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how many ghost in the shell remakes are there

There is one clear remake of Ghost in the Shell : the 2017 live‑action film starring Scarlett Johansson, which is explicitly a remake of the original 1995 animated movie.

Below is a full “Quick Scoop” style breakdown with extra context, since the franchise is pretty tangled and people often mix up remakes, reboots, and alternate versions.

What counts as a “remake”?

When people ask “how many Ghost in the Shell remakes are there” , they usually mean:

How many times has the original 1995 anime film been directly remade, not just continued or re‑imagined?

Under that stricter definition:

  • Direct remake:
    • Ghost in the Shell (2017, live‑action) – a Hollywood adaptation that retells the core story of the 1995 film.
  • Not remakes (but often confused as such):
    • Sequels, re‑edits, and reboots in separate “universes” (like Innocence , Stand Alone Complex , Arise).

So in the straightforward “remake” sense: just one.

Core films and versions around the original

To see why this gets confusing, here’s how the main film entries line up around the 1995 classic.

  • Ghost in the Shell (1995) – Original animated film directed by Mamoru Oshii; the one that everything else is compared to.
  • Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004) – A loose sequel to the 1995 movie, not a remake.
  • Ghost in the Shell 2.0 (2008) – A remastered version of the 1995 film with updated CGI and audio; same story, not a new remake.
  • Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie (2015) – A film that continues the Arise reboot storyline, not a remake of the 1995 movie.
  • Ghost in the Shell (2017) – The live‑action Hollywood movie; specifically framed as a remake/adaptation of the 1995 anime.

If you’re being loose with language, you could say there’s the 1995 original plus one live‑action remake , with 2.0 being a polished re‑release of the original rather than a separate remake.

Reboots and alternate “universes” (not remakes)

Fans and guides often talk about Ghost in the Shell as having multiple canons or universes rather than a single straight timeline.

These feel remake‑ish, but they’re better described as reboots/re‑imaginations :

  • Stand Alone Complex universe
    • Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (TV, 2002–2006)
    • Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG (TV)
    • Solid State Society (2006 film)
    • Later 3D series like SAC_2045 on Netflix.

These tell different stories with the same core characters and themes.

  • Arise universe
    • Ghost in the Shell: Arise OVAs (Border 1–5).
    • Arise: Alternative Architecture (TV re‑cut).
    • Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie (2015) as a sequel.

This is explicitly a reimagining/prequel‑style reboot , shifting dates, designs, and some character backstories.

Because they don’t retell the original film’s story scene‑for‑scene, these are usually labeled reboots or alternate adaptations , not direct remakes.

How many if you “stretch” the definition?

Depending on how broad you want to be:

  1. Strict, film‑remake definition (most common fan answer):
    • 1 remake → Ghost in the Shell (2017 live‑action).
  1. Include remastered versions and major re‑imaginations:
    • 1995 original film.
 * 2008 _Ghost in the Shell 2.0_ (same film, enhanced CGI).

 * 2017 live‑action remake.

 * Plus the _Arise_ reboot line as a re‑imagining of the franchise.

Even then, only the 2017 movie is marketed and treated as a “remake” of the Mamoru Oshii film , while 2.0 is just a new cut.

Mini FAQ & forum‑style notes

Q: Is Ghost in the Shell 2.0 a remake?
A: It’s more of a revamped edition of the 1995 film with new CGI and audio, not a full remake with a different production or cast.

Q: Are Arise and Stand Alone Complex remakes of the movie?
A: They’re alternate takes/universes with new storylines built around the same setting and characters, not direct retellings of the original film plot.

Q: Is the 2017 movie connected to the anime continuity?
A: No, it’s largely standalone , borrowing elements from the 1995 film and broader franchise, but it lives in its own continuity.

Simple answer recap

  • If you mean “straight remakes of the original 1995 movie” :
    • One → the 2017 live‑action Ghost in the Shell.
  • If you include re‑edits and reboots as ‘remakes’ :
    • You could mention 2.0 and the Arise line, but those are better described as remaster and reboot , not true remakes.

Bottom note:
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.