Hero
Directed by Zhang Yimou · 2002 ·
Hero (2002) earns a 85% Celluloid Score — Recommended. Recommended — recommended by most critics and audiences.Critics (95%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (86%).
Calculated from 4 available inputs: Celluloid editorial rating, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb. Audience sentiment is shown separately and never changes the composite. See how we calculate scores.
4-input transparent breakdown
🏆 1 award win · 2 nominations — Won Best Cinematography, Golden Rooster Awards 2003
Miramax Where to watch
Streaming availability varies by region — currently on 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 verified rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately.
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 a 85% Celluloid Score. Recommended — recommended by most critics and audiences.
Celluloid Verdict
Zhang Yimou's ravishing martial-arts poem turned Chinese blockbusters into international events.
Celluloid editorial verdict
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
Hero (2002) Review: A Chinese Classic
★★★★½
Zhang Yimou's Hero (2002) endures as a defining action landmark from China, with scores that still shape how audiences discover cinema from the region.
Essential viewing — a certified classic.
Hero stills
Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.
Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.
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