Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Kernel Score: 88% · 18,645 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Action, Crime
Released: 2003-10-10
Runtime: 111 minutes
Is Kill Bill: Vol. 1 worth watching?
Must-watch. Tarantino's revenge story is an energetic mix of samurai films and pulp, with a bloody sword fight at its centre and a strong performance from Uma Thurman. It is stylish and very violent, and it ends on a pause, so Volume 2 follows directly.
Watch it if you
- love stylish martial-arts action
- enjoy Tarantino's pulp and film references
- want a revenge story told out of order
Skip it if you
- dislike extreme stylised bloodshed
- want a complete story in one film
Best for: Friends' movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Kill Bill: Vol. 1
- Stream: YouTube TV
- Free with ads: Fandango at Home
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
An assassin is shot by her ruthless employer, Bill, and other members of their assassination circle – but she lives to plot her vengeance.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that this R-rated Tarantino revenge film features extreme, stylized bloody violence throughout.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Extreme, graphic violence including sword fights, dismemberment and gushing blood is the film's centerpiece.
- Language: Strong — Frequent strong profanity typical of an R-rated Tarantino film.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Kill Bill: Vol. 1
If you liked Kill Bill: Vol. 1, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004) — 88%: The concluding half of the same story
- Pulp Fiction (1994) — 93%: Tarantino's best-known crime film, with sharp dialogue
- Django Unchained (2012) — 89%: Tarantino's stylised revenge story in the Old West
- Inglourious Basterds (2009) — 89%: Tarantino's inventive, violent wartime tale
- Reservoir Dogs (1992) — 89%: Tarantino's lean, violent debut
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) — 85%: Elegant martial-arts film with sword fights
Director
Cast
- Uma Thurman as The Bride
- Lucy Liu as O-Ren Ishii
- Vivica A. Fox as Vernita Green
- Daryl Hannah as Elle Driver
- David Carradine as Bill
- Michael Madsen as Budd
- Julie Dreyfus as Sofie Fatale
- Chiaki Kuriyama as Gogo Yubari
- Sonny Chiba as Hattori Hanzo
- Gordon Liu Chia-Hui as Johnny Mo
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 FAQ
Is Kill Bill: Vol. 1 worth watching?
Must-watch. Tarantino's revenge story is an energetic mix of samurai films and pulp, with a bloody sword fight at its centre and a strong performance from Uma Thurman. It is stylish and very violent, and it ends on a pause, so Volume 2 follows directly.
Where can I watch Kill Bill: Vol. 1?
In the US you can stream Kill Bill: Vol. 1 on YouTube TV, watch it free with ads on Fandango at Home and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Kill Bill: Vol. 1 OK for kids?
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that this R-rated Tarantino revenge film features extreme, stylized bloody violence throughout.
What movies are like Kill Bill: Vol. 1?
If you liked Kill Bill: Vol. 1, try Kill Bill: Vol. 2, Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained and Inglourious Basterds.