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Action drama

Knights of the Zodiac (2023): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Knights of the Zodiac (2023) movie poster

Knights of the Zodiac is a 2023 action drama directed by Tomasz Baginski, starring Mackenyu as Seiya, Sean Bean and Nick Stahl. It earned $7 million worldwide on a $60 million budget. Critics gave it 20% on Rotten Tomatoes and 35 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10.

IMDb rating
4.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
20%
worldwide gross
$7M
Echo Score
42
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Knights of the Zodiac (2023) movie poster
Released
Director
Tomasz Baginski
Genres
Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi , Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$60M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Knights of the Zodiac About?

The premise of Knights of the Zodiac without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A rebellious young man is thrust into a hidden world of warriors and ancient magic. Driven by a desire for justice, Seiya must unlock his latent abilities and unite with a fellowship of Zodiac Knights. Their mission is to safeguard a reincarnated goddess, battling powerful enemies who seek to extinguish her divine light and plunge the world into darkness.

Knights of the Zodiac Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • based on anime
  • martial arts
  • greek mythology
  • live action remake of anime
  • based on manga
  • warrior
  • power
  • live action
  • remake
  • fight
  • weapon
  • armor
+38 more
  • sword
  • staff
  • magic
  • magical
  • transformation
  • planet
  • sister
  • pegasus
  • based on anime series
  • master
  • based on tv series
  • knight
  • bow and arrow
  • good versus evil
  • hero
  • villain
  • transform
  • battle
  • mythological
  • adaptation
  • gods
  • zodiac
  • constellations
  • fly
  • flying
  • space
  • galaxy
  • defend
  • superhero action
  • bare chested male
  • male protagonist
  • male male fight
  • superpower
  • superhero
  • protective father
  • goddess
  • reincarnation
  • reincarnated goddess
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Cast & crew

Knights of the Zodiac Cast & Characters

Mackenyu leads the cast as Seiya, with Sean Bean as Alman Kido and Nick Stahl as Cassios. Directed by Tomasz Baginski; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Knights of the Zodiac

· 4 more
Ratings

Knights of the Zodiac Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Knights of the Zodiac 20% on Rotten Tomatoes and 35 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 42/100, strongest in art & craft (55) and weakest in story & flow (35).

42 /100

Knights of the Zodiac Echo Score Breakdown

Knights of the Zodiac delivers sporadic entertainment but is hampered by an underdeveloped narrative and uneven production values. Critics acknowledge occasional fun moments in the action set‑pieces, yet repeatedly note the film’s lackluster visual effects and failure to satisfy both newcomers and established fans. User feedback reinforces the sentiment, highlighting missing key characters and a disjointed plot. Consequently, the movie offers limited lasting appeal and struggles to justify repeated viewings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    Artistic elements present a mixed picture. The direction and editing support brisk combat sequences, and the armor design receives praise for modernizing the iconic look. However, cinematography suffers from dull palettes and visual‑effects shortcomings, leading critics to describe the overall aesthetic as cheap‑budget and uninspired. The net impression is a competent but visually flawed execution.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    Character work is uneven, with a cast that delivers occasional credible performances but lacks depth and chemistry. Critics note the absence of key protagonists from the source material, undermining emotional resonance for fans. User commentary echoes this, criticizing the exclusion of essential knights and a thin script that fails to develop relationships. Overall, character portrayal feels shallow and unsatisfying.

  • Story & Flow 35

    The narrative suffers from pacing issues and a derivative plot that fails to capture the mythic stakes of its source. Reviewers describe the story as soulless, cliched, and overly reliant on familiar tropes, leading to a disengaged viewing experience. Both critics and audiences point to missing characters and a weak emotional core, resulting in a largely unsatisfying storyline.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    Sensory elements present a blend of strengths and drawbacks. The soundtrack and sound design receive modest approval, yet visual effects are frequently labeled as lackluster and cheap. While some viewers commend the modern armor aesthetics and occasional well‑choreographed fights, the overall visual style is described as inconsistent, limiting the film’s immersive potential.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Rewatch potential is limited due to the film’s uneven storytelling and visual shortcomings. Critics acknowledge brief moments of fun in the action set‑pieces, but the overall disappointment for both fans and newcomers curtails enthusiasm for repeated viewings. User input suggests occasional enjoyment when approached without fan expectations, yet the consensus remains that the movie lacks lasting appeal.

Plot

Knights of the Zodiac Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Knights of the Zodiac from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In an era filled with legends, gods once roamed the Earth, bringing both wonder and torment to humanity. Among these deities was Athena, the Goddess of War and Wisdom, who held the power to extinguish humanity but chose instead to serve as their protector. Over the years, courageous knights from all corners of the world pledged their loyalty to her, mastering the mystical energy known as Cosmo, drawn from the very stars. As time passed, the gods transitioned into folklore, fading from memory. However, 18 years ago, Athena was reborn as a vulnerable child. During her descent to Earth, a valiant Knight donned in golden armor sacrificed his life to shield her.

Full summary

The whole story of Knights of the Zodiac, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Knights of the Zodiac Box Office & Budget

Knights of the Zodiac grossed $7 million worldwide on a $60 million budget, 12% of what it cost. $1.1 million came from the US and Canada and $5.9 million (84%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$7M

12% of its budget back

US & Canada
$1.1M
International
$5.9M
Budget
$60M
US & Canada 16% Rest of the world 84%
Videos

Knights of the Zodiac Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 2 clips and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Official Teaser
  • Clip Clip - Marin Trains Seiya
  • Clip Extended Preview
  • Behind the Scenes Behind the Scenes
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Knights of the Zodiac?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the reborn goddess that Seiya and Kido must protect?

Cars

Cars in Knights of the Zodiac

6 cars on screen, including the BMW R 65 and the 2016 USSV Rhino GX.

All 6 cars
  • BMW R 65 in Knights of the Zodiac BMW R 65 Important role
  • 2016 USSV Rhino GX in Knights of the Zodiac 2016 USSV Rhino GX Important role
  • Honda VT 600 C Shadow in Knights of the Zodiac Honda VT 600 C Shadow Background role
  • Porsche 356 in Knights of the Zodiac Porsche 356 Background role
Details

Knights of the Zodiac Also Known As

34 alternative titles, including “Os Cavaleiros do Zodíaco - O Início” and “Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac”.

Also known as
  • Os Cavaleiros do Zodíaco - O Início
  • Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac
  • Seinto Seiya: The Beginning
  • เซนต์เซย์ย่า กำเนิดอัศวินจักรราศี
  • 聖鬥士星矢
  • Die Krieger des Zodiac
  • Ιππότες του Ζωδιακού
  • אבירי גלגל המזלות
  • 圣斗士星矢 真人版
  • Les Chevaliers du Zodiaque
  • 세인트 세이야: 더 비기닝
  • Рыцари Зодиака
+22 more
  • Rycerze Zodiaku
  • Os Cavaleiros do Zodíaco - Saint Seiya: O Começo
  • 聖闘士星矢 The Beginning
  • Los Caballeros del Zodíaco
  • Los Caballeros del Zodiaco: Saint Seiya - El inicio
  • I Cavalieri dello zodiaco
  • Saint Seiya: Rytíři zvěrokruhu – Počátek
  • Лицарі Зодіаку
  • 圣斗士星矢
  • Saint Seiya: Die Krieger des Zodiac - Der Film
  • Zodyak Şövalyeleri
  • Áo Giáp Vàng: Thánh Chiến Khởi Đầu
  • A zodiákus lovagjai
  • אבירי הזודיאק
  • Cavaleiros do Zodíaco
  • Витезови зодијака
  • Zodiako riteriai
  • Рицарите на зодиака
  • شوالیه‌های زودیاک
  • Vitezovi zodijaka
  • Vitezi zodiaka, ზოდიაქოს რაინდები
  • Cavalerii Zodiacului

Seen Knights of the Zodiac?

FAQ

Knights of the Zodiac FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Release Date

Release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Knights of the Zodiac, each answered in a sentence.

When was Knights of the Zodiac released?

Knights of the Zodiac was released on May 12, 2023.

Who directed Knights of the Zodiac?

Knights of the Zodiac was directed by Tomasz Baginski.

Who is in the cast of Knights of the Zodiac?

Knights of the Zodiac stars Mackenyu as Seiya, Sean Bean as Alman Kido and Nick Stahl as Cassios, among 8 credited actors.

How much did Knights of the Zodiac make at the box office?

Knights of the Zodiac grossed $7 million worldwide ($1.1 million domestic, $5.9 million international) on a budget of $60 million.

How is Knights of the Zodiac rated?

Knights of the Zodiac has 4.4/10 on IMDb, 20% on Rotten Tomatoes, 35 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Does Knights of the Zodiac have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Knights of the Zodiac has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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