Skip to main content

Like the Netflix sci-fi movie Atlas? Then watch these three great films now

A woman looks at an AI interface in Atlas.
Netflix
A woman looks at an AI interface in Atlas.
Netflix

Netflix’s latest action movie, Atlas, takes on one of the more pressing and existential issues of our time: artificial intelligence. The film, which stars Jennifer Lopez, follows a data analyst with a deep mistrust for AI who discovers that it may be the only way to take down a super soldier who is hell-bent on destroying humanity.

Although AI and movies about it feel more relevant than ever, this is hardly the first time that AI has been featured prominently in this kind of story. Long before we had the kind of real-world AI that we see today, we had movies that tackled the question head-on. We’ve selected three movies that expertly tackle the subject.

Recommended Videos

The Creator (2023)

The Creator | Official Trailer

One of the most stunning blockbusters of recent years, The Creator is set in a future in which humanity has gone to war with artificial intelligence, and the AI is winning. The film follows one ex-special forces agent who has been tasked with finding someone called The Creator, who has developed a weapon that will destroy humanity and end the war.

When he discovers that the weapon is actually an AI child, he reevaluates everything he believed he knew about the war and the mission he was tasked with completing. The Creator is beautiful to look at, and gets every penny out of its relatively small budget.

The Creator is streaming on Hulu.

Upgrade (2018)

Upgrade Trailer #1 (2018) | Movieclips Trailers

Set in a future where AI can be implanted into your body as a healing mechanism, Upgrade tells the story of a man who is viciously attacked, and then uses his new AI-given abilities to seek revenge. The twists and turns of Upgrade are best experienced unspoiled, but the movie is great both as an action movie and as a warning about assuming that you’re actually in control.

What’s most chilling thing about Upgrade, though, is that it seems to be set in a reality that closely resembles 0ur own. We don’t have chips that can heal us yet, but it’s not hard to imagine a near future where we get there.

Upgrade is streaming on Netflix.

Ex Machina (2015)

Ex Machina | Official Trailer HD | A24

One of the classic AI movies of recent years, Ex Machina tells the story of a developer who is recruited by his company’s founder to test a new piece of AI. The movie is largely composed of a series of conversations between the AI and each of the two men who are trying to test her, but it’s thrilling nonetheless.

Featuring sharp performances from all three of its leads, as well as a great script and a sharp sense of style from Civil War director Alex Garland, Ex Machina punched way above its weight when it was first released in 2015. Since then, its reputation has only continued to improve.

Ex Machina is streaming on Max.

Joe Allen
Former Writer

Joe Allen is a freelance writer at Digital Trends, where he covers Movies and TV. He frequently writes streaming recommendations and other best-of lists, as well as deep dives into some of his favorite movies. Joe has been in journalism for seven years, and has also written for The Washington Post, Inverse, and Distractify. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester and a masters from Syracuse University. He is based in upstate New York, where he spends much of his free time playing in a band.

The best kids movies on Netflix right now
Two cavepeople share a stick.

If it's a rainy April, you'll be happy to have our list of the best kids movies on Netflix bookmarked. We keep this list updated rain or shine, so if you need to keep the kids occupied while you're working or busy, there's always something new to hold their interest. Naturally, you want to know what your kids are watching; however, that is why we scour the collection every month to highlight the best kid-friendly movies and choose-your-own-adventure content available on the platform now.

This month, we add two new movies to the list: The Croods and Rise of the Guardians. Read on for the best kids movies on Netflix now.

Read more
The best anime on Netflix right now
Dante with his back to the camera, holding his sword, with the cityscape in front of him in Devil May Cry.

Netflix continues to back its status as the ideal mainstream platform for watching the best anime. Subscribers will find plenty to watch among its live-action originals, including adaptations of anime like One Piece, but the service's anime library has depth. It has more than enough anime TV series and movies to keep every type of fan entertained, especially with the many franchises and genres covered.

This wider net of anime content has helped Netflix contribute to making the medium more mainstream. Still, choice paralysis is common, considering the almost overwhelming amount of anime available. Thankfully, this monthly updated guide does the hard part for you by spotlighting some of the best anime available on Netflix right now.
If you want more options, check out our other guides to the best anime on Hulu and the best anime available on Amazon Prime Video. Plus, read about the best new shows to stream and the best shows on Netflix.

Read more
The best animated movies on Netflix right now
Buster Moon in Sing.

Animated movies continue to be very popular on Netflix, and Despicable Me 4 has hardly left the 10 most popular movies on Netflix since it's arrival. Unfortunately, April has been a very quiet month for animation on Netflix. It's also the last chance for subscribers to catch  Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse before it leaves Netflix on April 30.

In the meantime, we're throwing the spotlight on Illumination's Sing and The Road to El Dorado, a film that's celebrating its 26th anniversary this year. You can find these films and more among the best animated movies on Netflix below.

Read more