Early Summer
麦秋
In postwar Tokyo, Noriko lives with her extended family. Although she enjoys her career and her social life, her more traditional family worries about her single marital status at the advanced age of 28. 40-year-old business associate Takako proposes, Noriko's family press her into accepting, but when her widowed childhood friend Kenkichi returns to the neighborhood, she finds her heart leading in another direction.
Ratings
Based on audience scoresWhere to stream Early Summer
Streaming now in the United States on HBO Max and Criterion Channel.
Rent or buy in the United States on Apple TV Store.
Trailers and promos
Early Summer (1951) - Trailer
Early Summer | Trailer | Indiecinema
EARLY SUMMER (Bakushū), 1951
EARLY SUMMER (Bakushū), 1951
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Frequently asked questions about Early Summer
Where can I watch Early Summer in the United States?
Early Summer is available to stream on HBO Max and Criterion Channel in the United States, and to rent or buy on Apple TV Store. Streaming availability is provided by JustWatch and can change over time.
Is Early Summer on HBO Max?
Yes. Early Summer is streaming on HBO Max in the United States, alongside Criterion Channel.
Can I watch Early Summer for free?
Not free in the United States right now. Early Summer needs a subscription to HBO Max and Criterion Channel, or you can rent or buy it on Apple TV Store.
What are the ratings for Early Summer?
Early Summer scores 7.8 on The Movie Database, 8.0 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 80 on Metacritic.
Who stars in Early Summer?
Early Summer stars Setsuko Hara, Chishū Ryū, Chikage Awashima, Kuniko Miyake, and Ichirō Sugai. Yasujirō Ozu is the director.
How long is Early Summer?
Early Summer runs 2h 5m (125 minutes).
When did Early Summer come out?
Early Summer was released on October 3, 1951.
Which studio made Early Summer?
Early Summer was produced by Shochiku and Shochiku Ofuna Film Studio in Japan.
What languages is Early Summer in?
Early Summer is in English and Japanese, and its original language is Japanese.
What language is Early Summer in?
Early Summer is in Japanese, and its original title is 麦秋.
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.