The Flowers of War (2011)
Kernel Score: 83% · 876 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, History, War
Released: 2011-12-15
Runtime: 146 minutes
Where to watch The Flowers of War
- Stream: Prime Video
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Fawesome, The Roku Channel, Plex, Prime Video (free with ads)
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A Westerner finds refuge with a group of women in a church during Japan's rape of Nanking in 1937. Posing as a priest, he attempts to lead the women to safety.
The Flowers of War parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that The Flowers of War is an intense R-rated historical war drama depicting the 1937 Nanking Massacre, including sexual violence.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Depicts wartime atrocities during the Nanking Massacre, including references to rape and forced prostitution.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Strong — Includes depictions of forced prostitution and a brothel setting tied to wartime sexual violence.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Flowers of War
If you liked The Flowers of War, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- City of Life and Death (2009) — 85%
- Casualties of War (1989) — 81%
- The Eight Hundred (2020) — 76%
- Les Misérables (2012) — 84%
- The Beguiled (1971) — 77%
- The Last Emperor (1987) — 85%
- Red Sorghum (1988) — 79%
- Revanche (2008) — 80%
Director
Cast
- Christian Bale as John Miller
- Ni Ni as Yu Mo
- Tong Dawei as Major Li
- Zhang Xinyi as Shujuan Meng
- Shigeo Kobayashi as Lt. Kato
- Atsuro Watabe as Colonel Hasegawa
- Shawn Dou as Chinese Soldier
- Paul Schneider as Terry
- Cao Kefan as Mr. Meng
- Huang Tianyuan as George Chen
The Flowers of War FAQ
Is The Flowers of War good?
The Flowers of War has an 83% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 876 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Flowers of War?
In the US you can stream The Flowers of War on Prime Video, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Fawesome, The Roku Channel, Plex and Prime Video (free with ads) and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Flowers of War OK for kids?
The Flowers of War is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The Flowers of War is an intense R-rated historical war drama depicting the 1937 Nanking Massacre, including sexual violence.
What movies are like The Flowers of War?
If you liked The Flowers of War, try City of Life and Death, Casualties of War, The Eight Hundred and Les Misérables.