Steamboy

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Steamboy

PG-13

2005

2h 5m

Sci-Fi

Anime

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

92 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

England of the 1860s receives a technological remake in this animated adventure. Ray (Anna Paquin) is a brilliant young inventor who follows in the footsteps of his father, Eddie (Alfred Molina), and his grandfather, Lloyd Steam (Patrick Stewart). After his grandfather sends him a mysterious mechanical ball that contains revolutionary power, Ray finds his world turning upside down. It seems a lot of people want that power, and not all of them have good intentions.

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Critics Consensus

The story isn't the greatest, but there's an abundance of sci-fi eye candy to compensate.

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Matthew Leyland

BBC.com

It may be one of the most expensive anime features ever, but there isn't a wealth of entertainment on offer in Steamboy.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 6, 2005

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J. Hoberman

Village Voice

It's a sensationally designed piece of work.

Aug 19, 2005

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Stephen Hunter

Washington Post

The movie never transcended its elaborate production work to achieve an independent reality. It's simply pictures of what never happened.

May 20, 2005

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Grace Han

Asian Movie Pulse

“Steamboy” is just as much a masterwork as “Akira” — only with better technology and a stronger sense of morality. It’s truly a shame to think of how this feature has somehow eluded the attention of Western viewers for so long.

Rated: 4/5

May 25, 2022

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Mark Steyn

The Spectator

This film has steam but it generates no heat.

Jan 25, 2018

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Luke Spafford

Starburst

The rendering of the characters and backgrounds is so rich and precise, that at times, it skirts into the third dimension.

Rated: 9/10

Dec 14, 2017

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Logan D

In England of the 1800s, steam power has become a remarkable source for technological advances. When one boy's father creates a virtually unlimited steam engine, everyone attempts to get their hands on it. I've yet to see Akira (I know, shameful) but I was impressed by this film built of steampunk inspiration. It questions ethics and responsibility not thoroughly but well enough. A visual treat for sure.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/06/25

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Goose R.

On an alternate universe, steam machines are king. 1860, Ray, gets his hands on a discovery from her dad and grandfather that will revolutionize the steam power machines but it could be used for good or evil. Is up to him to avoid the latter. Pretty cool story and the animation is superb 🍿🍿🍿🍿/5 on Prime

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

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Jay W

"Steamboy" follows James Steam, and his father, Eddie Steam and grandfather Lloyd Steam. The latter two had invented a ball that releases an endless supply of steam. The steam from that ball powers their steam engines. As the movie starts, there is too much steam coming out of the pipes, and they try to adjust the valves to control the steam, but the steam breaks the pipes, releasing steam everywhere. The only way this movie could be more "steam" is if I was watching it on my steam deck while taking a hot shower and having some steamed hams from Albany.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/13/25

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Liam D

It definitely feels like animes that have came before but it’s still very entertaining

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/24/24

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Frank C

The art was great, but the story made no sense at all.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/09/24

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Alejandro E

El alegato pacifista, sobre el uso indebido de la tecnología de innovación, no estará a la altura de la obra maestra Akira pero, las secuencias de acción, el guion en sí y el arte conceptual justifican bien el esfuerzo.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/01/23

Full Review

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Katsuhiro Ohtomo

Director

Anna Paquin

James Ray Steam

Alfred Molina

Dr. Eddie Steam

Patrick Stewart

Dr. Lloyd Steam

Robin Atkin Downes

David

Kari Wahlgren

Scarlett O'Hara

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Synopsis

England of the 1860s receives a technological remake in this animated adventure. Ray (Anna Paquin) is a brilliant young inventor who follows in the footsteps of his father, Eddie (Alfred Molina), and his grandfather, Lloyd Steam (Patrick Stewart). After his grandfather sends him a mysterious mechanical ball that contains revolutionary power, Ray finds his world turning upside down. It seems a lot of people want that power, and not all of them have good intentions.

Director: Katsuhiro Ohtomo
Producer: Shinji Murai, Hideyuki Tomioka
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Sunrise VAP
Rating: PG-13 (Action/Violence)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 18, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $410.4K
Runtime: 2h 5m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby SRD, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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