The 2017 action-adventure movie Ghost in the Shell is available to stream on Paramount+ for subscribers to the Paramount+ Premium plan. It stars Scarlett Johansson as Major Mira Killian.
With the debut of the series The Ghost in the Shell, an adaptation of the original manga by Masamune Shirow, interest in this live-action theatrical feature has increased. For manga fans, anime aficionados, or ScarJo lovers eager to stream the 2017 film, it’s currently on Paramount+.
Key facts
- Release date: March 31, 2017
- Runtime: 106 minutes
- Genre: Action-adventure, cyberpunk
- Director: Rupert Sanders
- Based on: Masamune Shirow’s Ghost in the Shell manga
- Streaming on: Paramount+ (with Paramount+ Premium plan only)
Where to stream it
Ghost in the Shell is streaming on Paramount+. A subscription to the Paramount+ Premium plan is required to watch this 2017 film.
Subscribers can stream the movie on supported smart TVs, streaming devices, mobile devices, tablets, and web browsers. Download options are available through supported Paramount+ mobile apps.
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What the movie is about
Ghost in the Shell (2017) follows Major Mira Killian (Scarlett Johansson), a counterterrorism agent who has been cyber-enhanced by a tech company known as Hanka Robotics. She works for the elite agency Section 9, investigating cybercrime and preventing security breaches. While pursuing a dangerous hacker, Mira begins to question the events that shaped her own past, as well as who she can really trust.
The story takes place in a future where cybernetic enhancements have become part of daily life. Through Mira’s examination of a growing conspiracy, the story poses questions about identity, memory, artificial intelligence, and what defines a person’s humanity. While the movie draws characters, concepts, and visual ideas from Masamune Shirow’s original manga, titled The Ghost in the Shell, it ultimately puts forward its own standalone version of the story.
Meet the cast
In Ghost in the Shell, Scarlett Johansson leads a cast that includes established Hollywood performers and acclaimed Japanese actors.
Scarlett Johansson as Major Mira Killian
Scarlett Johansson plays Major Mira Killian, an elite operative for the counterterrorism bureau Section 9. As a human whose brain has been placed inside a cybernetic body through the tech work of Hanka Robotics, Mira investigates cyberterrorism while slowly uncovering information about her own identity and the validity of her memories.
Where you’ve seen her: Lost in Translation, Marriage Story, Black Widow
Supporting cast
- Pilou Asbæk as Batou: Batou is Mira’s loyal partner, and one of Section 9’s top operatives. During the film, he undergoes cybernetic eye enhancements that mirror the character’s appearance in the manga and anime. Asbæk is also known for playing Euron Greyjoy in the series Game of Thrones.
- “Beat” Takeshi Kitano as Chief Daisuke Aramaki: Aramaki is the respected leader of Section 9, and oversees its investigations into cybercrime and terrorism. Kitano, an acclaimed Japanese filmmaker and actor, plays one of the franchise’s most recognizable characters. Unlike most of the cast, Kitano performs his dialogue primarily in Japanese.
- Juliette Binoche as Dr. Ouelet: Dr. Ouelet is the scientist responsible for creating Mira’s cybernetic body. She works for Hanka Robotics, and fervently believes that her efforts can improve the well-being of her patients. However, her opinions of the company and its deeds shift as the story unfolds. Binoche won the Academy Award for the film The English Patient.
- Michael Pitt (billed here as Michael Carmen Pitt) as Hideo Kuze: Hideo Kuze is the hacker pursued by Section 9. His actions uncover hidden connections between Hanka Robotics and Mira’s past, making him central to the film’s mystery. Pitt has appeared in the series Boardwalk Empire.
- Chin Han as Togusa: Togusa is a member of Section 9, and one of Mira’s most trusted teammates. Though Togusa has few cybernetic enhancements himself, he helps Mira in uncovering the conspiracy surrounding Hanka Robotics. Chin Han can be seen in the film The Dark Knight.
- Peter Ferdinando is Cutter: Cutter is the CEO of Hanka Robotics, and the face of corporate greed. Ferdinando has appeared in the Guy Richie-directed film King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
Do you need to watch the anime first?
No. Ghost in the Shell, the 2017 big-screen film, tells a standalone story that can be understood without reading the manga or watching the anime films or television series.
There are some perks to knowing the story, however. Viewers who are familiar with the franchise will recognize characters such as Batou and Aramaki, along with ideas about cybernetic enhancement, artificial intelligence, and identity. The film adapts these elements while presenting its own interpretation of the source material.
Why the movie is back in the spotlight
Interest in the Ghost in the Shell movie has grown following the July 7, 2026, premiere of the anime series, The Ghost in the Shell, on Amazon Prime Video. Like the 2017 movie, the new series is based on the Masamune Shirow manga, known as The Ghost in the Shell.
Note: The Ghost in the Shell anime series does not stream on Paramount+.
For viewers who want an introduction to the franchise through live action, the 2017 film offers a self-contained starting point. Ghost in the Shell (2017) streams on Paramount+ for subscribers to the Paramount+ Premium plan.
Watch Ghost in the Shell on Paramount+
Nearly a decade after its theatrical release, Ghost in the Shell (2017) remains a notable cyberpunk action-adventure film that combines large-scale visual effects with questions about technology, memory, and identity. Its interpretation of Masamune Shirow’s work stands on its own while implementing many of the franchise’s core ideas.
Once again, you can stream Ghost in the Shell (2017) now on Paramount+ with a subscription to the Paramount+ Premium plan.
FAQ
Is Ghost in the Shell (2017) on Paramount+?
Yes. Ghost in the Shell (2017) is available to stream on Paramount+ with a subscription to the Paramount+ Premium plan. Visit the Paramount+ Help Center for more info on plans and pricing.
Is the 2017 movie connected to the new anime series?
No, not directly. The 2017 film Ghost in the Shell is a separate live-action adaptation inspired by Masamune Shirow’s original manga. Outside of the source material, it is not connected to the new anime series, titled The Ghost in the Shell.
Who stars in Ghost in the Shell (2017)?
As mentioned above, Ghost in the Shell (2017) stars:
- Scarlett Johansson as Major Mira Killian
- Pilou Asbæk as Batou
- “Beat” Takeshi Kitano as Chief Daisuke Aramaki
- Juliette Binoche as Dr. Ouelet
- Michael (Carmen) Pitt as Hideo Kuze
- Chin Han as Togusa
- Peter Ferdinando as Cutter
How long is Ghost in the Shell (2017)?
Ghost in the Shell (2017) has a runtime of 106 minutes. It is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence, disturbing images, and suggestive content.
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Availability of titles subject to change.
