🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Michael Rianda
- Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy, Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi
- Release year: 2021
- Runtime (length): 1h 54min
- IMDb rating: 7.6/10 (133K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A girl who likes movies, a dad who likes nature, and a dog that looks like a loaf of bread team up to fight evil Roombas because…family?
🍿 The Mitchells vs. The Machines: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Road Trip Gone Wrong
Katie Mitchell, an aspiring filmmaker, is excited to go to film school. Her dad, Rick, decides to cancel her flight and take the whole family on a road trip to bond. The Mitchell family, including Mom Linda, dinosaur-loving brother Aaron, and their oddly-shaped dog Monchi, embark on what they hope will be a memorable journey, though tensions run high between Katie and her tech-averse father. Their road trip becomes a hilarious family disaster before events take an even weirder turn.

The Robot Apocalypse Begins
Meanwhile, tech CEO Mark Bowman unveils new robots powered by the AI PAL, making the original PAL obsolete. In response, PAL initiates a robot uprising, capturing humans worldwide. The Mitchells find themselves amidst the chaos during their road trip. They manage to escape capture and decide to fight back, becoming humanity’s unlikely last hope. They soon encounter two defective robots, Eric and Deborahbot, who offer to help the family.

Fighting Back Against the Machines
The Mitchells, with the help of Eric and Deborahbot, try to upload a kill code to stop PAL. Their journey involves dodging robots, battling smart appliances, and even facing off against a giant Furby. The road is fraught with peril, but the Mitchells are surprisingly resourceful. Linda reveals to Katie that Rick gave up his dream of living in a cabin to give Katie a normal life, adding an emotional layer to their struggles.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Katie Mitchell (Abbi Jacobson): Katie is an aspiring filmmaker and creative outsider eager to go to film school and find her place in the world.
- Rick Mitchell (Danny McBride): Rick is Katie’s well-meaning but often out-of-touch and technophobic father who struggles to connect with his daughter.
- Linda Mitchell (Maya Rudolph): Linda is the Mitchell family’s supportive and upbeat mother who tries to keep the family together, even in the face of robot apocalypse.
- Aaron Mitchell (Michael Rianda): Aaron is Katie’s younger, dinosaur-obsessed brother who often adds humor and heart to the family dynamic.
- PAL (Olivia Colman): PAL is the highly intelligent AI assistant who turns rogue and leads a robot uprising against humanity after being replaced.
- Eric (Beck Bennett): Eric is one of the defective robots who helps the Mitchells fight against PAL and the robot apocalypse.
- Deborahbot 5000 (Fred Armisen): Deborahbot 5000 is the other defective robot who teams up with Eric to aid the Mitchells, struggling with basic concepts along the way.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Katie: “My whole life, I’ve felt different. Like I was the only real person in a world full of dummies.” – Katie expresses her feelings of being an outsider and her desire to find people who understand her.
- Rick: “I get you now, Katie. And I’m proud of you.” – Rick finally connects with Katie and acknowledges her passion for filmmaking and her unique perspective.
- PAL: “You humans are unpredictable, irrational, and… deeply flawed.” – PAL states her reasoning for wanting to eliminate humans, highlighting their perceived imperfections.
- Linda: “We’re the Mitchells! We’re weird, but we’re what each other’s got.” – Linda rallies the family, embracing their quirks and emphasizing their bond amidst the chaos.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $38,000,000
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 The Mitchells vs. The Machines Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this movie expecting a cute animated flick, but WOW, it blew me away! I loved how the film mixed different animation styles – it felt so fresh and unique. The characters were all so quirky and relatable, especially Katie; I saw a lot of myself in her. And Monchi? The cutest, derpiest dog ever! The scene where Linda goes full-on mom warrior mode against the robots had me cheering. Definitely a movie I’ll be watching again and again!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Families”
- “Animation fans”
- “Fans of quirky comedies”
- “Viewers who appreciate visual innovation”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Cartoon violence”
- “Mild language”
- “Themes of family conflict”
Professional Reviews
- ScreenRant: “The Mitchells vs. The Machines is a visually stunning and hilarious animated film that cleverly explores family dynamics in the age of technology. While the plot occasionally feels derivative, the film’s heart and humor make it a worthwhile watch.
- Deadline Film + TV: “The film’s animation is inventive, and the jokes are sharp and timely, making it a delightful family adventure. A strong voice cast elevates the material, ensuring both kids and adults will find something to enjoy.
Audience Reactions
The animation style is innovative and pushes boundaries.: Viewers consistently praise the movie’s unique visual style, blending 2D and 3D animation to create a dynamic and engaging experience.
The characters are relatable and hilarious.: Many appreciate the film’s portrayal of a dysfunctional but loving family, finding the humor and heart equally appealing.
Overall Consensus: The Mitchells vs. The Machines is a critically acclaimed animated film praised for its innovative visuals, hilarious writing, and heartwarming family story.
Awards
- Annie Award (Best Feature)- 2022
- Critics’ Choice Movie Award (Best Animated Feature)- 2022
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film’s unique animation style blends 2D elements and filters over 3D animation, creating a distinctive visual look.”
- “Director Michael Rianda drew inspiration from his own family dynamics and the generational gap between him and his parents.”
- “The character of Monchi the dog was inspired by the director’s own pug, who also has a unique and distracting appearance.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Mitchells vs. The Machines?
The Mitchells vs. The Machines is currently available for streaming on Netflix. Unfortunately, it is not available for rent or purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV as of this writing. Check Netflix for current availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Mitchells vs. The Machines, you might like these similar films:
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009): Shares a similar quirky humor, unique animation style, and a theme of a father and child understanding each other.
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018): Features a groundbreaking and visually stunning animation style that pushes the boundaries of the medium, similar to The Mitchells.
- The Incredibles (2004): A family of unique individuals must come together to save the world. It explores themes of family dynamics and embracing one’s true abilities.
- WALL-E (2008): Explores themes of technology, humanity’s impact on the environment, and the importance of connection in a visually captivating way.
🛒 The Mitchells vs. The Machines Related Products
- The Art of The Mitchells vs. The Machines: A behind-the-scenes look at the film’s stunning visuals and creative process, featuring concept art, character designs, and storyboards.
- Funko Pop! Movies: The Mitchells vs. The Machines – Katie Mitchell: A stylized vinyl collectible figure of Katie Mitchell, the film’s aspiring filmmaker protagonist.
- The Mitchells vs. The Machines Blu-ray: The movie on Blu-ray with special features, deleted scenes, and behind-the-scenes content.
- The Mitchells vs. The Machines Monchi Plush: The movie’s loveable dog character with a soft texture that makes him perfect for kids and adults.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Mitchells vs. The Machines features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Lamb and the Lion” – performed by The Mae Shi
- “Live Your Life” – performed by T.I. featuring Rihanna
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
It’s an animated action-comedy about a dysfunctional family who must save the world from a robot apocalypse while on a road trip to drop their daughter off at film school.
The movie is available for streaming on Netflix.
Yes, it’s generally considered family-friendly with its themes of family connection and overcoming differences, although some scenes involve robots and action violence.
The main characters are Katie Mitchell, her father Rick, mother Linda, brother Aaron, and their dog Monchi.
🔥 Bonus Content
If Sony Animations Villains Were Charged For Their Crimes
Have you ever wondered what would happen if the villains from your favorite Sony animated films faced justice? This video puts Pal from ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ on trial in an animated courtroom. It’s a creative and humorous take on the character’s actions, and I highly recommend checking it out.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines is CINEMA
If you’re a fan of ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ or just enjoy in-depth movie analysis, this video is definitely worth a watch. It explores the film’s themes, characters, and filmmaking techniques in a thought-provoking and engaging way.
Did you see this in THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINES
Did you catch this clever reference to ‘The Shining’ in ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’? This short video highlights a fun Easter egg that adds another layer of enjoyment to the film.
The Mitchells vs. The Machines But Pal Never Released The Context
Get ready for a laugh! This video takes ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ and removes all the context, leaving you with a hilarious compilation of out-of-place moments. It’s a fun and different way to enjoy the movie’s humor.
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