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

Shoplifters (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Shoplifters (2018) movie poster

Shoplifters is a 2018 crime drama directed by Hirokazu Koreeda, starring Kirin Kiki as Hatsue Shibata, Lily Franky and Sakura Andô. It runs 2 hours 1 minute and earned $68 million worldwide. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 93 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.9/10.

IMDb rating
7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
99%
worldwide gross
$68M
award nominations
5
Loading streaming availability…
Shoplifters (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 1m (121 min)
Director
Hirokazu Koreeda
Genres
Drama , Crime
Original language
Japanese
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Shoplifters About?

The premise of Shoplifters without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A struggling man named Osamu and his son are caught shoplifting, leading to an unexpected connection with a young girl abandoned in the cold. They welcome her into their unconventional home, creating a makeshift family. However, their fragile happiness is threatened by long-held secrets and the potential exposure of their unconventional lifestyle, forcing them to confront difficult truths about their past and their future.

Shoplifters Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • poverty
  • father son relationship
  • surrogate family
  • theft
  • social realism
  • domestic abuse
  • beach
  • husband wife relationship
  • shoplifting
  • accused of abduction
  • homelessness
  • money
+38 more
  • tokyo japan
  • secret
  • family by choice
  • philosophical conversation
  • independent film
  • employment
  • boy
  • grocery store
  • pension
  • old age pension
  • family as protagonists
  • mother son relationship
  • grandmother grandson relationship
  • desperation
  • hope
  • parent
  • poor family
  • petty crime
  • little girl
  • death
  • burying a body
  • arrest
  • hand signal
  • prison
  • moral dilemma
  • male nudity
  • work injury
  • burn mark
  • love
  • chopsticks the eating utensil
  • exposing oneself
  • missing child
  • shoplifter
  • peep show
  • croquette
  • job
  • girl
  • part time job
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Shoplifters Cast & Characters

Kirin Kiki leads the cast as Hatsue Shibata, with Lily Franky as Osamu Shibata and Sakura Andô. Directed by Hirokazu Koreeda; 15 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Hirokazu Koreeda

More films directed by Hirokazu Koreeda, best-rated first: Still Walking, Monster, After Life and Maborosi.

Full filmography
Ratings

Shoplifters Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Shoplifters 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 93 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 87/100, strongest in character & emotion (92) and weakest in rewatch factor (75).

87 /100

Shoplifters Echo Score Breakdown

Shoplifters excels in its emotional depth and assured direction, with subtle cinematography and a resonant ensemble performance. Critics applaud Kore-eda’s nuanced approach to family dynamics and the film’s measured pacing that culminates in a devastating final act. While some viewers find the middle section languid and the premise familiar, most praise the visual style and thoughtful storytelling. The cohesive sound design and evocative score further enhance the immersive experience. Net impression: a compelling drama with strong craft and character work that rewards attentive viewing.

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 & Craft, Shoplifters demonstrates assured direction and careful visual composition. Kore-eda’s framing employs an understated color palette that underscores the themes of intimacy and resourcefulness. Production design subtly conveys the family’s economic precariousness, and editing maintains a measured rhythm. Overall, the film’s visual coherence and craftsmanship reinforce its contemplative tone.

  • Character & Emotion 92

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, the film’s ensemble delivers nuanced performances that evoke genuine empathy. The makeshift family’s interactions are portrayed with quiet authenticity, highlighting subtle tensions and unspoken bonds. Emotional resonance builds gradually through understated dialogue and small gestures. In the end, character depth and chemistry drive the narrative, creating a compelling portrait of unconventional kinship.

  • Story & Flow 78

    In terms of Story & Flow, Shoplifters unfolds as a deliberate slow burn that explores moral ambiguity within its plot. The pacing is measured, allowing secrets to surface gradually, though this approach may feel languid during the central act. The narrative remains coherent, addressing social themes without overt exposition. Overall, the storyline’s blend of intimacy and suspense sustains engagement despite occasional dips in tempo.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    When it comes to Sensory Experience, the film’s soundscape and visual style are thoughtfully integrated. The restrained score underscores emotional moments without overwhelming them, and ambient sound design enriches the setting. Visually, the subdued color palette and naturalistic lighting create cohesion across scenes. Overall, the sensory elements work in concert to immerse the audience in the characters’ intimate world.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, Shoplifters offers moments of subtlety that reward close attention on subsequent viewings. Nuanced performances and thematic depth reveal additional layers upon return, though the film’s slow pacing may deter some from revisiting. The emotional resonance and moral complexity persist beyond initial engagement. Overall, the movie provides lasting appeal for viewers who appreciate reflective, character-driven stories.

Plot

Shoplifters Plot Summary

What happens in Shoplifters from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Tokyo, a family lives on the edge of poverty, crafting a fragile life together under one roof. Hatsue Shibata (Kirin Kiki), the elderly grandmother who owns the home, leans on her late husband’s pension to keep the household afloat; Nobuyo (Sakura Andô), who works at an industrial laundry, helps shoulder the daily grind; Osamu Shibata (Lily Franky) is a day laborer who is occasionally forced to leave work after an injury; Aki Shibata (Mayu Matsuoka) makes ends meet at a JK peep shop; and Shota Shibata (Jyo Kairi) is their youngest companion in this precarious unit. The family’s survival is built on quiet acts of necessity, not honesty, and the line between care and crime grows blurrier with each passing day.

Full summary

The whole story of Shoplifters, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Shoplifters Box Office

Shoplifters grossed $68 million worldwide. $3.3 million came from the US and Canada and $64.7 million (95%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$68M

US & Canada
$3.3M
International
$64.7M
US & Canada 5% Rest of the world 95%
Awards

Shoplifters Awards & Nominations

Shoplifters was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 5 nominations come from 5 ceremonies.

5 nominations5 ceremonies

Show all 5 ceremonies
Videos

Shoplifters Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 3 trailers, 1 teaser and 5 clips.

All 9 videos
English Final Trailer
  • Trailer Official US Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
  • Teaser
  • Clip Yuri On TV
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Shoplifters?

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

In which city is the story set?

Details

Shoplifters Also Known As

31 alternative titles, including “Manbiki Kazoku” and “Shoplifting Family”.

Also known as
  • Manbiki Kazoku
  • Shoplifting Family
  • Магазинні злодюжки
  • Somos una familia
  • Une affaire de famille
  • Un asunto de familia
  • Un affare di famiglia
  • Магазинные воришки
  • 어느 가족
  • 小偷家族
  • Джебчии
  • Arakçılar
+19 more
  • Assunto de Família
  • Zlodeji
  • המשפחה שלי
  • Shoplifters – perhesalaisuuksia
  • Bolti tolvajok
  • Κλέφτες Καταστημάτων
  • Крамничні злодюжки
  • Shoplifters - Familienbande
  • Złodziejaszki
  • Крадљивци
  • ครอบครัวที่ลัก
  • Zloději
  • Vagiliautojai
  • Shoplifters: Uma Família de Pequenos Ladrões
  • Gia Đình Đạo Tặc
  • Zaglēni
  • Tatiči
  • Poevargad
  • Un assumpte de família

Seen Shoplifters?

FAQ

Shoplifters FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Shoplifters?

Shoplifters runs 2 hours 1 minute (121 minutes).

When was Shoplifters released?

Shoplifters was released on November 23, 2018.

Who directed Shoplifters?

Shoplifters was directed by Hirokazu Koreeda.

More films by Hirokazu Koreeda

Who is in the cast of Shoplifters?

Shoplifters stars Kirin Kiki as Hatsue Shibata, Lily Franky as Osamu Shibata and Sakura Andô, among 15 credited actors.

How much did Shoplifters make at the box office?

Shoplifters grossed $68 million worldwide ($3.3 million domestic, $64.7 million international).

How is Shoplifters rated?

Shoplifters has 7.9/10 on IMDb, 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, 93 on Metacritic and 79% on TMDB.

Was Shoplifters nominated for any awards?

Shoplifters received 5 nominations across 5 ceremonies.

Does Shoplifters have a post-credit scene?

No. Shoplifters 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