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Ghost in the Shell poster

Movies that feel likeGhost in the Shell (1995)

In the year 2029, the barriers of our world have been broken down by the net and by cybernetics, but this brings new vulnerability to humans in the form of brain-hacking. When a highly-wanted hacker known as 'The Puppetmaster' begins involving them in politics, Section 9, a group of cybernetically enhanced cops, are called in to investigate and stop the Puppetmaster.

If you loved Ghost in the Shell, the closest films we have are Avalon (2001), Akira (1988) and RoboCop (1987). All three share Ghost in the Shell's kinetic and cerebral feel, which is what we rank on before quality.

Seen the big three already? The under-the-radar pick below is eXistenZ (1999).

πŸ… 95% Rotten Tomatoesβ˜… 7.9 IMDb β†—TMDB β†—dir. Mamoru Oshiikineticcerebralbleak
11 of 12 streaming nowNetflix Β· Apple TV Β· Paramount Plus Premium

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If Ghost in the Shell hit the spot, these will too

Avalon poster
Avalon
2001 Β· dir. Mamoru Oshii
πŸ… 83%β˜… 6.4action Β· science fiction

Mamoru Oshii directing both, with the same fingerprints on each

In a future world, young people are increasingly becoming addicted to an illegal (and potentially deadly) battle simulation game called Avalon. When Ash, a star player, hears of rumors that a more advanced level of the game exists somewhere, she gives up her loner ways and joins a gang of explorers. Even if she finds the gateway to the next level, will she ever be able to come back to reality?

Akira poster
Akira
1988 Β· dir. Katsuhiro Otomo
πŸ… 88%β˜… 8animation Β· science fiction Β· action

Both keep coming back to the same thing: dystopia

A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath that only two teenagers and a group of psychics can stop.

RoboCop poster
RoboCop
1987 Β· dir. Paul Verhoeven
πŸ… 84%β˜… 7.6action Β· thriller Β· science fiction

Both are working the same pair: cyborg, cyberpunk

The difference: Sits closer to thriller than Ghost in the Shell does

In a violent, near-apocalyptic Detroit, evil corporation Omni Consumer Products wins a contract from the city government to privatize the police force. To test their crime-eradicating cyborgs, the company leads street cop Alex Murphy into an armed confrontation with crime lord Boddicker so they can use his body to support their untested RoboCop prototype. But when RoboCop learns of the company's nefarious plans, he turns on his masters.

I, Robot poster
I, Robot
2004 Β· dir. Alex Proyas
β˜… 7.1action Β· science fictionApple TV+

Common ground in both: man vs machine and artificial intelligence

In 2035, where robots are commonplace and abide by the three laws of robotics, a technophobic cop investigates an apparent suicide. Suspecting that a robot may be responsible for the death, his investigation leads him to believe that humanity may be in danger.

Logan's Run poster
Logan's Run
1976 Β· dir. Michael Anderson
πŸ… 58%β˜… 6.8action Β· science fiction

Common ground: fugitive

The difference: The critics' underdog of the pair

In the 23rd century, inhabitants of a domed city freely experience all of life's pleasures β€” but no one is allowed to live past 30. Citizens can try for a chance at being "renewed" in a civic ceremony on their 30th birthday. Escape is the only other option.

Dredd poster
Dredd
2012 Β· dir. Pete Travis
πŸ… 80%β˜… 7.1action Β· science fiction

Both are built on the same subject: dystopia

In the future, America is a dystopian wasteland. The latest scourge is Ma-Ma, a prostitute-turned-drug pusher with a dangerous new drug and aims to take over the city. The only possibility of stopping her is an elite group of urban police called Judges, who combine the duties of judge, jury and executioner to deliver a brutal brand of swift justice. But even the top-ranking Judge, Dredd, discovers that taking down Ma-Ma isn’t as easy as it seems in this explosive adaptation of the hugely popular comic series.

Ghost in the Shell poster
Ghost in the Shell
2017 Β· dir. Rupert Sanders
πŸ… 42%β˜… 6.3science fiction Β· drama Β· actionParamount+

The same two preoccupations: a woman at the center, and transhumanism

The difference: Leans harder into drama than Ghost in the Shell does

In the near future, Major is the first of her kind: a human saved from a terrible crash, then cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier devoted to stopping the world's most dangerous criminals.

The Matrix poster
The Matrix
1999 Β· dir. Lana Wachowski
πŸ… 83%β˜… 8.7action Β· science fictionRent or buy

The same preoccupation in both: man vs machine

Set in the 22nd century, The Matrix tells the story of a computer hacker who joins a group of underground insurgents fighting the vast and powerful computers who now rule the earth.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines poster
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
2003 Β· dir. Jonathan Mostow
πŸ… 70%β˜… 6.3action Β· thriller Β· science fiction

One thread runs through both: artificial intelligence

It's been 10 years since John Connor saved Earth from Judgment Day, and he's now living under the radar, steering clear of using anything Skynet can trace. That is, until he encounters T-X, a robotic assassin ordered to finish what T-1000 started. Good thing Connor's former nemesis, the Terminator, is back to aid the now-adult Connor … just like he promised.

RoboCop poster
RoboCop
2014 Β· dir. JosΓ© Padilha
πŸ… 50%β˜… 6.1action Β· science fiction Β· thriller

The same preoccupation in both: cyborg

In RoboCop, the year is 2028 and multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the center of robot technology. Overseas, their drones have been used by the military for years, but have been forbidden for law enforcement in America. Now OmniCorp wants to bring their controversial technology to the home front, and they see a golden opportunity to do it. When Alex Murphy – a loving husband, father and good cop doing his best to stem the tide of crime and corruption in Detroit – is critically injured, OmniCorp sees their chance to build a part-man, part-robot police officer. OmniCorp envisions a RoboCop in every city and even more billions for their shareholders, but they never counted on one thing: there is still a man inside the machine.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes poster
πŸ… 64%β˜… 6.6science fiction Β· actionNetflix

Kinetic where it counts, cerebral underneath

The difference: 28 years apart, and the 2020s show

64 years before he becomes the tyrannical president of Panem, Coriolanus Snow sees a chance for a change in fortunes when he mentors Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from District 12.

eXistenZ poster
eXistenZ
1999 Β· dir. David Cronenberg
πŸ… 77%β˜… 6.8action Β· thriller Β· science fiction

Bleak action, and it commits to that

A game designer on the run from assassins must play her latest virtual reality creation with a marketing trainee to determine if the game has been damaged.

In the mood for more kinetic?

all kinetic movies β†’

The best-reviewed films that share Ghost in the Shell’s defining feeling.