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Yasuaki Kurata, actor
Actor

Yasuaki Kurata: Movies & Box Office

films
55
on screen
1972–2024
box office
$148M
average score
59
Born
March 20, 1946 (age 80)
Birthplace
Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Citizenship
Japanese
Occupations
actor, martial artist
Years active
1966-present
Known for

The Best Yasuaki Kurata Movies

The highest-rated films Yasuaki Kurata is credited on, by the Movie Echo Score that blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact. God of War (2017) scores highest, at 64. The full ranking adds the biggest box office hits and the most awarded films.

Full ranking
Career at a glance

Yasuaki Kurata's Career in Numbers

Yasuaki Kurata's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Yasuaki Kurata works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Kung Fu: The Invisible Fist (1972) to Black Fox: Age of the Ninja (2019), and the 1970s were the busiest decade.

Yasuaki Kurata Movies by Decade

  1. 1970s 19
  2. 1980s 19
  3. 1990s 2
  4. 2000s 4
  5. 2010s 10

The 1970s were Yasuaki Kurata's busiest decade, with 19 films.

Yasuaki Kurata Movies by Genre

  • Action 33
  • Drama 6
  • Comedy 6
  • Crime 4
  • Horror 2
  • Adventure 1
  • Thriller 1

Action is the genre Yasuaki Kurata has worked in most, with 33 films, ahead of drama (6).

Yasuaki Kurata Career Milestones

Biggest box office hit
Golden Job $47.3M worldwide
Best-rated film
God of War Movie Echo Score 64
55 credits

Yasuaki Kurata Filmography: Every Movie

Every film Yasuaki Kurata is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Rated films average a score of 59. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.

Yasuaki Kurata Movies as an Actor

54
  1. 2019 Black Fox: Age of the Ninja (2019) movie poster Black Fox: Age of the Ninja as Hyoe Isurugi · Drama
  2. 2018 Iceman: The Time Traveler (2018) movie poster Iceman: The Time Traveler as Bei Tiao · Action Movie Echo Score: 38
  3. 2018 Fat Buddies (2018) movie poster Fat Buddies Action
  4. 2018 Golden Job (2018) movie poster Golden Job as Morimoto · Adventure Movie Echo Score: 62
  5. 2018 Manhunt (2018) movie poster Manhunt as Hideo Sakaguchi · Action Movie Echo Score: 55
  6. 2017 The Empty Hands (2017) movie poster The Empty Hands as Akira Hirakawa · Action
  7. 2017 God of War (2017) movie poster God of War Action Movie Echo Score: 64
  8. 2013 The Wrath of Vajra (2013) movie poster The Wrath of Vajra as Amano Kawao · Horror
  9. 2012 The Last Tycoon (2012) movie poster The Last Tycoon Drama
  10. 2011 Sword of Blood (2011) movie poster Sword of Blood as Genjiro Mishima · Horror
  11. 2006 GoGo Sentai Boukenger The Movie: The Greatest Precious (2006) movie poster GoGo Sentai Boukenger The Movie: The Greatest Precious as Kouichi Akashi · Action
  12. 2003 Anna in Kungfu-land (2003) movie poster Anna in Kungfu-land as Sword Shek
  13. 2002 Samouraïs (2002) movie poster Samouraïs as Fujiwara Morio · Action
  14. 2000 Conman in Tokyo (2000) movie poster Conman in Tokyo as Tetsuo · Comedy
  15. 1994 Fist of Legend (1994) movie poster Fist of Legend as Fuimo Funakoshi · Action
  16. 1991 Zodiac Killers (1991) movie poster Zodiac Killers as Ishikawa (cameo) · Crime
  17. 1989 Bloodfight (1989) movie poster Bloodfight as Masahiko Kai · Action
  18. 1988 Seven Days War (1988) movie poster Seven Days War as Sakai · Drama
  19. 1988 Carry On Hotel (1988) movie poster Carry On Hotel as Tomohara · Crime
  20. 1987 Eastern Condors (1987) movie poster Eastern Condors as Vietnamese Captain · Action
  21. 1986 The Seventh Curse (1986) movie poster The Seventh Curse as Captain Ho · Action
  22. 1986 A Book of Heroes (1986) movie poster A Book of Heroes as Yamashita sensei · Comedy
  23. 1986 Millionaires’ Express (1986) movie poster Millionaires’ Express as Japanese Ninja · Action
  24. 1985 Police Story (1985) movie poster Police Story as Passerby (uncredited) · Comedy
  25. 1985 Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars (1985) movie poster Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars as Parachute Assassin · Comedy
  26. 1984 Ninja Thunderbolt (1984) movie poster Ninja Thunderbolt Crime
  27. 1983 Aces Go Places II (1983) movie poster Aces Go Places II as Bull · Comedy
  28. 1983 Crisis (1983) movie poster Crisis as Chairman Sun Shao Hung · Thriller
  29. 1983 Deadly Life of a Ninja (1983) movie poster Deadly Life of a Ninja as Iga Ninja Leader · Action
  30. 1983 Deadly Life of a Ninja (1983) movie poster Deadly Life of a Ninja as Iga Ninja Leader · Action
  31. 1982 Impossible Woman (1982) movie poster Impossible Woman Action
  32. 1981 The Legend of the Owl (1981) movie poster The Legend of the Owl Comedy
  33. 1981 Shaolin Fighters vs. Ninja (1981) movie poster Shaolin Fighters vs. Ninja as Lonely Winner · Action
  34. 1981 Why Not? (1981) movie poster Why Not? as Hanjiro · Drama
  35. 1981 Ninja In The Deadly Trap (1981) movie poster Ninja In The Deadly Trap as Shi Ping-Wei, the Ninja Leader · Drama
  36. 1978 Heroes of the East (1978) movie poster Heroes of the East as Takeno · Action
  37. 1978 Edge of Fury (1978) movie poster Edge of Fury as Mr King · Action
  38. 1976 Which Is Stronger, Karate or the Tiger? (1976) movie poster Which Is Stronger, Karate or the Tiger? as Ryuzaki Tetsuji · Action
  39. 1976 Dragon Princess (1976) movie poster Dragon Princess as Masahiko Okizaki · Action
  40. 1975 The Return of Sister Street Fighter (1975) movie poster The Return of Sister Street Fighter as Go Kurosaki · Action
  41. 1975 The Golden Triangle (1975) movie poster The Golden Triangle Action
  42. 1974 Sister Street Fighter: Hanging by a Thread (1974) movie poster Sister Street Fighter: Hanging by a Thread as Shunsuke Tsubaki · Crime
  43. 1974 The Executioner (1974) movie poster The Executioner as Karate teacher · Action
  44. 1974 Little Godfather from Hong Kong (1974) movie poster Little Godfather from Hong Kong as Sakada (Chong) · Action
  45. 1974 Call Me Dragon (1974) movie poster Call Me Dragon as Panther / Leopard Head · Action
  46. 1973 Seven to One (1973) movie poster Seven to One as Nightclub Singer / Killer · Action
  47. 1973 Win Them All (1973) movie poster Win Them All as Iron Fingers · Action
  48. 1973 Knight Errant (1973) movie poster Knight Errant as Tetsuro · Drama
  49. 1973 Fist of Unicorn (1973) movie poster Fist of Unicorn as Sun · Action
  50. 1973 Rage of Wind (1973) movie poster Rage of Wind as Taka · Action
  51. 1972 Kung Fu: The Invisible Fist (1972) movie poster Kung Fu: The Invisible Fist as Cpt. Jai Tai · Action
  52. 1972 The King of Boxers (1972) movie poster The King of Boxers as Tu Pien · Action
  53. 1972 The Prodigal Boxer (1972) movie poster The Prodigal Boxer as Iron Hand Tan · Action
  54. 1972 The Angry Guest (1972) movie poster The Angry Guest as Katsu · Action
Biography

Who Is Yasuaki Kurata?

Yasuaki Kurata was born in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan in 1946 and is 80 years old. Credited on films since 1972, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.

Yasuaki Kurata (born March 20, 1946) in the former Japanese Empire town of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, has become one of the most recognizable Japanese faces in the world of martial arts cinema. From an early age he was immersed in the discipline of Shitō‑ryū karate, training under his father and eventually achieving a 7th‑dan black belt, while also earning 3rd‑dan in judo, 2nd‑dan in aikido, and practicing kendo, a breadth of expertise that would later inform his on‑screen combat choreography. After completing his studies in performing arts at Nihon University and the Toei Theater School, Kurata entered the entertainment industry in 1966, debuting on the television series Marude Dameo, a role that marked the beginning of a prolific career spanning more than five decades. In 1971 he broke into Hong Kong cinema with the Shaw Brothers production Angry Guest, a bold move that paved the way for a lasting cross‑cultural partnership between Japanese and Hong Kong action filmmakers. Kurata’s fluency in Cantonese and his friendship with Bruce Lee helped him secure a steady stream of supporting and villainous roles, most famously his intense duel against Jet Li in Fist of Legend and his charismatic antagonist in So Close. Beyond acting, Kurata founded the stunt agency Kurata Promotion (originally Kurata Action Club) in 1976, mentoring countless performers and choreographing fight sequences that blend traditional Japanese martial arts with contemporary cinematic flair. He has also taught at the University of Creation, advised the All Japan Nunchaku League, authored the 2004 book Hong Kong Action Star Kōyūroku, and operates karate dojos in Tokyo, Osaka, and Hong Kong, influencing a new generation of martial artists such as Kenji Tanigaki. Recognized with two Hong Kong Film Award nominations, Kurata remains an active figure in both Japanese and international action cinema, embodying the spirit of dedication, versatility, and cultural bridge‑building that defines the modern martial‑arts star.

Works with

Who Yasuaki Kurata Makes Movies With

The actors and directors Yasuaki Kurata shares the most films with. Hideo Murota comes first, with 3 films together, followed by Jackie Chan (3).

FAQ

Yasuaki Kurata: Questions & Answers

How many movies Yasuaki Kurata has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.

How many movies has Yasuaki Kurata been in?

Yasuaki Kurata is credited on 55 films, from 1972 to 2024. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.

What is Yasuaki Kurata's highest-grossing movie?

Golden Job (2018) is Yasuaki Kurata's biggest box office hit, with $47.3M worldwide, ahead of Fat Buddies (2018) ($37.5M). Across every film with box office figures, Yasuaki Kurata's movies have made $148M.

Yasuaki Kurata's biggest hits

What is the best Yasuaki Kurata movie?

By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, Yasuaki Kurata's best-rated film is Enter the Clones of Bruce (2024) with a score of 78, followed by God of War (2017) (64).

Best Yasuaki Kurata movies, ranked

How old is Yasuaki Kurata?

Yasuaki Kurata is 80 years old, born on March 20, 1946 in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.

What is Yasuaki Kurata's newest movie?

The most recent film on Yasuaki Kurata's filmography is Enter the Clones of Bruce (2024), in the role of Self.

Who does Yasuaki Kurata work with most often?

Yasuaki Kurata shares the most films with Hideo Murota (3 films), Jackie Chan (3 films) and Maggie Cheung (2 films).

The Best Yasuaki Kurata Movies, Ranked

Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 55 credits.

See the ranking

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