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Movies like Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War (2021)

The best movies like Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War (2021) are Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - The Laughing Man (2005), Battle Angel (1993) and Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 4: Ghost Stands Alone (2014). If Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War hooked you with its animation and action, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks

  1. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - The Laughing Man (2005)

    The year is 2030 and six years have passed since a criminal known only as "The Laughing Man" swept through top medical nanotechnology firms committing acts of cyber-terrorism, kidnapping, and espionage leaving no known suspects. New information is revealed, as Section 9 enters the hunt for a suspect capable of unfathomable actions in this compilation of Stand Alone Complex content.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & animation

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  2. Battle Angel (1993)

    In his travels as a bounty hunter, Hunter–Warrior and cyborg healer Ido one day discovers and repairs the remnants of a cyborg whom he names Gally. Though possessing the body of a young woman, Gally now embodies Ido's most sophisticated and lethal cybernetic skills. The preternaturally strong, amnesiac Gally begins to forge a life for herself in a world where every day is a struggle for survival.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  3. Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 4: Ghost Stands Alone (2014)

    The upcoming installment's story takes place amidst signs of postwar reconstruction in the winter of 2028. Tensions are rising in New Port City as demonstrations are held concerning the interests of foreign cartels. This leads to a shooting incident involving riot police. It all started with a cyberbrain infection released by the terrorist "Fire Starter." An independent offensive unit led by Makoto Kusanagi entrusts the suppression of the situation to their ghosts and aims for their own justice. Below the surface of the incident, lies the "tin girl" Emma and the "scarecrow man" Burinda Junior. As Kusanagi deals with the incident, she draws near to what those two ghosts were seeking.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  4. Ghost in the Shell 2.0 (2008)

    In the year 2029, Section 9, a group of cybernetically enhanced cops, are called in to investigate and stop a highly-wanted hacker known as 'The Puppetmaster'.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  5. Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 2: Ghost Whispers (2013)

    Freed of her responsibilities with the 501 Organization, Motoko Kusanagi must now learn how to take orders from Aramaki. Someone hacks the Logicomas, and Batou enlists the help of former army intelligence officer Ishikawa and former air artillery expert Borma. Kusanagi also seeks to enlist ace sniper Saito and undercover cop Paz into the new Public Security Section 9.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  6. EVANGELION: DEATH (TRUE)² (1998)

    A highly experimental film presenting a story out of chronological order taking place 15 years after a near-apocalyptic catastrophe, about four traumatized 14 year olds who are tasked with piloting massive humanoid decisive weapons called Evangelion, the psychologically maladjusted adults who handle and command them, and the events and forces that affect them or which they take part in as they engage massive hostile invaders known as "Angels."

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  7. PSYCHO-PASS: The Movie (2015)

    In a futuristic Japan, the Sibyl System is charged with keeping the peace. When the state of SEAUn brings the Sibyl System in to test its effectiveness, it becomes a haven of peace and safety—for a time. Eventually, terrorists from SEAUn begin appearing in Japan, somehow slipping through the System's security and attacking from within. Desperate for answers, Inspector Akane Tsunemori is sent overseas to bring the terrorists to justice. But when her investigation forces her into a standoff with an old ally, will she be able to pull the trigger?

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  8. Akira (1988)

    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.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  9. Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 3: Ghost Tears (2014)

    Posing as lovers on vacation, Motoko and Batou work to try to stop a terrorist organization whose symbol is the Scrasath. Meanwhile, Togusa investigates a murder of a man who possessed a prosthetic leg manufactured by the Mermaid's Leg corporation.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation

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  10. Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 1: Ghost Pain (2013)

    The story is set in 2027, one year after the end of the fourth non-nuclear war. New Port City is still reeling from the war's aftermath when it suffers a bombing caused by a self-propelled mine. Then, a military member implicated in arms-dealing bribes is gunned down. During the investigation, Public Security Section's Daisuke Aramaki encounters Motoko Kusanagi, the cyborg, wizard-level hacker assigned to the military's 501st Secret Unit. Batou, a man with the "eye that does not sleep," suspects that Kusanagi is the one behind the bombing. The Niihama Prefectural Police detective Togusa is pursuing his own dual cases of the shooting death and a prostitute's murder. Motoko herself is being watched by the 501st Secret Unit's head Kurutsu and cyborg agents.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  11. Ghost 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.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  12. Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space (1982)

    Amuro Ray and the rest of the White Base crew, now denominated the 13th Autonomous Corps, return to outer space to support the rest of the Earth Federation forces for the decisive battle against the Principality of Zeon's forces.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  13. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I - Initiation (2017)

    The world is at war. Lelouch Lamperouge, an exiled prince, encounters a strange girl known as C.C., who gifts him with a great power. With this ability, Lelouch can get anyone to do as he wills. But the power of Geass: is it a blessing…or a curse?

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & animation

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  14. Armitage: Dual Matrix (2002)

    Naomi Armitage and Ross Sylibus have changed their names and live with their daughter Yoko as a happy and normal family on Mars — until an android riot breaks out at an anti-matter plant on Earth.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  15. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG - Individual Eleven (2006)

    The year is 2030, and an influx of refuges have effortlessly transformed themselves into a terrorist organization known as the "Individual Eleven." With a sadistic intent of mass destruction, will they triumph in victory or discover the gloomy pitfalls of defeat?

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  16. Mardock Scramble: The First Compression (2010)

    Rune Ballot is a down-and-out teen prostitute in Mardock City. One day, she's picked up by an ambitious casino manager named Shell who gives her everything she could want. Renewed by a false innocence, a false past, and now the false life Shell has given her, Ballot feels grateful. However, she can't help but be curious about why he's done so much for her, so she does some research about his past on a computer. This turns out to be a mistake which will change her life greatly. When Shell finds out what she's done, he attempts to burn her to death by blowing up her car.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  17. Mardock Scramble: The Second Combustion (2011)

    Rescued by Doctor Easter from a deadly assault on their headquarters by Dimsdale Boiled, Rune Balot finds temporary shelter in "Paradise," a high-tech laboratory where the Scramble 09 protocol originated. While the severely injured Oeufcoque regenerates in a healing vat, Rune struggles to find the answers within herself that will let her equally injured psyche find some measure of peace. But as the search for clues to the location of Shell's hidden memories continues, Boiled finds them again, and Rune and the Doctor decide it's time to carry the war to the enemy.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  18. The Animatrix (2003)

    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 the background of the Matrix universe and the conflict between man and machines. The shorts include Final Flight of the Osiris, The Second Renaissance, Kid's Story, Program, World Record, Beyond, A Detective Story and Matriculated.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  19. Altered Carbon: Resleeved (2020)

    On the planet Latimer, Takeshi Kovacs must protect a tattooist while investigating the death of a yakuza boss alongside a no-nonsense CTAC.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  20. Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth (1997)

    Originally a collection of clips from the Neon Genesis Evangelion TV series, Death was created as a precursor to the re-worked ending of the series. Rebirth was intended as that re-worked ending, but after production overruns Rebirth became only the first half of the first part of The End of Evangelion, with some minor differences.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  21. Moldiver (1993)

    A naïve young girl accidentally modifies her brother's secret superhero uniform and becomes the unwilling superheroine Moldiver.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & animation

  22. Dragon Ball Z: The World's Strongest (1990)

    The evil Dr. Kochin uses the dragon balls to resurrect his mentor, Dr. Wheelo, in an effort to take over the world. Dr. Wheelo, his body having been destroyed by the avalanche that killed him fifty years before, desires the body of the strongest fighter in the world as his new vessel. Believing Roshi to be the world's strongest warrior, Dr. Kochin abducts Bulma and forces Roshi to surrender himself to save her. When Goku hears of their abduction, he goes to their rescue.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & animation

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  23. Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (1990)

    Goku and friends must stop a band of space pirates from consuming fruit from the Tree of Might before it's destructive powers drain Earth's energy.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & animation

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  24. Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (1991)

    A Super Namekian named Slug comes to invade Earth. But the Z Warriors do their best to stop Slug and his gang.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & animation

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  25. Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler (1992)

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

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & animation

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  26. Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! (1992)

    Dr. Gero's Androids #13, #14, and #15 are awakened by the laboratory computers and immediately head to the mall where Goku is shopping. After Goku, Trunks, and Vegeta defeat #14 and #15, #13 absorbs their inner computers and becomes a super being greater than the original three separately were. Now it is up to Goku to stop him.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & animation

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  27. Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors (2018)

    When a threat no one could have expected bears down on the Marvel Universe, this ragtag, untrained band of teens have no choice but to rise together and prove to the world that sometimes the difference between a 'hero' and 'misfit' is just in the name.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & action

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  28. Tomorrow's Joe The Movie (1980)

    An abridged remake of the first Ashita no Joe TV series, released in 1980 to provide back-story for the second TV series to new fans who were not familiar with the first TV series or the manga.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & animation

  29. RoboGeisha (2009)

    Sisters Yoshie and Kikue are two Geisha who are abducted by a mysterious organization to be transformed into murderous cyborg assassins.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & science fiction

  30. Strange World (2022)

    A journey deep into an uncharted and treacherous land, where fantastical creatures await the legendary Clades—a family of explorers whose differences threaten to topple their latest, and by far most crucial, mission.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & science fiction

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this

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Frequently asked questions

What are the best movies like Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War?

The closest matches to Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War are Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - The Laughing Man (2005), Battle Angel (1993) and Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 4: Ghost Stands Alone (2014). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.

What should I watch after Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War?

Start with Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - The Laughing Man (2005), the closest match to Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War.

What is the highest-rated movie like Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War?

Akira (1988), rated 7.9/10 by 5,116 TMDB users.

What is the newest movie like Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War?

Strange World (2022) is the most recent release on this list.

Are there Japanese movies like Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War?

Yes: Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - The Laughing Man (2005), Battle Angel (1993) and Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 4: Ghost Stands Alone (2014).

How are movies similar to Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War chosen?

First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.

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