Empire of the Sun (1987): cast, story & where to watch
1987 · Film · ★ 7.5
Released in 1987, Empire of the Sun is a drama, war and history film directed by Steven Spielberg, running about 153 minutes. “To survive in a world at war, he must find a strength greater than all the events that surround him.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Jamie Graham, a privileged English boy, is living in Shanghai when the Japanese invade and force all foreigners into prison camps. Jamie is captured with an American sailor, who looks out for him while they are in the camp together. Even though he is separated from his parents and in a hostile environment, Jamie maintains his dignity and youthful spirit, providing a beacon of hope for the others held captive with him.
Who’s in it. Empire of the Sun stars Christian Bale as Jim, John Malkovich as Basie, Miranda Richardson as Mrs. Victor and Nigel Havers as Dr. Rawlins, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.5/10, Empire of the Sun has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $66.7M at the box office.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Empire of the Sun page.
If you liked it. Fans of Empire of the Sun tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Empire of the Sun (1987)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Empire of the Sun change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Empire of the Sun worth watching?
- Empire of the Sun holds an audience score of 7.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, war and history. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Empire of the Sun?
- Empire of the Sun stars Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers and Ben Stiller.
- When was Empire of the Sun released?
- Empire of the Sun was released in 1987, with a runtime of about 153 minutes.