Onibaba (1964)
Kernel Score: 85% · 467 ratings
Genres: Horror
Released: 1964-11-21
Runtime: 105 minutes
Where to watch Onibaba
- Stream: HBO Max
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
While her son, Kichi, is away at war, a woman and her daughter-in-law survive by killing samurai who stray into their swamp, then selling whatever valuables they find. Both are devastated when they learn that Kichi has died, but his wife soon begins an affair with a neighbor who survived the war, Hachi. The mother disapproves and, when she can't steal Hachi for herself, tries to scare her daughter-in-law with a mysterious mask from a dead samurai.
Onibaba parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that this classic Japanese horror film involves killing, robbery of corpses, and an adulterous affair with tension and a frightening demon mask used to terrorize a woman.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Two women murder stray samurai for their valuables and dump bodies in a pit; a demon mask is used to terrify and threatens violence.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Some — An affair between the daughter-in-law and a neighbor drives the plot, implying sexual intimacy without explicit depiction.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Onibaba
If you liked Onibaba, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Throne of Blood (1957) — 89%
- Ugetsu (1953) — 88%
- Kagemusha (1980) — 88%
- The Hidden Fortress (1958) — 89%
- Sanjuro (1962) — 89%
- Hereditary (2018) — 84%
- Kuroneko (1968) — 83%
- Rurouni Kenshin Part III: The Legend Ends (2014) — 86%
Director
Cast
- Nobuko Otowa as Woman
- Jitsuko Yoshimura as Young Woman
- Kei Satō as Hachi
- Jūkichi Uno as The Samurai
- Taiji Tonoyama as Ushi
- Someshō Matsumoto as Runaway Warrior
- Kentarô Kaji as Runaway Warrior
- Fudeko Tanaka as Old Woman
- Hiroyoshi Yamaguchi as Horse Riding Samurai
- Hiroshi Tanaka as Horse Riding Samurai
Onibaba FAQ
Is Onibaba good?
Onibaba has an 85% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 467 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Onibaba?
In the US you can stream Onibaba on HBO Max and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Onibaba OK for kids?
Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that this classic Japanese horror film involves killing, robbery of corpses, and an adulterous affair with tension and a frightening demon mask used to terrorize a woman.
What movies are like Onibaba?
If you liked Onibaba, try Throne of Blood, Ugetsu, Kagemusha and The Hidden Fortress.