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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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Griffith J @griffithxjohnson 3 days ago I came for the cinematography & I wasn’t disappointed with the heavily saturated use of reds & greens that create a vibrant & unique visual fest. It’s epic with a big scale conflict that is rooted in history & emotionally engaging. A complex story of plotted regicide with some awesome twists & turns. I respect a layered & non-linear structure but it overly complicates the narrative. The Wuxia action sequences are hard to swallow & tend to take me out of the immersion but there is fun to be had if you embrace the exaggerated reality. See more Hello. T @RT63803522 Sep 12, 2026 One of the few movies that truly amazed me. The cinematography, score, and storytelling are nothing short of beautiful. The martial arts are awesome to watch and some of the fight scenes (especially the one over the lake) are almost ethereal. If you like martial arts or just nice looking movies; I cannot recommend this enough to you! See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 2, 2026 A very good movie, I give it a 4.5 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 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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