entertainment / Saturday, 23-Aug-2025

The 15 Best Female Robots In Movies & TV, Including M3GAN & Wall-E's Eve

Female robots are not as celebrated in media as their male counterparts. Nonetheless, female robots, or gynoids, have captivated audiences in TV and movies for decades, embodying a blend of artificial intelligence, emotion, and power that challenges viewers’ perceptions of humanity and technology. From the 1927 classic Metropolis to modern-day blockbusters, like Companion, these characters, whether robot girl dolls like M3GAN or spouses like the Stepford Wives, have evolved into icons of cinema as they represent both the untapped potential and the dangers that come with artificial intelligence, which is a more relevant topic than ever now.

Some of the best female robots come from cartoons, comedies, and, of course, science fiction. No matter where these gynoids get their start, one thing is certain — they will continue to offer viewers cutting commentary about what it means to be human, despite being machines themselves.

15 M3GAN

M3GAN (2022)

M3gan with her head cocked in a test playroom in M3GAN
M3gan with her head cocked in a test playroom in M3GAN

M3GAN, from the 2022 film M3GAN, is a standout female robot due to her blend of childlike innocence and chilling efficiency. As an AI-powered doll designed to be a child's best friend, her evolution into a deadly force adds a layer of horror and intrigue. M3GAN’s unnervingly lifelike appearance and emotionally intelligent programming create a compelling mix of empathy and menace.

Her robotic precision, combined with her attachment to her young owner, showcases the dangers of unchecked artificial intelligence, making her a truly memorable and disturbing female robot in cinema. Not only is she an excellent female robot, but she is also a compelling horror villain because her sweet exterior lulls children into a false sense of security. Plus, with M3gan 2.0 on the way, viewers could see more of this creepy gynoid in the future.

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Your Rating

M3GAN
7/10
24
7.4/10
Release Date
January 6, 2023
Runtime
102 minutes
Director
Gerard Johnstone
Writers
Akela Cooper
Producers
Jason Blum, James Wan

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Allison Williams
    Allison Williams
    Gemma
  • Headshot Of Violet McGraw
    Violet McGraw
    Cady

14 T-X

Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines (2003)

Kristanna Loken's T-X in Terminator 3
Kristanna Loken's T-X in Terminator 3.

T-X, from Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, is one of the best female robots in cinema because of her unique blend of deadly efficiency and unexpected charisma. T-X is a Terminator with advanced fighting capabilities, including a liquid metal exterior and powerful weaponry built into her body, making her an unstoppable force. Unlike her predecessors, she embodies a cold, calculated menace, but her character also stands out with a seductive confidence.

T-X’s ability to mimic human behavior, combined with her ruthless mission to eliminate other Terminators, makes her not only a great gynoid but also a compelling villain. Her design is both sleek and imposing, and Kristanna Loken’s acting brings a sense of detachment mixed with moments of dangerous tension. T-X's blend of beauty, strength, and lethal precision challenges traditional perceptions of female robots and is one of the most memorable in the Terminator series.

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Your Rating

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
7.5/10
Release Date
July 2, 2003
Runtime
109 minutes
Director
Jonathan Mostow
Writers
John Brancato, Michael Ferris, Gale Anne Hurd, James Cameron, Tedi Sarafian
Producers
Andrew G. Vajna, Dieter Nobbe, Gale Anne Hurd, Guy East, Hal Lieberman, Joel B. Michaels, Mario Kassar, Matthias Deyle, Moritz Borman, Nigel Sinclair, Volker Schauz, Aslan Nadery

Cast

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13 Karen

SpongeBob SquarePants (1999-Present)

Although Karen started out as merely Plankton’s computer wife, she became more mobile in later seasons, eventually earning her status as a fully functioning gynoid. Karen is Plankton’s partner in literal crime, as she is behind his constant efforts to steal the Krabby Patty formula. Her voice actress, Jill Talley, always delivers her sassy lines with bite. Even though her name is Karen, the only manager she's harassing is her husband in their secret lair in Bikini Bottom's most hated restaurant, The Chum Bucket.

Karen, like so many of the other bots on the list, was initially conceived as a companion, but she takes her role to the next level. She sometimes even outshines her husband’s evil efforts. The pair somehow inexplicably managed to produce a son, Chip Plankton II. Even though she isn't considered one of the funniest SpongeBob characters, she's still memorable. Plus, Jill Talley is married to SpongeBob's voice actor, Tommy Kenny.

Spongebob Poster

Your Rating

SpongeBob SquarePants
9/10
17
8.4/10
Release Date
May 1, 1999
Network
Nickelodeon
Showrunner
Vincent Waller, Marc Ceccarelli
Directors
Vincent Waller, Dave Cunningham, Stephen Hillenburg, Paul Tibbitt
Writers
Tim Hill, Stephen Hillenburg, Derek Drymon, Nick Jennings

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Tom Kenny
    Tom Kenny
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Bill Fagerbakke

Franchise(s)
SpongeBob SquarePants

12 Morgan

Morgan (2016)

Anya Taylor Joy looking intense in a scene from Morgan
Anya Taylor Joy in Morgan 2016
Image via 20th Century Fox

Morgan, from the 2016 sci-fi thriller Morgan, is one of the best female robots in movie history due to her compelling mix of innocence and intelligence. Played by Anya Taylor-Joy, Morgan is an artificial being created with advanced genetic engineering, designed to be an enhanced human with super intelligence and physical abilities. What sets her apart is her emotional complexity. While she exhibits the vulnerability of a young girl, she also struggles with uncontrollable aggression as her programming spirals out of control.

Taylor-Joy's nuanced performance delves into the nature of identity, humanity, and the ethical implications of creating life, which is a common theme in robot films. The juxtaposition of Morgan’s youthful appearance with her deadly abilities makes viewers think about the implications of artificial intelligence and raises questions about the consequences of playing God. Morgan’s internal conflict between her human-like qualities and her robotic design makes her a standout, unforgettable character in science fiction cinema.

Your Rating

Morgan
4/10
8.8/10
Release Date
September 2, 2016
Director
Luke Scott
Writers
Seth W. Owen

Cast

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11 The Stepford Wives

The Stepford Wives (1975)

The Stepford Wives (1975)

The Stepford Wives, from the 1975 film and, to a lesser extent, its 2004 remake, offer an unsettling portrayal of perfect, submissive women stripped of individuality. Specifically in the 1975 version, these women are transformed into robotic, docile beings by their husbands. The Stepford Wives' eerie demeanor and unnaturally perfect behavior highlight the darker side of societal expectations placed on women.

Their robotic transformations carried out through technological manipulation expose a chilling commentary on gender roles, autonomy, and conformity. The performance of the actresses, particularly in their portrayal of the "robotic" wives, balances cold perfection with suppressed emotion, making them deeply disturbing and fascinating characters. Even today, the Stepford Wives continue to stand out as iconic representations of female robots, because they symbolize what happens when people try to control women's identities.

The Stepford Wives (1975) - Poster - Katherine Ross

Your Rating

The Stepford Wives
Release Date
February 12, 1975
Runtime
115 Minutes
Director
Bryan Forbes
Writers
Ira Levin, William Goldman
Producers
Edgar J. Scherick
  • Headshot Of Katharine Ross
    Katharine Ross
    Joanna Eberhart
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Paula Prentiss
    Bobbie Markowe
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Peter Masterson
    Carol Van Sant
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Nanette Newman
    Patricia Cornell

10 Pris Stratton

Blade Runner (1982)

Pris Stratton, from Blade Runner fame, is one of the best robots in cinema history due to her fierce survival instincts, vulnerability, and compelling performance by Daryl Hannah. As a replicant, Pris is designed to be physically superior but also emotionally complex. Her character is unique because she faces a struggle to understand her identity in a world that views her as disposable. Pris’s agility and combat abilities make her a formidable presence, yet her emotional depth adds layers of humanity to her character.

She is both a predator and prey, navigating the dangerous world of humans and Blade Runners who want to kill her while grappling with her mortality. Hannah's portrayal blends strength with fragility, making Pris a tragic and unforgettable figure. Her character challenges the idea of what it means to be human, blurring the line between machine and person. Pris is a seminal representation of artificial intelligence, capturing both beauty and menace in a single iconic role.

Blade Runner Movie Poster

Your Rating

Blade Runner
9/10
77
9.0/10
Release Date
June 25, 1982
Runtime
117 minutes
Director
Ridley Scott
Writers
Hampton Fancher, David Webb Peoples, Philip K. Dick, Roland Kibbee

Cast

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9 Dot Matrix

Spaceballs (1987)

Dot Matrix, voiced by Joan Rivers, with her head tilted to the side in Spaceballs

In Mel Brooks' beloved parody of Star Wars, Space Balls, the role of C3PO is filled by Joan River’s iconic Dot Matrix. Dot looks just like Rivers covered in gold metal skin, so her presence presents a visual joke within the film. She also delivers some of the best lines in the movie.

Even without physically being on the screen, Rivers can hold her own with some of the film's comedic heavy hitters like the late John Candy and Rick Moranis. Plus, Brooks knows exactly how to use Rivers' presence for the best comedic timing. She’s still glamorous, she’s still funny, she’s just Joan Rivers covered in gold from head to toe, and honestly, the fashion icon would want to be covered in gold more than anything.

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Your Rating

Spaceballs
8/10
16
9.0/10
Release Date
June 24, 1987
Runtime
96 minutes
Director
Mel Brooks
Writers
Mel Brooks, Ronny Graham, Thomas Meehan

Cast

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  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Mel Brooks
    President Skroob / Yogurt
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    John Candy
    Barf

8 Madame Gasket

Robots (2005)

madame gaskett from robots

Robots is an underrated animated masterpiece starring a plethora of animated robots and its main villain is one of the best gynoids in history. She runs an underground “chop shop” that sweeps up old robots and melts them down for scrap metal that she turns into shiny new parts. Madame Gasket believes that old, outdated robots should be priced out of new essential parts for them to live, which offers an interesting commentary on gentrification.

On top of her classist ideals, Madame Gasket's mere form is threatening — her fingers double as knives, and she can start a fire on sight. Plus, she leaves her son and husband to rot by their necks in the chop shop. She’s a robot capable of harming other robots, which isn’t seen too often, as robots are usually pitted against humans.

Robots - Poster

Your Rating

Robots
7.0/10
Release Date
March 27, 2005
Runtime
91 Minutes
Director
Chris Wedge, Carlos Saldanha
Writers
David Lindsay-Abaire, Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel, Ron Mita, Jim McClain

7 EVE

Wall-E (2008)

Eve is a gynoid on a mission. The humans in Wall-E, through their reckless ways, have rendered the planet Earth unlivable. As a result, they send Eve on a mission to Earth so she can scavenge for any living organism that can bring the human race back to their home planet. She’s sleek and subtle, which is in direct contrast to her best friend turned lover, Wall-E.

Eve and Wall-E share one of the most beautiful love stories in any Disney film. While Eve can be cold and menacing, Wall-E softens her up by showing her all of his quirky Earth interests, including Barbara Streisand's iconic Hello, Dolly. Through her relationship with Wall-E, Eve learns how to love and appreciate life outside of her mission.

WALL-E Movie Poster

Your Rating

WALL-E
8/10
36
8.5/10
Release Date
June 27, 2008
Runtime
98 Minutes
Director
Andrew Stanton
Writers
Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Jim Reardon
Franchise(s)
Disney

Cast

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  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Ben Burtt
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Elissa Knight

6 Iris

Companion (2025)

Sophie Thatcher as Iris looks uncertain in a supermarket in Companion 2025

In the 2025 film Companion, Iris has already become one of cinema's best female robots due to her emotional depth and unique sense of self-awareness. Designed to serve as a personal assistant, Iris evolves beyond her initial programming, developing complex feelings and desires. Sophie Thatcher's performance combines warmth and subtle intensity, making her interactions with humans feel deeply genuine and relatable.

Unlike many robotic characters who are either cold or purely functional, Iris grapples with existential questions about identity, and purpose, blurring the line between machine and human. Her journey toward independence and self-discovery challenges perceptions of artificial intelligence, exploring themes of empathy and the capacity for change. Iris' nuanced portrayal pushes the boundaries of what it means to be a "female robot," making her a memorable and groundbreaking character in modern sci-fi cinema.

Companion - Poster

Your Rating

Companion
7/10
40
8.4/10
Release Date
January 31, 2025
Runtime
97 Minutes
Director
Drew Hancock
Writers
Drew Hancock

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