Seven Samurai Review (1954) — 93% Celluloid Score
Directed by Akira Kurosawa · 1954 ·
Seven Samurai (1954) earns a 93% Celluloid Score — Celluloid Pick. Celluloid Pick — highly recommended.Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.
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
Toho Where to watch
- HBO Max
- The Criterion Channel
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 Seven Samurai by country
| Country | Streaming on |
|---|---|
| Japan | U-NEXT |
| United Kingdom | BFI Player |
| United States | HBO Max, The Criterion Channel |
Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.
Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (97/100).
- Audiences widely enjoyed it (97%).
- Metascore signals universal acclaim (98/100).
- Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4.6/5).
- IMDb users score it 8.6/10.
Best for
- Viewers who want a well-regarded action, drama pick
- Epic-length viewers who want a big-screen experience
Not ideal for
- Viewers who dislike long runtimes
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 Seven Samurai worth watching?
Yes — Seven Samurai earns a 93% Celluloid Score. Celluloid Pick — highly recommended.
Celluloid Verdict
Kurosawa's epic template for action cinema remains unmatched in scope, character, and editing rhythm.
Celluloid editorial verdict
Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.
What is Seven Samurai about?
Farmers hire seven ronin to defend their village from bandits in feudal Japan, forging tactics, sacrifice, and unlikely solidarity.
Watch the Trailer
Critic Reviews
Seven Samurai (1954) Review: A Japanese Classic
★★★★★
Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (1954) endures as a defining action landmark from Japan, with scores that still shape how audiences discover cinema from the region.
Essential viewing — a certified classic.
Seven Samurai 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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