Seven Samurai
Farmers from a village exploited by bandits hire a veteran samurai for protection, and he gathers six other samurai to join him.
Directed by Akira Kurosawa · Action · Drama · 207 min · 1956
Trailer
Director
Akira Kurosawa
Writer
Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto, Hideo Oguni
Studio
Toho
Release
19 Nov 1956
Runtime
207 min
Genres
Action, Drama
Full Plot
A veteran samurai, who has fallen on hard times, answers a village's request for protection from bandits. He gathers 6 other samurai to help him, and they teach the townspeople how to defend themselves, and they supply the samurai with three small meals a day. The film culminates in a giant battle when 40 bandits attack the village.
Cast & Characters
, a humorous and temperamental man who lies about being a samurai but joins the others in defense of the village
Toshirô Mifune
, a war-weary rōnin and the leader of the seven
Takashi Shimura
, Manzō's daughter
Keiko Tsushima
, Kambei's second-in-command
Yoshio Inaba
, Kambei's old friend and former lieutenant
Daisuke Katō
, a serious and skilled swordsman
Seiji Miyaguchi
, an amiable though less-skilled fighter
Minoru Chiaki
, the youngest samurai, whom Kambei takes as a disciple
Isao Kimura
, a proactive but rash villager
Yoshio Tsuchiya
, a timid villager
Bokuzen Hidari
Rikichi's wife
Yukiko Shimazaki
Did You Know?
Made on an estimated budget of $2.0M, Seven Samurai has grossed $105.0M worldwide — about 52.5x its budget.
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
Akira Kurosawa has directed 6 films in our catalog, including High and Low, Ran.
Source: theIReview.com catalog · verified 2026-08-02
Toshirô Mifune appears in 4 films in our catalog, including High and Low, Yojimbo.
Source: theIReview.com catalog · verified 2026-08-02
Did You Know that during the occupation of Japan, authorities suppressed samurai films due to their anti-democratic feudal values?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
The Japanese public still held an interest in stories about the samurai after the occupation forces left in the early 1950s.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Director Akira Kurosawa wanted to re-examine and make a new type of period drama film, different from his previous works.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Kurosawa's script was initially based on the daily routine of a single samurai who would have to commit seppuku for a mistake made during the day.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Critical Assessment
Seven Samurai holds 8.6/10 on IMDb (397,770 votes), 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 98/100 on Metacritic.
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of July 30, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on aggregated scores (8.6/10 on IMDb (397,770 votes), 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 98/100 on Metacritic), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Seven Samurai's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
Seven Samurai holds a 100% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is Seven Samurai's IMDb rating?+
Seven Samurai has a 8.6/10 rating on IMDb from 397,770 votes.
What is Seven Samurai's Metacritic score?+
Seven Samurai has a Metascore of 98/100 on Metacritic.
Is Seven Samurai good? What are critics saying?+
Seven Samurai holds 8.6/10 on IMDb (397,770 votes), 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 98/100 on Metacritic.
How long is Seven Samurai?+
Seven Samurai has a runtime of 207 min.
Who directed Seven Samurai?+
Seven Samurai was directed by Akira Kurosawa.
Where can I watch Seven Samurai?+
Seven Samurai is available to stream, rent, or buy on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, BFI Player, BFI Player Amazon Channel, BFI Player Apple TV Channel.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The movie "Seven Samurai" has received widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its plot, pace, acting, and direction. It has been described as a classic epic film that excels in long-form storytelling, camera work, and performances. Several viewers have noted its impact on their lives, citing it as one of the greatest movies ever made.
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
Fantastic movie with a great touch of reality.
Andres Gomez · 10/10At the top of my favorite films ever. Every time I watch it is see something new. Bandits steal peasants rice. Peasants hire ronin samurai to defend them. Great plot, pace and acting. Akira Kurasawa's best...perhaps.
Kenneth Blais · 10/10**Maybe a little overrated, but there's no doubt that it's good.** Well, I have to start this text with a note that I believe is relevant to understand what I'm going to write: this was the first Japanese film that I remember seeing. I might even be forgetting something I've seen…
Filipe Manuel Neto · 6/10I must begin by saying I am a bit "attention deficit" and that I never thought I would like subtitles, but this film flows through its long length with such adventure that I don't see how anyone can keep from being entranced with every second. And it takes a lot to hold my intere…
drystyx · 10/10Maybe the greatest movie of all-time. This film is an epic accomplishment of long-form storytelling, amazing performances, wonderful camera work and fantastic sets. As is typical of Kurosawa, this movie attacks the theme of greed and is very willing to critically examine the high…
Zak_Jaggs · 10/10
From the trailer's comments
上映が終了すると観客が皆、拍手しました。
@外河有効 · 18 likes役者さんはもちろん、この作品に関わった人たちの覇気というか、本気具合が伝わってくるんですよ。志村喬の「勝負はこの一撃で決まる」はしびれます。
@藤なんてん · 51 likesGreetings from Dallas, Texas! This is the greatest ever made. (In my humble opinion). I was born in 1954, same year as this movie (and Godzilla). I first saw this at college in 1972 - 74 (?). They showed great movies for free every Friday night. It changed my life, in a way. Befo…
@brecknichols · 39 likesI'm glad that I didn't watch this trailer before watching the movie.
@rexduodecim3528 · 93 likes1991年、渋東シネタワーでリバイバル上映観ました。映画館の入り口にあの旗が建てられていて風で靡いてましたよ
@kazuyaonodera438 · 60 likes高校生の時、友達に誘われて観に行った。 終わってから喫茶店に一緒に行ったけど、 何も言えなかった。 その友人とは縁が切れてしまい 今やその喫茶店の跡形も無いけど あの時の衝撃は覚えている。
@harukoshibuya6525 · 10 likes""日本映画始まって以来の迫力！”” 封切りから66年 この映画ほど迫力ある日本映画は、いまだそうあるものではない
@66berserker · 33 likesJust finished watching it and it's one of the best films I've ever seen.
@bambi8315 · 227 likes
