Fantastic movie with a great touch of reality.…
8.4/10Action · Drama
Seven Samurai
“Unmatched for suspense and spectacle!”
- 1954
- 3h 27m
- NR
- JA
- Released
The story
What Seven Samurai is about
A samurai answers a village's request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help him teach the people how to defend themselves, and the villagers provide the soldiers with food.
Seven Samurai is an action and drama film from 1954, directed by Akira Kurosawa. It runs 3h 27m and is rated NR in the US. It was produced by TOHO, with production in Japan.
The main cast is led by Toshirō Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Yoshio Inaba, Seiji Miyaguchi. The screenplay was written by Hideo Oguni, Shinobu Hashimoto. Reported worldwide gross stands at $105.0M.
Why it matters: Seven Samurai currently holds 8.4/10 from 4443 TMDB user ratings and has taken $105.0M worldwide against a $2.0M budget. Figures move as more ratings and box-office updates arrive.
Editor’s note
Should you watch Seven Samurai?
Seven Samurai is best suited to a high energy night. At 3h 27m, it is a long sitting, so plan the evening around it. The draw is Toshirō Mifune and Takashi Shimura, directed by Akira Kurosawa.
4,443 TMDB users have rated it 8.4/10. That is a solid sample, though scores can still move as more people watch.
TMDB tags the film with themes including martial arts, japan, samurai and sword.
The US certification is NR: not rated in the US, so check the content before watching with children.
If you like this, try The Shadow's Edge, Harakiri or Animals.
Auto-generated from TMDB data (runtime, cast, ratings, keywords, certification). Last updated November 4, 2026.
Availability
Where to watch Seven Samurai
30 official sources across 4 regions. Rows with a direct link open this exact title on the provider’s own site; the others open that provider’s own search for the title, where price, video quality and audio options are confirmed before you pay.
Best option now
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HBO Max
Included with a HBO Max subscription, no extra charge · United States
United States11 options
Free
1 source
KanopyWatch on KanopyOpen ↗Rent
4 sources
Prime VideoWatch on Prime VideoOpen ↗
Apple TVOpen on Apple TVOpen ↗Google TV & PlayOpen on Google TVOpen ↗
YouTubeOpen on YouTubeOpen ↗Buy
4 sourcesPrime VideoWatch on Prime VideoOpen ↗Apple TVOpen on Apple TVOpen ↗Google TV & PlayOpen on Google TVOpen ↗YouTubeOpen on YouTubeOpen ↗United Kingdom7 options
Canada5 options
Australia7 options
Checked 4 November 2026. Listings from TMDB / JustWatch data and they change daily; the provider page always shows the final price. Compare every option on JustWatch. MovieState links only to licensed services.
Who is in it
Seven Samurai cast
Toshirō MifuneKikuchiyo
Takashi ShimuraKambei Shimada
Yoshio InabaGorobei Katayama
Seiji MiyaguchiKyuzo
Minoru ChiakiHeihachi Hayashida
Daisuke KatōShichiroji
Isao KimuraKatsushiro Okamoto
Keiko TsushimaShino
Yukiko ShimazakiRikichi's Wife
Kamatari FujiwaraManzô - Father of Shino
Yoshio KosugiMosuke
Bokuzen HidariYoheiCharacter names follow the film's credits. Open a name to see that person's other work on MovieState.
Behind the camera
Direction and crew
DirectorAkira Kurosawa
WritersHideo Oguni, Shinobu Hashimoto
ProducersSōjirō Motoki
MusicFumio Hayasaka
CinematographyAsakazu Nakai
EditingAkira Kurosawa
Audience reaction
Ratings and reviews
8.4/104443 ratings
Seven Samurai sits at 8.4 out of 10 from 4443 user ratings. For context, the film's worldwide gross is $105.0M.
Scores show TMDB user ratings at the time of publishing and shift as new votes arrive.
At 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.…
The facts
Seven Samurai key details
| Original title | Seven Samurai |
|---|---|
| Status | Released |
| Release date | July 4, 2024 |
| Runtime | 3h 27m |
| Certification | NR in United States, PG in United Kingdom |
| Original language | JA |
| Spoken languages | Japanese |
| Country | Japan |
| Budget | $2.0M |
| Worldwide gross | $105.0M |
| Studios | TOHO |
| Also known as | Sieben Samurai, I sette samurai, A hét szamuráj |
Release information
Release dates by country
| Country | Date | Cert |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Nov 19, 1956 | NR |
| United Kingdom | Feb 3, 1955 | PG |
| Australia | Nov 1, 1956 | PG |
| Brazil | Apr 17, 2008 | 10 |
| Czechia | Jun 1, 2006 | NR |
| Denmark | Jun 29, 1968 | NR |
| France | Nov 29, 1955 | TP |
| Germany | Jul 12, 1962 | 16 |
| Indonesia | Aug 24, 2014 | NR |
| Ireland | Feb 3, 1955 | PG |
Official trailer for Seven Samurai, via BFI. Open on YouTube
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Who directed Seven Samurai?
Seven Samurai was directed by Akira Kurosawa.
Who is in the cast of Seven Samurai?
The main cast includes Toshirō Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Yoshio Inaba, Seiji Miyaguchi, Minoru Chiaki.
How long is Seven Samurai?
Seven Samurai runs 3h 27m.
When was Seven Samurai released?
It was released in the United States on July 4, 2024. Release dates vary by country — see the table above.
What is Seven Samurai rated?
Certification depends on the country: NR in United States, PG in United Kingdom. Always check your local rating before watching with family.
Where can I watch Seven Samurai online?
Availability changes by region and by week. The table above lists the streaming, rental and purchase services reported for major markets. Check the provider page for today's price and quality.
Can I watch Seven Samurai in HD or 4K?
Most digital stores offer Seven Samurai in HD, and newer releases are often available in 4K. Check the quality label on the provider's page before you pay.
How much did Seven Samurai earn?
Reported worldwide gross is $105.0M against a budget of $2.0M. Box office figures update over time.
Director filmography
More from Akira Kurosawa
Keep watching
More films like Seven Samurai
Data sources: TMDB (titles, cast, crew, release dates, provider listings and user ratings). Availability and box office figures change over time; this page was last rebuilt on November 4, 2026. We publish information only; we do not host or stream video files.
Exact record pages: IMDb record · TMDB record
At a glance: Seven Samurai runs 3h 27m, opened in US cinemas on July 4, 2024, has 30 licensed options across 4 regions tracked here.