IMDb 7 1989 HD

Patlabor: The Movie

Patlabor: The Movie

1989
Action Animation Mystery Science Fiction
100 min TV-14 Japan
7 / 10
7 IMDB

A mysterious suicide and a series of unmanned robot run-aways sparks off a Police investigation into the suspicious software on-board thousands of industrial robots around Tokyo.

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Mamoru Oshii
Starring
Mina Tominaga / Toshio Furukawa / Ryusuke Ohbayashi / Yoshiko Sakakibara / Yo Inoue / Issei Futamata / Michihiro Ikemizu / Daisuke Gori

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

intriguing suspenseful complex atmospheric thoughtful procedural engaging dated solid well-crafted thought-provoking

Reviews

P
Penelope Grant
May 19, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

'Patlabor: The Movie' is a compelling piece of animated cinema that explores the darker side of technological advancement. The film’s plot, centred on a police unit investigating a series of unsettling robot incidents linked to a mysterious suicide,…

S
Samuel Croft
May 19, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

This animated feature, 'Patlabor: The Movie', tackles an intriguing premise: a city plagued by runaway industrial robots, leading to a police investigation into suspicious software. The narrative is dense, focusing heavily on the procedural aspects of uncovering the…

I
Isabelle Dubois
May 19, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

In 'Patlabor: The Movie', a masterful blend of suspense and science fiction unfolds. The film’s strength lies in its intelligent script, which crafts a captivating mystery around malfunctioning industrial robots and their connection to a puzzling suicide. The…

A
Arthur Finch
May 19, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

A curious blend of police procedural and mecha spectacle, 'Patlabor: The Movie' presents a thought-provoking scenario. The narrative, driven by a mysterious software anomaly affecting industrial robots across Tokyo, provides ample opportunity for intrigue. The film navigates its…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 19, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This 1989 animated feature, 'Patlabor: The Movie', offers a surprisingly mature take on robotic intrigue. The central premise, involving a police investigation into a series of mysterious robot malfunctions sparked by a suicide, is compelling. The film masterfully…

FAQs

The focus on industrial robots imbues the film with a unique flavour, distinguishing it from typical mecha narratives that often centre on military hardware. By making these workhorses of industry the source of chaos, the film grounds its science fiction elements in a more relatable, everyday context. This choice allows for an exploration of how even the most utilitarian technology can become a source of danger, raising questions about the pervasive nature of automation in modern society.