how well did the live action ghost in the shell do
The live-action Ghost in the Shell did modestly at the box office and was more controversial than acclaimed. Critically, it landed at 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 51% audience score, and it grossed about $40.5 million in the U.S.
How it was received
Reviewers mostly praised the visuals and Scarlett Johansson’s performance, but many felt it lacked the depth and impact of the source material. Rotten Tomatoes’ consensus says it had “cool visuals” and a “compelling central performance,” but still fell short of the classic anime it was based on.
Public reaction
Audience reactions were mixed rather than outright hostile, which is why the audience score is a bit higher than the critic score. Online discussion also tended to focus on the whitewashing controversy and whether the film added anything meaningful beyond its inspiration.
In plain terms
It was not a major flop, but it was not a breakout hit either. It ended up looking more like a visually polished adaptation that never quite won over either critics or a large enough general audience.
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes critics | 42% |
| Rotten Tomatoes audience | 51% |
| U.S. box office | $40.5 million |