Short Circuit

1986 · 1h38 · Film

Directed by John Badham

Starring Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens, Austin Pendleton, G.W. Bailey, Brian McNamara, Tim Blaney, Marvin J. McIntyre, John Garber, Penny Santon

Ideal when you feel… Bored Stressed Happy

After a lightning bolt zaps a robot named Number 5, the lovable machine starts to think he's human and escapes the lab. Hot on his trail is his designer, Newton, who hopes to get to Number 5 before the military does. In the meantime, a spunky animal lover mistakes the robot for an alien and takes him in, teaching her new guest about life on Earth.

Original language

English

Screenplay

Brent Maddock, S.S. Wilson

Music

David Shire

Cinematography

Nick McLean

Cast

Austin Pendleton, G.W. Bailey, Brian McNamara, Tim Blaney, Marvin J. McIntyre, John Garber, Penny Santon, Vernon Weddle, Barbara Tarbuck

Updated July 22, 2026

Trailer

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