Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Action drama

Mulan (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Mulan (2020) movie poster

Mulan is a 2020 action drama directed by Niki Caro, starring Yifei Liu, Tzi Ma and Rosalind Chao. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes and earned $70 million worldwide on a $200 million budget. It won 2 awards from 14 nominations, among them 3 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 72% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
72%
worldwide gross
$70M
awards won
2
Loading streaming availability…
Mulan (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 55m (115 min)
Director
Niki Caro
Genres
Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy
Original language
English
Budget
$200M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Mulan About?

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

In ancient China, a courageous young woman disguises herself as a man to take her injured father's place in the Imperial Army. Assuming the identity of Hua Jun, she faces rigorous training and perilous battles, demonstrating remarkable skill and bravery. Along her journey, Mulan confronts personal struggles, discovers her inner strength, and earns the respect of her fellow soldiers and her nation, ultimately striving to protect her family's honor.

Mulan Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • remake
  • china
  • warrior
  • assassin
  • woman dresses as a man
  • martial arts
  • northern wei dynasty
  • ancient china
  • disney live action remake of animated film
  • gender disguise
  • action heroine
  • reference to genghis khan
+38 more
  • showdown
  • witch
  • soldier
  • tough girl
  • hero
  • emperor
  • disguise
  • training
  • rescue
  • honesty
  • secret
  • feminism
  • snow adventure
  • heroine
  • character name in title
  • title spoken by character
  • chinese woman
  • chinese teenager
  • violence
  • title directed by female
  • based on legend
  • eagle
  • girl dresses as a boy
  • female warrior
  • swordswoman
  • hun
  • fireworks
  • no opening credits
  • hand to hand combat
  • sword fight
  • sword duel
  • battle
  • combat
  • catfight
  • bow and arrow
  • love interest
  • disarming someone
  • phoenix
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Mulan Cast & Characters

Yifei Liu leads the cast, with Tzi Ma as Zhou and Rosalind Chao as Li. Directed by Niki Caro; 18 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Niki Caro

More films directed by Niki Caro, best-rated first: Whale Rider, North Country, McFarland USA and The Zookeeper's Wife.

Full filmography
Ratings

Mulan Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Mulan 72% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in art & craft (65) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

50 /100

Mulan Echo Score Breakdown

Mixed reception for the live-action Mulan highlights a film that excels in visual scale and production design but falters in emotional depth and narrative cohesion. Reviews commend the ambitious set pieces and polished technical artistry while critiquing the wooden lead performance and cultural superficiality. The non-musical approach and action sequences earn praise, yet tonal inconsistencies and underdeveloped characters diminish impact. Ultimately, the adaptation is noted for impressive craft overshadowed by uneven storytelling and limited resonance, yielding a moderately unbalanced experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film’s production design and scale earn consistent praise. Critics and users highlight vivid set design, precise editing, and polished battle choreography that contribute to a compelling visual framework. Some negative feedback notes occasional reliance on artificial visual effects and a plastic-feeling representation of China. Overall, the technical artistry impresses despite sporadic lapses in authenticity.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, responses are mixed, with several critics describing the lead performance as wooden and noting a lack of distinctive personality. Some observers commend Liu’s portrayal for its quiet determination and moments of emotional sincerity. However, uneven character development and limited depth reduce the film’s emotional resonance. Overall, the character work is uneven, offering occasional insight without sustained engagement.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of Story & Flow, the narrative exhibits inconsistencies that undermine coherence. Critics point to cultural superficiality and jarring tonal shifts between serious themes and residual Disney humor. Some viewers appreciate the thematic focus on empowerment and a measured pacing that maintains engagement. However, the plot feels fragmented, with underdeveloped motivations and a lack of originality that dilute narrative impact.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When it comes to Sensory Experience, the film delivers an impressive but uneven audiovisual presentation. The non-musical score and dynamic sound design enhance battle sequences and dramatic moments, yet the absence of the original’s songs leaves a tonal gap. Visually, striking production values and cohesive color palettes create immersive settings. However, occasional CGI shortcuts disrupt the overall sensory cohesion.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film offers limited lasting appeal despite some standout sequences. Action set pieces and dramatic set pieces provide memorable moments, but narrative unevenness and muted emotional depth diminish replay value. While themes of empowerment may resonate on subsequent viewings, the lack of charm and character nuance makes the adaptation less compelling for repeated engagement.

Plot

Mulan Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Mulan 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 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the backdrop of Imperial China, we follow the journey of the spirited Hua Mulan, portrayed by Yifei Liu. Mulan is no ordinary girl; she is brimming with adventure and vigor, much to the dismay of her parents, Tzi Ma and Rosalind Chao, who hope to find her a suitable husband one day. Although she longs to bring honor to her family, Mulan’s independent streak shines through with her skill in martial arts, a talent unrecognized for girls in her society.

From a young age, Mulan proves her capabilities when she deftly captures a chicken that has strayed onto the roof. Her adeptness earns her scorn from the community, who believe her actions may taint her family’s honor. Despite societal expectations, she is determined to forge her own path.

Full summary

The whole story of Mulan, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Mulan Box Office & Budget

Mulan grossed $70 million worldwide on a $200 million budget, 35% of what it cost.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$70M

35% of its budget back

International
$70M
Budget
$200M
Awards

Mulan Awards & Nominations

Mulan won 2 awards from 14 nominations, among them 3 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the Saturn Awards 2021, with 2 wins from 6 nominations.

2 wins14 nominations7 ceremonies

Show all 7 ceremonies
Videos

Mulan Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Final Trailer
  • Teaser Coming Sept. 4
  • Behind the Scenes Featurette
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Mulan?

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

What prompts Mulan to disguise herself as a man and join the army?

Details

Mulan Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “花木蘭” and “វីរៈនារីមូឡាន”.

Also known as
  • 花木蘭
  • វីរៈនារីមូឡាន
  • Мулан [Mulan]
  • มู่หลาน
  • 木蘭
  • Matchless Mulan
  • 花木蘭(2020)
  • 花木兰.2020
  • Мулан
  • Μουλάν
  • Mulán
  • 뮬란
+7 more
  • 花木兰
  • מולאן
  • ムーラン
  • Hoa Mộc Lan
  • 花木蘭 2020
  • مولان
  • Mulana, მულანი

Seen Mulan?

FAQ

Mulan FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Mulan, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Mulan?

Mulan runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).

When was Mulan released?

Mulan was released on September 4, 2020.

Who directed Mulan?

Mulan was directed by Niki Caro.

More films by Niki Caro

Who is in the cast of Mulan?

Mulan stars Yifei Liu, Tzi Ma as Zhou and Rosalind Chao as Li, among 18 credited actors.

How much did Mulan make at the box office?

Mulan grossed $70 million worldwide on a budget of $200 million.

How is Mulan rated?

Mulan has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 72% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

What awards did Mulan win?

Mulan won 2 awards from 14 nominations, including Best Action / Adventure Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2021.

Does Mulan have a post-credit scene?

No. Mulan has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app