Directed by Shinichir&omacron; Watanabe and written by Keiko Nobumoto, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie is an action-animated film based on the beloved 1998 anime series Cowboy Bebop. In Japan it released under its original title, Cowboy Bebop: Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, on September 1, 2001; it later opened in U.S. theaters as simply Cowboy Bebop: The Movie on April 4, 2003, via Sony Pictures Classics.
Set between episodes 22 and 23 of the TV series, the film follows the Bebop crew — Spike, Jet, Faye, and Ed — as they chase down the culprit behind a bioterrorist attack that unleashes a deadly virus on the population of Mars.
Quick Facts
| Film | Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door) |
| Director | Shinichir&omacron; Watanabe |
| Writer | Keiko Nobumoto |
| Japan Release | September 1, 2001 |
| US Release | April 4, 2003 |
| Composer | Yoko Kanno (with Seatbelts) |
| Soundtrack Album | Future Blues (Victor Entertainment, Aug 29, 2001) |
| Studio | Bones / Sunrise |
Who Composed the Cowboy Bebop: The Movie Soundtrack?
Yoko Kanno composed the score, performed by the jazz/blues band Seatbelts that she formed specifically for the Cowboy Bebop franchise. She is one of anime’s most acclaimed composers, also known for Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Wolf’s Rain, Turn A Gundam, Terror in Resonance, and Darker than Black.
Every Song (Future Blues Album)
An earlier version of this page listed a tracklist that actually belonged to the original 1998 TV series soundtrack album, not the movie. Below is the corrected, verified tracklist for Future Blues, the actual Cowboy Bebop: The Movie soundtrack album (Victor Entertainment, catalog VICL-60756, released August 29, 2001):
- 24hours Open
- Pushing the Sky (vocals: Mai Yamane)
- Time to Know ~ Be Waltz
- Clutch
- Musawe (vocals: Hassan Bohmide)
- Yo Pumpkin Head
- Diggin’ (vocals: Steve Conte)
- 3.14 (vocals: Aoi Tada)
- What Planet Is This?!
- 7minutes
- Fingers
- Powder
- Butterfly (vocals: Gabriela Robin)
- No Reply (vocals: Steve Conte)
- Dijurido (vocals: Gabriela Robin)
- Gotta Knock a Little Harder (vocals: Mai Yamane)
- No Money (vocals: Hassan Bohmide)
- Rain (Demo) (vocals: Mai Yamane)
Note: the film’s theme song "Tank!" and other well-known cues like "Space Lion" and "Cat Blues" are from the original 1998 TV series album (also titled Cowboy Bebop) rather than the movie-specific Future Blues album — both are worth hearing, but they are two different releases.
Where to Stream
Future Blues is available on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music.
Cast (Original Japanese / English Dub)
- K&omacron;ichi Yamadera / Steven Jay Blum — Spike Spiegel
- Unsh&omacron; Ishizuka / Beau Billingslea — Jet Black
- Megumi Hayashibara / Wendee Lee — Faye Valentine
- Aoi Tada / Melissa Fahn — Edward "Ed" Wong
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the Cowboy Bebop: The Movie soundtrack?
Yoko Kanno composed it, performed by her band Seatbelts.
What is the movie soundtrack album called?
It’s titled Future Blues, released August 29, 2001 on Victor Entertainment — distinct from the TV series’ soundtrack albums.
Is "Tank!" on the movie soundtrack?
No — "Tank!" is the TV series’ opening theme, released on the original 1998 Cowboy Bebop soundtrack album, not on Future Blues.
When did Cowboy Bebop: The Movie release in the US?
It opened in U.S. theaters on April 4, 2003, roughly 19 months after its September 2001 Japanese release.
Where does the movie fit in the Cowboy Bebop timeline?
It’s set between episodes 22 and 23 of the 26-episode TV series — a standalone adventure that doesn’t affect the series’ overall arc.
Related reading: Anime Soundtrack hub | Movie Soundtrack hub | Streaming hub