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Hero

Play trailer Poster for Hero PG-13 2004 1h 33m Action History Drama Adventure Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
94% Tomatometer 210 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
In this visually arresting martial arts epic set in ancient China, an unnamed fighter (Jet Li) is being honored for defeating three of the king's most dangerous enemies. When Nameless recounts his battles with the assassins -- Broken Sword (Tony Leung Chiu Wai), Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung Man-yuk) and Moon (Zhang Ziyi) -- the king begins to question some of the details. As Nameless goes on, the king challenges the tales, interjecting his own take on these perhaps suspect version of events.
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Hero

Hero

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Critics Consensus

With death-defying action sequences and epic historic sweep, Hero offers everything a martial arts fan could ask for.

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Critics Reviews

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Terry Nguyen Vox Oct 8, 2021
Through the film's striking use of color and landscape, combined with its riveting action sequences, it goes beyond the chronological constraints of a typical blockbuster film. Go to Full Review Christopher Orr The New Republic Jan 5, 2018
Until the final 15 minutes of its deceptively short hour-and-a-half running time, Hero is a marvel, one of the best films to be released in the United States this year. It concludes, however, on a note both emotionally unsatisfying and morally idiotic. Go to Full Review Joanne Kaufman Wall Street Journal Mar 18, 2014
As they move through the martial-arts sequences, the performers leave the impression that the laws of gravity are subject to amendment. The rules of love and war -- all's fair -- are, Hero makes clear, immutable. Go to Full Review Sebastian Zavala Kahn Me gusta el cine Feb 27, 2025
5/5
It says a lot about the importance of unification, making it clear that its protagonist becomes the Hero of the title both for what he does and doesn’t do. “Hero” has managed (and will keep managing) to stand the test of time. [Full review in Spanish]. Go to Full Review Joshua Polanski In Review Online Sep 8, 2024
The sum of Hero’s collaborative artistry asserts itself as one of the most winsome and graceful moving pictures of the 21st century. Hero is a film worth celebrating. Go to Full Review Sean Collier Box Office Prophets Jun 26, 2021
9/10
A tremendously entertaining and visually rich spectacle. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 2, 2026 A very good movie, I give it a four star movie! See more Nathan P @dantemaxen Jul 22, 2026 The definition of a Martial Arts Classic. Visually stunning choreographed fight sequences, combined with incredible cinematography moving from scene to scene and topped off with an intriguing storyline with more depth then one expected in this kind of movie. It has remained a timeless classic for a very good reason. See more Chao long Y @533533 May 9, 2026 Jet li very good 👍👍👍👍👍👍 See more Fsdr D @Linlin877 May 8, 2026 最美最感人的武侠动作片，每一个画面都美得让人窒息。 See more Mickey B. @Mickerdoo May 8, 2026 Loved the storytelling structure and retelling. And also the use of color. Just didn’t carry the same weight as CTHD, or even Ip Man. See more will t @RT17267595 Jul 17, 2025 how do you describe a masterpiece? zhang yimou's use of colour and expert cinematography left my jaw on the floor, and no to mention the absolutely gobsmacking fight sequences, which blew my mind. i definitely didn't expect to like this as much as i did, and now it's headed straight to my top 20 favourite films ever. See more Read all reviews
Hero

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Cast & Crew

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Yimou Zhang

Director

Jet Li

Nameless

Tony Leung Chiu Wai

Broken Sword

Maggie Cheung

Flying Snow

Donnie Yen

Sky

Chen Daoming

The King of Qin

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Hero

A scene from the film "Hero." Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung Man-Yuk) and Moon (Zhang Ziyi). Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung Man-Yuk). Left to right: Tony Leung Chiu Wai as STEEL and Maggie Cheung Man Yuk as SNOW in Zhang Yimou's HERO. Behind the scenes of the film "Hero." A scene from the film "Hero." A scene from the film "Hero." A scene from the film "Hero." A scene from the film "Hero." Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung Man-Yuk) and Moon (Zhang Ziyi). View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this visually arresting martial arts epic set in ancient China, an unnamed fighter (Jet Li) is being honored for defeating three of the king's most dangerous enemies. When Nameless recounts his battles with the assassins -- Broken Sword (Tony Leung Chiu Wai), Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung Man-yuk) and Moon (Zhang Ziyi) -- the king begins to question some of the details. As Nameless goes on, the king challenges the tales, interjecting his own take on these perhaps suspect version of events.
Director
Yimou Zhang
Producer
Yimou Zhang, William Kong
Screenwriter
Yimou Zhang, Li Feng, Wang Bin
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Beijing New Picture Film Co.
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Action, History, Drama, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language
Chinese
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 27, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$53.6M
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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