Shanghai Express (1932)
Kernel Score: 77% · 227 ratings
Genres: Drama, Romance, War, Crime, History
Released: 1932-02-12
Runtime: 82 minutes
Where to watch Shanghai Express
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A beautiful temptress re-kindles an old romance while trying to escape her past during a tension-packed train journey.
Shanghai Express parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Shanghai Express is a 1932 pre-Code drama involving a character coded as a prostitute, rape references, and wartime tension.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Wartime tension and rebel/insurgent conflict occur aboard a train during civil war.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Some — Includes a character implied to be a prostitute/temptress and references to rape within a pre-Code melodrama.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Shanghai Express
If you liked Shanghai Express, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Empire of the Sun (1987) — 85%
- Firebird (2021) — 82%
- To Live (1994) — 87%
- Doctor Zhivago (1965) — 87%
- Suite Française (2015) — 83%
- Lust, Caution (2007) — 83%
- The Patriot (2000) — 81%
- Purple Hearts (2022) — 91%
Director
Josef von Sternberg
Cast
- Marlene Dietrich as Shanghai Lily
- Clive Brook as Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey
- Anna May Wong as Hui Fei
- Warner Oland as Mr. Henry Chang
- Eugene Pallette as Sam Salt
- Lawrence Grant as Reverend Carmichael
- Louise Closser Hale as Mrs. Haggerty
- Gustav von Seyffertitz as Eric Baum
- Émile Chautard as Major Lenard
- George Blagoi as Minor Role (uncredited)
Shanghai Express FAQ
Is Shanghai Express good?
Shanghai Express has a 77% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 227 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Shanghai Express?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Shanghai Express OK for kids?
Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Shanghai Express is a 1932 pre-Code drama involving a character coded as a prostitute, rape references, and wartime tension.
What movies are like Shanghai Express?
If you liked Shanghai Express, try Empire of the Sun, Firebird, To Live and Doctor Zhivago.