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Short Circuit

  • 19861986
  • PGPG
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
61K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,057
909
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Tim Blaney in Short Circuit (1986)
Pre, "Coming This May"
Play trailer1:49
1 Video
42 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Family
  • Sci-Fi

Number 5 of a group of experimental robots in a lab is electrocuted, suddenly becomes intelligent, and escapes.Number 5 of a group of experimental robots in a lab is electrocuted, suddenly becomes intelligent, and escapes.Number 5 of a group of experimental robots in a lab is electrocuted, suddenly becomes intelligent, and escapes.

IMDb RATING
6.6/10
61K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,057
909
  • Director
    • John Badham
  • Writers
    • S.S. Wilson
    • Brent Maddock
    • Jay Tarses(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Ally Sheedy
    • Steve Guttenberg
    • Fisher Stevens
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Badham
  • Writers
    • S.S. Wilson
    • Brent Maddock
    • Jay Tarses(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Ally Sheedy
    • Steve Guttenberg
    • Fisher Stevens
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 125User reviews
    • 37Critic reviews
    • 50Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 3 nominations

    Videos1

    Short Circuit
    Trailer 1:49
    Short Circuit

    Photos42

    Tim Blaney in Short Circuit (1986)
    Fisher Stevens in Short Circuit (1986)
    Ally Sheedy in Short Circuit (1986)
    Ally Sheedy in Short Circuit (1986)
    Tim Blaney in Short Circuit (1986)
    Steve Guttenberg, Ally Sheedy, and Fisher Stevens in Short Circuit (1986)
    Ally Sheedy and Brian McNamara in Short Circuit (1986)
    Ally Sheedy in Short Circuit (1986)
    Steve Guttenberg and Ally Sheedy in Short Circuit (1986)
    Steve Guttenberg, Ally Sheedy, Fisher Stevens, and Tim Blaney in Short Circuit (1986)
    Tim Blaney in Short Circuit (1986)
    Tim Blaney in Short Circuit (1986)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ally Sheedy
    Ally Sheedy
    • Stephanie Speckas Stephanie Speck
    Steve Guttenberg
    Steve Guttenberg
    • Newton Crosbyas Newton Crosby
    Fisher Stevens
    Fisher Stevens
    • Ben Jabituyaas Ben Jabituya
    Austin Pendleton
    Austin Pendleton
    • Howard Marneras Howard Marner
    G.W. Bailey
    G.W. Bailey
    • Skroederas Skroeder
    Brian McNamara
    Brian McNamara
    • Frankas Frank
    Tim Blaney
    Tim Blaney
    • Number 5as Number 5
    • (voice)
    Marvin J. McIntyre
    Marvin J. McIntyre
    • Dukeas Duke
    John Garber
    • Otisas Otis
    Penny Santon
    Penny Santon
    • Mrs. Cepedaas Mrs. Cepeda
    Vernon Weddle
    Vernon Weddle
    • General Washburneas General Washburne
    Barbara Tarbuck
    Barbara Tarbuck
    • Senator Millsas Senator Mills
    Tom Lawrence
    Tom Lawrence
    • Howard Marner's Aideas Howard Marner's Aide
    Fred Slyter
    • Normanas Norman
    Billy Ray Sharkey
    • Zackas Zack
    Robert Krantz
    Robert Krantz
    • Reporteras Reporter
    Jan Speck
    • Reporteras Reporter
    Marguerite Happy
    • Barmaidas Barmaid
    • Director
      • John Badham
    • Writers
      • S.S. Wilson
      • Brent Maddock
      • Jay Tarses(uncredited)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Number 5, one of a group of experimental military robots, undergoes a sudden transformation after being struck by lightning. He develops self-awareness, consciousness, and a fear of the reprogramming that awaits him back at the factory. With the help of a young woman, Number 5 tries to evade capture and convince his creator that he has truly become alive. —Jean-Marc Rocher <rocher@fiberbit.net>
    • artificial intelligence
    • struck by lightning
    • three stooges spoof
    • animal lover
    • robot
    • 61 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Something wonderful has happened... Number Five is alive!
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Family
      • Sci-Fi
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The sound of Number 5's laser firing is the same effect as the Ghostbusters' Proton Packs powering up.
    • Goofs
      When Frank lifts the glass of orange juice off the tray there is some resistance at first, probably from the magnet or adhesive used to keep the glass from sliding off during filming.
    • Quotes

      Number 5: Hey, laser lips, your mama was a snow blower.

    • Crazy credits
      The credits are played out over a montage of scenes from the movie, including a pair of scenes that failed to make the final cut. One involves an encounter between Number 5 and a toy robot, the other involves a scene in a scrap yard where a scrapped car that Number 5 is currently sitting in is crushed.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Last Resort/Short Circuit/Jo Jo Dancer Your Life Is Calling/Broken Rainbow (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      Who's Johnny
      ("Short Circuit" Theme)

      Written by Péter Wolf (as Peter Wolf) and Ina Wolf

      Performed by El DeBarge

      Courtesy of Motown Records

    User reviews125

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    "Life not malfunction."
    A robot made self-aware after being struck by lightning runs away from the military weapons testing facility where it is set to be disassembled. The robot, called Number 5, meets a woman (Ally Sheedy), who befriends it and tries to help it. As the military hunt for the escaped robot, two scientists (Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens) try to find it first.

    A heartfelt sci-fi comedy that's funny, positive, and extremely entertaining. How cool was that robot? Old school effects are remarkable. People built these things by hand, you know? There's just something so much more effective and impressive about that than CGI effects. The cast is really good. Sheedy and Guttenberg are both likable leads. Fisher Steven is a lot of fun. Guttenberg's Police Academy co-star G.W. Bailey plays to type as he did so often in the '80s. Such a fun movie. I had a big goofy grin on my face the whole time I was watching this.

    I recently read a review of this movie that trashed it. The reviewer's main reasons for doing so were based on how unrealistic it was. He went on and on about how robots aren't capable of this and that. It made me very sad for him because I know he must not have any friends. If you are reading this and you view Short Circuit the same way that reviewer does, please do yourself a favor -- go out, meet some people, have some adventures, enjoy life. Then come back and watch Short Circuit and see if the stick up your ass is gone yet.
    helpful•17
    0
    • utgard14
    • Jun 17, 2014

    FAQ8

    • Who is Frank?
    • What is "Short Circuit" about?
    • Is "Short Circuit" based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 9, 1986 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Sony Movie Channel (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Nummer 5 lebt!
    • Filming locations
      • Astoria, Oregon, USA
    • Production companies
      • TriStar Pictures
      • Producers Sales Organization (PSO)
      • Turman-Foster Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $40,697,761
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,346,808
      • May 11, 1986
    • Gross worldwide
      • $40,697,761
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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