Movie

Ikiru

“A big story of a little man which will grip your soul...”

★ 8.3(1,347)19522h 23m

Ikiru is streaming on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel and HBO Max in United States, and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. Availability checked 16 June 2026.

Where to watch Ikiru

🇺🇸 United States

HBO Max Amazon ChannelStream

YouTube TVStream

Criterion ChannelStream

HBO MaxStream

Amazon VideoRent

Apple TV StoreRent

Google Play MoviesRent

Google Play MoviesBuy

YouTubeBuy

Fandango At HomeBuy

Good to know

Director: Akira Kurosawa
Release date: 1952-10-09
Runtime: 2h 23m
Language: Japanese
Box office: $55,240
Budget: $85,000
Status: Released
Country: Japan
Studio: TOHO

Ikiru — trailer

About Ikiru

Ikiru is a 1952 movie in the Drama genre, directed by Akira Kurosawa, starring Takashi Shimura, Haruo Tanaka and Nobuo Kaneko. It has a runtime of 2 hours 23 minutes. It holds an average rating of 8.3/10 from 1,347 viewers. Below you can see where to watch Ikiru in United States — across streaming, rental and purchase options — along with the full cast, trailer and viewer reviews.

Synopsis

Kanji Watanabe is a middle-aged man who has worked in the same monotonous bureaucratic position for decades. Learning he has cancer, he starts to look for the meaning of his life.

Cast

Takashi Shimura

Kanji Watanabe

Haruo Tanaka

Sakai

Nobuo Kaneko

Mitsuo, son of Kanji

Bokuzen Hidari

Ohara

Miki Odagiri

Toyo

Shinichi Himori

Kimura

Minoru Chiaki

Noguchi

Minosuke Yamada

Subordinate Clerk Saito

Kamatari Fujiwara

Sub-Section Chief Ono

Makoto Kobori

Kiichi Watanabe, Kanji's Brother

Nobuo Nakamura

Deputy Mayor

Atsushi Watanabe

Patient

Themes & keywords

dying and deathjapanbureaucracyage differencepraiseofficenight lifesense of lifeplaygroundobsequiesswinglonelinessoffice politicsblack and whiteco-workers relationship

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch Ikiru in United States?+

In United States, you can stream Ikiru on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel and HBO Max. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home.

Is Ikiru on Netflix?+

Ikiru is not on Netflix in United States right now, but you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel and HBO Max.

How long is Ikiru?+

Ikiru has a runtime of 2 hours 23 minutes (143 minutes).

Who stars in Ikiru?+

Ikiru stars Takashi Shimura, Haruo Tanaka, Nobuo Kaneko, Bokuzen Hidari and Miki Odagiri.

When did Ikiru come out?+

Ikiru is a 1952 movie directed by Akira Kurosawa.

What genre is Ikiru?+

Ikiru is Drama film.

Who directed Ikiru?+

Ikiru was directed by Akira Kurosawa.