Ken Watanabe

What are Ken Watanabe's films like?

Across their 27 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Ken Watanabe's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 18 of their 33 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (6).

• Tubi6 titles, browse their movies on this service
  • Kensuke's Kingdom (2023) · actor · free
  • Fukushima 50 (2020) · actor · free
  • Shanghai (2010) · actor · free
  • The Sea of Trees (2015) · actor · free
  • Bel Canto (2018) · actor · free
  • 7 Guardians of the Tomb (2018) · actor · free
• HBO Max5 titles, browse their movies on this service
  • Batman Begins (2005) · actor
  • Tampopo (1985) · actor
  • Isle of Dogs (2018) · actor
  • The Last Samurai (2003) · actor
  • Tokyo Vice (2022) · actor, producer
• Pluto TV3 titles, browse their movies on this service
  • Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) · actor · free
  • Bel Canto (2018) · actor · free
  • 7 Guardians of the Tomb (2018) · actor · free
• Disney+2 titles, browse their movies on this service
  • Isle of Dogs (2018) · actor
  • Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) · actor
• MGM+2 titles, browse their movies on this service
  • The Last Samurai (2003) · actor
  • Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) · actor
• Netflix2 titles, browse their movies on this service
  • Alice in Borderland (2020) · actor
  • Ikebukuro West Gate Park (2000) · actor
• Paramount+2 titles, browse their movies on this service
  • Godzilla (2014) · actor
  • Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) · actor
• Prime Video2 titles, browse their movies on this service
  • Bel Canto (2018) · actor
  • Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) · actor
• The Roku Channel2 titles, browse their movies on this service
  • Kensuke's Kingdom (2023) · actor · free
  • 7 Guardians of the Tomb (2018) · actor · free
• Hulu1 title, browse their movies on this service
  • The Creator (2023) · actor
• The Criterion Channel1 title, browse their movies on this service
  • Tampopo (1985) · actor

Subscription and free streaming for Ken Watanabe's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

99 credits, 33 with a MovieCove page; 6 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

• 

  Kobikicho no Adauchi(2026)

  as Kinji Shinoda

  Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films85^th
• 

  Kyotojin no Hisokana Tanoshimi Rouge: Keisho (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

  Show 9 episodes · as 東雲朔太郎
• 

  Banjo no Himawari(2025)

  as Shigeyoshi Toumyo

  Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films66^th
• 

  LA PANTHÈRE DE CARTIER (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

  Actor
• 

  Kokuho(2025)

  as Hanjiro Hanai

  Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films96^th
• 

  TRUE COLORS (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

  Show 9 episodes · as Taichirou Tsujimura
• 

  Unbound (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

  Show 48 episodes · as Tamema Okitsugu
• 

  All Lives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

  Actor
• 

  Kensuke's Kingdom(2023)

  as Kensuke (voice)

  Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films79^th
• 

  The Creator(2023)

  as Harun

  Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films71^st
• 

  Tokyo Vice(2022)

  Show 18 episodes · Executive Producer · as Hiroto Katagiri

  Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows93^rd
• 

  Alice in Borderland(2020)

  Show 1 episode · as Old Gentleman

  Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows89^th
• 

  Toubousha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

  Show 2 episodes · Actor
• 

  劇場の灯を消すな！PARCO劇場編 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

  Actor
• 

  Fukushima 50(2020)

  as Masao Yoshida

  Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films46^th
• 

  Godzilla: King of the Monsters(2019)

  as Dr. Ishiro Serizawa

  Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films50^th
• 

  Pokémon: Detective Pikachu(2019)

  as Lieutenant Hide Yoshida

  Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films66^th
• 

  An Artist of the Floating World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

  as Ono Masuji
• 

  The King and I (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

  as The King of Siam
• 

  Bel Canto(2018)

  as Katsumi Hosokawa

  Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films28^th
• 

  Isle of Dogs(2018)

  as Head Surgeon (voice)

  Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films98^th
• 

  7 Guardians of the Tomb(2018)

  as Father

  Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films7^th
• 

  Segodon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

  Show 17 episodes · as Shimazu Nariakira
• 

  Transformers: The Last Knight(2017)

  as Drift (voice)

  Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films19^th
• 

  Dirty, Clean, & Inbetween (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

  as Restaurant Patron
• 

  The Memories of Happiness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

  as Taro Miura
• 

  五年目のひとり (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

  Show 1 episode · as 키자키 슈지
• 

  Rage(2016)

  as Yohei Maki

  Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films77^th
• 

  The Sea of Trees(2015)

  as Takumi Nakamura

  Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films43^rd
• 

  The Secret Lives of Kyoto Folk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

  Show 9 episodes · as 東雲朔太郎
• 

  Snow Jack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

  as Reiji Kurata
• 

  Back of Father (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

  Show 1 episode · as Takamura Kouji
• 

  Transformers: Age of Extinction(2014)

  as Drift (voice)

  Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films29^th
• 

  Godzilla(2014)

  as Dr. Ishiro Serizawa

  Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films60^th
• 

  Unforgiven(2013)

  as Jubee Kamata

  Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films83^rd
• 

  Hayabusa: The Long Voyage Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

  Production Manager · as Junichiro Kawaguchi
• 

  Gyoretsuno dekiru sodanjo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

  Show 1 episode · as Regular
• 

  Ai inochi - Shinjuku Kabukicho Kakekomi Dera - (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

  Actor
• 

  A School Behind Bars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

  Actor
• 

  Inception(2010)

  as Saito

  Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films99^th
• 

  Shanghai(2010)

  as Tanaka

  Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films45^th
• 

  Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant(2009)

  as Mr. Tall

  Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films34^th
• 

  Shizumanu taiyô(2009)

  as Hajime Onchi

  Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films61^st
• 刑事一代 平塚八兵衛の昭和事件史 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

  Show 1 episode · Actor
• 

  Earth(2007)

  as Narrator (voice)

  Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films97^th
• 

  星ひとつの夜 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

  as Nonoyama Hiroji
• 

  Letters from Iwo Jima(2006)

  as General Tadamichi Kuribayashi

  Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films98^th
• 

  Memories of Tomorrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

  Executive Producer · as Masayuki Saeki
• 

  Memoirs of a Geisha(2005)

  as Chairman

  Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films89^th
• 

  Batman Begins(2005)

  as Ra's al Ghul

  Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films99^th
• 

  Ashes and Snow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

  as Japanese Narrator (voice)
• 

  Kita no zeronen(2005)

  as Komatsubara Hideaki

  Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films61^st
• 

  Vessel of Sand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

  Show 11 episodes · as Shuichiro Imanishi
• 

  川、いつか海へ 6つの愛の物語 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

  Show 6 episodes · Actor
• 

  The Last Samurai(2003)

  as Moritsugu Katsumoto

  Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films96^th
• 

  第三の時効 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

  Actor
• 

  Another Battle/Conspiracy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

  as Fujimaki Hiroaki
• 藤田宜永サスペンス「異端の夏」 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

  Show 1 episode · Actor
• 

  T.R.Y. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

  as Masanobu Azuma
• 

  Mibu Gishiden: Shinsengumi de Ichiban Tsuyokatta Otoko (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

  Show 4 episodes · Actor
• 

  横山秀夫サスペンス シリーズ (TBS) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

  Show 6 episodes · Actor
• 強行犯捜査第七係 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

  Show 1 episode · Actor
• 

  Dawn of a New Day: The Man Behind VHS (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

  as Okubo
• 

  Sennen no koi - Hikaru Genji monogatari(2001)

  Actor

  Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films46^th
• 

  Drowning Fish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

  as Miyota
• 

  Hojo Tokimune (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

  Show 49 episodes · as Hojo Tokiyori
• Proof of the Man 2001 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

  as Munesue Koichiro
• 

  The Whispered City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

  as Ishida
• 

  Ikebukuro West Gate Park(2000)

  Show 11 episodes · as Yokoyama

  Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows74^th
• 

  Space Travelers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

  as Sakamaki ("Crusher")
• Shimei Tehai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

  Show 4 episodes · Actor
• 

  Bonds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

  as Detective Sako Akio
• 

  Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald(1997)

  as Raita Onuki

  Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films94^th
• 

  Gokenin Zankuro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

  Show 8 episodes · as Zankuro Matsudaira
• 

  Baian the Assassin: Showdown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

  as Dr. Baian
• 

  The Fire Still Burns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

  Show 35 episodes · as Fujiwara Tsunekiyo
• 

  Kagi-shi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

  Show 1 episode · Actor
• 

  Hanzo, the Razor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

  Actor
• 

  Chronicle of the Town Magistrate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

  as Mochizuki Koheita
• 

  Waga Machi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

  Show 10 episodes · Actor
• 

  Izakaya Chōji (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

  Show 1 episode · Actor
• 

  Oda Nobunaga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

  Actor
• 

  Ganryujima: Kojiro and Musashi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

  as Kojirō
• 

  Baian the Assassin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

  Show 5 episodes · as Fujieda Baian
• 

  A Naive History of the Bakumatsu Era (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

  as Ryoma Sakamoto
• 

  Takeda Shingen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

  as Narrator
• 

  Baian the Assassin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

  as Dr. Baian
• 

  Musuko no Gokikan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

  Show 2 episodes · Actor
• 

  Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

  Show 5 episodes · Actor
• 

  Harimao (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

  Producer
• Oda Nobunaga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

  Show 1 episode · Actor
• 

  Masamune Shogun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

  Show 50 episodes · as 伊達政宗
• 

  Commando Invasion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

  Actor
• 

  The Sea and Poison (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

  as Toda
• 

  Hanekonma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

  Show 156 episodes · as Genzo Onodera
• 

  Tampopo(1985)

  as Gun

  Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films99^th
• 

  Kekkon Annai Mystery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

  Actor
• 

  MacArthur's Children (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

  as Tetsuo Nakai
• 

  A Tale of Two Truncheons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

  Show 13 episodes · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99^th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 99 titles from 1984 to 2026; peak year 2006.

Biggest box office

Inception (2010)

$840M worldwide

Highest rated

Inception (2010)

Midcredits 99^th

Awards

4 major nominations and no wins, 2004.

1. 2004
   • Oscar, nominated · Best Actor in a Supporting Role
   • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
   • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
   • +1 other major body · 1 nomination

     • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Supporting Actor

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Ken Watanabe's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 69^th percentile, the median of all 30; across their 25 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 74^th percentile for acclaim.

Shape of the crowd

12 of their 33 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

11129

• Universally Loved11
• Crowd Pleaser12
• Broadly Agreed1
• Mixed9

Most divisive · actor

Kita no zeronen (2005)

70^th percentile spread · 18% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Inception (2010)

Midcredits 99^th · 94% liked

Reviewers score the acting 70/100 in their films, across 19 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 47. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Ken Watanabe's work okay for kids?

Across up to 14 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and frightening / intense run heavier than most films and sex & nudity lighter.

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Ken Watanabe work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ken Watanabe's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Hans Zimmer shares the most, 5.