Let's make one thing clear right off the bat: this review is gonna be positive. _Akira_ is not only my favorite anime but my favorite animated film bar none and one of my favorite films in general. Katsuhiro Otomo has crafted an animated sci-fi actioner for adults that's good, great in fact, a…
1988 · ANIMATION, SCIENCE FICTION, ACTION
Akira
A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath that only two teenagers and a group of psychics can stop.
Availability
Where to watch Akira
22 official sources across 4 regions. Rows with a direct link open this exact title on the provider’s own site; the others open that provider’s own search for the title, where price, video quality and audio options are confirmed before you pay.
Official trailer for Akira, via All the Anime. Open on YouTube
Best option now
Watch on Crunchyroll ↗
Crunchyroll
Included with a Crunchyroll subscription, no extra charge · United States
United States8 options
Stream
2 sourcesCrunchyroll (Prime channel)Watch on Prime VideoOpen ↗CrunchyrollWatch on CrunchyrollOpen ↗Rent
3 sources
Prime VideoWatch on Prime VideoOpen ↗
Apple TVOpen on Apple TVOpen ↗
Fandango at HomeRent on FandangoOpen ↗Buy
3 sourcesPrime VideoWatch on Prime VideoOpen ↗Apple TVOpen on Apple TVOpen ↗Fandango at HomeRent on FandangoOpen ↗United Kingdom9 options
Stream
3 sources
NetflixWatch on NetflixOpen ↗
Netflix Standard with AdsWatch on NetflixOpen ↗
Disney PlusWatch on Disney+Open ↗Rent
3 sourcesPrime VideoWatch on Prime VideoOpen ↗Apple TVOpen on Apple TVOpen ↗Sky StoreRent on Sky StoreOpen ↗Buy
3 sourcesPrime VideoWatch on Prime VideoOpen ↗Apple TVOpen on Apple TVOpen ↗Sky StoreRent on Sky StoreOpen ↗Canada4 options
Australia1 option
Checked 4 November 2026. Listings from TMDB / JustWatch data and they change daily; the provider page always shows the final price. Compare every option on JustWatch. MovieState links only to licensed services.
Editor’s note
Should you watch Akira?
Akira (1988) is best described as animation. A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath that only two teenagers and a group of psychics can stop.
Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo. Lead cast: Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama.
The runtime is 2h 04m, 5,101 ratings average 7.9/10.
A safe pick when you want animation done with care.
Written by the MovieState editorial team from TMDB data (synopsis, cast, crew, runtime, ratings, certification, provider listings). Verified 2026-11-04. Read our editorial policy.
The facts
Akira details
- Release date
- September 24, 2020
- Status
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 04m
- Genres
- Animation, Science Fiction, Action
- US certification
- NR
- Original language
- JA
- Budget
- $5,700,000
- Box office
- $56,725,538
- Director
- Katsuhiro Otomo
At a glance: Akira runs 2h 04m, was directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, opened in US cinemas on September 24, 2020, has 22 licensed options across 4 regions tracked here.
Exact record pages: IMDb record · TMDB record
Audience reaction
Ratings and reviews
7.9/105,104 ratings
Akira sits at 7.9 out of 10 from 5,104 user ratings. For context, the film's worldwide gross is $56.7M.
Scores show TMDB user ratings at the time of publishing and shift as new votes arrive.
It has been said that when Oppenheimer witnessed the first atom bomb test, he said, "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." This may actually be a mis-translation of the Bhagavad-Gita, which deals with illusion and impermanence. Nevertheless, the sentiment that great achievement in…
FAQ
Akira — common questions
Is Akira worth watching?
Audiences rate it 7.9/10 from 5,101 votes. Read the editor's note above for who it suits, then check the provider page before paying.
Who directed Akira and who stars in it?
Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo. Starring Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki.
How long is Akira?
Akira runs 2h 04m.
Where can I watch Akira?
Official options are listed for United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia. We only link to licensed providers and never to unlicensed streaming sites.
When was Akira released?
1988-07-16 (Released).
Who is in it
Akira cast
More like this
If you like Akira
Sources & how we verify
Synopsis, cast, crew, runtime, certification, release dates and ratings come from the TMDB record for this title (TMDB). Provider listings and logos come from TMDB / JustWatch data. We check each page against those sources and date the page; corrections go through our editorial policy.
Verified 2026-11-04. MovieState does not host or stream video and links only to licensed providers.