A.I. - Artificial Intelligence (2001)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
A sentient robot child searches for a way to become human in a world where humanity is fading.
The story
In the 22nd century, a world ravaged by rising sea levels and a declining human population has led to the creation of mechas to fulfill various roles. In New Jersey, a young boy named David, a prototype mecha capable of feeling love, is taken in by a family. While the family initially struggles with his presence, they eventually form a bond with him. However, a series of accidents and misunderstandings leads to David being abandoned in a wasteland of scrap metal. Now alone with only a robotic teddy bear for company, David embarks on a journey to find the 'Blue Fairy' in hopes of becoming a real boy.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In a future where global warming has decimated coastal cities, humanoid robots called mechas are common. David, a prototype mecha child capable of love, is adopted by the Swintons. After a series of incidents—including a physical altercation with his human brother and a dangerous accident involving his mother—David is abandoned in a wasteland. Accompanied by a robotic teddy bear named Teddy, David travels toward a mythical 'Blue Fairy' to become a 'real boy.' Along the way, he meets Gigolo Joe, a rogue mecha, and eventually reaches a ruined New York City. There, he meets his creator, Professor Hobby, who confirms his ability to love. After a failed attempt at suicide, David is rescued by Joe and eventually finds the 'Blue Fairy'—a mere statue on Coney Island. Two thousand years later, in a post-human world, a group called the Specialists find David and Teddy. They use genetic material from a preserved hair sample to briefly recreate his mother, Monica, allowing David to experience one final day of love before she expires.
- First release year
- 2001
- Runtime (minutes)
- 145
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Steven Spielberg
- Writers
- Steven Spielberg · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Haley Joel Osment · David; Jude Law · Gigolo Joe; Frances O'Connor · Monica Swinton; Brendan Gleeson · Lord Johnson-Johnson; William Hurt · Professor Allen Hobby; Jack Angel · Teddy (voice); Robin Williams · Dr. Know (voice); Meryl Streep · Blue Fairy (voice)
- Genres
- science fiction; drama
- Themes
- artificial intelligence; humanity; love
- Tone and mood
- melancholic; poetic
- Setting
- A futuristic 22nd-century society with ruined coastal cities and a wasteland of scrap metal.
- Premise and plot tags
- dystopian; sci-fi; robot_quest
- Source material / true-story basis
- Supertoys Last All Summer Long by Brian Aldiss
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics and was noted for its unique blend of Spielberg's optimism and Kubrick's stark style.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 76% · scale: percentage · review count: 201; Metacritic · score: 65 · scale: 100 · review count: 32
- Awards and nominations
- Best Visual Effects · Academy Awards · 74th · Nomination; Best Original Score · Academy Awards · 74th · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was based on a story originally acquired by Stanley Kubrick.; The character of Gigolo Joe was originally conceived as a G.I. mecha.; The film was considered a 'picaresque robot version of Pinocchio'.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…