Ran

Play trailer

Ran

R

1985

2h 40m

History

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

94 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

At the age of seventy, after years of consolidating his empire, the Great Lord Hidetora Ichimonji (Tatsuya Nakadai) decides to abdicate and divide his domain amongst his three sons. Taro (Akira Terao), the eldest, will rule. Jiro (Jinpachi Nezu), his second son, and Saburo (Daisuke Ryu) will take command of the Second and Third Castles but are expected to obey and support their elder brother. Saburo defies the pledge of obedience and is banished.

Critics Consensus

Akira Kurosawa's sprawling, epic take on King Lear should be required viewing for fans of westerns, war movies, or period films in general.

Read Critics Reviews

Sergio Burstein

Los Angeles Times

06/09/2025

A level of spectacularity that continues to surprise to this day. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

David Robinson

The Times (UK)

01/29/2020

Ran takes film spectacle to new heights. Kurosawa continues not only to extend his own powers but to exploit new technical advances.

Go to Full Review

Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

01/29/2020

There is not a wasted second. [Here] is proof of what we seldom doubted: Kurosawa is a director who becomes godlike rather than gaga in old age.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 29

4/4

Kurosawa managed to fashion a movie that embodies that most overriding of cinematic oxymorons: an intimate epic.

Go to Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

07/25/2025

4/5

…Ran means turmoil, and feudal dispute is at the heart of this stunning-looking film…Kurosawa’s swan song is a triumphant final curtain on one of cinema’s key figures for spectacle and story alike…

Go to Full Review

Ross McIndoe

The Skinny

07/04/2024

5/5

Rereleased by StudioCanal to celebrate Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary, his breathtaking adaptation of King Lear proves, so far at least, to be as immune to the effects of time as the original

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Brad

06/03/2025

Akira Kurosawas brilliant direction makes this retelling of King Lear one of the best films made in the 80s!

See more

Wenders F

06/01/2025

Great film as I have seen it before but never on a large screen before. Unfortunately we only saw half the film today as the power went out to the theater

See more

Spencer Nielsen

05/31/2024

In the same breath one of the most beautiful and bleak spectacles ever filmed. Kurosawa once again gives evidence for being one of the all-time masters of the art.

See more

Lin C

@RT06040595 Aug 26

Japanese King Lear,with the amazing scenes

See more

Avi P

@RT68872000 Aug 11

One of the greatest films ever made! King Lear meets Feudal Japan in this exploration of family, politics, and war.

See more

Atilla T

@Treviewd1nce Jul 26

Remarkable! People that have done evil; thinking they're good and wondering why God won't help them. With a great reply by another.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Akira Kurosawa

Director

Tatsuya Nakadai

Lord Hidetora Ichimonji

Mieko Harada

Lady Kaede

Akira Terao

Taro Takatora Ichimonji

Jinpachi Nezu

Jiro Masatora Ichimonji

Daisuke Ryu

Saburo Naotora Ichimonji

Tai-Pan

14%

38%

Tai-Pan

Watchlist

Queen Margot

82%

88%

Queen Margot

Watchlist

Mountains of the Moon

67%

77%

Mountains of the Moon

Watchlist

Schindler's List

98%

97%

Schindler's List

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Loved Succession? Here Are 10 Things To Watch Next

View more photos

Synopsis

At the age of seventy, after years of consolidating his empire, the Great Lord Hidetora Ichimonji (Tatsuya Nakadai) decides to abdicate and divide his domain amongst his three sons. Taro (Akira Terao), the eldest, will rule. Jiro (Jinpachi Nezu), his second son, and Saburo (Daisuke Ryu) will take command of the Second and Third Castles but are expected to obey and support their elder brother. Saburo defies the pledge of obedience and is banished.

Director: Akira Kurosawa
Producer: Masato Hara, Serge Silberman
Screenwriter: Masato Ide, Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, William Shakespeare
Distributor: Orion Pictures
Production Co: Herald Ace, Greenwich Film Productions, Nippon Herald Films
Rating: R
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 1, 1985, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): May 23, 2025
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 29, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $352.1K
Runtime: 2h 40m
Sound Mix: Magnetic Stereo 4 Track, Dolby Stereo, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings