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Celluloid
ActionDrama Berlinale 2003 · Alfred Bauer Prize

Hero

Directed by Zhang Yimou · 2002 ·

Short answer

Is Hero worth watching?

Yes. Hero (2002) earns an 85% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics (95%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (86%). See the 4 inputs.

85%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

95% Editorial Rating
86% Audience snapshot · excluded
86 Metascore
★★★★☆ Letterboxd 4
7.9 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
1h 39m
Age rating
PG-13 (US) · 12 (UK) · M (Australia) · 12 (South Korea)
Country
China
Language
Mandarin

Also known as 英雄 Héroe Herói 영웅 Kahraman ฮีโร่ Anh Hùng

🏆 1 award win · 2 nominations — Won Best Cinematography, Golden Rooster Awards 2003

Where to watch

Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists Wavve, TVING in South Korea. Check local listings for your region.

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

Buy: Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube

Where to watch Hero by country

Country Streaming on
Japan Prime Video, Hulu, U-NEXT
South Korea Wavve, TVING

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (95/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (86%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (86/100).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4/5).
  • Celluloid Score 85% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded action, drama pick
  • Short runtime — easy weeknight watch
  • Critics' darlings — stronger with reviewers than general viewers

Not ideal for

    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 Hero worth watching?

    Yes — Hero earns an 85% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded action, drama pick. Read our full review (4.5/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    Zhang Yimou's ravishing martial-arts poem turned Chinese blockbusters into international events.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics (95%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (86%).

    What is Hero about?

    A nameless warrior recounts his assassination attempts on the King of Qin through shifting tales of color, loyalty, and sacrifice.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English Hero

    Hero (2002) Review: Martial Arts in Five Colours

    Hero is Zhang Yimou's ravishing wuxia epic about a nameless warrior and the King of Qin, told in colour-coded versions that turn swordplay into visual poetry.

    Yes. It is one of the most beautiful martial arts films ever made, ideal for viewers who want spectacle and style, even if its characters and politics stay at arm's length.

    Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

    Hero stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    Hero production still 1
    Hero production still 2
    Hero production still 3
    Hero production still 4
    Hero production still 5
    Hero production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

    Reader takes

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

    Hero: frequently asked questions

    Is Hero worth watching?

    Yes. Hero (2002) has a Celluloid Score of 85%, 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 Hero?

    In the United States you can rent it from Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home or buy it from Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Prime Video, Hulu, U-NEXT in Japan; Wavve, TVING in South Korea. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is Hero?

    Hero runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).

    What is Hero rated?

    Hero is rated PG-13 in the United States, 12 in the UK, M in Australia and 12 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in Hero?

    Hero is directed by Zhang Yimou and stars Jet Li, Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung.

    What is the Metascore for Hero?

    Metacritic's Metascore for Hero is 86 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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