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Steamboy

Play trailer Poster for Steamboy PG-13 2005 2h 5m Sci-Fi Anime Play Trailer Watchlist
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61% Tomatometer 92 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
England of the 1860s receives a technological remake in this animated adventure. Ray (Anna Paquin) is a brilliant young inventor who follows in the footsteps of his father, Eddie (Alfred Molina), and his grandfather, Lloyd Steam (Patrick Stewart). After his grandfather sends him a mysterious mechanical ball that contains revolutionary power, Ray finds his world turning upside down. It seems a lot of people want that power, and not all of them have good intentions.
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Steamboy

Steamboy

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Critics Consensus

The story isn't the greatest, but there's an abundance of sci-fi eye candy to compensate.

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Critics Reviews

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Matthew Leyland BBC.com 12/06/2005
2/5
It may be one of the most expensive anime features ever, but there isn't a wealth of entertainment on offer in Steamboy. Go to Full Review J. Hoberman Village Voice 08/19/2005
It's a sensationally designed piece of work. Go to Full Review Michael O'Sullivan Washington Post 05/20/2005
Its problem is not a lack of things to look at. There's plenty of them, and they're all cool. It's just that, in this world of clanking, hissing machines, even the people seem like robots. Go to Full Review Grace Han Asian Movie Pulse 05/25/2022
4/5
“Steamboy” is just as much a masterwork as “Akira” — only with better technology and a stronger sense of morality. It’s truly a shame to think of how this feature has somehow eluded the attention of Western viewers for so long. Go to Full Review Mark Steyn The Spectator 01/25/2018
This film has steam but it generates no heat. Go to Full Review Luke Spafford Starburst 12/14/2017
9/10
The rendering of the characters and backgrounds is so rich and precise, that at times, it skirts into the third dimension. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Logan D Jul 6 In England of the 1800s, steam power has become a remarkable source for technological advances. When one boy's father creates a virtually unlimited steam engine, everyone attempts to get their hands on it. I've yet to see Akira (I know, shameful) but I was impressed by this film built of steampunk inspiration. It questions ethics and responsibility not thoroughly but well enough. A visual treat for sure. See more Goose R. @rodrigug Jul 1 On an alternate universe, steam machines are king. 1860, Ray, gets his hands on a discovery from her dad and grandfather that will revolutionize the steam power machines but it could be used for good or evil. Is up to him to avoid the latter. Pretty cool story and the animation is superb 🍿🍿🍿🍿/5 on Prime See more Jay W Jun 13 "Steamboy" follows James Steam, and his father, Eddie Steam and grandfather Lloyd Steam. The latter two had invented a ball that releases an endless supply of steam. The steam from that ball powers their steam engines. As the movie starts, there is too much steam coming out of the pipes, and they try to adjust the valves to control the steam, but the steam breaks the pipes, releasing steam everywhere. The only way this movie could be more "steam" is if I was watching it on my steam deck while taking a hot shower and having some steamed hams from Albany. See more Liam D @Mediawatcher2003 11/23/2024 It definitely feels like animes that have came before but it’s still very entertaining See more Frank C 06/09/2024 The art was great, but the story made no sense at all. See more Alejandro E @Alex970 12/01/2023 El alegato pacifista, sobre el uso indebido de la tecnología de innovación, no estará a la altura de la obra maestra Akira pero, las secuencias de acción, el guion en sí y el arte conceptual justifican bien el esfuerzo. See more Read all reviews
Steamboy

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Cast & Crew

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Katsuhiro Ohtomo

Director

Anna Paquin

James Ray Steam

Alfred Molina

Dr. Eddie Steam

Patrick Stewart

Dr. Lloyd Steam

Robin Atkin Downes

David

Kari Wahlgren

Scarlett O'Hara

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Steamboy

Steamboy (2004) Steamboy (2004) A scene from the film "Steamboy." A scene from the film "Steamboy." A scene from the film "Steamboy." A scene from the film "Steamboy." A scene from the film "Steamboy." A scene from the film "Steamboy." A scene from the film "Steamboy." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis England of the 1860s receives a technological remake in this animated adventure. Ray (Anna Paquin) is a brilliant young inventor who follows in the footsteps of his father, Eddie (Alfred Molina), and his grandfather, Lloyd Steam (Patrick Stewart). After his grandfather sends him a mysterious mechanical ball that contains revolutionary power, Ray finds his world turning upside down. It seems a lot of people want that power, and not all of them have good intentions.
Director
Katsuhiro Ohtomo
Producer
Shinji Murai, Hideyuki Tomioka
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co
Sunrise VAP
Rating
PG-13 (Action/Violence)
Genre
Sci-Fi, Anime
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 18, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$410.4K
Runtime
2h 5m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby SRD, Surround
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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