Ghost in the Shell

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Ghost in the Shell

PG-13

Released Mar 31, 2017

1h 47m

Sci-Fi

Action

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

43%

Tomatometer

298 Reviews

51%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In the near future, Major is the first of her kind: a human who is cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier devoted to stopping the world's most dangerous criminals. When terrorism reaches a new level that includes the ability to hack into people's minds and control them, Major is uniquely qualified to stop it. As she prepares to face a new enemy, Major discovers that her life was stolen instead of saved. Now, she will stop at nothing to recover her past while punishing those who did this to her.

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Critics Consensus

Ghost in the Shell boasts cool visuals and a compelling central performance from Scarlett Johansson, but the end result lacks the magic of the movie's classic source material.

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Kambole Campbell

One Room With A View

Seems the best stuff got lost in translation.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 25, 2018

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Angie Han

Mashable

The characters in this movie just repeat themes and explain plot points to each other, all in the same flat, droning monotone.

Jun 2, 2017

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Stephen Romei

The Australian

This is an exciting, fun, futuristic thriller that, like its main character, has a probing mind. It will make you think.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 7, 2017

Full Review

M.X. Katyayani

OffColour.org

Unlike in the anime, this version of the Major is more of a renegade than a leader and cares far more about herself than her teammates. She spends a large chunk of the movie pitying herself.

Rated: 2/10

Jul 20, 2023

Full Review

Peter Bell

Vague Visages

Overall, Ghost in the Shell pales in comparison to the 1995 film by lacking a cohesive, well developed plot, substantive themes and a captivating pace.

Jun 22, 2023

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The presentation has been shaped to Hollywood specifications and robbed of its potential uniqueness, insight, or innovation.

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 4, 2022

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Todd B

This was a good movie with Scarlett. Thanks for the live action version of this movie. A good add, and take on the role.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/18/24

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Joy L

I tried to go into this without thinking about the original anime. Even so, I have mixed reviews It's a beautiful setting, the special effects are great, but I struggled with the casting. They could have not set it in Japan, but it was clearly a Japanese mother with a not Japanese daughter and not Japanese CEO and not Japanese Kuze. That just kept throwing me out of the movie Also, I feel like the real question of your ghost, who you are truly, it just isn't DEEP. It's said. Major said it, but I never felt it the same way I felt it in the original. Her mother knew her, even though she was in another body. Major and Kuze knew each other. It's the soul. Except in the movie it got ignored for flashy visuals and big fight scenes. And that's my biggest criticism. The idea of the whole story is your soul cannot be lost even if you are in another body and that love transcends form. Instead, it's just a big budget shootem bad guy movie

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/19/25

Full Review

Ian R

I had no knowledge of the source material or seen the earlier animated movie. This was the best movie I have seen in ages. The futuristic mixed cultural setting combined with a kind of retro technology was really well done. Aside from Scarlet Johansson the movie is held up by the always superb Juliette Binoche. Underated by critics, this was a thoroughly enjoyable watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/10/25

Full Review

Jelisije J

Not a bad adaption but i feel like I have seen this movie plot a 100 times before and the twist you can see coming a mile away. A decent, but predictable time.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/02/25

Full Review

Jon W

As someone who has never read or seen the source material, I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend "Ghost in the Shell". Scarlett Johansen gave a great performance. An interesting possible glimpse to a twisted future maybe? 🤔

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

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Bill W

I like a good sci-fi flick and this fits the bill.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

Full Review

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Rupert Sanders

Director

Scarlett Johansson

Major

Pilou Asbæk

Batou

Takeshi Kitano

Aramaki

Michael Pitt

Kuze

Juliette Binoche

Dr. Ouelet

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Synopsis

In the near future, Major is the first of her kind: a human who is cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier devoted to stopping the world's most dangerous criminals. When terrorism reaches a new level that includes the ability to hack into people's minds and control them, Major is uniquely qualified to stop it. As she prepares to face a new enemy, Major discovers that her life was stolen instead of saved. Now, she will stop at nothing to recover her past while punishing those who did this to her.

Director: Rupert Sanders
Producer: Avi Arad, Ari Arad, Steven Paul, Michael Costigan
Screenwriter: Jamie Moss, William Wheeler, Ehren Kruger
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Crystal Sky Entertainment, Reliance Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Disturbing Images|Intense Sci-Fi Violence|Suggestive Content)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 31, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 7, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $40.5M
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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