# The Last Samurai (2003) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/the-last-samurai-2003/
Last reviewed: 2026-08-31

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 67% |
| Editorial Rating | 66/100 |
| Audience Snapshot | 86% (excluded from composite) |
| Metascore | 55/100 |
| Letterboxd | 3.5/5 |
| IMDb | 7.8/10 |
| Director | Edward Zwick |
| Genres | Drama, Action, War |
| Runtime | 154 min |

## Quick answer

The Last Samurai (2003) earns a 67% Celluloid Score — Recommended. Cruise’s Civil War captain finds honor among samurai — a sweeping epics-of-empire vehicle with Ken Watanabe. Critics and audiences diverge (66% critic vs 86% audience). Metascore 55/100. Directed by Edward Zwick.

## Celluloid verdict

Cruise’s Civil War captain finds honor among samurai — a sweeping epics-of-empire vehicle with Ken Watanabe.

## Synopsis

Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the name of modernization and open trade, Algren decides to become an ultimate warrior himself and to fight for their right to exist.

## Cast

Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Timothy Spall, Tony Goldwyn, Hiroyuki Sanada, Koyuki, Shin Koyamada, Billy Connolly, Togo Igawa, Shichinosuke Nakamura

## Where to watch

the United Kingdom: Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max, Sky Cinema
India: Netflix
South Korea: Netflix
Japan: U-NEXT
the United Arab Emirates: Shahid

## Common questions

**Is The Last Samurai worth watching?**
The Last Samurai holds a 67% Celluloid Score. Cruise’s Civil War captain finds honor among samurai — a sweeping epics-of-empire vehicle with Ken Watanabe.

**What is The Last Samurai about?**
Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the name of modernization and open trade, Algren decides to become an ultimate warrior himself and to fight for their right to exist.

**Who directed The Last Samurai?**
The Last Samurai (2003) was directed by Edward Zwick.

**What is the Celluloid Score of The Last Samurai?**
67% — calculated from available Celluloid editorial (66/100), Metascore (55/100), Letterboxd (3.5/5), and IMDb (7.8/10) inputs. Audience sentiment is excluded.

**Where can I watch The Last Samurai?**
The Last Samurai is on Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max, Sky Cinema in the United Kingdom; on Netflix in India; on Netflix in South Korea; on U-NEXT in Japan; on Shahid in the United Arab Emirates. Availability varies by region.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

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