Akira (1988)
Neo-Tokyo is about to E.X.P.L.O.D.E.
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.
Rent on Apple TV $4.99 (opens in a new tab) Buy on Apple TV $12.99 (opens in a new tab)
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 16 July 1988 |
| Genre | Animation, Science Fiction, Action |
| Director | Katsuhiro Otomo |
| Starring | Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki and Mami Koyama |
| Runtime | 124 min |
| Rated | R |
| Scores | Rotten Tomatoes (average) 7.8/10 · Metacritic 68/100 · Rotten Tomatoes 91% · IMDb 8.0/10 · TMDB users 7.9/10 |
| Budget | $6 million |
| Box office | $49 million worldwide |
Where to watch Akira
Akira is streaming on Crunchyroll ($9.99 a month) in the US. If that is the only reason to subscribe, one month of Crunchyroll is $9.99 at list price.
We check availability daily. Page last updated 31 October 2026. Prices are standard monthly plans and change often, so check with the service before you sign up.
Rent or buy
You can rent or buy Akira on Apple TV, Prime Video and Fandango at Home.
Where to watch Akira in 21 other countries
| Country | Streaming on (price a month) |
|---|---|
| Australia | Crunchyroll $11.99 AUD |
| Belgium | Netflix €10.99 |
| Bermuda | Netflix about |
| Canada | Crunchyroll $10.99 CAD |
| France | Netflix €14.99 |
| French Guiana | Netflix |
| French Polynesia | Netflix about |
| Gibraltar | Netflix about |
| Guernsey | Netflix |
| Ireland | Netflix €11.99, Disney+ €11.99 |
| Japan | Netflix ¥1590 JPY, Hulu, U-NEXT ¥2189 JPY |
| Luxembourg | Netflix €10.99 |
| Netherlands | Netflix €9.99 |
| New Zealand | Crunchyroll $9.99 NZD |
| San Marino | Prime Video |
| South Africa | Crunchyroll R55 ZAR |
| South Korea | Netflix ₩13500, Watcha, Tving ₩10900 |
| Switzerland | Netflix CHF14.90 |
| Turks & Caicos Islands | Netflix |
| United Kingdom | Netflix £13.99 GBP, Disney+ £11.99 GBP |
| Vatican City | Prime Video |
Subscription, free and ad-supported services we track; prices where Binge Boss has a price list for the country. "About" marks a price the service bills in another currency, converted at the day's rate. All countries as data.
What kind of watch this is
Akira is a 1988 animated science fiction film directed by Katsuhiro Otomo. It runs 124 minutes and centers on a secret military project that turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath. The threat to Neo-Tokyo can only be stopped by two teenagers and a group of psychics. The movie leans into its own explosive energy, matching the tagline that promises the city is about to explode. It is a loud, kinetic piece of action that trusts its audience to keep up with the chaos. The spectacle does the heavy lifting, leaving little room for subtlety.
What the critics said
Rotten Tomatoes sits at 91% as of January 2025, while Metacritic lands on 68 as of December 2024. The gap suggests a film that dazzles on first look but leaves some critics wanting more narrative glue. Janet Maslin of The New York Times praised the night scenes, noting the windows of skyscrapers appear distinct. She found the artwork intricate enough to glow with subtle color. Not everyone agreed on the pacing. Tony Rayns of The Monthly Film Bulletin argued the film is "almost overpowering" for newcomers, suggesting it demands to be read alongside the manga. It is a visual tour de force that also requires a companion volume.
How it did with audiences
It cost $6 million and took $49 million worldwide, a margin that reads as a solid win in any ledger. In the United States, it earned $1 million, a figure that likely made the distributors wince. On TMDB, users rate it 7.9 out of 10. IMDb assigns it an 8.0/10 weighted average as of March 2026. Audiences clearly did the math before the studios did.
Where it left its mark
It pushed anime past its regional borders, a shift critics still measure against its name. Channel 4 placed it at number 16 in a 2005 poll of the 100 greatest animations. The British Film Institute calls it a vital cornerstone of cyberpunk, grouping it with Blade Runner and Neuromancer. Phelim O'Neill of The Guardian drew a parallel to 2001: A Space Odyssey regarding its influence on the genre. It has climbed various lists, from Time Out’s top 50 to Total Film’s. The genre owes a debt here that it has never fully repaid.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched Akira.
Sources
- Akira on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q1905968 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “Akira (1988 film)” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
Watch it without paying for the whole year
Binge Boss tracks the movie you are on and tells you which services you need this month, and which you can cancel.
Add Akira to your list