Ghost in the Shell
A cybernetic police major hunts a mind-hacking criminal while confronting the fragile boundary between human consciousness and artificial intelligence.
Overview
A thrilling journey into a cybernetic future where humanity grapples with its own creations.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Dense
- Violence
- Moderate
- brooding
- eerie
- contemplative
- late night viewing
- philosophical science fiction marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a landmark of Japanese animation, praising its striking synthesis of detailed animation and computer effects, atmospheric music, screenplay, and ambitious philosophical themes.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The 2029 city is populated by cyborgs whose brains can connect directly to the internet, making digital infrastructure part of everyday life.
Motoko's cybernetic body and the Puppet Master's emergence drive questions about what distinguishes a human ghost from artificial intelligence.
Production I.G.'s detailed animation and computer effects render city streets, cybernetic bodies, data networks, and surveillance technology with tactile precision.
Major Motoko Kusanagi works within Section 9's counterterrorism and cybercrime apparatus while confronting philosophical doubts about consciousness and embodiment.
Films like Ghost in the Shell, and why
Akira
shared cyberpunk setting, philosophical science fiction, artificial intelligence themes, and visually ambitious animation
2001: A Space Odyssey
shared meditative science fiction, existential questions about consciousness, and atmospheric technological futurism
Blade Runner
shared cyberpunk world-building, identity themes, police investigation, and noir-inflected dystopian atmosphere
Patlabor 2: The Movie
shared anime science fiction, cybernetic bodies, investigative action, and philosophical treatment of human-machine boundaries
Movie Details
- Director
- Mamoru Oshii
- Release Date
- 1995-11-18
- Runtime
- 83 min
- Rating
- 7.9 / 10 (4074)
Cast
- Atsuko Tanaka
- Akio Otsuka
- Iemasa Kayumi
- Koichi Yamadera
- Yutaka Nakano
- Tamio Ohki
- Tessyo Genda
- Masakazu Namaki
- Masato Yamanouchi
- Shinji Ogawa
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Ghost in the Shell about?
- A cybernetic police major hunts a mind-hacking criminal while confronting the fragile boundary between human consciousness and artificial intelligence.
- What is Ghost in the Shell like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Ghost in the Shell as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as dense.
- Is Ghost in the Shell violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Ghost in the Shell as moderate.
- What did critics think of Ghost in the Shell?
- Critics broadly regard it as a landmark of Japanese animation, praising its striking synthesis of detailed animation and computer effects, atmospheric music, screenplay, and ambitious philosophical themes.
- Which films are like Ghost in the Shell?
- Films with a similar feel include Akira, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner, and Patlabor 2: The Movie.
- How long is Ghost in the Shell?
- Ghost in the Shell runs 83 minutes.
- Where can I watch Ghost in the Shell?
- In United States, Ghost in the Shell streams on MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel.
In Ember's collections
Movies like Ghost in the Shell
- Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War2021
- PSYCHO-PASS: The Movie2015
- Psycho-Pass: Providence2023
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - The Laughing Man2005
- Appleseed: Ex Machina2007
- Patlabor WXIII the Movie2002
- Altered Carbon: Resleeved2020
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG - Individual Eleven2006
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society2007
- Stray Dog: Kerberos Panzer Cops
