Tokyo Drifter (1966)
Kernel Score: 80% · 202 ratings
Genres: Thriller, Crime, Action
Released: 1966-04-10
Runtime: 83 minutes
Where to watch Tokyo Drifter
- 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
After yakuza boss Kurata dissolves his own criminal empire, a rival kingpin offers a position to Kurata's top operative, Tetsuya "Phoenix Tetsu" Hondo. When the fiercely loyal Tetsu declines, Otsuka taps unstoppable Tatsuzo the "Viper", a ruthless gun-for-hire, to assassinate him. As the Viper trails his target through the countryside, the agile Phoenix Tetsu grows concerned that one of his former associates has betrayed him.
Tokyo Drifter parents' guide: ages 13+
Parents need to know that Tokyo Drifter is a 1966 Japanese yakuza crime-action film about hitmen and gang loyalty.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Involves yakuza gang conflict, an assassin hired to kill, and gun violence typical of the genre.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Tokyo Drifter
If you liked Tokyo Drifter, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Branded to Kill (1967) — 79%
- Contract Killer (1998) — 77%
- The Bad Sleep Well (1960) — 86%
- The Yakuza (1974) — 79%
- The Killer (1989) — 87%
- Stray Dog (1949) — 86%
- Tokyo Revengers (2021) — 87%
- High and Low (1963) — 92%
Director
Seijun Suzuki
Cast
- Tetsuya Watari as Tetsuya "Phoenix Tetsu" Hondo
- Chieko Matsubara as Chiharu
- Hideaki Nitani as Kenji Aizawa
- Tamio Kawachi as Tatsuzo the Viper
- Eiji Gō as Tanaka
- Tomoko Hamakawa as Mutsuko
- Takeshi Yoshida as Keiichi
- Isao Tamagawa as Umetani
- Eimei Esumi as Otsuka
- Ryuji Kita as Kurata
Tokyo Drifter FAQ
Is Tokyo Drifter good?
Tokyo Drifter has an 80% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 202 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Tokyo Drifter?
In the US you can stream Tokyo Drifter on The Criterion Channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home.
Is Tokyo Drifter OK for kids?
Fresh Kernels suggests ages 13+. Parents need to know that Tokyo Drifter is a 1966 Japanese yakuza crime-action film about hitmen and gang loyalty.
What movies are like Tokyo Drifter?
If you liked Tokyo Drifter, try Branded to Kill, Contract Killer, The Bad Sleep Well and The Yakuza.