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Fans of dystopian sci-fi should feel right at home with Ghost in the Shell. The classic film not only influenced sci-fi anime for decades, but it spawned an ever-growing franchise that includes both movies and series. With so many takes on the Ghost in the Shell universe – with three separate timelines to consider – it can be confusing to know what the best Ghost in the Shell watch order is.

Whether you want to tackle the series a timeline at a time or in release order, here is everything you need to know about how to watch the Ghost in the Shell series.

How to watch Ghost in the Shell in release order

The easiest way to watch Ghost in the Shell is in the order it was released, starting with the 1995 original film. Following Major Motoko Kusanagi as she leads Public Security Section 9 as they tackle cyberterrorism in mid-21st century Japan. A central theme of the series is the blurring of the boundary between humans and machines and how society adapts to advancing technology.

The original 1995 Ghost in the Shell was based on Masamune Shirow’s 1989 manga and quickly became one of the most celebrated anime films of its time. While many of the adaptations that followed have been good, none have reached the same quality as the first film.

The release order for Ghost in the Shell is:

• Ghost in the Shell (1995)

• Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002)

• Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C 2nd GIG (2004)

• Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)

• Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex The Laughing Man (2005) – Note that this is an OVA that compressed the storyline of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

• Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Individual Eleven (2006) – Note that this is an OVA that compressed the storyline of Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C 2nd Gig

• Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Solid State Society (2006)

• Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 1: Ghost Pain (2013)

• Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 2: Ghost Whispers (2013)

• Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 3: Ghost Tears (2013)

• Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 4: Ghost Stands Alone (2013)

• Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 5: Pyrophoric Cult (2015)

• Ghost in the Shell: Arise – The New Movie (2015)

• Ghost in the Shell (2017) – Note that this is the live-action remake

• Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 (2020)

How to watch Ghost in the Shell in chronological order

That is a lot of Ghost in the Shell to sort through, but don’t feel that you need to watch all of them in that order. Instead, you are better off watching them in series order. Unless they are direct sequels, most of the series and films in the Ghost in the Shell franchise are in different timelines. While they might be connected by characters and themes, they follow distinct stories that often contradict each other.

The best chronological Ghost in the Shell watch orders are:

Ghost in the Shell film timeline

Technically, the Ghost in the Shell: Arise short films serve as prequels to the original 1995 movie, though they assume some knowledge of the first two films in the timeline. Even though this is the chronological order for the first Ghost in the Shell movie, you are best off watching them in release order if you don’t want to be very confused by the story.

• Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 1: Ghost Pain (2013)

• Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 2: Ghost Whispers (2013)

• Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 3: Ghost Tears (2013)

• Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 4: Ghost Stands Alone (2013)

• Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 5: Pyrophoric Cult (2015)

• Ghost in the Shell: Arise – The New Movie (2015)

• Ghost in the Shell (1995)

• Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex timeline

Following the success of the original 1995 movie, work began on an anime series spin-off. While you’ll find familiar characters and concepts here, the plot is completely stand-alone from the movie. In fact, at points, it contradicts the movie, making this a separate timeline to follow.

• Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002)

• Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C 2nd GIG (2004)

• Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex The Laughing Man (2005) – Note that this is an OVA that compressed the storyline of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

• Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Individual Eleven (2006) – Note that this is an OVA that compressed the storyline of Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C 2nd Gig

• Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Solid State Society (2006)

• Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 (2020)

The American Ghost in the Shell film timeline

What beloved anime series would be complete without a controversial American remake? Ghost in the Shell got the live-action treatment back in 2017. Starring Scarlett Johansson as the Major – a casting that has often been accused of whitewashing – and following a more streamlined plot than the original film, this Ghost in the Shell entry should be viewed as entirely separate from the main series.

• Ghost in the Shell (2017)

Where can you watch Ghost in the Shell

With so many entries, you might struggle to watch all of the Ghost in the Shell franchise. In fact, it will take a few different subscription services if you want to watch everything this classic sci-fi anime series has to offer. You can watch the original film and its 2004 sequel on Amazon Prime Video, while the Arise series is available on Crunchyroll. The 2017 live-action film is also available to stream on Amazon.

However, if you want to watch the Stand Alone Complex series, you’ll need to either purchase a physical copy or rent the seasons through Amazon. Then, to finish off your viewing experience, you will have to head over to Netflix for the Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 series.

What’s next for Ghost in the Shell?

Unsurprisingly, they aren’t done making new entries in the Ghost in the Shell series. Earlier this year, news broke about a new Ghost in the Shell entry from studio Science Saru, titled The Ghost in the Shell and due out in 2026. Those are all the details we have just yet, so we’ll have to wait for what is in store next for Section 9 and the Major.

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