Ghost in the Shell

50 Movies Like Ghost in the Shell (1995) You Need to Watch Next

Year1995
DirectorMamoru Oshii
iRank83
Genre
ActionAnimationScience Fiction
AndroidMan Vs MachineArtificial Intelligence A IComputer VirusCyborgdystopiaImplantatFugitive

Updated August 2026

View Ghost in the Shell details

If you loved Ghost in the Shell (1995) by Mamoru Oshii, here are 50 movies that share its content DNA. iRankMovies measures real similarity using cosine similarity across eight weighted dimensions — genre (50%), tone (12%), pace (10%), structure (8%), era (7%), theme (6%), audience (4%) and narrative perspective (3%) — not just the rating. The closest matches according to our analysis are Akira, Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone, The Animatrix. Every title is ranked by how closely it matches and backed by the iRank Score, a composite of IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic and TMDb across 12,000+ analysed titles.

The Best Movies Similar to Ghost in the Shell

Selected for their real similarity in content, these are the movies that share the most with Ghost in the Shell in terms of theme, narrative tone, and cinematic style. Every recommendation goes beyond genre — we evaluate the type of conflict, pacing, dramatic context, and the experience they create for viewers.

Akira

Akira

100%
similarity

1988 · Katsuhiro Otomo

MovieActionAnimationScience Fiction

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.

In common: Action · Animation · Science Fiction

Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone

Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone

84%
similarity

2007 · Kazuya Tsurumaki

MovieActionAnimationDrama

After the Second Impact, Tokyo-3 is being attacked by giant monsters called Angels that seek to eradicate humankind. The child Shinji’s objective is to fight the Angels by piloting one of the mysterio

In common: Action · Animation

The Animatrix

The Animatrix

84%
similarity

2003 · Koji Morimoto

MovieAnimationScience Fiction

Straight from the creators of the groundbreaking Matrix trilogy, this collection of short animated films from the world's leading anime directors fuses computer graphics and Japanese anime to provide

In common: Animation · Science Fiction

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time

83%
similarity

2021 · Kazuya Tsurumaki

MovieActionAnimationDrama

In the aftermath of the Fourth Impact, stranded without their Evangelions, Shinji, Asuka and Rei find refuge in one of the rare pockets of humanity that still exist on the ruined planet Earth. There,

In common: Action · Animation

Cowboy Bebop: The Movie

Cowboy Bebop: The Movie

80%
similarity

2001 · Shinichiro Watanabe

MovieActionAnimationScience Fiction

The year is 2071. Following a terrorist bombing, a deadly virus is released on the populace of Mars and the government has issued the largest bounty in history, for the capture of whoever is behind it

In common: Action · Animation · Science Fiction

Total Recall

Total Recall

74%
similarity

1990 · Paul Verhoeven

MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction

Construction worker Douglas Quaid's obsession with the planet Mars leads him to visit Rekall, a virtual vacation company that manufactures memories. When something goes wrong during Quaid's memory imp

In common: Action · Science Fiction

Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in the Shell

74%
similarity

2017 · Rupert Sanders

MovieActionDramaScience Fiction

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.

In common: Action · Science Fiction

The Matrix Resurrections

The Matrix Resurrections

74%
similarity

2021 · Lana Wachowski

MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction

Plagued by strange memories, Neo's life takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself back inside the Matrix.

In common: Action · Science Fiction

RoboCop

RoboCop

73%
similarity

1987 · Paul Verhoeven

MovieActionScience FictionThriller

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 com

In common: Action · Science Fiction

Judge Dredd

Judge Dredd

73%
similarity

1995 · Danny Cannon

MovieActionScience Fiction

In a dystopian future, Dredd, the most famous judge (a cop with instant field judiciary powers) is convicted for a crime he did not commit while his murderous counterpart escapes.

In common: Action · Science Fiction

Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade

Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade

73%
similarity

1999 · Hiroyuki Okiura

MovieAnimationScience FictionThriller

A member of an elite paramilitary counter-terrorism unit becomes traumatized after witnessing the suicide bombing of a young girl and is forced to undergo retraining. However, unbeknownst to him, he b

In common: Animation · Science Fiction

The Matrix

The Matrix

73%
similarity

1999 · Lana Wachowski

MovieActionScience Fiction

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.

In common: Action · Science Fiction

Minority Report

Minority Report

73%
similarity

2002 · Steven Spielberg

MovieActionScience FictionThriller

John Anderton is a top 'Precrime' cop in the late-21st century, when technology can predict crimes before they're committed. But Anderton becomes the quarry when another investigator targets him for a

In common: Action · Science Fiction

Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'

Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'

72%
similarity

2015 · Tadayoshi Yamamuro

MovieActionAnimationScience Fiction

One peaceful day on Earth, two remnants of Frieza's army named Sorbet and Tagoma arrive searching for the Dragon Balls with the aim of reviving Frieza. They succeed, and Frieza subsequently seeks reve

In common: Action · Animation · Science Fiction

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods

72%
similarity

2013 · Masahiro Hosoda

MovieActionAnimationScience Fiction

After the defeat of Majin Buu, a powerful God of Destruction known as Beerus searches for the Saiyan warrior who defeated Frieza. Realizing the threat Beerus poses to Earth, the Z-fighters must stop h

In common: Action · Animation · Science Fiction

Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon

Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon

72%
similarity

1995 · Mitsuo Hashimoto

MovieActionAnimationScience Fiction

The Z Warriors discover an unopenable music box and are told to open it with the Dragon Balls. The contents turn out to be a warrior named Tapion who had sealed himself inside along with a monster cal

In common: Action · Animation · Science Fiction

Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn

Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn

72%
similarity

1995 · Shigeyasu Yamauchi

MovieActionAnimationScience Fiction

Not paying attention to his job, a young demon allows the evil cleansing machine to overflow and explode, turning the young demon into the infamous monster Janemba. Goku and Vegeta make solo attempts

In common: Action · Animation · Science Fiction

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1

72%
similarity

2012 · Jay Oliva

MovieActionAnimationMystery

Batman has not been seen for ten years. A new breed of criminal ravages Gotham City, forcing 55-year-old Bruce Wayne back into the cape and cowl. But, does he still have what it takes to fight crime i

In common: Action · Animation

Resident Evil: Death Island

Resident Evil: Death Island

71%
similarity

2023 · Eiichiro Hasumi

MovieActionAnimationHorror

In San Francisco, Jill Valentine is dealing with a zombie outbreak and a new T-Virus, Leon Kennedy is on the trail of a kidnapped DARPA scientist, and Claire Redfield is investigating a monstrous fish

In common: Action · Animation

Summer Wars

Summer Wars

70%
similarity

2009 · Mamoru Hosoda

MovieAnimationScience Fiction

Teenage math whiz Kenji Koiso agrees to take a summer job at the Nagano hometown of his crush, Natsuki. When he arrives, he finds that her family have reunited to celebrate the 90th birthday of their

In common: Animation · Science Fiction

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

70%
similarity

2023 · Francis Lawrence

MovieActionScience Fiction

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.

In common: Action · Science Fiction

Dredd

Dredd

69%
similarity

2012 · Pete Travis

MovieActionScience Fiction

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

In common: Action · Science Fiction

The Creator

The Creator

69%
similarity

2023 · Gareth Edwards

MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction

Amid a future war between the human race and the forces of artificial intelligence, a hardened ex-special forces agent grieving the disappearance of his wife, is recruited to hunt down and kill the Cr

In common: Action · Science Fiction

Babylon A.D.

Babylon A.D.

68%
similarity

2008 · Mathieu Kassovitz

MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction

A veteran-turned-mercenary is hired to take a young woman with a secret from post-apocalyptic Eastern Europe to New York City.

In common: Action · Science Fiction

The Matrix Reloaded

The Matrix Reloaded

68%
similarity

2003 · Lilly Wachowski

MovieAdventureActionThriller

The Resistance builds in numbers as humans are freed from the Matrix and brought to the city of Zion. Neo discovers his superpowers, including the ability to see the code inside the Matrix. With machi

In common: Action

The Fifth Element

The Fifth Element

68%
similarity

1997 · Luc Besson

MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction

In 2257, a taxi driver is unintentionally given the task of saving a young girl who is part of the key that will ensure the survival of humanity.

In common: Action · Science Fiction

9

9

67%
similarity

2009 · Shane Acker

MovieActionAdventureAnimation

When 9 first comes to life, he finds himself in a post-apocalyptic world. All humans are gone, and it is only by chance that he discovers a small community of others like him taking refuge from fearso

In common: Action · Animation

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

67%
similarity

2005 · Tetsuya Nomura

MovieActionAdventureAnimation

Two years have passed since the final battle with Sephiroth. Though Midgar, city of mako, city of prosperity, has been reduced to ruins, its people slowly but steadily walk the road to reconstruction.

In common: Action · Animation

Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale

Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale

67%
similarity

2017 · Tomohiko Ito

MovieActionAdventureAnimation

In 2026, a new machine called the Augma is developed to compete against the NerveGear and its successor, the Amusphere. A next-gen wearable device, the Augma doesn't have a full-dive function like its

In common: Action · Animation

My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission

My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission

66%
similarity

2021 · Kenji Nagasaki

MovieActionAdventureAnimation

A mysterious group called Humarize strongly believes in the Quirk Singularity Doomsday theory which states that when quirks get mixed further in with future generations, that power will bring forth th

In common: Action · Animation

Resident Evil: Vendetta

Resident Evil: Vendetta

66%
similarity

2017 · Takanori Tsujimoto

MovieActionAdventureAnimation

When a fearless enemy out for revenge unleashes a brutal and deadly new virus, BSAA captain Chris Redfield enlists the help of Agent Leon S. Kennedy and Professor Rebecca Chambers to bring down the de

In common: Action · Animation

Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound

Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound

66%
similarity

1993 · Yoshihiro Ueda

MovieActionAnimationScience Fiction

Mr. Money is holding another World Martial Arts Tournament and Mr. Satan invites everyone in the world to join in. Little does he know that Bojack, an ancient villain who has escaped his prison, is co

In common: Action · Animation · Science Fiction

Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler

Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler

66%
similarity

1992 · Daisuke Nishio

MovieActionAnimationScience Fiction

Cooler has resurrected himself as a robot and is enslaving the people of New Namek. Goku and the gang must help.

In common: Action · Animation · Science Fiction

Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo

Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo

66%
similarity

2012 · Hideaki Anno

MovieActionAnimationDrama

Fourteen years after Third Impact, Shinji Ikari awakens to a world he does not remember. He hasn't aged. Much of Earth is laid in ruins, NERV has been dismantled, and people who he once protected have

In common: Action · Animation

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

65%
similarity

2022 · Tetsuro Kodama

MovieActionAnimationScience Fiction

The Red Ribbon Army, an evil organization that was once destroyed by Goku in the past, has been reformed by a group of people who have created new and mightier Androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2, and seek

In common: Action · Animation · Science Fiction

Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan

Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan

65%
similarity

1993 · Shigeyasu Yamauchi

MovieActionAnimationScience Fiction

While the Saiyan Paragus persuades Vegeta to rule a new planet, King Kai alerts Goku of the South Galaxy's destruction by an unknown Super Saiyan.

In common: Action · Animation · Science Fiction

Demolition Man

Demolition Man

64%
similarity

1993 · Marco Brambilla

MovieActionCrimeScience Fiction

In 1996, brash L.A. detective John Spartan and maniac killer Simon Phoenix are both sentenced to decades in a cryogenic prison as punishment for a rescue mission gone wrong. When Phoenix escapes 36 ye

In common: Action · Science Fiction

Upgrade

Upgrade

64%
similarity

2018 · Leigh Whannell

MovieActionScience FictionThriller

A brutal mugging leaves Grey Trace paralyzed in the hospital and his beloved wife dead. A billionaire inventor soon offers Trace a cure — an artificial intelligence implant called STEM that will enhan

In common: Action · Science Fiction

Æon Flux

Æon Flux

63%
similarity

2005 · Karyn Kusama

MovieActionScience FictionThriller

400 years into the future, disease has wiped out the majority of the world's population, except one walled city, Bregna, ruled by a congress of scientists. When Æon Flux, the top operative in the unde

In common: Action · Science Fiction

The 6th Day

The 6th Day

63%
similarity

2000 · Roger Spottiswoode

MovieActionDramaMystery

A world of the very near future in which cattle, fish, and even the family pet can be cloned. But cloning humans is illegal - that is until family man Adam Gibson comes home from work one day to find

In common: Action

Blade Runner 2049

Blade Runner 2049

63%
similarity

2017 · Denis Villeneuve

MovieDramaScience Fiction

Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. K's discovery lea

In common: Science Fiction

WALL·E

WALL·E

63%
similarity

2008 · Andrew Stanton

MovieAnimationFamilyScience Fiction

After hundreds of years doing what he was built for, WALL•E— a robot designed to clean up the earth—discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize t

In common: Animation · Science Fiction

Escape from New York

Escape from New York

62%
similarity

1981 · John Carpenter

MovieActionScience FictionThriller

In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam free. After the US president crash-lands inside, war hero Snake Plissken

In common: Action · Science Fiction

Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku

Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku

62%
similarity

1990 · Mitsuo Hashimoto

MovieActionAnimationDrama

Bardock, Son Goku's father, is a low-ranking Saiyan soldier who was given the power to see into the future by the last remaining alien on a planet he just destroyed. He witnesses the destruction of hi

In common: Action · Animation

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

62%
similarity

2024 · Wes Ball

MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction

Several generations following Caesar's reign, apes – now the dominant species – live harmoniously while humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his emp

In common: Action · Science Fiction

Ready Player One

Ready Player One

62%
similarity

2018 · Steven Spielberg

MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction

When the creator of a popular video game system dies, a virtual contest is created to compete for his fortune.

In common: Action · Science Fiction

Alita: Battle Angel

Alita: Battle Angel

62%
similarity

2019 · Robert Rodriguez

MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction

When Alita awakens with no memory of who she is in a future world she does not recognize, she is taken in by Ido, a compassionate doctor who realizes that somewhere in this abandoned cyborg shell is t

In common: Action · Science Fiction

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

62%
similarity

2013 · Francis Lawrence

MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction

After surviving the Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta struggle with the consequences of their victory as unrest spreads across Panem. Forced back into the spotlight, they become symbols of hope and resi

In common: Action · Science Fiction

Divergent

Divergent

62%
similarity

2014 · Neil Burger

MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction

In a world divided into factions based on personality types, Tris learns that she's been classified as Divergent and won't fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysteri

In common: Action · Science Fiction

Snowpiercer

Snowpiercer

62%
similarity

2013 · Bong Joon Ho

MovieActionDramaScience Fiction

In a future where a failed global-warming experiment kills off most life on the planet, a class system evolves aboard the Snowpiercer; a train that travels around the globe via a perpetual-motion engi

In common: Action · Science Fiction

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2021 · Alex Yee

SeriesAction & AdventureAnimationSci-Fi & Fantasy

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Avatar: The Last Airbender

2005 · Michael Dante DiMartino

SeriesAction & AdventureAnimationSci-Fi & Fantasy

In a war-torn world of elemental magic, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.

The Pitt

The Pitt

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SeriesDrama

The staff of Pittsburgh's Trauma Medical Center work around the clock to save lives in an overcrowded and underfunded emergency department.

One Piece

One Piece

1999

SeriesAction & AdventureAnimationComedy

Years ago, the fearsome Pirate King, Gol D. Roger was executed leaving a huge pile of treasure and the famous "One Piece" behind. Whoever claims the "One Piece" will be named the new King of the Pirat