeing ED-209
This list was meant to emphasize anything closer to a brawl, rather than a simple shootout. That would be even more endless. So, this classic clash of metal warriors is stretching that. However, at one point RoboCop does bend ED-209’s arm against itself, and a menacing chase scene ensues.
While the special effects may be dated, they remain totally charming, and the design itself is innately appealing. And although the scene closes with ED-209 flailing like a baby, the ensuing scene is actually moving. The police force turns on RoboCop, even those who disagree with the orders.
8 Ready Player One: Mechagodzilla Showdown
This hardly carries the pathos of the original Iron Giant, but there is no denying the non-stop nostalgia fuel of this movie. The story is hinged on it, placing immense monetary value on our pop culture for the heroes to pursue.
The climactic battle is an unprecedented sea of references, and the action is staged as only director Steven Spielberg can provide. Further, Mechagodzilla is a beloved staple of Kaiju films and never had such a powerful CGI treatment. When Gundam can drop in to help the Iron Giant fight Mechagodzilla, something has gone very right.
7 X-Men: Days Of Future Past: Sentinels Invade
Somehow, audiences have been quick to forget just how effective the X-Men franchise could be, even after its R-rated hits. And despite other superhero franchises turning out lesser work, too. The opening to this film expertly balances brutality with a dazzling display of powers. As the intent is to illustrate just how dire the future will become for mutants, the scene indulges numerous deaths.
The army of mindless Sentinel robots relentlessly morph and destroy, setting up the urgency that will drive the entire film. The scene hinges on getting the diversely gifted Kitty Pryde to harness time travel, and the mutants barely succeed, suggesting it is their final chance.
6 Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines: T-X Brawl
This divisive entry was the first step in the franchise towards increased backlash. The performances are weak by comparison to previous films, and the comedy is generally cringeworthy. However, the action sequences are actually top-notch. Not only for their impressive CGI, but their imagery.
Pitting two Terminators together should always be a spectacle, and the film doesn’t disappoint. Despite some silly physical humor, the bathroom fight with the powerful T-X is really entertaining. It’s ultimately a wrestling match, wherein the T-X uses all of its abilities. Blunt objects, slamming, and weaponry embrace the inevitable, satisfying brutality.
5 Real Steel: Atom Vs Zeus
Hugh Jackman begins as an unusually unlikeable protagonist in this film but sells the character’s growth. Further, this film draws innate parallels with the Rocky franchise, and everyone loves an underdog tale. And yet, although the movie relies on those tropes here and there, it’s largely an original story.
Which still musters an unexpected emotional core, needless in what could have been a simple sci-fi blockbuster. It may not be especially nuanced, but the tone does earn the moving conclusion. It’s also a well-choreographed fight, opening with the hero getting decked, then escalating into a full-blown rollercoaster.
4 Bumblebee: Dropkick And Shatter
So, this ranking is probably interchangeable with the forest battle from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. In fact, it may even be downright blasphemy for fellow fans to select anything otherwise. It’s the perfect Optimus battle, with compassion resulting in his death. Unfortunately, the surrounding material robs every ounce of investment. That film is a juvenile mess, and occasionally offensive.
Bumblebee, meanwhile, opted for more hand-to-hand combat between the robots. Michael Bay preferred to mash them together, with epic scale and mass explosions. But this selection feels more creative, with efficient strikes and the strategic integration of transforming. Also, if any character is as beloved as Optimus, it’s Bumblebee.
3 Pacific Rim: Gipsy Danger Vs Otachi
If there’s one thing Kaiju fans love, it’s large-scale brawls. The best Kaiju films use careful camerawork and creative character designs to sell their combat. Thankfully, Guillermo Del Toro’s passion for the genre is evident in every scene of this movie. Especially the exhilarating showdowns.
His ability to capture a convincing sense of scale is uncanny, and the enemy kaiju were clearly inspired by the classics. Del Toro’s inventive direction adds a palpable weight to every hit. Because of his mindful approach to physics and size, Gipsy Danger swinging an entire ship as a club is the most rewarding smackdown of the film. It is every Kaiju fan’s dream to behold.
2 Blade Runner: Deckard Vs Batty
One of the most quintessential sci-fi films, including a detailed vision of the near future, innovative grunge iconography, and AI exploration. The methodical artistry throughout this film is impeccable, and the final confrontation with Batty is both exciting and meaningful. Batty’s psychology is truly fascinating, and though his mind warps with decay, his will to survive endures.
That understandable goal transcends villainy, though he toys with the helpless Deckard throughout the chase. The visual and thematic parallels between these men cleverly fuel the Replicant debate. This is sci-fi of the highest order—intelligent, inventive, thoughtful, and thrilling. And that earns invaluable investment in the struggle’s outcome.
1 T2: Judgement Day: T-800 Vs T-1000
Reversing the threatening T-800 into a hero was truly a stroke of genius, both revisiting and escalating the plot of the original film. It also enables much grander action sequences. And thanks to the inspired T-1000 character designs, the T-800 actually feels vulnerable, adding suspense to every action scene.
Further, Sarah Connor is no longer looking to merely survive, but to rewrite all of humanity’s future. Consequently, the sense of urgency always remains tangible. And lastly, the emotional relationship with the T-800 is earned through sincere comedy and heart. So, his sacrifice against the T-1000 is equally arresting and dramatic.
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