It’s the rise of the machines… of a different kind. The recent success of DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot serves as a reminder that audiences have a penchant for stories with larger-than-life robots. Adapted from the book series of the same name by Peter Brown, The Wild Robot brings to life the beautiful story of Roz (Lupita Nyong’o, Black Panther), an android programmed to assist those in need, learning to survive in the wilderness while connecting with animals and nature.
Despite its acclaim, The Wild Robot is purportedly set to mark the end of an era for DreamWorks Animation, as it will be the last film produced entirely in-house before the studio transitions to a model that leans heavily on outside vendors starting in 2025. Its lush and colourful visuals are reminiscent of DreamWorks’ previous hit, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, or even the Studio Ghibli catalogue, evoking a rare sense of wonder and immersion.
If you found yourself enamoured by the heartfelt narrative that focuses on nature, or the themes of technology clashing with the wild, you’re likely craving more films that blend sci-fi with emotional storytelling and stunning visuals. Fortunately, there are plenty of other movies that explore similar ideas. Here are some must-watch movies that will give you a sense of adventure, family, and survival just like The Wild Robot did:
1) Wall-E (2008)
Director: Andrew Stanton
Cast: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, John Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy, Sigourney Weaver, Fred Willard
Pixar’s Wall-E might be the most obvious recommendation if you loved The Wild Robot. This heartwarming tale of a lone robot, left to clean up Earth’s abandoned wasteland, explores themes of loneliness, discovery, and environmental care. Similar to Roz, Wall-E is a machine that exhibits humanity through its growing relationships and love for nature. It’s a touching sci-fi adventure that will leave you with the same warm fuzzies.
2) The Iron Giant (1999)
Director: Brad Bird
Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., Vin Diesel, James Gammon, Cloris Leachman, John Mahoney, Eli Marienthal, Christopher McDonald, M. Emmet Walsh
If The Wild Robot tugged at your heartstrings with its exploration of a machine’s humanity, then The Iron Giant is another must-watch. This Brad Bird-directed classic tells the story of a giant alien robot that befriends a young boy in the 1950s. The film beautifully weaves themes of friendship, identity, and sacrifice. Just like Roz, the Iron Giant learns about compassion and what it means to live alongside living beings.
3. Big Hero 6 (2014)
Director: Don Hall and Chris Williams
Cast: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Daniel Henney, T.J. Miller, Jamie Chung, Damon Wayans Jr., Genesis Rodriguez, James Cromwell, Maya Rudolph, Alan Tudyk
While The Wild Robot is said to be inspired by classic Disney animated films like Bambi, perhaps the Disney film it’s most similar to is the modern classic, Big Hero 6. Big Hero 6 follows Hiro, a young robotics prodigy, and his inflatable healthcare companion, Baymax, as they form a superhero team to solve a mystery.
With big round eyes and an equally round body, The Wild Robot’s Roz even bears a resemblance to Big Hero 6’s Baymax. Both films combine emotional depth with thrilling action sequences, showing how even robots can develop deep relationships with living beings.
4. Robots (2005)
Director: Chris Wedge
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Halle Berry, Greg Kinnear, Mel Brooks, Amanda Bynes, Drew Carey, Robin Williams
It will likely come as little surprise that The Wild Robot is not Dreamworks’ first film to feature a robot. The studio’s 2005 animated science fiction adventure comedy film, Robots, revolves around a society dominated by robots. The protagonist, Rodney Copperbottom, embarks on a journey to realise his dream as an inventor and prove himself, emphasising the idea of self-discovery and the quest for acceptance shared by The Wild Robot.
Ultimately, both films highlight the importance of connection, whether it’s robots finding their place among each other or Roz learning to integrate with the natural world.
5. Real Steel (2011)
Director: Shawn Levy
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Evangeline Lilly, Anthony Mackie, James Rebhorn, Karl Yune, Olga Fonda, Kevin Durand
For a more futuristic and gritty take on the bond between robots and humans, director Shawn Levy’s Real Steel is a solid pick. Set in a world where human boxers have been replaced by robots, Real Steel features intense robot battles while exploring the relationship between technology and humanity.
In Real Steel, the robot Atom develops a semblance of consciousness and emotional depth, highlighting the idea that robots can embody feelings and experiences. As a result, Real Steel, like The Wild Robot, ends up challenging the notion of what it means to be ‘alive’.
6. Batteries Not Included (1987)
Director: Matthew Robbins
Cast: Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Frank McRae, Elizabeth Peña, Michael Carmine
Batteries Not Included might be an oldie, but its portrayal of connection and resilience is timeless. The story of tiny robots coming to the aid of a group of struggling tenants in a rundown apartment building highlights themes of unity and support.
Roz’s challenges in the wild — fending off predators and other dangers while navigating her environment in The Wild Robot — parallel the struggles of the tenants in Batteries Not Included, who must hold off threats from developers intent on demolishing their homes. Consequently, Roz’s emotional growth and the small robots’ acts of kindness blur the lines between machine and human. This invites viewers to consider the emotional capacities of artificial beings and their potential for empathy and compassion.
7. Castle in the Sky (1986)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Cast: Mayumi Tanaka, Keiko Yokozawa, Kotoe Hatsui, Minori Terada
While The Wild Robot and Studio Ghibli’s Castle in the Sky present themselves as whimsical movies with lush film palettes, they both hold deeper themes beneath the surface. Notably, they underscore the tension and harmony between nature and technology.
In The Wild Robot, Roz, a robot stranded on a deserted island, learns to adapt and coexist with the natural world, forming relationships with the island’s animals. Similarly, Castle in the Sky presents a world where advanced technology (the floating city of Laputa) is juxtaposed with the natural environment, illustrating the need for balance between the two realms. Both films explore how technology can enhance or disrupt the natural order.
8. Bicentennial Man (1999)
Director: Chris Columbus
Cast: Robin Williams, Sam Neill, Embeth Davidtz, Wendy Crewson, Oliver Platt
If you’re intrigued by stories of robots developing human-like emotions, Chris Columbus’s Bicentennial Man is a thought-provoking sci-fi drama to watch. The film centres on ‘Andrew’, a robot designed to perform housekeeping and maintenance duties for his hosts, the Martin family.
As Andrew gains the ability to feel and express deeper emotions, he embarks on a journey to become a real human, experiencing all the complexities that come with it across his extended lifespan. Much like Roz, Andrew faces questions about his identity and purpose, all while trying to navigate a world that sees him as different.
Edwin is a seasoned raconteur with a lifelong passion for video games, comic books, movies, and more. He thrives on captivating stories and immersive world-building, with a soft spot for adorable monsters.
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