The 36th Chamber of Shaolin Review (1978) — 84% Celluloid Score
Directed by Lau Kar-leung · 1978 ·
Is The 36th Chamber of Shaolin worth watching?
Yes. The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978) earns an 84% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.
4-input transparent breakdown
Also known as 少林三十六房 Las 36 cámaras del Shaolin Las 36 cámaras de Shaolin La 36ème Chambre de Shaolin Die 36 Kammern der Shaolin A Câmara 36 de Shaolin 少林寺三十六房 소림36방
Theatrical release Where to watch
- Prime Video
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 The 36th Chamber of Shaolin by country
| Country | Streaming on |
|---|---|
| India | Netflix |
| Indonesia | Netflix |
| Japan | Netflix, Prime Video, U-NEXT |
| Malaysia | Netflix |
| Pakistan | Netflix |
| Philippines | Netflix |
| South Africa | Prime Video |
| South Korea | Netflix |
| Thailand | Netflix |
| United States | Prime Video |
Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.
Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (94/100).
- Audiences widely enjoyed it (90%).
- Metascore signals universal acclaim (82/100).
- Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4.1/5).
- Celluloid Score 84% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.
Best for
- Viewers who want a well-regarded action, adventure 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 The 36th Chamber of Shaolin worth watching?
Yes — The 36th Chamber of Shaolin earns an 84% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded action, adventure pick. Read our full review (4/5).
Celluloid verdict
The definitive training film — Gordon Liu earns every technique on screen, and half of hip-hop took its name from it.
Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor
Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.
What is The 36th Chamber of Shaolin about?
During the Qing Dynasty, a fishmonger is killed by the reigning Manchu government for supporting the anti-government movement; his son manages to escape to Shaolin Temple, where he plans to learn its secretive brand of martial arts to seek revenge.
Watch the Trailer
Critic Reviews
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978) Review: Training as Drama
★★★★☆
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is Lau Kar-leung's kung fu classic, a revenge story that turns the training itself into the thrilling main event.
Yes. It is the benchmark kung fu training film, ideal for martial arts fans and anyone curious about where modern fight choreography came from.
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin 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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The 36th Chamber of Shaolin: frequently asked questions
Is The 36th Chamber of Shaolin worth watching?
Yes. The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978) has a Celluloid Score of 84%, 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 The 36th Chamber of Shaolin?
In the United States, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin streams on Prime Video 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: Netflix in India; Netflix in Indonesia; Netflix, Prime Video, U-NEXT in Japan; Netflix in Malaysia. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.
How long is The 36th Chamber of Shaolin?
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).
What is The 36th Chamber of Shaolin rated?
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is rated R in the United States, 18 in the UK and 15 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.
Who stars in The 36th Chamber of Shaolin?
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is directed by Lau Kar-leung and stars Gordon Liu Chia-Hui, Lo Lieh, John Cheung Ng-Long, Wilson Tong Wai-Shing, Wa Lun.
What is the Metascore for The 36th Chamber of Shaolin?
Metacritic's Metascore for The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is 82 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.
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