Ugetsu (1953): cast, story & where to watch
1953 · Film · ★ 8.1
Released in 1953, Ugetsu is a fantasy, drama and mystery film directed by Kenji Mizoguchi, running about 96 minutes.
What it’s about. In 16th century Japan, peasants Genjuro and Tobei sell their earthenware pots to a group of soldiers in a nearby village, in defiance of a local sage's warning against seeking to profit from warfare. Genjuro's pursuit of both riches and the mysterious Lady Wakasa, as well as Tobei's desire to become a samurai, run the risk of destroying both themselves and their wives, Miyagi and Ohama.
Who’s in it. Ugetsu stars Machiko Kyō as Lady Wakasa, Mitsuko Mito as Ohama, Kinuyo Tanaka as Miyagi and Masayuki Mori as Genjurô, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 8.1/10, Ugetsu sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel and HBO Max and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Ugetsu page.
If you liked it. Fans of Ugetsu tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Green Mile, Spirited Away and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Ugetsu (1953)?
- In US, Ugetsu is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel and HBO Max, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Ugetsu worth watching?
- Ugetsu holds an audience score of 8.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy fantasy, drama and mystery. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Ugetsu?
- Ugetsu stars Machiko Kyō, Mitsuko Mito, Kinuyo Tanaka, Masayuki Mori and Eitarō Ozawa.
- When was Ugetsu released?
- Ugetsu was released in 1953, with a runtime of about 96 minutes.