The Last Emperor
A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.
Ratings
Based on audience scoresWhere to stream The Last Emperor
Streaming now in the United States on HBO Max, Criterion Channel, and Cinemax Amazon Channel.
Rent or buy in the United States on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home.
Trailers and promos
Official Trailer
Original Trailer
The Last Emperor [1987] Official Trailer
The Last Emperor - Trailer
The Last Emperor 1988 TV trailer
Staying True to events
Casting the Emperor
Bernardo Bertolucci on the Red Carpet for THE LAST EMPEROR at AFI FEST presented by Audi
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Frequently asked questions about The Last Emperor
Where can I watch The Last Emperor in the United States?
The Last Emperor is available to stream on HBO Max, Criterion Channel, and Cinemax Amazon 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 The Last Emperor on HBO Max?
Yes. The Last Emperor is streaming on HBO Max in the United States, alongside Criterion Channel and Cinemax Amazon Channel.
Can I watch The Last Emperor for free?
Not free in the United States right now. The Last Emperor needs a subscription to HBO Max, Criterion Channel, and Cinemax Amazon Channel, or you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home.
What are the ratings for The Last Emperor?
The Last Emperor scores 7.6 on The Movie Database.
Who stars in The Last Emperor?
The Last Emperor stars John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O'Toole, Ruocheng Ying, and Victor Wong. Bernardo Bertolucci is the director.
How long is The Last Emperor?
The Last Emperor runs 2h 43m (163 minutes).
When did The Last Emperor come out?
The Last Emperor was released on October 4, 1987.
Which studio made The Last Emperor?
The Last Emperor was produced by Soprofilms, TAO Film, and Yanco in China, France, and Italy.
What was the budget for The Last Emperor?
The Last Emperor was made on a budget of $23,800,000.
How much did The Last Emperor make at the box office?
The Last Emperor grossed $44,000,000 worldwide, against a budget of $23,800,000.
What languages is The Last Emperor in?
The Last Emperor is in English, Chichewa; Nyanja, Japanese, and Mandarin, and its original language is English.
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.