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Ip Man

Directed by Wilson Yip · 2008 ·

Short answer

Is Ip Man worth watching?

Yes. Ip Man (2008) earns a 74% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.

74%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

85% Editorial Rating
90% Audience snapshot · excluded
59 Metascore
★★★½☆ Letterboxd 3.6
7.9 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
1h 46m
Age rating
R (US) · 15 (UK) · 17+ (Indonesia) · M (Australia) · R (Canada)
Streaming
Hulu, fuboTV, Peacock
Country
Hong Kong
Language
Cantonese

Also known as 葉問 O Grande Mestre イップ・マン 序章 엽문 叶问 ยิปมัน เจ้ากังฟูสู้ยิบตา Diệp Vấn ييب مان

Where to watch

  • Hulu
  • fuboTV
  • Peacock

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Where to watch Ip Man by country

Country Streaming on
India Prime Video, Vi Movies & TV
Indonesia Netflix, Vidio
Japan Hulu, U-NEXT
Malaysia Netflix
Philippines Netflix
South Korea Wavve, TVING
Thailand Netflix
Turkey TV+
United States Hulu, fuboTV, Peacock

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (85/100).
  • Audiences widely enjoyed it (90%).
  • Celluloid Score 74% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Short runtime — easy weeknight watch

Not ideal for

  • Viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films

Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

Is Ip Man worth watching?

Yes — Ip Man earns a 74% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits short runtime — easy weeknight watch, but viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films may want to skip it. Read our full review (4/5).

Celluloid verdict

Yen’s breakout Wing Chun biopic launched a martial-arts franchise and remains his defining English-search title.

, Founder & Editor

Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.

What is Ip Man about?

A semi-biographical account of Yip Man, the first martial arts master to teach the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun. The film focuses on events surrounding Ip that took place in the city of Foshan between the 1930s to 1940s during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Directed by Wilson Yip, the film stars Donnie Yen in the lead role, and features fight choreography by Sammo Hung.

Watch the Trailer

Critic Reviews

Short review 4 min read English Ip Man

Ip Man (2008) Review: Grace Under Occupation

Ip Man is Wilson Yip's stirring Wing Chun biopic set in wartime Foshan, with Donnie Yen in his signature role and some of the finest kung fu of its decade.

Yes. It is a rousing, beautifully choreographed martial arts drama, even if it simplifies history. Essential for kung fu fans and Donnie Yen admirers.

Ip Man stills

Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

Ip Man production still 1
Ip Man production still 2
Ip Man production still 3
Ip Man production still 4
Ip Man production still 5
Ip Man production still 6

Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

Reader takes

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Ip Man: frequently asked questions

Is Ip Man worth watching?

Yes. Ip Man (2008) has a Celluloid Score of 74%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

Where can I watch Ip Man?

In the United States, Ip Man streams on Hulu, fuboTV, Peacock with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Prime Video, Vi Movies & TV in India; Netflix, Vidio in Indonesia; Hulu, U-NEXT in Japan; Netflix in Malaysia. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

How long is Ip Man?

Ip Man runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

What is Ip Man rated?

Ip Man is rated R in the United States, 15 in the UK, 17+ in Indonesia, M in Australia and R in Canada. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

Who stars in Ip Man?

Ip Man is directed by Wilson Yip and stars Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Lynn Hung Doi-Lam, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Gordon Lam Ka-Tung.

What is the Metascore for Ip Man?

Metacritic's Metascore for Ip Man is 59 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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