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Celluloid
Drama Tokyo 1953 · Japanese Classics

Tokyo Story Review (1953) — 93% Celluloid Score

Directed by Yasujirô Ozu · 1953 ·

Short answer

Is Tokyo Story worth watching?

Yes. Tokyo Story (1953) earns a 93% Celluloid Score. That makes it a Celluloid Pick, our highest tier. Critics (100%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (93%). See the 4 inputs.

93%
Celluloid Score Celluloid Pick

4-input transparent breakdown

100% Editorial Rating
93% Audience snapshot · excluded
99 Metascore
★★★★½ Letterboxd 4.5
8.2 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 16m
Age rating
U (UK) · ALL (South Korea) · NR (Japan)
Cast
Chishû Ryû , Chieko Higashiyama , Sô Yamamura
Streaming
HBO Max
Country
Japan
Language
Japanese

Also known as 東京物語 Cuentos de Tokio Voyage à Tokyo Die Reise nach Tokio Era Uma Vez em Tóquio 동경 이야기 东京物语 Tokyo Hikayesi

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 Tokyo Story by country

Country Streaming on
Japan Prime Video, Hulu, U-NEXT
Turkey MUBI
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 (100/100).
  • Audiences widely enjoyed it (93%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (99/100).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4.5/5).
  • IMDb users score it 8.2/10.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded drama pick

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 Tokyo Story worth watching?

    Yes — Tokyo Story earns a 93% Celluloid Score. That makes it a Celluloid Pick, our highest tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama pick. Read our full review (4.5/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    Ozu's minimalist domestic masterpiece routinely tops critics' polls as one of the greatest films ever made.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics (100%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (93%).

    What is Tokyo Story about?

    An elderly couple visit their busy adult children in Tokyo and quietly discover how modernization has eroded family intimacy and respect.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English Tokyo Story

    Tokyo Story (1953) Review: Small Neglects, Vast Sorrow

    Tokyo Story is Yasujirō Ozu's quiet masterpiece about an elderly couple visiting their busy adult children, a film whose gentle surface hides deep emotional force.

    Yes. It is one of cinema's most profound family dramas, best for patient viewers willing to meet its slow rhythm; its rewards grow with every viewing.

    Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

    Tokyo Story stills

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

    Tokyo Story production still 1
    Tokyo Story production still 2
    Tokyo Story production still 3
    Tokyo Story production still 4
    Tokyo Story production still 5
    Tokyo Story 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.

    Tokyo Story: frequently asked questions

    Is Tokyo Story worth watching?

    Yes. Tokyo Story (1953) 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 Tokyo Story?

    In the United States, Tokyo Story 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: Prime Video, Hulu, U-NEXT in Japan; MUBI in Turkey; BFI Player in the United Kingdom. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is Tokyo Story?

    Tokyo Story runs 2 hours 16 minutes (136 minutes).

    What is Tokyo Story rated?

    Tokyo Story is rated U in the UK, ALL in South Korea and NR in Japan. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in Tokyo Story?

    Tokyo Story is directed by Yasujirô Ozu and stars Chishû Ryû, Chieko Higashiyama, Sô Yamamura.

    What is the Metascore for Tokyo Story?

    Metacritic's Metascore for Tokyo Story is 99 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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