Ghost in the Shell watch order
Every series, film, and special in the correct viewing order.
15 entries·~50 hrs total runtime·1995–2026
Grouped by continuity, with the groups ordered by the release of their first entry.
The Original Films
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1
Ghost in the Shell
Movie83 min · 1995
Mamoru Oshii's original film adaptation of Masamune Shirow's manga.
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2
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
Movie100 min · 2004
A sequel to the 1995 film.
Stand Alone Complex
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3
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
TV Series26 episodes · 2002–2003
A television series set in its own continuity, separate from the 1995 film.
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4
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG
TV Series26 episodes · 2004–2005
Continues Stand Alone Complex.
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5
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Solid State Society
Movie108 min · 2006
A film set after 2nd GIG.
Arise
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6
Ghost in the Shell Arise – Border:1 Ghost Pain
Movie1 film · 2013
Begins the Arise continuity, set before the formation of Public Security Section 9.
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7
Ghost in the Shell Arise – Border:2 Ghost Whispers
Movie1 film · 2013
Continues the Arise storyline.
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8
Ghost in the Shell Arise – Border:3 Ghost Tears
Movie1 film · 2014
Continues the Arise storyline.
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9
Ghost in the Shell Arise – Border:4 Ghost Stands Alone
Movie1 film · 2014
Concludes the four-part Border film series.
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10
Ghost in the Shell Arise – Alternative Architecture
TV Series10 episodes · 2015
The first eight episodes re-edit the four Border films in a new order; the last two are the new Pyrophoric Cult story that leads into The New Movie.
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11
Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie
Movie1 film · 2015
A film set after the Pyrophoric Cult story in Alternative Architecture.
Live-Action Film
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12
Ghost in the Shell (2017)
Movie107 min · 2017
A Hollywood live-action adaptation starring Scarlett Johansson.
SAC_2045
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13
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045
TV Series12 episodes · 2020
A Netflix original series in the Stand Alone Complex lineage.
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14
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Season 2
TV Series12 episodes · 2022
Continues SAC_2045 and was released on Netflix in 2022.
The Ghost in the Shell (2026)
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15
The Ghost in the Shell
TV Series10 episodes · 2026
A new Science SARU series drawing on the original manga, aired from July 7 to September 8, 2026.
How many Ghost in the Shell movies and episodes are there?
The anime side has two original films, two Stand Alone Complex seasons and a film, the Arise films and series and The New Movie, two SAC_2045 seasons and the 2026 series, plus the 2017 live-action film.
Do I need to watch the 1995 film before Stand Alone Complex?
Stand Alone Complex is a separate continuity from the 1995 film and doesn't continue its story.
What order should a first-timer watch Ghost in the Shell in?
Start with any continuity's first entry. This page lists them in release order: the 1995 film, Stand Alone Complex, Arise, the 2017 film, SAC_2045 and the 2026 series.
Do I need to watch the Border films and Alternative Architecture?
Alternative Architecture re-edits the four Border films and adds two new episodes, so it covers the same events as Border:1 to Border:4.
Is Ghost in the Shell finished or still ongoing?
The newest entry is the 10-episode Science SARU series, which aired from July 7 to September 8, 2026.
See also: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners watch order.
Check streaming availability on JustWatch.
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