Tokyo Story (1953) Review: A Japanese Classic
★★★★½ 4.5/5
Essential viewing — a certified classic.
Where to watch Tokyo Story
Streaming: 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
By region: HBO Max, The Criterion Channel in the United States; BFI Player in the United Kingdom; MUBI in Turkey; Prime Video, Hulu, U-NEXT in Japan
Full scores & availability on the movie page.
Is Tokyo Story worth watching?
Yes — Tokyo Story remains one of the most celebrated films from Japan, with a 100/100 Celluloid Editorial Rating and enduring audience appeal. On Celluloid it holds a 100/100 Celluloid Editorial Rating, 93% Audience Snapshot, 99 Metascore, 4.5 on Letterboxd, and 8.2 on IMDb — numbers that explain why it still surfaces on every “best of Japan” list.
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. Directed by Yasujirô Ozu, the film stars Chishû Ryû, Chieko Higashiyama, Sô Yamamura, and remains a reference point for Drama filmmaking from Japan.
Should you watch Tokyo Story?
Yes, without hesitation — Tokyo Story rewards viewers who want more than algorithm-friendly new releases. At 136 minutes, it more than earns its running time — and the critics’ consensus still resonates today: Ozu’s minimalist domestic masterpiece routinely tops critics’ polls as one of the greatest films ever made.
Where can I watch Tokyo Story?
Streaming availability varies by region — check major platforms in your country or local cinemas for revival screenings. Tokyo Story (1953) is widely indexed on IMDb (tt0046438) and remains one of the most searched classic titles from Japan on CelluloidScore.com.
If you liked Tokyo Story
Ranked by genre overlap and Celluloid Score — full “movies like Tokyo Story” page.
Streaming: 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. Regional notes: HBO Max, The Criterion Channel in the United States; BFI Player in the United Kingdom; MUBI in Turkey; Prime Video, Hulu, U-NEXT in Japan.