Skip to main content
Celluloid
DramaRomance Marrakech 2013

Half of a Yellow Sun

Directed by Biyi Bandele · 2013 ·

Short answer

Is Half of a Yellow Sun worth watching?

Yes. Half of a Yellow Sun (2013) earns a 67% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.

67%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

67% Editorial Rating
70% Audience snapshot · excluded
64 Metascore
★★★½☆ Letterboxd 3.7
6.2 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
1h 51m
Age rating
R (US) · R (Canada)
Cast
Thandie Newton , Chiwetel Ejiofor , Anika Noni Rose
Streaming
Prime Video
Country
Nigeria
Language
English

Also known as Medio sol amarillo Meio Sol Amarelo 半轮黄日 La metà di un sole giallo

🏆 1 nomination

Where to watch

  • Prime Video

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (67/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (70%).
  • Metascore is generally favorable (64/100).
  • Celluloid Score 67% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Fans of Drama

Not ideal for

  • Viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films

Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

Is Half of a Yellow Sun worth watching?

Yes — Half of a Yellow Sun earns a 67% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits fans of Drama, but viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films may want to skip it. Read our full review (3.5/5).

Celluloid verdict

Bandele adapts Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel with scope rare in West African historical cinema.

, Founder & Editor

Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.

What is Half of a Yellow Sun about?

Twin sisters and their lovers navigate the Biafran War's collapse of privilege, loyalty, and identity in 1960s Nigeria.

Watch the Trailer

Critic Reviews

Short review 4 min read English Half of a Yellow Sun

Half of a Yellow Sun (2013) Review: Love Under Biafra

Half of a Yellow Sun is Biyi Bandele's adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Biafran War novel: handsome and well acted, but squeezed by its source's scope.

Mostly yes. It is a sincere, well-acted historical romance, best for viewers drawn to its history who can accept a compressed version of a much richer novel.

Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

Reader takes

No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

Half of a Yellow Sun: frequently asked questions

Is Half of a Yellow Sun worth watching?

Yes. Half of a Yellow Sun (2013) has a Celluloid Score of 67%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

Where can I watch Half of a Yellow Sun?

In the United States, Half of a Yellow Sun streams on Prime Video with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

How long is Half of a Yellow Sun?

Half of a Yellow Sun runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).

What is Half of a Yellow Sun rated?

Half of a Yellow Sun is rated R in the United States and R in Canada. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

Who stars in Half of a Yellow Sun?

Half of a Yellow Sun is directed by Biyi Bandele and stars Thandie Newton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anika Noni Rose.

What is the Metascore for Half of a Yellow Sun?

Metacritic's Metascore for Half of a Yellow Sun is 64 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

More Like This

Ranked by genre overlap and Celluloid Score. More movies like Half of a Yellow Sun →