9. RoboCop (1987)
Now bear with us here, because it might get confusing. 1987’s RoboCop is about a cop… who becomes a robot. What’s that? It’s not confusing at all? Well, the name might be a little on-the-nose, but the film itself certainly isn’t.
It might sound like a pretty dumb premise for a movie, but RoboCop‘s greatest achievements lie in the details. Directed by Paul Verhoeven, RoboCop is set in a near-future Detroit that has become increasingly run-down and crime-ridden. In a world ravaged by climate change and economic disaster, one mechanically-enhanced police officer becomes the only hope for a city on the edge.
Simple though Robocop‘s premise may be, it’s deeper than it seems. It’s a film that touches on themes of identity, the dangers of unchecked technological advancement, and the appropriate role of law enforcement in society. Basically, it’s classic sci-fi for a reason.