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The Grandmaster

Directed by Wong Kar-Wai · 2013 ·

Short answer

Is The Grandmaster worth watching?

Yes. The Grandmaster (2013) earns a 72% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics (78%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (60%). See the 4 inputs.

72%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

78% Editorial Rating
60% Audience snapshot · excluded
73 Metascore
★★★½☆ Letterboxd 3.6
6.4 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 10m
Age rating
PG-13 (US) · 15 (UK) · M (Australia) · 14A (Canada) · 12 (South Korea)
Cast
Tony Leung Chiu-wai , Zhang Ziyi , Chang Chen , Zhao Benshan , Xiao Shenyang , Song Hye-kyo , Wang Qingxiang , Max Zhang
Country
Hong Kong
Language
Mandarin

Also known as 一代宗師 El arte de la guerra O Grande Mestre グランド・マスター 일대종사 一代宗师 Büyük Usta ยอดปรมาจารย์ยิปมัน

Where to watch

Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists Vidio in Indonesia. Check local listings for your region.

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 Grandmaster by country

Country Streaming on
India Prime Video
Indonesia Vidio
Japan U-NEXT
Malaysia Lionsgate Play

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

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (78/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (60%).
  • Metascore is generally favorable (73/100).
  • Celluloid Score 72% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Critics' darlings — stronger with reviewers than general viewers

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 The Grandmaster worth watching?

Yes — The Grandmaster earns a 72% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits critics' darlings — stronger with reviewers than general viewers, but viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films may want to skip it. Read our full review (3/5).

Celluloid verdict

Wong Kar-wai films Ip Man as a mood — rain, fur coats, and Zhang Ziyi quietly stealing the entire picture.

, Founder & Editor

Critics (78%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (60%).

What is The Grandmaster about?

Ip Man's peaceful life in Foshan changes after Gong Yutian seeks an heir for his family in Southern China. Ip Man then meets Gong Er who challenges him for the sake of regaining her family's honor. After the Second Sino-Japanese War, Ip Man moves to Hong Kong and struggles to provide for his family. In the mean time, Gong Er chooses the path of vengeance after her father was killed by Ma San.

Watch the Trailer

Critic Reviews

Short review 4 min read English The Grandmaster

The Grandmaster (2013) Review: Kung Fu as a Fading Dream

The Grandmaster is Wong Kar-wai's rain-soaked martial arts elegy about Ip Man and a lost era of kung fu: ravishing to look at, frustrating as a story.

It depends. Wong Kar-wai admirers and lovers of beautifully shot fight scenes will find plenty to savour; viewers wanting a clear Ip Man biopic may leave puzzled.

The Grandmaster stills

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

The Grandmaster production still 1
The Grandmaster production still 2
The Grandmaster production still 3
The Grandmaster production still 4
The Grandmaster production still 5
The Grandmaster production still 6

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

Reader takes

No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

The Grandmaster: frequently asked questions

Is The Grandmaster worth watching?

Yes. The Grandmaster (2013) has a Celluloid Score of 72%, 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 Grandmaster?

In the United States 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 in India; Vidio in Indonesia; U-NEXT in Japan; Lionsgate Play in Malaysia. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

How long is The Grandmaster?

The Grandmaster runs 2 hours 10 minutes (130 minutes).

What is The Grandmaster rated?

The Grandmaster is rated PG-13 in the United States, 15 in the UK, M in Australia, 14A in Canada and 12 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

Who stars in The Grandmaster?

The Grandmaster is directed by Wong Kar-Wai and stars Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen, Zhao Benshan, Xiao Shenyang.

What is the Metascore for The Grandmaster?

Metacritic's Metascore for The Grandmaster is 73 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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