Kingdom (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Kingdom is a 2019 action historical film directed by Shinsuke Sato, starring Kento Yamazaki as Li Xin, Ryô Yoshizawa and Masahiro Takashima. It is partly based on Kingdom, Vol. 1 by Yasuhisa Hara and Nathan A. Collins. It runs 2 hours 14 minutes and earned $50.6 million worldwide. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 14m (134 min)
- Director
- Shinsuke Sato
- Original language
-
Japanese
- Studio
- Funimation Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Kingdom About?
The premise of Kingdom without spoilers, adapted from Kingdom, Vol. 1 by Yasuhisa Hara and Nathan A. Collins. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In a war-ravaged land, a young orphan's life takes a pivotal turn following a friend’s sacrifice for the emperor-elect. As his martial skills are developed, he joins forces with the monarch to fight for the throne. Their journey is fraught with peril, as they confront ruthless assassins, powerful armies, and the dangerous mountain clan. This unlikely pair must overcome widespread chaos and political intrigue to unite the fractured states and restore order.
Kingdom Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- live action remake of anime
- china
- blood feud
- chinese man
- chinese woman
- historical event
- warring states era
- sword fight
- warrior
- based on manga
- live action adaptation
- live action manga adaptation
+38 more Show fewer
- orphan male lead
- japanese drama
- historical fiction
- friendship
- military
- betrayal
- edged weapon
- sword
- male versus female
- child
- assassin
- handheld weapon
- close quarters combat
- loss of friend
- boy
- map
- weapon
- night
- long haired male
- first part
- younger version of character
- melee weapon
- battle
- ancient history
- wilderness
- bladed weapon
- nighttime
- long haired man
- combat
- general
- manual labour
- asia
- male assassin
- dual wield
- mammal
- slave
- male protagonist
- wooden sword
Kingdom Cast & Characters
Kento Yamazaki leads the cast as Li Xin, with Ryô Yoshizawa as Yin Zheng, Piao and Masahiro Takashima as Chang Wen Jun. Directed by Shinsuke Sato; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Shinsuke Sato
- Kento Yamazaki as Li Xin
- Ryô Yoshizawa as Yin Zheng, Piao
- Masahiro Takashima as Chang Wen Jun
- Kanata Hongô as Cheng Jiao
Also Starring in Kingdom
· 6 more- Kanna Hashimoto He Liao Diao
- Masami Nagasawa Yang Duan He
- Shin'nosuke Mitsushima
- Jun Kaname Teng
- Shin'nosuke Abe Ba Jio
- Takao Ôsawa
Kingdom Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Kingdom 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 81/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (68).
Kingdom Echo Score Breakdown
In its adaptation of the popular manga, the film excels in visual craftsmanship and energetic set pieces, though it shows occasional pacing unevenness and tonal shifts. Critics and viewers note the film’s thrilling combat choreography and vivid production design, balanced by moments of overindulgent flashbacks and mixed character performances. Strong cinematography and a driving soundtrack underpin the engaging narrative, even as originality and story depth feel modest. Overall, the film delivers a consistently entertaining experience, with minor drawbacks that prevent it from achieving true mastery.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 88
In terms of art and craft, the film showcases impressive cinematography and detailed production design, delivering vivid period environments. Costume and makeup work receive consistent praise for authenticity, and dynamic editing keeps action sequences fluid. Stylized combat choreography and bold color palettes reinforce its visual impact. Minor shortcomings in directorial nuance do little to diminish an overall assured display of filmmaking craft.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to character and emotion, the cast generally anchors the narrative with believable portrayals and emotional resonance. Several leads convey the manga’s inner conflicts effectively, contributing genuine moments of tension. However, intermittent over-the-top performances and a slight tonal inconsistency among supporting roles temper the overall impact. Despite these uneven notes, most characters exhibit clear motivations and engaging chemistry.
- Story & Flow 68
In terms of story and flow, the adaptation maintains clear stakes and a generally engaging structure that reflects its source material faithfully. Audiences appreciate the energetic pacing and well-defined narrative arcs that sustain interest throughout. Criticisms arise around occasional sluggish scenes, repetitive flashbacks, and a conventional sequel-bait conclusion. Overall, the plot offers reliable engagement despite modest originality and occasional rhythm disruptions.
- Sensory Experience 80
When considering sensory experience, the film delivers a robust orchestral score and cohesive sound design that support its action-driven sequences. Visual style benefits from a consistent color palette and dynamic visual effects, enhancing its period setting. While the soundtrack is effective, it lacks a distinctly memorable theme. Overall, the sensory elements create an immersive atmosphere, reinforcing the film’s energetic tone and spectacle.
- Rewatch Factor 85
When it comes to rewatch factor, the film’s high-energy sequences and engaging visual design invite multiple viewings. Its faithful adaptation retains fans’ interest, while the emotional stakes and dynamic combat encourage continued appreciation. Occasional narrative shortcuts may lessen depth on repeat, but the film’s lively pacing and striking imagery prevail. Overall, viewers are likely to revisit the experience for its enduring entertainment value.
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IMDb 6.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 93% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 96%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 62 Metascore
User score 7.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 17% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
40 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.3 /5
See on Movie Insider
Kingdom Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Kingdom from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Orphaned by war, Xin Kento Yamazaki is sold as a slave to a small village, where he befriends Piao Ryō Yoshizawa, another slave. Growing up, Xin and Piao train together, dreaming of escaping their low status and eventually becoming great generals. Chang Wen Jun Masahiro Takashima visits their village in search of soldiers to aid the king Ying Zheng, but he will only accept Piao. Some time later a mortally wounded Piao appears at Xin’s house, warning him that Ying Zheng’s brother, Cheng Jiao Kanata Hongô, has started a power struggle and urging him to go to a point marked on a map he gives him. Xin sets off immediately, not knowing that his village has been set on fire and all the villagers murdered by Cheng Jiao’s army.
Full summary
The whole story of Kingdom, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Kingdom Box Office
Kingdom grossed $50.6 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$50.6M
- International
- $50.6M
How Well Do You Know Kingdom?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the orphaned protagonist who is sold as a slave?
Kingdom Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “Kingudamu” and “キングダム:2019”.
- Also known as
-
- Kingudamu
- キングダム:2019
- มหาสงครามกู้แผ่นดิน
- 킹덤
- Царство
- キングダム
- 王者天下
- คิงดอม มหาสงครามกู้แผ่นดิน
- Кралство
- Vương Giả Thiên Hạ
- Regat
- Reino
Seen Kingdom?
Movies Like Kingdom
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Kingdom 2: Far and Away, Kingdom III: The Flame of Destiny and Great Conquest: The Romance of Three Kingdoms.
-
Kingdom 2: Far and Away 2022 -
Kingdom III: The Flame of Destiny 2023 -
Great Conquest: The Romance of Three Kingdoms 1992 -
Warrior King 2023 -
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 1985 -
The Warlords 2007 -
Ranking of Kings 2021 -
Dynasty Warriors 2021 -
Mulan 2020 -
League of Gods 2016 -
Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon 2008 -
The Forbidden Kingdom 2008
Kingdom FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Kingdom, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Kingdom?
Kingdom runs 2 hours 14 minutes (134 minutes).
When was Kingdom released?
Kingdom was released on August 16, 2019.
Who directed Kingdom?
Kingdom was directed by Shinsuke Sato.
More films by Shinsuke Sato Who is in the cast of Kingdom?
Kingdom stars Kento Yamazaki as Li Xin, Ryô Yoshizawa as Yin Zheng, Piao and Masahiro Takashima as Chang Wen Jun, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Kingdom make at the box office?
Kingdom grossed $50.6 million worldwide.
How is Kingdom rated?
Kingdom has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic and 17% on TMDB.
Is Kingdom based on a book?
Yes. Kingdom is partly adapted from Kingdom, Vol. 1 by Yasuhisa Hara and Nathan A. Collins.
Does Kingdom have a post-credit scene?
No. Kingdom has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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