12 Movies Like The Ghost in the Shell You Need to Watch
Find 12 cyberpunk and sci-fi picks with action, crime, drama, and animation, including Ghost in the Shell favorites plus newer shows and films.
If you’re searching for movies like The Ghost in the Shell, you probably want the same mix of cyberpunk atmosphere, identity questions, and sleek action. This page brings together 12 picks that span animation, live action, sci-fi, crime, and drama, so you can jump from the original Ghost in the Shell (1995) to the newer Ghost in the Shell (2017) and the upcoming The Ghost in the Shell (2026). It also includes related worlds such as Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 (2020), Vampire in the Garden (2022), Synduality: Noir (2023), The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy (2024), and President Curtis (2026). Whether you’re here for philosophical sci-fi, intense combat, or polished futuristic style, this list is built to point you toward the right next watch.
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01
Ghost in the Shell
animation · action · crime · drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
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.
Directed by Mamoru OshiiCast Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Ôtsuka, Iemasa Kayumi, Kôichi Yamadera, Tamio ÔkiAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
02
Ghost in the Shell
action · crime · drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
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.
Directed by Rupert SandersCast Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asbæk, Takeshi Kitano, Juliette Binoche, Michael PittParamount Plus -
03
The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy
animation · science-fiction · comedy · action & adventure · mystery & thriller
Dr. Sleech and Dr. Klak — aliens, best friends and intergalactically renowned surgeons — tackle anxiety-eating parasites, illegal time loops and deep-space STIs.
Directed by Kim Arndt, Joseph Adams, Kacie Hermanson, Becks WallaceCast Kieran Culkin, Stephanie Hsu, Natasha Lyonne, Keke Palmer, Maya RudolphAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
04
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045
animation · action · crime · drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
After a global financial crisis, the world is engulfed in an AI-driven "sustainable war." It's up to Section 9 to counter new forms of cyber threats.
Directed by Shinji Aramaki, Kenji KamiyamaCast Hiroshi Naka, Megumi Han, Akio Ôtsuka, Shigeo Kiyama, Atsuko TanakaNetflix -
05
Vampire in the Garden
animation · action · adventure · drama · fantasy · horror · mystery · thriller
A vampire queen and a human girl join forces against all odds in search of “paradise” — a place where humans and vampires peacefully coexist.
Directed by Ryôtarô Makihara, Yasuhiro Akamatsu, Hiroyuki TanakaCast Kellen Goff, Xanthe Huynh, Paul Castro Jr., Chiaki Kobayashi, Megumi HanNetflix -
06
Synduality: Noir
animation · action · adventure · sci-fi
The year is 2242. Kanata wants to be a Drifter and meets Noir, who is a dud Magus with no memories. However, because Noir excels in battle against the Enders, Kanata partners with her and discovers exactly what it takes to be a Drifter.
Directed by Yūsuke Yamamoto, Naokatsu TsudaCast Erin Yvette, Ben Diskin, Aaron Dismuke, Allegra Clark, Anjali KunapaneniHulu -
07
President Curtis
animation · comedy · sci-fi
Follows President Andre Curtis and his eccentric staff as they deal with various crises that Rick Sanchez typically ignores.
Directed by Fill Marc Sagadraca, Erik Kling, Juan Jose Meza-Leon, Bryan NewtonCast Keith David, Stephanie Beatriz, Jim Rash, Nick Reczynski, Alanna UbachMax -
08
Mila in the Multiverse
adventure · comedy · family · mystery · sci-fi
Mila is 16 years old and living the adventure of her life traveling through the multiverse in search of her mother, Elis. As she travels, she will come face to face with The Operators, a mysterious and dangerous group that wants to exterminate all universes. She will have to face them in order to save the vast multiverse.
Directed by Júlia Jordão, Jessica QueirozCast Laura Luz, Rafaela Mandelli, Malu Mader, Danilo de Moura, João VictorDisney Plus -
09
Fist of the North Star: HOKUTO NO KEN
animation · action · adventure · drama · sci-fi
In the year 199X, the world was engulfed in nuclear fire!! Yet...humanity somehow survived!! A lone man with seven scars on his chest emerges. His name is Kenshiro, heir to Hokuto Shinken. In a world where only the strong survive, Kenshiro forges a path with his iron fists!
Directed by Robert Coutts, Hiroshi MaedaCast Yasuhiro Mamiya, Jun Fukushima, Joshua Weyers, Wataru Takagi, Shunsuke TakeuchiAmazon Prime Video -
10
Fear the Walking Dead: Dead in the Water
action & adventure · drama · science-fiction · horror · mystery & thriller
Riley is serving as a weapons officer aboard the USS Pennsylvania near the Gulf of Mexico when a mysterious outbreak forces the crew to strategize a way off the sub before it becomes their tomb, in this prequel to Fear the Walking Dead.
Directed by Kenneth RequaCast Nick Stahl, Jason Francisco Blue, Jay Gutierrez, Ja'Quan Monroe-Henderson, Garrett GrahamAMC+ -
11
The Eminence in Shadow
animation · action · adventure · comedy · fantasy
Shadowbrokers are those who go unnoticed, posing as unremarkable people, when in truth, they control everything from behind the scenes. Sid wants to be someone just like that more than anything, and something as insignificant as boring reality isn’t going to get in his way! He trains in secret every single night, preparing for his eventual rise to power—only to be denied his destiny by a run-of-the-mill (yet deadly) traffic accident. But when he wakes up in a another world and suddenly finds himself at the head of an actual secret organization doing battle with evil in the shadows, he’ll finally get a chance to act out all of his delusional fantasies!
Directed by Kazuya Nakanishi, Daisuke Takashima, Yoshinobu Tokumoto, Hazuki MizumotoCast Seiichiro Yamashita, Adam Gibbs, Haruka Shiraishi, Inori Minase, Annie WildHulu -
12
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
animation · action · adventure · crime · drama · sci-fi · thriller
In a dystopia riddled with corruption and cybernetic implants, a talented but reckless street kid strives to become a mercenary outlaw — an edgerunner.
Directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi, Kai Ikarashi, Yoshiyuki Kaneko, Noboru Furukawa, Kôdai NakanoCast Kentarô Tone, Kôki Uchiyama, Momoka Terasawa, Akari Kitô, KENNNetflix
Wrapping Up
These picks cover a broad slice of cyberpunk and sci-fi storytelling, from brainy animation to darker crime-leaning drama and high-energy action. If you liked the mood, themes, or worldbuilding in Ghost in the Shell, this list should give you several strong directions to explore next. Bookmark this page so you can come back whenever you want another smart, stylish recommendation. We update it regularly as new releases and closely related titles arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these movies similar to The Ghost in the Shell?
These picks were matched by tone, themes, and story style using a similarity model trained on plot synopses, genres, and cast — not just shared genre tags — so the connection runs deeper than a simple category match.
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Last updated: September 10, 2026