Check Google Play Movies availability
Rent or buy
LOADING
MOVIE DECISION GUIDE
Seven Samurai
CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by Akira Kurosawa. With Toshirō Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Yoshio Inaba.
8.4/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
A samurai answers a village's request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help him teach the people how to defend themselves, and the villagers provide the soldiers with food.
Watch NowWatch trailer
8.4/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTA samurai answers a village's request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help hi…
MAKE THE CALL
Does this belong in your night?
A decision, not a review. Choose the kind of night you want and keep your queue honest.
RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for Seven Samurai.
MoviHero lists April 26, 1954 as the release date for Seven Samurai. Akira Kurosawa is the listed director. The listed cast includes Toshirō Mifune as Kikuchiyo, Takashi Shimura as Kambei Shimada, Yoshio Inaba as Gorobei Katayama, Seiji Miyaguchi as Kyuzo. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateApril 26, 1954
GenresDrama · Action
Runtime3h 27m
DirectorAkira Kurosawa
CastToshirō Mifune as Kikuchiyo, Takashi Shimura as Kambei Shimada, Yoshio Inaba as Gorobei Katayama, Seiji Miyaguchi as Kyuzo
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is Seven Samurai right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
Seven Samurai runs 3h 27m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 7/10: a middle-ground pace.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 7/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 8/10, suggesting a stronger emotional experience. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with Seven Samurai. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 8.4/10 from 4,443 votes. Updated Nov 4, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
What did you think?
Your movie rating. Your audience score.
CHECK AVAILABILITY
Check Seven Samurai on Google Play Movies or Apple TV Store
Find rental or purchase options. Confirm availability, price and quality in your region on the store.
Check Apple TV Store availability
Rent or buy
Quality isn’t confirmed yet. Check the viewing option on the provider’s site.
OPTION 2
Other ways to watch Seven Samurai
Compare reported U.S. streaming, free, rental and purchase options in one place.
United States
Kanopy
FreeCheck quality on provider
Price varies by providerVisit Kanopy
Shout! Factory TV
Free with adsCheck quality on provider
Price varies by providerLink unavailable
Plex
Free with adsCheck quality on provider
Price varies by providerVisit Plex
WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing7/10
Emotional Impact8/10
Mind-Bending2/10
Scary1/10
Violence6/10
Rewatchability5/10
Attention Required7/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about Seven Samurai
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“At the top of my favorite films ever.”
Viewer reaction
“Maybe a little overrated, but there's no doubt that it's good.”
Viewer reaction
“I must begin by saying I am a bit "attention deficit" and that I never thought I would like subtitles, but this film flows through…”
More reactions (1)
Viewer reaction
“Maybe the greatest movie of all-time. This film is an epic accomplishment of long-form storytelling, amazing performances, wonderful camera work and fantastic sets. As is…”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
WORDS THAT STAY WITH YOU
Memorable lines
Reveal a line containing a spoiler
“This is the nature of war . By protecting others, you save yourself. If you only think of yourself , you’ll only destroy yourself.”
A CLOSER LOOK
Stay with the image.
CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
Follow the character.
Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.
otherHeihachi HayashidaHeihachi Hayashida appears in Seven Samurai (1954).Open character guide otherKambei ShimadaKambei Shimada appears in Seven Samurai (1954).Open character guide otherGorobei KatayamaGorobei Katayama appears in Seven Samurai (1954).Open character guide otherKikuchiyoKikuchiyo appears in Seven Samurai (1954).Open character guide otherKyuzoKyuzo appears in Seven Samurai (1954).Open character guide
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
Keep the night going.
7.5/10
MOVIHERO RATINGFirst Blood
1982·Drama · Thriller · Action
7.9/10
MOVIHERO RATINGThe Pursuit of Happyness
2006·Drama
7.5/10
MOVIHERO RATINGThe Passion of the Christ
2004·Drama