Empire of the Sun

Play trailer

Empire of the Sun

PG

1987

2h 32m

Adventure

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

67 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Jamie Graham (Christian Bale), a privileged English boy, is living in Shanghai when the Japanese invade and force all foreigners into prison camps. Jamie is captured with an American sailor named Basie (John Malkovich), who looks out for him while they are in the camp together. Even though he is separated from his parents and in a hostile environment, Jamie maintains his dignity and youthful spirits, providing a beacon of hope for the others held captive with him.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

One of Steven Spielberg's most ambitious efforts of the 1980s, Empire of the Sun remains an underrated gem in the director's distinguished filmography.

Read Critics Reviews

Victoria Mather

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Jan 7

I admire [Steven Spielberg] for sticking to the brattishness of Jim, which is implicit in the book, but what the director failed to work out was a way of making us care about what happens to him.

Go to Full Review

Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

08/18/2022

[Stephen Spielberg's] graduation to grown-up film-making.

Go to Full Review

Gilbert Adair

Sight & Sound

01/28/2020

What is most remarkable about Empire of the Sun then, is the almost seamless fashion in which a faithful adaptation... has nevertheless contrived to become a proto-Spielbergian affirmation of faith and optimism in the universe.

Go to Full Review

Philip French

Observer (UK)

Jan 7

Even though you might be impressed by the portentous mood, you'll wonder how a film that comes to look like a sanitised fusion of The Go-Between and Tenko can have been derived from a novel that has been favorably compared to A High Wind in Jamaica.

Go to Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Dec 2

5/5

…Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun is arguably his best adult film, a searing drama, as the horrors of war take their toll on a young boy, Jim, played in a career-igniting performance by Christian Bale….

Go to Full Review

Jana Monji

Age of the Geek

05/03/2024

2/5

A boy born in privilege (Christian Bale) scrambles to survive two years in a Japanese concentration camp. The film takes place in China during World War II, but there are no prominent Chinese characters. This is an intriguing example of Asian erasure.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Adam K

@SunsetLonerCinema May 31

A stunning, majestic, and adventurous coming of age story that let audiences know Christian Bale was going to be somebody in front of the camera.

See more

Ben W

@Username618 Apr 18

Can't remember! spoiler. He does chest compressions on someone who is dead.

See more

Gregory S

@Gregory566 Dec 9

Probably the greatest movie that I have seen that is massively underrated. How Bale or Malkovich did not get an oscar nod is criminal. Not to mention Spielberg not getting a nod for Director or Picture. This is just an incredible movie, that does not get enough love.

See more

Zach B

@ZachB54 Dec 7

Steven Spielberg is my favorite director of all time! This is one of his best. It can get really emotional and it can be funny. Also, I forgot Christian Bale was the star

See more

Tyler G

@tylergross121 Sep 16

I really enjoyed it, even if the middle section of the movie at the camp drags on a bit. The action is marvelous and it will make you feel feels. Not in Spielberg's top tier, but it is as great movie.

See more

Julie K

@RT36005194 Aug 30

Wonderful movie, touching, engaging, meaningful. I loved it.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Steven Spielberg

Director

Christian Bale

Jim "Jamie" Graham

John Malkovich

Basie

Miranda Richardson

Mrs. Victor

Nigel Havers

Dr. Rawlins

Joe Pantoliano

Frank Demarest

Beyond the Poseidon Adventure

10%

21%

Beyond the Poseidon Adventure

Watchlist

White Water Summer

25%

54%

White Water Summer

Watchlist

The Aviator

20%

44%

The Aviator

Watchlist

SpaceCamp

53%

50%

SpaceCamp

Watchlist

Sheena

11%

34%

Sheena

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Spider-Man Gets Dark!

Japanese Community Protests "Geisha" Girls

View more photos

Synopsis

Jamie Graham (Christian Bale), a privileged English boy, is living in Shanghai when the Japanese invade and force all foreigners into prison camps. Jamie is captured with an American sailor named Basie (John Malkovich), who looks out for him while they are in the camp together. Even though he is separated from his parents and in a hostile environment, Jamie maintains his dignity and youthful spirits, providing a beacon of hope for the others held captive with him.

Director: Steven Spielberg
Producer: Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Steven Spielberg
Screenwriter: Tom Stoppard
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Rating: PG
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 9, 1987, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 25, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.0M
Runtime: 2h 32m
Sound Mix: Surround