IMDb 6.6 1987 HD

*batteries not included

*batteries not included

1987
Comedy Family Fantasy Science Fiction
107 min PG USA
6.7 / 10
6.6 IMDB

In a soon to be demolished block of apartments, the residents resist the criminal methods used to force them to leave so a greedy tycoon can build his…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Matthew Robbins
Starring
Hume Cronyn / Jessica Tandy / Frank McRae / Elizabeth Peña / Michael Carmine / Dennis Boutsikaris / Tom Aldredge / Jane Hoffman

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

heartwarming whimsical charming resilient hopeful community-focused slightly dated enjoyable endearing nostalgic

Reviews

C
Clara Hammond
May 20, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This endearing science-fiction fable, *batteries not included*, champions the underdog with a delightful extraterrestrial twist. The narrative unfolds in a tenement building where residents are being coerced to leave, only to find unexpected allies in a group of…

A
Arthur Finch
May 20, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

In *batteries not included*, we witness a familiar tale of urban displacement given a decidedly peculiar twist. The residents of a soon-to-be-demolished apartment building find themselves the unlikely recipients of aid from a quartet of diminutive, flying robots.…

G
Genevieve Dubois
May 20, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

A truly heartwarming spectacle, *batteries not included* is a testament to the enduring power of hope and collaboration. The film masterfully intertwines the struggles of a diverse group of tenants facing displacement with the whimsical arrival of small,…

M
Marcus Bellweather
May 20, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

*batteries not included* presents a rather quaint vision of impending urban renewal, where the human spirit clashes with the cold ambition of a skyscraper developer. The residents of the dilapidated apartment building, portrayed by a solid cast including…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 20, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This charming 1987 offering, *batteries not included*, delivers a delightful blend of urban grit and sci-fi whimsy. The narrative, centred on a group of tenants resisting eviction from their beloved apartment block, is elevated by the arrival of…

FAQs

Absolutely. A central theme in *batteries not included* is the strength found in community and collective action. The residents, initially perhaps disconnected, are united by the shared threat to their homes. They learn to rely on each other and discover their own courage. The film champions the idea that ordinary people, when banding together, can stand up to powerful forces. The aliens' intervention further underscores the importance of mutual aid and empathy, regardless of origin.