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IMDbPro

Short Circuit

  • 19861986
  • PGPG
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
63K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,401
104
Tim Blaney in Short Circuit (1986)
Pre, "Coming This May"
Play trailer1:49
1 Video
37 Photos
ComedyFamilySci-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
63K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,401
104
    • John Badham
    • S.S. Wilson
    • Brent Maddock
    • Jay Tarses(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Ally Sheedy
    • Steve Guttenberg
    • Fisher Stevens
    • John Badham
    • S.S. Wilson
    • Brent Maddock
    • Jay Tarses(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Ally Sheedy
    • Steve Guttenberg
    • Fisher Stevens
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 130User reviews
    • 37Critic reviews
    • 50Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Short Circuit
    Trailer 1:49
    Watch Short Circuit

    Photos37

    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)
    Steve Guttenberg and Fisher Stevens in Short Circuit (1986)

    Top cast

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

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    Storyline

    Edit

    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 reviews130

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Underrated
    I'm sorry, I can't see why this film has been given such a low rating. This film is wonderfully life-affirming through the character of robot Jonny 5 (the scene where he realises what it means to be alive through crushing a grass hopper is beautifully portrayed), Ally Sheedy brings a bucket load of positive energy to the character of the naive but loving Stephanie, and to top it all there is a subtle but powerful comment on American militarism. There is a real emphasis on quality screen writing here which only comes through on a small ratio of films. The characters could easily have become 2 dimensional stereotypes, but instead given some interesting dialogue and motives (science, military etc). Yes it is cheesy, and I think many people label it as a cheap and tacky 80's movie, but having watched it again recently I think history may well judge it a minor classic.
    helpful•120
    14
    • simonperera2000
    • Jul 25, 2005

    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)
      • United States
      • Sony Movie Channel (United States)
      • English
    • Also known as
    • 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
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 38 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Stereo

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    Tim Blaney in Short Circuit (1986)
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