Okja (2017)
Kernel Score: 81% · 4,500 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction
Released: 2017-06-28
Runtime: 120 minutes
Is Okja worth watching?
Worth watching. A girl fights to save her giant, gentle farm animal from a food corporation. It swings between sweetness, satire and real cruelty, and some viewers will find that mix uneven, but it's original and the central bond is touching.
Watch it if you
- like Bong Joon Ho's genre-bending style
- want a family-style story with adult edges
- care about animals and food ethics
Skip it if you
- want a consistent tone
- dislike scenes of animal suffering
Best for: Thoughtful night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Okja
- Stream: Netflix
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A young girl named Mija risks everything to prevent a powerful, multi-national company from kidnapping her best friend - a massive animal named Okja.
Okja parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Okja follows a girl trying to save her genetically engineered animal friend from a corporation.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Depicts a slaughterhouse and corporate exploitation of animals, which may be disturbing to sensitive viewers.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Okja
If you liked Okja, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Parasite (2019) — 91%: Same director, sharper satire about class and money.
- The Host (2006) — 77%: Same director's monster movie with a family at its centre.
- The Plague Dogs (1982) — 89%: Animal story that doesn't soften its cruelty.
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) — 85%: Intelligent creature story that asks what we owe animals.
- Mother (2009) — 86%: Same director's tense, emotional story of a protective parent.
- Abominable (2019) — 84%: Gentler story of a kid protecting a gentle creature.
Director
Cast
- An Seo-hyun as Mija
- Tilda Swinton as Lucy Mirando / Nancy Mirando
- Paul Dano as Jay
- Steven Yeun as K
- Jake Gyllenhaal as Johnny Wilcox
- Giancarlo Esposito as Frank Dawson
- Byun Hee-bong as Hee-bong
- Lily Collins as Red
- Daniel Henshall as Blond
- Devon Bostick as Silver
Okja FAQ
Is Okja worth watching?
Worth watching. A girl fights to save her giant, gentle farm animal from a food corporation. It swings between sweetness, satire and real cruelty, and some viewers will find that mix uneven, but it's original and the central bond is touching.
Where can I watch Okja?
In the US you can stream Okja on Netflix.
Is Okja OK for kids?
Okja is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Okja follows a girl trying to save her genetically engineered animal friend from a corporation.
What movies are like Okja?
If you liked Okja, try Parasite, The Host, The Plague Dogs and Rise of the Planet of the Apes.