Once Upon a Time in China Review (1991) — 79% Celluloid Score
Directed by Tsui Hark · 1991 ·
Once Upon a Time in China (1991) earns a 79% Celluloid Score — Recommended. Recommended — recommended by most critics and audiences.Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.
Calculated from 4 available inputs: Celluloid editorial rating, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb. Audience sentiment is shown separately and never changes the composite. See how we calculate scores.
4-input transparent breakdown
Theatrical release Where to watch
- HBO Max
- The Criterion Channel
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 Once Upon a Time in China by country
| Country | Streaming on |
|---|---|
| Japan | Prime Video, U-NEXT |
| South Korea | Wavve, TVING |
| United Kingdom | Prime Video, Sky Cinema |
| United States | HBO Max, The Criterion Channel |
Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.
Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (88/100).
- General viewers mostly liked it (86%).
- Metascore is generally favorable (78/100).
- Celluloid Score 79% combines 4 verified rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately.
Best for
- Viewers who want a well-regarded action, drama pick
Not ideal for
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 Once Upon a Time in China worth watching?
Yes — Once Upon a Time in China earns a 79% Celluloid Score. Recommended — recommended by most critics and audiences.
Celluloid Verdict
Tsui Hark and Jet Li rebuild Wong Fei-hung as a national symbol, with wirework used for argument rather than spectacle.
Celluloid editorial verdict
Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.
What is Once Upon a Time in China about?
In late 19th-century Canton, legendary hero Wong Fei-Hung battles foreign forces' (English, French and American) plundering of China. When Aunt Yee returns from America totally westernised, Wong assumes the role of protector. This proves difficult when his martial arts school and local militia become involved in fierce battles with foreign and local governments. As violence escalates, even Aunt Yee has to question her new western ideals, but is it possible to fight guns with Kung Fu?
Watch the Trailer
Critic Reviews
Once Upon a Time in China (1991) Review
★★★½☆
Tsui Hark's Once Upon a Time in China (1991) remains a defining Action landmark from Hong Kong, with scores that still shape how audiences discover the title.
Strongly recommended — holds up for new and returning viewers.
Once Upon a Time in China stills
Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.
Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.
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