The Last Samurai (2003): cast, story & where to watch
2003 · Film · ★ 7.6
Released in 2003, The Last Samurai is an action, drama, war and history film directed by Edward Zwick, running about 154 minutes. “In the face of an enemy, in the heart of one man, lies the soul of a warrior.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the name of modernization and open trade, Algren decides to become an ultimate warrior himself and to fight for their right to exist.
Who’s in it. The Last Samurai stars Tom Cruise as Nathan Algren, Ken Watanabe as Moritsugu Katsumoto, William Atherton as Winchester Rep and Tony Goldwyn as Col. Benjamin Bagley, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.6/10, The Last Samurai has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $456.8M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Last Samurai page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Last Samurai tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Last Samurai (2003)?
- In US, The Last Samurai is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Last Samurai worth watching?
- The Last Samurai holds an audience score of 7.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy action, drama, war and history. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Last Samurai?
- The Last Samurai stars Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, William Atherton, Tony Goldwyn and Chad Lindberg.
- When was The Last Samurai released?
- The Last Samurai was released in 2003, with a runtime of about 154 minutes.