Yojimbo
用心棒
A nameless ronin, or samurai with no master, enters a small village in feudal Japan where two rival businessmen are struggling for control of the local gambling trade. Taking the name Sanjuro Kuwabatake, the ronin convinces both silk merchant Tazaemon and sake merchant Tokuemon to hire him as a personal bodyguard, then artfully sets in motion a full-scale gang war between the two ambitious and unscrupulous men.
Ratings
Based on audience scoresWhere to stream Yojimbo
Streaming now in the United States on HBO Max and Criterion Channel.
Rent or buy in the United States on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home.
Trailers and promos
Yojimbo (1961) Original Trailer [4K]
YOJIMBO Trailer (1961) - The Criterion Collection
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Frequently asked questions about Yojimbo
Where can I watch Yojimbo in the United States?
Yojimbo is available to stream on HBO Max and Criterion Channel in the United States, and to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Streaming availability is provided by JustWatch and can change over time.
Is Yojimbo on HBO Max?
Yes. Yojimbo is streaming on HBO Max in the United States, alongside Criterion Channel.
Can I watch Yojimbo for free?
Not free in the United States right now. Yojimbo needs a subscription to HBO Max and Criterion Channel, or you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home.
What are the ratings for Yojimbo?
Yojimbo scores 8.1 on The Movie Database, 8.2 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 84 on Metacritic.
Who stars in Yojimbo?
Yojimbo stars Toshirō Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yōko Tsukasa, Isuzu Yamada, and Daisuke Katō. Akira Kurosawa is the director.
How long is Yojimbo?
Yojimbo runs 1h 50m (110 minutes).
When did Yojimbo come out?
Yojimbo was released on April 25, 1961.
Which studio made Yojimbo?
Yojimbo was produced by TOHO in Japan.
What language is Yojimbo in?
Yojimbo is in Japanese, and its original title is 用心棒.
Ratings and streaming availability are aggregated from third-party sources; metadata from The Movie Database (TMDB), streaming data from JustWatch. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Streaming availability checked September 2026.