Ghost in the Shell

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Ghost in the Shell

1995

1h 25m

Action

Sci-Fi

Anime

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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.

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

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...

Feb 26, 2025

Full Review

Willow Maclay

RogerEbert.com

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

Rated: 5/5

Mar 8, 2019

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

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

Rated: 3/4

Aug 16, 2017

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

A sci-fi classic with stunning animation

Jun 1, 2024

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

[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.

Apr 8, 2023

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

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

Rated: 2.5/4

Nov 26, 2022

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Daniel

This movie is and will always be a masterpiece of the cyberpunk genre and movies in general. The 4K treatment did wonders. I only wish they also had a showing with the English cast as the dub for Ghost in the Shell was amazing. I also wish my theater had the posters that were given out at other locations, I was really looking forward to getting one and came early just for that.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/24/21

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Thomas B

This movie changed way I appreciate film. Very few movies shape culture as greatly as this one has.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/24/21

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Christopher G

a seminal anime film that everyone with even a slight interest in the medium should see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/23/21

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Rob

Such an awesome experience! A must watch in IMAX! Can’t wait to see more Anime on the IMAX screen

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/23/21

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Isaac

a great trip down memory lane. where you could end a movie as a draw and expand on the source material too.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/23/21

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redtens

First fine watching the Japanese dub, and it definitely hit different than I remember. Perhaps some of the story was lost in translation, or maybe I see it differently now that I'm older. Regardless, the experience was amazing, immersive, and definitely worth the price of admission. If you're a fan, I'd highly recommend making the time to see it in theatres - while you can.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/22/21

Full Review

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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

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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
Production Co: Production I.G., Bandai Visual Company, Kôdansha
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 15, 2010
Runtime: 1h 25m

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