What order do you watch this in?

[Scissor Me Timbers]

I have never watch Ghost in the shell before and I don't know what one to watch after the first movie.

[Cryptix]

I too, would like to know...

[Daybreak]

Ghost in the Shell (2): Innocence follows after this movie (it is not on steam though). It differs quite a bit from the manga as such, and the first movie, but is vastly superior imo, both in terms of narrative and visuals.

Then there's the tv series that is more faithful to the manga in the visual side at least, i.e. generic anime. Plus one movie in that style too.

[El Botijo]

I would say that the order the different media appeared is the following (you probably want to check with Wikipedia):

Ghost in the Shell, or GitS, (the original movie from mid 90s) and Ghost in the Shell 2.0 are the same story, both following Section 9 and specially Motoko Kusanagi. 2.0 is to the original the same as what the '97 version of SW Ep4 A New Hope is to the '78 version: not impressive 3D models and a few small edits here and there. It is a pity that you can only buy the 2.0 version on blueray these days.

There is a second movie, Innocence, that is not on Steam. It has been a long time since I have watched this movie, but if I remember correctly it followed Batou instead of Kusanagi. I felt cheated as the iconic protagonist is not in the foreground. But, what can you do if you want to follow with the ending of the first movie?

Many years later, GitS: Standalone Complex appeared as a series, with the usual Section 9 cast. That means, the stories happen before the first movie. The movie "The Laughing Man" is a recap of the multiple episode story involving the Laughing Man. I personally like the series for bringing various one shot episodes from the manga into anime. The third episode, the one about a run away tank, really resonated with me. There are various funny shorts between episodes involving the Tachikoma, the tanks with AI that the series uses a lot. Not only they are adorable and cute, they treat some science fiction troppes too.

A second series following Standalone Complex called GitS:SAC 2nd Gig appeared some time later. I have not checked this, but I assume the "Individual Eleven" movie from the pack in Steam is similar to what "The Laughing Man" movie is to GitS:SAC.

Solid State Society appeared somewhat later. I have not watched this one yet.

A four series OVA (straight to video short films) called Arisen appeared a few years ago. They act as a prequel, with Kusanagi still not working for Aramaki at Section 9 yet. I have not gone through them yet.

In my opinion, following the date of publishing is a good way to watch the different movies from the pack.

[Vasary F]

Ghost in the Shell
Ghost in the Shell Innocence by the way amazing movie and aesthetics but dense
Standalone Complex season 1
Standalone Complex season 2
stand alone complex - solid state society (you can understand the movie without watching the series but is not the same)

[Ezekiel]

The movies, series and manga aren't connected. They have their own timelines. Stand Alone Complex has nothing to do with this movie, chronologically.

Manga timeline:
1. Ghost in the Shell
2. Ghost in the Shell 1.5: Human-Error Processor
3. Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface

Movie timeline:
1. Ghost in the Shell / Ghost in the Shell 2.0 (♥♥♥♥♥♥ remaster)
2. Innocence

TV show timeline:
1. Stand Alone Complex
2. Stand Alone Complex: 2nd Gig
3. Solid State Society (movie)

Arise timeline:
1. Episodes
2. Ghost in the Shell 2015 movie

[Smaxx]

Originally posted by El Botijo:

A second series following Standalone Complex called GitS:SAC 2nd Gig appeared some time later. I have not checked this, but I assume the "Individual Eleven" movie from the pack in Steam is similar to what "The Laughing Man" movie is to GitS:SAC.

Correct. "Individual Eleven" is the overal/core story arc of 2nd Gig. There were quite a few standalone episodes as well, although IMO the character focus is once again a lot more spread out (Batou, Togusa, etc.). If one enjoyed the first series, this one is great as well. It has some lows, but they also explore some of the characters' backstories in this continuity, which was quite great, even as standalone one-story arcs. The Tachikoma are back for obvious reasons.