The Iron Giant

An extraordinary friendship blossoms between a boy and a giant robot from outer space, challenging the fears of a small town.

Critics broadly praised the film as beautifully animated, emotionally involving family science fiction that handles pacifism, human relationships, and ambitious ideas with unusual sophistication.

• The Iron Giant's relationship with Hogarth develops around the question of whether a machine built for destruction can choose to become something else.
• Kent Mansley interprets the alien robot through Cold War national security anxiety and pursues destruction despite evidence of its innocence.
• The film uses a giant robot, small-town adventure, and comic domestic details to explore death, weapons, pacifism, and human bonding.
• The giant robot's apparent military purpose is contrasted with Hogarth's effort to preserve his innocence and protect the town.

• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrialshares animated family storytelling, a child centered friendship, and emotionally accessible themes of compassion and courage
• Nausicaä of the Valley of the Windshares hand drawn fantasy adventure, pacifist themes, environmental or political anxieties, and a young protagonist confronting militarism
• The Boy Who Harnessed the Windshares a warm child and outsider bond, inventive animation, and an uplifting challenge to fear-driven authority
• A.I. Artificial Intelligenceshares science fiction adventure, artificial intelligence themes, and a poignant conflict between weaponization and human connection

Director

Brad Bird

Release Date

1999-08-06

Runtime

86 min

Rating

8.0 / 10 (6440)

What is The Iron Giant about?

A lonely boy hides an enormous alien robot from a Cold War agent while teaching him that his nature need not dictate his choices.

What is The Iron Giant like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Iron Giant as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is The Iron Giant violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Iron Giant as mild.

What did critics think of The Iron Giant?

Critics broadly praised the film as beautifully animated, emotionally involving family science fiction that handles pacifism, human relationships, and ambitious ideas with unusual sophistication.

Which films are like The Iron Giant?

Films with a similar feel include E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, and A.I. Artificial Intelligence.

How long is The Iron Giant?

The Iron Giant runs 86 minutes.

Where can I watch The Iron Giant?

In United States, The Iron Giant streams on YouTube Free.