The Ballad of Narayama (1983)
Audiences love it.
The FilmyChill Score combines audience ratings and critics' reception, and updates twice a day. No studio or platform can pay for a score. How the score works
The Ballad of Narayama is streaming in Japan on U-NEXT, Toei On Demand.
What the audience says
The Ballad of Narayama rates well above most Japanese films. It carries a 7.5/10 on TMDB across 213 ratings — comfortably clear of the pack. It clocks in at a standard 130 minutes. In Japan you can stream it on U-NEXT, Toei On Demand.
Should you spend 2h 10m on it?
2h 10m of Japanese drama. Standard length — a normal evening's watch, nothing to plan around.
- Why
- It rates 7.5/10 on 213 ratings so far — a strong early showing.
- Skip if
- you want plot momentum over character work
- Best for
- A quiet evening at home
Story
In a small village in a valley everyone who reaches the age of 70 must leave the village and go to a certain mountain top to die. If anyone should refuse they would disgrace their family. Old Orin is 69. This winter it is her turn to go to the mountain. But first she must make sure that her eldest son Tatsuhei finds a wife.
Good to know
| Runtime | 2h 10m |
| Genre | Drama |
| Language | Japanese |
| Best screen | Stream at home |
Director
Shōhei Imamura
Cast
Where to watch in Japan
Included with a subscription — no extra charge on these platforms.
Availability as of 18 Oct 2026 — platforms may change over time.
More: All U-NEXT titles in Japan
Trailer
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