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Oldboy

Directed by Park Chan-wook · 2003 ·

Short answer

Is Oldboy worth watching?

Yes. Oldboy (2003) earns an 83% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audiences (93%) responded more warmly than critics (82%). See the 4 inputs.

83%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

82% Editorial Rating
93% Audience snapshot · excluded
78 Metascore
★★★★☆ Letterboxd 4.4
8.3 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 0m
Age rating
R (US) · 18 (UK) · R 18+ (Australia) · 18A (Canada) · R21 (Singapore)
Cast
Choi Min-sik , Yoo Ji-tae , Kang Hye-jung
Language
Korean

Also known as 올드보이 Oldboy: Cinco días para vengarse オールド・ボーイ 老男孩 原罪犯 İhtiyar Delikanlı เคลียร์บัญชีแค้นจิตโหด Báo Thù

🏆 1 award win · 1 nomination — Won Best Director, Blue Dragon Film Awards 2003

Where to watch

Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists MUBI, BFI Player, Shudder in the United Kingdom. Check local listings for your region.

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

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

Where to watch Oldboy by country

Country Streaming on
India Prime Video, Vi Movies & TV
Japan Netflix, Hulu, U-NEXT
South Korea Netflix, TVING
Turkey TV+
United Kingdom MUBI, BFI Player, Shudder

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

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (82/100).
  • Audiences widely enjoyed it (93%).
  • Metascore is generally favorable (78/100).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4.4/5).
  • IMDb users score it 8.3/10.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded thriller, action pick
  • Crowd-pleaser seekers — audiences liked it more than critics

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 Oldboy worth watching?

    Yes — Oldboy earns an 83% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded thriller, action pick. Read our full review (4.5/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    Park Chan-wook's revenge opera is brutal, baroque, and impossible to forget once the hallway fight begins.

    , Founder & Editor

    Audiences (93%) responded more warmly than critics (82%).

    What is Oldboy about?

    A man imprisoned for fifteen years without explanation is released and given five days to discover who destroyed his life and why.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English Oldboy

    Oldboy (2003) Review: Park Chan-wook's Revenge Opera

    Oldboy is Park Chan-wook's feverish revenge thriller about a man freed after 15 years of unexplained captivity, with Choi Min-sik unforgettable in the lead.

    Yes. It is one of the defining thrillers of the century and still hits hard, but its violence and dark themes make it strictly for viewers with strong stomachs.

    Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

    Oldboy stills

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

    Oldboy production still 1
    Oldboy production still 2
    Oldboy production still 3
    Oldboy production still 4
    Oldboy production still 5
    Oldboy 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.

    Oldboy: frequently asked questions

    Is Oldboy worth watching?

    Yes. Oldboy (2003) has a Celluloid Score of 83%, 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 Oldboy?

    In the United States you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Prime Video, Vi Movies & TV in India; Netflix, Hulu, U-NEXT in Japan; Netflix, TVING in South Korea; TV+ in Turkey. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is Oldboy?

    Oldboy runs 2 hours (120 minutes).

    What is Oldboy rated?

    Oldboy is rated R in the United States, 18 in the UK, R 18+ in Australia, 18A in Canada and R21 in Singapore. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in Oldboy?

    Oldboy is directed by Park Chan-wook and stars Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jung.

    What is the Metascore for Oldboy?

    Metacritic's Metascore for Oldboy is 78 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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