Hero (2002)
Kernel Score: 85% · 2,442 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Drama, Adventure, Action, History
Released: 2002-12-19
Runtime: 99 minutes
Is Hero worth watching?
Must-watch. A nameless warrior tells the king how he defeated three assassins, and each retelling changes the story. The color, sword fights and design are beautiful. Viewers and critics rate it highly.
Watch it if you
- like visually stunning martial-arts films
- enjoy stories told from different angles
- want an elegant, stylized epic
Skip it if you
- want realistic fights
- dislike subtitles and slow, formal storytelling
Best for: Big-screen movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Hero
- Rent: Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
During China's Warring States period, a district prefect arrives at the palace of Qin Shi Huang, claiming to have killed the three assassins who had made an attempt on the king's life three years ago.
Hero parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Hero is a PG-13 wuxia martial-arts epic with stylized sword-fighting violence and themes of sacrifice.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Martial-arts epic centered on assassination attempts and sword combat, stylized in the wuxia tradition.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Hero
If you liked Hero, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- House of Flying Daggers (2004) — 82%: Another Zhang Yimou martial-arts romance with gorgeous colors.
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) — 85%: Poetic, graceful sword-fighting epic.
- A Touch of Zen (1970) — 87%: Classic wuxia with a mythic atmosphere.
- Fearless (2006) — 86%: Dignified martial-arts story with strong action.
- Raise the Red Lantern (1991) — 88%: Zhang Yimou's formal, beautifully composed drama.
- To Live (1994) — 87%: Zhang Yimou's sweeping family story through decades of change.
Director
Cast
- Jet Li as Nameless
- Tony Leung Chiu-wai as Broken Sword
- Maggie Cheung as Flying Snow
- Donnie Yen as Sky
- Zhang Ziyi as Moon
- Chen Daoming as King of Qin
- Liu Zhongyuan as Old Scholar
- Zheng Tianyong as Old Servant
- Qin Yan as Prime Minister
- Zhang Yakun as The Qin Guards' Commander
Hero FAQ
Is Hero worth watching?
Must-watch. A nameless warrior tells the king how he defeated three assassins, and each retelling changes the story. The color, sword fights and design are beautiful. Viewers and critics rate it highly.
Where can I watch Hero?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube and Fandango At Home.
Is Hero OK for kids?
Hero is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Hero is a PG-13 wuxia martial-arts epic with stylized sword-fighting violence and themes of sacrifice.
What movies are like Hero?
If you liked Hero, try House of Flying Daggers, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, A Touch of Zen and Fearless.