Seven Samurai Review (1954) — 93% Celluloid Score
Directed by Akira Kurosawa · 1954 ·
Is Seven Samurai worth watching?
Yes. Seven Samurai (1954) earns a 93% Celluloid Score. That makes it a Celluloid Pick, our highest tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.
4-input transparent breakdown
Also known as 七人の侍 Los Siete Samuráis Les Sept Samouraïs Die sieben Samurai Os Sete Samurais 7인의 사무라이 七武士 Yedi Samuray
Toho Where to watch
- HBO Max
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 |
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. That makes it a Celluloid Pick, our highest tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded action, drama pick, but viewers who dislike long runtimes may want to skip it. Read our full review (5/5).
Celluloid verdict
Kurosawa's epic template for action cinema remains unmatched in scope, character, and editing rhythm.
Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor
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: Where the Team-Up Movie Began
★★★★★
Seven Samurai is Akira Kurosawa's three-and-a-half-hour epic of farmers, ronin and bandits, and still the richest, most thrilling action film ever made.
Yes, without reservation. It is essential for anyone who loves action, epics or great filmmaking, and its long running time flies by far faster than the number suggests.
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.
Reader takes
No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.
Seven Samurai: frequently asked questions
Is Seven Samurai worth watching?
Yes. Seven Samurai (1954) has a Celluloid Score of 93%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That is a Celluloid Pick, our highest tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.
Where can I watch Seven Samurai?
In the United States, Seven Samurai streams on HBO Max 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. Elsewhere: U-NEXT in Japan; BFI Player in the United Kingdom. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.
How long is Seven Samurai?
Seven Samurai runs 3 hours 27 minutes (207 minutes).
What is Seven Samurai rated?
Seven Samurai is rated NR in the United States, PG in the UK, PG in Australia and 15 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.
Who stars in Seven Samurai?
Seven Samurai is directed by Akira Kurosawa and stars Toshirô Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima.
What is the Metascore for Seven Samurai?
Metacritic's Metascore for Seven Samurai is 98 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 Seven Samurai →
