Ghost in the Shell

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Ghost in the Shell

1996

1h 23m

Sci-Fi

Action

Anime

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

62 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In this Japanese animation, cyborg federal agent Maj. Motoko Kusanagi (Mimi Woods) trails "The Puppet Master" (Abe Lasser), who illegally hacks into the computerized minds of cyborg-human hybrids. Her pursuit of a man who can modify the identity of strangers leaves Motoko pondering her own makeup and what life might be like if she had more human traits. With her partner (Richard George), she corners the hacker, but her curiosity about her identity sends the case in an unforeseen direction.

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Critics Consensus

A stunning feat of modern animation, Ghost in the Shell offers a thoughtful, complex treat for anime fans, as well as a perfect introduction for viewers new to the medium.

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Wael Khairy

RogerEbert.com

Feb 26, 2025

As the world edges closer to the ideas that it once speculated, these images resurface in my thoughts like fragments of a future that was always meant to find us...“Ghost in the Shell” didn’t predict the future; it dissected it before it arrived...

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Willow Maclay

RogerEbert.com

Mar 8, 2019

5/5

Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell will always strike a chord with those directly affected by bodily displacement.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Aug 16, 2017

3/4

The drawing style is remarkable in a story that reveals a Japanese preoccupation with roboticized culture and hard-edged sexuality.

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

Jun 1, 2024

A sci-fi classic with stunning animation

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Apr 8, 2023

[Mamoru] Oshii’s dazzling science fiction work mixes adventure, mystery, and metaphysics in a future where humans are routinely augmented with bionics and electronic implants, and then follows it into the next evolutionary step.

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

Nov 26, 2022

2.5/4

It’s a film of unique and divergent opinions that remain heavily debated 25 years after its initial release.

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Bobby

6 hrs ago

Great classic! It was a treat to see it on the big screen

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Hassan

1 day ago

An absolute masterpiece of cel animation with a story that still resonates.

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Alex Rizzo

1 day ago

still an unbelievable classic even after 30 years. excellent

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Roman

1 day ago

One of the greatest anime movies ever made and one of my favorite anime movies along side Akira with some of the most phenomenal animation of its time

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Michael

1 day ago

Always a great watch i love this movie

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07FishOutOfWater

1 day ago

A revolutionary part of the Cyberpunk genre and great movie to watch in todays AI rampant society.

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Mamoru Oshii

Director

Richard Epcar

Bateau

Mimi Woods

Major Motoko Kusanagi

William Frederick Knight

Chief Aramaki

Tom Wyner

Project 2501

Christopher Joyce

Togusa

Barb Wire

28%

15%

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Synopsis

In this Japanese animation, cyborg federal agent Maj. Motoko Kusanagi (Mimi Woods) trails "The Puppet Master" (Abe Lasser), who illegally hacks into the computerized minds of cyborg-human hybrids. Her pursuit of a man who can modify the identity of strangers leaves Motoko pondering her own makeup and what life might be like if she had more human traits. With her partner (Richard George), she corners the hacker, but her curiosity about her identity sends the case in an unforeseen direction.

Director: Mamoru Oshii
Producer: Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, Ken Iyadomi, Ken Matsumoto, Yoshimasa Mizuo
Screenwriter: Kazunori Itô
Distributor: Palm Pictures
Production Co: Production I.G., Bandai Visual Company, Kôdansha
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 29, 1996, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Sep 18, 2026
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 15, 2010
Runtime: 1h 23m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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