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Animated drama

Robot Dreams (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Robot Dreams (2023) movie poster

Robot Dreams is a 2023 animated drama directed by Pablo Berger, starring Ivan Labanda, Graciela Molina and José García Tos. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $5.3 million worldwide on a $5.3 million budget. It won 5 awards from 8 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 87 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.

IMDb rating
7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
98%
worldwide gross
$5.3M
awards won
5
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Robot Dreams (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Director
Pablo Berger
Genres
Animation , Drama , Music
Original language
Spanish
Budget
$5.3M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Robot Dreams About?

The premise of Robot Dreams without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Set in 1980s Manhattan, a lonely dog named DOG builds a robot companion to ease his solitude, and the two form a deep and lasting friendship amidst the city's energy. Their bond is tested when DOG is forced to leave ROBOT behind on a beach, leading to a heartfelt journey to find him again. The film explores themes of friendship, loss, and the enduring power of connection.

Robot Dreams Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • 1980s
  • halloween
  • based on graphic novel
  • 2d animation
  • dog
  • friendship
  • bird
  • subway
  • beach
  • duck
  • no spoken dialogue
  • robot
+38 more
  • life
  • city
  • animal robot relationship
  • new york city
  • playing a video game
  • pong video game
  • loneliness
  • elephant
  • monkey
  • new york subway
  • new york city subway
  • subway station
  • octopus
  • central park manhattan new york city
  • bus
  • sea
  • underwater scene
  • fish
  • elevator
  • mountain
  • snow
  • sled
  • sledding
  • snow sledding
  • tic tac toe
  • playing tic tac toe
  • flower
  • snowman
  • carrot
  • bowling
  • nest
  • egg
  • kite
  • angling
  • fishing
  • motor scooter
  • telephone call
  • postcard
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Cast & crew

Robot Dreams Cast

Ivan Labanda leads the cast, with Graciela Molina and José García Tos. Directed by Pablo Berger; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Robot Dreams

· 3 more
From the director

More from Pablo Berger

More films directed by Pablo Berger, best-rated first: Blancanieves, Torremolinos 73, Abracadabra and Mama.

Full filmography
Ratings

Robot Dreams Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Robot Dreams 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 87 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 88/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (80).

88 /100

Robot Dreams Echo Score Breakdown

Robot Dreams excels as a tender animated fable that balances simplicity with emotional depth. Critics highlight its smooth, speechless storytelling and the nuanced bond between Dog and Robot, praising the film’s capacity to evoke bittersweet reflection. The animation’s understated palette and measured pacing create an environment that feels vast despite minimal dialogue. While some note occasional simplicity in plot and a slightly sluggish midpoint, the film’s heartfelt warmth and visual artistry coalesce into a lasting emotional experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 90

    Art & Craft: The film’s animation stands out for its elegant simplicity and vivid design. Viewers note smooth, fluid movement in each frame and a cohesive color palette that evokes 1980s New York without overt complexity. The minimalistic line work and production design support the narrative without distraction. Even critics who mention occasional simplicity agree that the overall visual presentation is both charming and technically assured.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    In terms of character and emotion, the silent bond between Dog and Robot conveys profound warmth. Reviews describe a nuanced relationship that spans playful companionship and poignant separation, eliciting genuine empathy. The absence of dialogue enhances the characters’ expressiveness through subtle gestures and musical cues. Even those noting a brief emotional simplicity concede that the duo’s chemistry remains the film’s most affecting element, grounding its heartfelt core.

  • Story & Flow 80

    When it comes to story and flow, Robot Dreams offers a simple yet poignant narrative. Critics praise its universal themes of friendship and growth, though some observers find certain sections lightly padded and the pacing gentle. The film’s straightforward structure supports emotional moments without elaborate subplots. Despite occasional sluggishness, the clear emotional trajectory ensures that the plot remains engaging and heartfelt throughout its runtime.

  • Sensory Experience 87

    In terms of sensory experience, the film presents a harmonious blend of visual style and soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the vibrant 2D palette and the recurring use of evocative tracks like Earth, Wind & Fire’s 'September.' The absence of dialogue foregrounds sound effects and musical cues, creating immersive ambiance. Overall, the cohesive audio-visual design reinforces both mood and narrative clarity.

  • Rewatch Factor 82

    When evaluating rewatch factor, Robot Dreams presents lasting emotional appeal. Many viewers report a desire to revisit its tender moments and visual details, finding fresh resonance with each viewing. While the film’s simple structure may not sustain repeated viewings for those seeking complex narratives, its emotional core and artistic consistency encourage multiple returns. The film’s warmth ensures an enduring impact on audiences.

Plot

Robot Dreams Plot Summary

What happens in Robot Dreams from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the sizzling summer of the 1980s Manhattan, a lonely individual known as Dog unexpectedly finds himself captivated by a television commercial showcasing a robotic companion. This newfound obsession propels him to place an order for one immediately. Once Robot, as he affectionately names his mechanical friend, arrives, a deep and unbreakable bond blossoms between the two. As the days of summer stretch on, Dog and Robot become inseparable comrades exploring the vibrant cityscape side by side.

Full summary

The whole story of Robot Dreams, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Robot Dreams Box Office & Budget

Robot Dreams grossed $5.3 million worldwide on a $5.3 million budget, 100% of what it cost. $875,215 came from the US and Canada and $4.4 million (83%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$5.3M

100% of its budget back

US & Canada
$875.2K
International
$4.4M
Budget
$5.3M
US & Canada 17% Rest of the world 83%
Awards

Robot Dreams Awards & Nominations

Robot Dreams won 5 awards from 8 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the Premios Feroz 2024, with 3 wins from 3 nominations.

5 wins8 nominations4 ceremonies

Videos

Robot Dreams Trailers & Videos

10 videos: 2 trailers, 5 teasers, 1 clip and 2 featurettes.

All 10 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official US Trailer
  • Teaser Official Teaser
  • Teaser Official US Teaser
  • Teaser UK Promo
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Robot Dreams?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Where does the story take place?

Cars

Cars in Robot Dreams

22 cars on screen, including the AM General FJ-8 and the Checker Taxicab.

All 22 cars
  • AM General FJ-8 in Robot Dreams AM General FJ-8 Minor role
  • Checker Taxicab in Robot Dreams Checker Taxicab Minor role
  • 1981 Ford LTD Crown Victoria in Robot Dreams 1981 Ford LTD Crown Victoria Minor role
  • Grumman-Olson Kurbmaster in Robot Dreams Grumman-Olson Kurbmaster Minor role
Details

Robot Dreams Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “Mon ami robot” and “로봇 드림”.

Also known as
  • Mon ami robot
  • 로봇 드림
  • 汪汪夢裡人
  • Мрії робота
  • 再見機器人
  • ロボット・ドリームズ
  • 机器人之梦
  • Pies i Robot
  • Il mio amico Robot
  • Meu Amigo Robô
  • Ο φίλος μου το ρομπότ
  • Mi Amigo Robot
+11 more
  • Мечты робота
  • Robot Düşleri
  • חלום של רובוט
  • Снови робота
  • Robot Trong Mơ
  • Robotálmok
  • ربات رویاپردازی می‌کند
  • Robot a Pes
  • ความฝันของหุ่นยนต์
  • Roboti unistused
  • Moj prijatelj robot

Seen Robot Dreams?

FAQ

Robot Dreams FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Robot Dreams, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Robot Dreams?

Robot Dreams runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).

When was Robot Dreams released?

Robot Dreams was released on November 22, 2023.

Who directed Robot Dreams?

Robot Dreams was directed by Pablo Berger.

More films by Pablo Berger

Who is in the cast of Robot Dreams?

Robot Dreams stars Ivan Labanda, Graciela Molina and José García Tos, among 7 credited actors.

How much did Robot Dreams make at the box office?

Robot Dreams grossed $5.3 million worldwide ($875,215 domestic, $4.4 million international) on a budget of $5.3 million.

How is Robot Dreams rated?

Robot Dreams has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 87 on Metacritic and 80% on TMDB.

What awards did Robot Dreams win?

Robot Dreams won 5 awards from 8 nominations, including Best Comedy Film at the Premios Feroz 2024.

Does Robot Dreams have a post-credit scene?

No. Robot Dreams has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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