Empire of the Sun
1987, English. Directed by Steven Spielberg.
To survive in a world at war, he must find a strength greater than all the events that surround him.
Jamie Graham, a privileged English boy, is living in Shanghai when the Japanese invade and force all foreigners into prison camps. Jamie is captured with an American sailor, who looks out for him while they are in the camp together. Even though he is separated from his parents and in a hostile environment, Jamie maintains his dignity and youthful spirit, providing a beacon of hope for the others held captive with him.
- Runtime
- 2h 33m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG
Start now and it ends at ….
Worth the Hype
Clear your evening for this.
7.5/10 from 2,244 TMDB viewer ratings.
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Where to watch Empire of the Sun
Empire of the Sun isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can rent it online.
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Amazon VideoAvailability in India as of 13 November 2026. Streaming data by JustWatch.
Cast & crew
- Steven SpielbergDirector
- Christian BaleJim
- John MalkovichBasie
- Miranda RichardsonMrs. Victor
- Nigel HaversDr. Rawlins
- Joe PantolianoFrank Demarest
- Leslie PhillipsMaxton
- Masatô IbuSgt. Nagata
- Emily RichardJim's Mother
- Rupert FrazerJim's Father
- Peter GaleMr. Victor
- Takatarô KataokaKamikaze Boy Pilot
- Ben StillerDainty
Details
- Released
- 9 December 1987
- Country
- United States of America
- Written by
- Tom Stoppard
- Budget
- $35M
- Box office
- $67M
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News & fan talk
What Empire of the Sun is based on
Empire of the Sun is based on Empire of the Sun, a 1984 novel by J. G. Ballard, published by Gollancz.
Novel · 1984
Empire of the Sun
By J. G. Ballard
Published by Gollancz
Source details from Wikidata and TMDB.
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Empire of the Sun: quick answers
Is Empire of the Sun worth watching?
Our verdict is Worth the Hype: Clear your evening for this. It scores 7.5/10 from 2,244 TMDB viewer ratings.
How long is Empire of the Sun?
Empire of the Sun runs 153 minutes (2h 33m).
Does Empire of the Sun have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for Empire of the Sun. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
Empire of the Sun parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
Empire of the Sun is rated PG in India. That rating means it is generally fine for children.
Which OTT platform is Empire of the Sun on?
Empire of the Sun isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can rent it online. (Checked 13 November 2026.)
What movies are like Empire of the Sun?
If you liked Empire of the Sun, try The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, The Zone of Interest, The Boy in the Woods.
Who directed Empire of the Sun?
Empire of the Sun (1987) was directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson.
What is Empire of the Sun based on?
Empire of the Sun is based on Empire of the Sun, a 1984 novel by J. G. Ballard, published by Gollancz.