Sanjuro (1962)
Kernel Score: 89% · 705 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Drama, Action, Comedy
Released: 1962-01-01
Runtime: 96 minutes
Where to watch Sanjuro
- Stream: The Criterion Channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Toshiro Mifune swaggers and snarls to brilliant comic effect in Kurosawa's tightly paced, beautifully composed "Sanjuro." In this companion piece and sequel to "Yojimbo," jaded samurai Sanjuro helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan's evil influences, and in the process turns their image of a proper samurai on its ear.
Sanjuro parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Sanjuro is a classic black-and-white samurai film with sword fights and themes of corruption and honor.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — As a samurai action film involving sword fights against corrupt officials, combat violence is present though stylized for its era.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Sanjuro
If you liked Sanjuro, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Kagemusha (1980) — 88%
- Samurai Rebellion (1967) — 90%
- Harakiri (1962) — 90%
- The Sword of Doom (1966) — 85%
- Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto (1954) — 80%
- Seven Samurai (1954) — 91%
- Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning (2021) — 86%
- Rurouni Kenshin Part III: The Legend Ends (2014) — 86%
Director
Cast
- Toshirō Mifune as Sanjûrô Tsubaki / The ronin
- Tatsuya Nakadai as Hanbei Muroto
- Keiju Kobayashi as The Spy
- Yūzō Kayama as Iori Izaka
- Reiko Dan as Chidori, Mutsuta's daughter
- Takashi Shimura as Kurofuji
- Kamatari Fujiwara as Takebayashi
- Takako Irie as Mutsuta's wife
- Masao Shimizu as Kikui
- Yūnosuke Itō as Mutsuta, the Chamberlain
Sanjuro FAQ
Is Sanjuro good?
Sanjuro has an 89% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 705 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Sanjuro?
In the US you can stream Sanjuro on The Criterion Channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home.
Is Sanjuro OK for kids?
Sanjuro is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Sanjuro is a classic black-and-white samurai film with sword fights and themes of corruption and honor.
What movies are like Sanjuro?
If you liked Sanjuro, try Kagemusha, Samurai Rebellion, Harakiri and The Sword of Doom.