Ghost in the Shell

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Ghost in the Shell

1996,

1h 23m,

Sci-Fi/

Action/

Anime

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Watchlist

97%

60 Reviews

Tomatometer

89%

50,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

60 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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Finn S

Apr 7, 2019

Pioneer of IA and animation in general, with a very complex plot that could probably have been better detailed.

Harry W

Mar 29, 2019

Boring and uninteresting. Total trash.

Harry M

Mar 20, 2019

Go and wacth it right now!

Abraham M

Mar 9, 2019

Don't watch the dub. Watch it in the original Japanese. This movie is a bit slow but is pure art.

Luke R

Dec 2, 2018

Favorite anime film of all time. This is such an amazing film that I wish more people took the time to watch. Please see this movie if you haven't already, you won't be disappointed.

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Kylo R

Nov 22, 2018

I appreciate the influence on 'The Matrix' and the intricate storytelling as well as the visuals. That being said, this simply wasn't my cup of tea. Subjectively I found many stretches of it to be flat out boring and uninteresting.

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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

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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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