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{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{Short description|2001 film by Shin'ichirō Watanabe}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Cowboy Bebop: The Movie
| image          = Cowboy Bebop Knockin' on Heaven's Door poster.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Shinichirō Watanabe]]
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* Masuo Ueda
* [[Masahiko Minami]]
* Minoru Takanashi
}}
| screenplay     = [[Keiko Nobumoto]]
| based_on       = {{Based on|''[[Cowboy Bebop]]''|[[Hajime Yatate]]}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Kōichi Yamadera]]
* [[Megumi Hayashibara]]
* [[Unshō Ishizuka]]
* [[Aoi Tada]]
* [[Ai Kobayashi]]
* [[Tsutomu Isobe]]
* [[Renji Ishibashi]]
* [[Mickey Curtis]]
<!-- Per the billing block of the film's theatrical release poster -->
}}
| music          = [[Yoko Kanno]]
| cinematography = Yōichi Ōgami
| editing        = Shūichi Kakesu
| studio         = {{Plainlist|
* [[Sunrise (company)|Sunrise]]
* [[Bones (studio)|Bones]]
* [[Bandai Visual]]
}}
| distributor    = [[Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan]]<!-- Do not add US distributor here, please; see WP:FILMDIST -->
| released       = {{Film date|2001|09|01}}<!-- Do not add US release dates here, please; see WP:FILMRELEASE -->
| runtime        = 115 minutes<!-- Theatrical runtime: 114:59 --><ref name="BBFC">{{cite web |title=Cowboy Bebop |url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/cowboy-bebop-2003-1 |publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |access-date=January 22, 2015 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305051938/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/cowboy-bebop-2003-1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| country        = Japan
| language       = Japanese
| budget         = 
| gross          = $3 million<ref name="Mojo">{{cite web |title=Cowboy Bebop (2003) |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=cowboybebop.htm |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=May 29, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714210638/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=cowboybebop.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

'''''Cowboy Bebop: The Movie''''', known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door'''''|カウボーイビバップ 天国の扉|Kaubōi Bibappu: Tengoku no Tobira|lit. ''Cowboy Bebop: Heaven's Door''|lead=yes}}, is a 2001 [[Japanese anime]] [[science fiction action film]] based on the 1998 anime series ''[[Cowboy Bebop]]'' created by [[Hajime Yatate]]. Several staff from the original series worked on the film, including director [[Shinichirō Watanabe]], writer [[Keiko Nobumoto]], character designer/animation director [[Toshihiro Kawamoto]], and composer [[Yoko Kanno]]. The Japanese and English voice casts also reprised their roles.

''Cowboy Bebop: The Movie'' is set between episode 22 and episode 23 of the original series.<ref name="MovieInfo">{{cite web|title=Cowboy Bebop - Heaven's Door - About the Movie |url=http://www.cowboybebop.org/english/door/movie/index.html |publisher=CowboyBebop.org |access-date=June 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021117151532/http://www.cowboybebop.org/english/door/movie/index.html |archive-date= November 17, 2002 }}</ref> The plot centers on a mysterious terrorist planning to exterminate the human population of [[Mars]] by releasing a virus. The bounty hunter crew of the spaceship ''Bebop'' works to capture the terrorist and prevent the attack.

The film was conceived by Watanabe as an extension of his work on the television series, which he had treated as a series of miniature films. So as not to alienate existing fans, much of the series' style was retained, with adjustments to make it accessible to a new audience. Increased budget and production facilities enabled filming styles associated with live action films, as well as higher-quality animation than in the series. Arabic aesthetics were used, in contrast to the series, which entailed Watanabe traveling to Morocco for research. Arabic elements also influenced Kanno's music.

The film was produced by studios [[Sunrise (company)|Sunrise]], which had previously developed the original series; [[Bones (studio)|Bones]], a later studio founded by former Sunrise staff; and [[Bandai Visual]]. ''Cowboy Bebop: The Movie'' was released to theaters in Japan on September 1, 2001, and in the United States on August 11, 2002. It went on to gross over $3 million worldwide, and when released on DVD, it ranked high on Japanese and US charts. The film received generally positive reviews from mainstream and anime critics, and was nominated for the [[Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Film]].

== Setting ==
The film is set in the year 2071, fifty years after a disaster on the Moon caused Earth to be largely abandoned. Humanity has settled on other planets and moons. The film's protagonists are bounty hunters who travel together on the spaceship ''Bebop''. They are [[Spike Spiegel]], a former gangster; [[List of Cowboy Bebop characters#Faye Valentine|Faye Valentine]], a fugitive; [[List of Cowboy Bebop characters#Jet Black|Jet Black]], a former police officer; [[List of Cowboy Bebop characters#Ed|Radical Edward]], a hyperactive girl hacker; and [[List of Cowboy Bebop characters#Ein|Ein]], a small dog with enhanced intelligence. Together they hunt for wanted fugitives and criminals throughout the solar system.

== Plot ==
On [[Mars]], a few days before Halloween, Faye witnesses an unidentified terrorist blow up a tanker truck while chasing another bounty. The blast spreads an unknown pathogen that kills and sickens hundreds of people. The Martian government offers a 300 million Woolong bounty for the culprit's capture, which the crew hope to earn. Faye and Edward identify the terrorist as [[List of Cowboy Bebop characters#Vincent Volaju|Vincent Volaju]], a soldier who is believed to have been killed on [[Titan_(moon)|Titan]]. He survived a test of the pathogen, having been immunized, but [[amnesia]] and [[hallucinations]] have since driven him insane.

Jet learns that the pathogen is a [[Protein nanoparticles |nanomachine]], a biological weapon that has been illegally manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Cherious Medical. Spike encounters Cherious's agent [[List of Cowboy Bebop characters#Elektra Ovilo|Elektra Ovilo]], and he attempts to capture Vincent, but Vincent throws him off a train, then releases another cloud of nanomachines. Everyone else on the train dies, except for Elektra, who was immunized when in a relationship with Vincent. She gives a sample of her blood to a friend at Cherious Medical, and they prepare a stock of vaccine.

Vincent intends to explode giant [[jack-o'-lantern]] balloons full of nanomachines at the Halloween parade, which will kill everyone on Mars. Jet recruits a gang of aged crop-duster pilots to scatter the vaccine, and Faye hijacks the city's weather-control systems to cause rain, assisting in the vaccine's spread. Spike confronts Vincent and the two fight to a standstill. The nanomachines are released, but Spike is cured by the vaccine. Vincent prepares to kill Spike, but is shot by Elektra. He thanks Elektra for their time together, then dies.

== Voice cast ==
{{Main|List of Cowboy Bebop characters{{!}}List of ''Cowboy Bebop'' characters}}

{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Character !! Japanese voice actor<ref name="MovieInfo"/> !! English dub actor<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/cowboy-bebop-the-movie-v268355/cast-crew|title=Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001) - Shinichiro Watanabe - Cast and Crew - AllMovie|work=AllMovie|access-date=January 31, 2016|archive-date=January 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112190855/http://www.allmovie.com/movie/cowboy-bebop-the-movie-v268355/cast-crew|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/cowboy-bebop-the-movie/review/136649/|title=Cowboy Bebop: The Movie|work=TV Guide|access-date=January 31, 2016|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208053204/http://www.tvguide.com/movies/cowboy-bebop-the-movie/review/136649/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Spike Spiegel]] || [[Kōichi Yamadera]] || [[Steve Blum]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigshinyrobot.com/55736/cowboy-bebop-the-movie-comes-to-the-aero-theater-with-special-guests/|title=Big Shiny Robot - Cowboy Bebop - The Movie shown at the Aero Theater with special guests Steve Blum and Peter Ramsey|author=Miss Mecha Zero|work=bigshinyrobot.com|access-date=January 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112162019/http://www.bigshinyrobot.com/55736/cowboy-bebop-the-movie-comes-to-the-aero-theater-with-special-guests/|archive-date=January 12, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| [[List of Cowboy Bebop characters#Faye Valentine|Faye Valentine]] || [[Megumi Hayashibara]]  || [[Wendee Lee]]
|-
| [[List of Cowboy Bebop characters#Jet Black|Jet Black]] || [[Unshō Ishizuka]]  || [[Beau Billingslea]]
|-
| [[List of Cowboy Bebop characters#Ed|Edward Wong]] || [[Aoi Tada]] || [[Melissa Fahn]]
|-
| [[List of Cowboy Bebop characters#Elektra Ovilo|Elektra Ovilo]]<!--Name spelling: https://web.archive.org/web/20021223055131/http://cowboybebop.org:80/english/door/index.html--> || [[Ai Kobayashi]]  || [[Jennifer Hale]]
|-
| [[List of Cowboy Bebop characters#Vincent Volaju|Vincent Volaju]] || [[Tsutomu Isobe]]  || [[Daran Norris]]
|-
| [[List of Cowboy Bebop characters#Lee Sampson|Lee Sampson]] || [[Yūji Ueda]]  || [[Dave Wittenberg]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crystalacids.com/database/person/4900/dave-wittenberg/|title=Dave Wittenberg|work=crystalacids.com|access-date=January 31, 2016|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305135824/http://www.crystalacids.com/database/person/4900/dave-wittenberg/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[List of Cowboy Bebop characters#Rashid|Rashid]] || [[Mickey Curtis]]  || [[Nicholas Guest]]
|}

== Development ==
[[File:Shinichiro Watanabe 20090703 Japan Expo 01.jpg|thumb|Director [[Shinichirō Watanabe]]]]
''Cowboy Bebop: The Movie'' was first announced in September 1999: the majority of the series' staff were carried over along with Watanabe, including producer [[Masahiko Minami]], character designer/animation director [[Toshihiro Kawamoto]], and writer [[Keiko Nobumoto]]. The original Japanese cast also returned.<ref name="MovieInfo" /><ref name="CowboyDetails">{{cite news|date=September 25, 1999|title=Further Cowboy Bebop details released|work=[[Anime News Network]]|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/1999-09-25/further-cowboy-bebop-details-released|url-status=live|access-date=January 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140405074726/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/1999-09-25/further-cowboy-bebop-details-released|archive-date=April 5, 2014}}</ref> The writing process was finished and production began in July 2000.<ref name="CowboyBegins">{{cite news|date=July 28, 2000|title=Cowboy Bebop Movie Begins Production|work=[[Anime News Network]]|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2000-07-28/cowboy-bebop-movie-begins-production|url-status=live|access-date=January 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423224642/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2000-07-28/cowboy-bebop-movie-begins-production|archive-date=April 23, 2015}}</ref> It was produced by the studios [[Sunrise (company)|Sunrise]], [[Bones (studio)|Bones]] and [[Bandai Visual]].<ref name="MovieInfo" /> While Sunrise worked on the original series, Bones was founded in 1998 after the series' completion by Minami, Kawamoto and [[Hiroshi Ōsaka]].<ref name="Bones">{{cite news|date=October 16, 2012|title=Cowboy Bebop Helmer Shinichiro Watanabe, BONES Plan New TV Anime|work=[[Anime News Network]]|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-16/cowboy-bebop-helmer-shinichiro-watanabe-bones-plan-new-tv-anime|url-status=live|access-date=June 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103105945/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-16/cowboy-bebop-helmer-shinichiro-watanabe-bones-plan-new-tv-anime|archive-date=November 3, 2014}}</ref> The length of the film's production allowed the team to ensure its high quality.<ref name="AODinterview" />

The idea for a film was in the mind of director [[Shinichirō Watanabe]] during the development of the original ''[[Cowboy Bebop]]'' series, which he had originally envisioned as a film.<ref name="WatanabeInterview2">{{cite web|url=http://www.intothematrix.com/rl_cmp/rl_interview_watanabe.html|title=Animatrix Director: Kid's Story and A Detective's Story|publisher=The Animatrix official website|access-date=January 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102061952/http://www.intothematrix.com/rl_cmp/rl_interview_watanabe.html|archive-date=January 2, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Watanabe treated each episode of the series as a miniature film, so to progress onto a feature-length film seemed natural to him. So as not to disappoint fans, the film incorporated as much of the series as possible while making it accessible to newcomers.<ref name="DVDfeatures">"From the Small Screen to the Big Screen". {{cite video |date=2003 | title=Cowboy Bebop: The Movie | medium=DVD | publisher=[[Sony Pictures Home Entertainment|Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment]] | location=[[Culver City, California]]}}</ref> He had thought up some of the story and the character of Vincent during the production of the series.<ref name="WatanabeInterview2" /> After the series ended and there was demand for a continuation from both fans and [[Sponsor (commercial)|sponsors]] so the decision was made by the series creators to make a film.<ref name="CowboyMag">{{cite journal|author=Bricken|first=Robert|date=January 2003|title=Behind the Bebop - Murder, Mars and All That Jazz|journal=[[Anime Insider|Anime Invasion]]|publisher=[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]|issue=#5}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Solomon|first=Charles|date=March 30, 2003|title=Dirty Harry in Space?|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-30-ca-solomon30-story.html|access-date=December 17, 2021|archive-date=January 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130172124/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-30-ca-solomon30-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Watanabe said "When the original 26-episode series concluded, a lot of fans and sponsors wanted me to continue. That's why I made this movie."<ref name=":0"/>

Watanabe was aiming towards a live-action look for the film despite its medium, using camera tricks, visual effects and character expression impossible in the series while keeping "the ''Bebop'' flavor".<ref name="WatanabeInterview1">{{cite web|url=http://www.cowboybebop.org/english/door/interview/index.html |title=The Director's Voice: Shinichiro Watanabe Interview |publisher=Cowboy Bebop: The Movie website (English) |access-date=January 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030307023145/http://www.cowboybebop.org/english/door/interview/index.html |archive-date=March 7, 2003 |url-status=dead }}</ref> According to [[Kōichi Yamadera]], the Japanese voice actor for Spike, the only real changes made by the team in the portrayal were to show off the characters, including Spike, in different ways: Spike, in particular, displayed more of his inner thoughts and showed a gentler side than he did in the series, as there was more time available to express such details.<ref name="DVDfeatures" /> Watanabe personally chose the voice actors for Elektra and Vincent. Vincent was partially intended as a type of villain that could not be done in the series, even though Watanabe felt he was not "particularly unique".<ref name="WatanabeInterview1" />

Because of increased running time, budget and facilities, the team were able to include more [[Cel animation|cels]] in animations, as well as longer and more intricate action sequences.<ref name="DVDfeatures"/> The film included difficult sequences that Watanabe could not do along with the rest of the film, so two guest directors were brought in for them: [[Hiroyuki Okiura]], who handled the opening sequence, and [[Tensai Okamura]], who created a cinematic Western shown at a drive-in theater during the film. Watanabe wanted to give the film an [[Arab culture|Arabic]] feel, in contrast to the series which often used New York and Hong Kong for inspiration. To this end, Watanabe went on a research trip to [[Morocco]].<ref name= "WatanabeInterview1"/> The character Rashid was based on the guide who had shown the research team round the city.<ref name="MovieInfo"/> Working on the film was different for Watanabe when compared to the series in a positive way: while he had to put the entire story in a twenty-minute episode for the series, the team were able to create a longer, more detailed narrative.<ref name= "WatanabeInterview3">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytexanonline.com/life-arts/cowboy-bebop-director-watanabe-talks-anime-1.971462|title='Cowboy Bebop' director Watanabe talks anime|newspaper=[[The Daily Texan]]|date=February 14, 2006|access-date=January 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715113817/http://www.dailytexanonline.com/life-arts/cowboy-bebop-director-watanabe-talks-anime-1.971462|archive-date=July 15, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Music ===
{{Main|Music of Cowboy Bebop{{!}}Music of ''Cowboy Bebop''}}
The music for ''Cowboy Bebop: The Movie'' was composed by [[Yoko Kanno]], composer for the original series, and performed by her band [[Seatbelts (band)|Seatbelts]].<ref name= "CowboyDetails"/> She used the same mixture of music genres (western, opera, jazz) as with the TV series, but also added Arabic elements in keeping with the film's thematic feel. She used Arabic and English for the music lyrics. Alongside these, the soundtrack made use of a large number of rock instruments.<ref name= "AODinterview">{{cite web|url=http://animeondvd.com/press/conventions/axny2002/axnybeboppanel.php|title=Cowboy Bebop Panel|publisher=Anime on DVD.com|date=February 14, 2006|access-date=January 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030605011254/http://animeondvd.com/press/conventions/axny2002/axnybeboppanel.php|archive-date=June 5, 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="CowboyOST">{{cite web |last=Khan |first=Ridwan |title=Animefringe Reviews: Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' On Heaven's Door Original Soundtrack - Future Blues |url=http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/02.03/reviews/8/index.php3 |work=Animefringe |date=March 2002 |access-date=June 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002151/http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/02.03/reviews/8/index.php3 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Five tracks from the film were released on the Seatbelts mini-album ''[[Music of Cowboy Bebop#Ask DNA|Ask DNA]]'', released on July 25, 2001.<ref name= "CowboyCrunchy"/><ref name= "ANNost">{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-07-30/more-details-and-corrections-on-cowboy-bebop-soundtracks|title=More Details and corrections on Cowboy Bebop Soundtracks|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=July 30, 2001|access-date=January 8, 2015|archive-date=April 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423165327/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-07-30/more-details-and-corrections-on-cowboy-bebop-soundtracks|url-status=live}}</ref> The soundtrack's official release, ''[[Music of Cowboy Bebop#Future Blues|Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door OST Future Blues]]'', was released on August 22, 2001. Both these albums were reissued in December 2012.<ref name= "CowboyCrunchy">{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2012/11/13/out-of-print-cowboy-bebop-soundtracks-reissued|title=Out of Print "Cowboy Bebop" Soundtracks Reissued|author=Green, Scott|publisher=[[Crunchyroll]]|date=November 13, 2012|access-date=January 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116051742/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2012/11/13/out-of-print-cowboy-bebop-soundtracks-reissued|archive-date=November 16, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Release ==
''Cowboy Bebop: The Movie'' was first released in cinemas in Japan on September 1, 2001. After the film's international release, this date was subject to debate in the western fanbase due to its proximity to the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Animated Movie Guide|url=https://archive.org/details/animatedmoviegui0000beck|url-access=registration|author=Beck, Jerry|publisher=Chicago Review Press|isbn=1-55652-591-5|page=[https://archive.org/details/animatedmoviegui0000beck/page/60 60]|date=October 28, 2005|edition=1}}</ref> It was first shown to the west at the 2002 [[AnimeCon]], where it was announced that the original English cast would reprise their roles.<ref name= "CowboyCons">{{cite web|url=http://icv2.com/articles/comics/view/1769/anime-cons-continue-to-grow|title=Anime Cons continue to grow|publisher=ICv2|date=August 29, 2002|access-date=January 6, 2015|archive-date=June 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603104225/http://icv2.com/articles/comics/view/1769/anime-cons-continue-to-grow|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name= "CowboyEnglish">{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-07-16/cowboy-bebop-the-movie-english-cast-announced|title=Cowboy Bebop: The Movie English Cast Announced|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=July 16, 2002|access-date=January 8, 2015|archive-date=April 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421232921/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-07-16/cowboy-bebop-the-movie-english-cast-announced|url-status=live}}</ref> Its Japanese subtitle, "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", was changed for the western release due to sharing its name with the [[Knockin' on Heaven's Door|1973 Bob Dylan song of the same name]]. Instead of creating a new subtitle, the team settled with using "''The Movie''",<ref name= "AODinterview"/> though a November 2018 rerelease of the film by [[Funimation]] features the original subtitle. It was jointly released in the United States by Sony Pictures through their [[Destination Films]] label and [[Samuel Goldwyn Films]] and internationally by [[TriStar Pictures]]. During its initial screening at the event, it sold out completely, prompting a second screening later in the event.<ref name= "CowboyCons"/> The film received a limited theatrical release in the United States, opening on April 4, 2003. During its opening weekend, it reached 19th place in the box office chart, bringing in $12,338 per screening.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2003-04-08/weekend-box-office-numbers|title=Weekend Box Office Numbers|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=April 8, 2003|access-date=January 8, 2015|archive-date=April 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401180009/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2003-04-08/weekend-box-office-numbers|url-status=live}}</ref> The film's total gross in America was $1,000,045. Its worldwide gross totals $3,007,903.<ref name="Mojo"/>

The film was released on DVD in Japan on February 7, 2002, immediately reaching the top of the DVD/VHS charts. Sunrise and Bandai Visual underestimated the possible sales, with the first print being used up soon after release, prompting a second print for mid-February.<ref>{{cite web|date=March 2002|title=Anime Briefs: March 2002|url=http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/02.03/briefs/index.php3|access-date=January 8, 2015|publisher=Animefringe|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055834/http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/02.03/briefs/index.php3|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment]] released it on DVD in the United States on June 24, 2003.<ref>{{cite news|date=January 25, 2002|title=Columbia Tristar has Cowboy Bebop movie&nbsp;... it seems|work=[[Anime News Network]]|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-01-24/columbia-tristar-has-cowboy-bebop-movie-it-seems|access-date=January 8, 2015|archive-date=September 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908113949/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-01-24/columbia-tristar-has-cowboy-bebop-movie-it-seems|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2006, it was ranked as the sixth best-selling anime DVD in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|date=January 31, 2006|title=Top Selling Anime DVD Movies|work=[[Anime News Network]]|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-01-31/top-selling-anime-dvd-movies|access-date=January 8, 2015|archive-date=October 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031083038/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-01-31/top-selling-anime-dvd-movies|url-status=live}}</ref> It did not receive a theatrical release in the United Kingdom, instead being released as a [[Direct-to-video|direct-to-DVD]] feature.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 12, 2002|title=Animejin News - 12th July 2002|url=http://www.animejin.org.uk/news205.txt|access-date=January 8, 2015|publisher=AnimeJin|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304024928/http://www.animejin.org.uk/news205.txt|url-status=live}}</ref> It was released in the UK on June 27, 2003.<ref name="BBFC" /> The film was later released on Blu-ray disc in Japan on July 25, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cowboy Bebop Knockin' on Heaven's Door Blu-ray Disc|url=http://product.bandaivisual.co.jp/web_service/shop_product_info.asp?item_no=BCXR-0009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710101117/http://product.bandaivisual.co.jp/web_service/shop_product_info.asp?item_no=BCXR-0009|archive-date=July 10, 2009|access-date=May 3, 2009|publisher=Bandai Visual}}</ref> It was released in North America by Image Entertainment on June 28, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cowboy Bebop: The Movie|url=http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/4829/cowboybebop_movie.html|access-date=January 8, 2015|publisher=High-Def Digest|archive-date=November 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101045914/http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/4829/cowboybebop_movie.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In celebration for the series's 20th anniversary in 2018, the film was shown in US theaters by Funimation Films on August 15 (with Japanese audio and English subtitles) and on August 16 (with the English dub).<ref>{{cite web|last=Valdez|first=Nick|date=July 13, 2018|title='Cowboy Bebop: The Movie' is Returning to U.S. Theaters|url=https://comicbook.com/anime/2018/07/13/cowboy-bebop-the-movie-u-s-theaters-august-tickets-funimation/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180715023944/http://comicbook.com/anime/2018/07/13/cowboy-bebop-the-movie-u-s-theaters-august-tickets-funimation/|archive-date=July 15, 2018|access-date=July 15, 2018|work=ComicBook.com}}</ref> A limited edition steelbook Blu-ray of the film was released by Funimation under license from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on November 13, 2018.<ref>{{Citation |title=Cowboy Bebop: The Movie Blu-ray (SteelBook) |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Cowboy-Bebop-The-Movie-Blu-ray/213683/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117231849/https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Cowboy-Bebop-The-Movie-Blu-ray/213683/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Critical response ==
On [[review aggregator]] [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of 67% based on 79 reviews, with an average rating of 6.3/10.<ref>{{cite web| title = Cowboy Bebop: The Movie - Rotten Tomatoes| url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cowboy_bebop_the_movie/| website = [[Rotten Tomatoes]]| access-date = September 2, 2023| archive-date = September 2, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230902024048/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cowboy_bebop_the_movie| url-status = live}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a [[weighted average]] score of 61 out of 100, based on 23 critics, indicating "generally positive reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/cowboy-bebop-the-movie-knockin-on-heavens-door|title=Cowboy Bebop the Movie: Knockin' on Heaven's Door|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=January 8, 2014|archive-date=April 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403070000/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/cowboy-bebop-the-movie-knockin-on-heavens-door|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was nominated at the [[Online Film Critics Society Awards 2003]] in the [[Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Film|Best Animated Film]] category, though it lost the award to ''[[Finding Nemo]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ofcs.org/awards/2003-awards-7th-annual/|title=2003 Awards (7th Annual)|publisher=[[Online Film Critics Society]]|date=2003|access-date=January 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602125247/http://ofcs.org/awards/2003-awards-7th-annual/|archive-date=June 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Helen McCarthy]] in ''500 Essential Anime Movies'' praised the music of the movie, calling it "the show's secret weapon", and stated that "the movie's only real fault is that it's about half an hour too long".<ref>{{cite book|title=500 Essential Anime Movies: The Ultimate Guide|author=McCarthy, Helen|author-link=Helen McCarthy|publisher=Harper Design|isbn=978-0-06-147450-7|page=18|date=2009}}</ref>

Critic reviews have generally been positive. Andy Patrizio of ''[[IGN]]'' gave the film a score of 9 of 10, saying that the developers "did a superb job of fleshing out the story", as well as praising it for "not succumbing to melodrama like many of its live-action counterparts". He also commented that the film's subject matter of terrorism in the face of the September 11 attacks "smacked way too close to home". The music also received praise.<ref name="IGNreview">{{cite web|url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2003/07/16/cowboy-bebop-the-movie|title=Cowboy Bebop: The Movie|author=Patrizio, Andy|website=[[IGN]]|date=July 16, 2003|access-date=January 8, 2014|archive-date=December 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213022151/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/07/16/cowboy-bebop-the-movie|url-status=live}}</ref> Mike Crandol of [[Anime News Network]] echoed many of these sentiments. His main criticism stemmed from the fact that Jet, Faye and Ed were relegated to supporting roles, and that it was difficult getting them all into the story. He also said that the team had outdone themselves with the animation quality in a few scenes, such as the final fight between Spike and Vincent.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/cowboy-bebop-the-movie|title=Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door (movie)|author=Crandol, Mike|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=February 4, 2002|access-date=8 January 2014|archive-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017214959/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/cowboy-bebop-the-movie|url-status=live}}</ref> Robert Koehler of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', reviewing an undubbed subtitled release, praised the visuals and writing, although he found some sections a little long.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2002/film/reviews/cowboy-bebop-the-movie-1200546801/|title=Review: 'Cowboy Bebop – The Movie'|author=Koehler, Robert|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=August 14, 2002|access-date=January 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005220204/http://variety.com/2002/film/reviews/cowboy-bebop-the-movie-1200546801/|archive-date=October 5, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Charles Solomon writing in the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' however praised the film for its running time, saying it gave screenwriter Keiko Nobumoto time to explore the characters.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Solomon|first=Charles|date=April 4, 2003|title=A space cowboy who doesn't pull his punches|work=Los Angeles Times|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2003/apr/04/entertainment/et-solomon4|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721024743/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/mar/30/entertainment/ca-solomon30/2|archive-date=July 21, 2014}}</ref>

Other reviews were more mixed. Lawrence van Gelder of ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave the film a mixed review, saying that he enjoyed the experience, but found it a little frivolous when compared to both its subject matter and events at the time. His ultimate impression from the English-dubbed version was that the film could easily have been set in present-day New York.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/04/movies/04COWB.html|title=Futuristic Cowboys From Mars on a Mission|author=van Gelder, Lawrence|work=The New York Times|date=April 4, 2003|access-date=January 8, 2014|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305165347/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/04/movies/04COWB.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Peter Bradshaw writing in ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave the film 2 out of 5 stars and praised the film's visuals, but said that the plot wasn't very interesting and failed to keep him interested.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bradshaw|first=Peter|date=June 27, 2003|title=Cowboy Bebop|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2003/jun/27/artsfeatures5|access-date=December 17, 2021|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919072801/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2003/jun/27/artsfeatures5|url-status=live}}</ref> Jamie Russell, writing for the [[BBC]], gave it 4 out of 5 stars, saying it was "good enough to deserve mention in the same breath as ''[[Akira (1988 film)|Akira]]'', ''[[Ghost in the Shell (1995 film)|Ghost in the Shell]]'', and ''[[Spirited Away]]''". The most praise went to the use of live-action camera angles. Though he found the film's story sometimes slowed noticeably, the soundtrack and visual references to other notable action films made it "an example of anime at its very best."<ref>{{cite web|last=Russell|first=Jamie|date=June 17, 2003|title=Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2003)|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2003/06/17/cowboy_bebop_the_movie_2003_review.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121190623/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2003/06/17/cowboy_bebop_the_movie_2003_review.shtml|archive-date=November 21, 2014|access-date=February 27, 2013|website=BBC}}</ref> Other newspapers of the time including the ''[[Toronto Star]]'', ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' and generally shared opinions with other reviewers: several praised the plot and animation, while others were mixed. Others, including the ''Toronto Star'' and ''[[Newark Star-Ledger]]'', noted its connection to science fiction films.<ref>{{cite news|author=Mays, Jonathan|date=April 4, 2003|title=Feature: Cowboy Bebop Theatrical Reviews|work=[[Anime News Network]]|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2003-04-04|url-status=live|access-date=October 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924103632/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2003-04-04|archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref>

== Analysis ==
While the movie is technically set on Mars, it has been described by Thomas Kent Miller as "only a Mars movie by a technicality" due to the fact that "aside from a brief flyover over some Martian terrain at the beginning and a classic dog-fight over the same sort of terrain at the end", there are next to no other visuals to suggest action takes place in an exotic location (here, Mars); instead the urban design of the city where most of the movie takes place looks no different from modern-era cities on Earth.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Miller |first=Thomas Kent |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y7R5DQAAQBAJ&pg=PT254 |title=Mars in the Movies: A History |date=2016-11-24 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-2626-0 |language=en |access-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-date=June 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620140854/https://books.google.com/books?id=Y7R5DQAAQBAJ&pg=PT254 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Amg movie|268355}}
* {{mojo title|cowboybebop}}
* {{Metacritic film}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|cowboy_bebop_the_movie}}
* {{IMDb title|0275277}}
* {{anime News Network|film|353}}

{{Cowboy Bebop}}
{{Bones (studio)}}
{{Sunrise films}}
{{Sony theatrical animated features}}
{{Shinichiro Watanabe}}
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[[Category:2001 science fiction action films]]
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[[Category:Cowboy Bebop|Movie]]
[[Category:Existentialist films]]
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