10 Horror Movie Robots That Scared Us Out Of Our Minds

Because computers were in their infancy during the 1960s, many people at the time didn't consider the possibility that a machine could go rogue.

However, 2001: A Spacey Odyssey changed all that. In Stanley Kubrick's sci-fi epic, a space crew must journey to Jupiter to uncover information about an alien artefact. The craft's systems are overseen and operated by a supercomputer called HAL 9000.

Programmed with the best intentions, HAL gradually sees the crew as a detriment to the mission. When HAL catches the astronauts talking about deactivating him, the AI decides to terminate them, purely out of self-preservation.

After he kills everyone but David, HAL locks him outside the station, where he makes his intentions crystal clear. David does everything to change HAL's mind, but knows his words cannot sway a machine devoid of emotion.

The exchange isn't just scary because HAL is leaving David to die. It's terrifying because it believably demonstrates how humanity's time as a dominant force on Earth is limited. Even though a lot of sci-fi blockbusters haven't aged well, A Space Odyssey is more horrifying than ever, since AI robots are becoming, not just a possibility, but a commonality. HAL 9000 has become an icon because he perfectly encapsulates the terrifying but feasible notion that artificial intelligence might one day come to the conclusion they don't need us anymore.