Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily Entertainment GuideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsCannes Film FestivalStar WarsAsian Pacific American Heritage MonthSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

The Joy Luck Club

  • 1993
  • R
  • 2h 19m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
19K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,982
1,109
The Joy Luck Club (1993)
The Oscar-winning actress shares a special list of films that inspire hope in an effort to help support those without a place to call home amidst our global health crisis.
Play clip4:30
Watch Cate Blanchett's Films of Hope
4 Videos
37 Photos
Coming-of-AgePsychological DramaDrama

Four Chinese women along with their mothers delve into their past and try to find answers. Slowly, this search helps them to understand the complex relationship they share with each other.Four Chinese women along with their mothers delve into their past and try to find answers. Slowly, this search helps them to understand the complex relationship they share with each other.Four Chinese women along with their mothers delve into their past and try to find answers. Slowly, this search helps them to understand the complex relationship they share with each other.

  • Director
    • Wayne Wang
  • Writers
    • Amy Tan
    • Ron Bass
  • Stars
    • Tamlyn Tomita
    • Rosalind Chao
    • Kieu Chinh
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    19K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,982
    1,109
    • Director
      • Wayne Wang
    • Writers
      • Amy Tan
      • Ron Bass
    • Stars
      • Tamlyn Tomita
      • Rosalind Chao
      • Kieu Chinh
    • 131User reviews
    • 35Critic reviews
    • 84Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 4 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos4

    Cate Blanchett's Films of Hope
    Clip 4:30
    Cate Blanchett's Films of Hope
    The Joy Luck Club
    Clip 1:45
    The Joy Luck Club
    The Joy Luck Club
    Clip 1:45
    The Joy Luck Club
    The Joy Luck Club
    Clip 1:29
    The Joy Luck Club
    'Dangerous Lies' Star Jamie Chung Wants to Play This Tarantino Character
    Video 3:02
    'Dangerous Lies' Star Jamie Chung Wants to Play This Tarantino Character

    Photos37

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 31
    View Poster

    Top cast62

    Edit
    Tamlyn Tomita
    Tamlyn Tomita
    • Waverly - The Daughter
    Rosalind Chao
    Rosalind Chao
    • Rose - The Daughter
    Kieu Chinh
    Kieu Chinh
    • Suyuan - The Mother
    Tsai Chin
    Tsai Chin
    • Lindo - The Mother
    France Nuyen
    France Nuyen
    • Ying-Ying - The Mother
    Lisa Lu
    Lisa Lu
    • An-Mei - The Mother
    Ming-Na Wen
    Ming-Na Wen
    • June - The Daughter
    Lauren Tom
    Lauren Tom
    • Lena - The Daughter
    Chao Li Chi
    Chao Li Chi
    • June's Father
    Melanie Chang
    • June - Age 9
    Victor Wong
    Victor Wong
    • Old Chong
    Lisa Connolly
    • Singing Girl
    Vu Mai
    Vu Mai
    • Waverly - Age 6-9
    Ying Wu
    • Lindo - Age 4
    Meijuan Xi
    Meijuan Xi
    • Lindo's Mother
    • (as Mei Juan Xi)
    Guo-Rong Chin
    • Huang Tai Tai
    Hsu Ying Li
    • Matchmaker
    Irene Ng
    Irene Ng
    • Lindo - Age 15
    • Director
      • Wayne Wang
    • Writers
      • Amy Tan
      • Ron Bass
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews131

    7.719K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    9cherold

    affecting

    It's surprising they managed to make a movie out of The Joy Luck Club, which was, after all, a series of anecdotes by 8 different people. But somehow they did it, seamless weaving in and out of the characters' reminiscences.

    Joy Luck Club could reasonably be described as a chick flick - it is, after all, a film about a bunch of women and their feelings - but that would be a disservice. "Chick flick" has become a somewhat derogatory term, partially because it was a term created by guys who find women and their feelings annoying, but to a great extent because most movies in this class are shoddy pieces of tripe like "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." If movies of women and their feelings were all this intelligent, insightful and affecting I doubt anyone would have even coined the term "chick flick." This is a movie of honest emotion that leaves you with a sense of fulfillment, a rebuke to all those manufactured, syrupy women's movies that Hollywood churns out. Highly, highly, HIGHLY recommended.
    briankistler

    Double-Edged Sword

    There are quite a few themes in this movie. One that springs to mind for me, right away, is that of a generation gap AND a cultural gap. This is a story about Chinese-American girls, growing up in America, raised by women who came of age in Mainland China, decades earlier. One interesting thought: most of these Chinese mothers came to America, wishing to fight like a tiger for their daughters...........wishing that they could give their daughters a much better life (and a MUCH LESS PAINFUL life) than they had. Unfortunately most of their daughters interpreted their tenacious desire to fight for them (and push them to excellence) as a lack of love: hence the "double-edged sword" of "giving their all" for their daughters.

    I am all too keenly aware that this is what most people would call a "chick flick". Nevertheless, as a man, I loved it. I enjoyed how the stories of the mother's and daughter's childhoods (and their younger years in general) were interwoven throughout the movie like a Chinese tapestry or quilt. Moving in and out of the American and Chinese cultures made this even more interesting to watch. Every tale, that each Chinese mother narrated, was like a work of art: a work of art complete with flutes, violins and various types of Chinese instruments in the background. Their tales were also frequently accompanied by breathtaking views of snowcapped mountains and the wide, open Chinese countryside (so very similar to what we have seen on sheets of rice paper or on porcelain plates).

    There was also a lot of powerful energy in this film. Not all of it was the negative energy of deep conflicts and emotional strife between mother and daughter. Much of it was quite positive and invigorating: the energy that filled the room of these daughters and mothers when they got together to CELEBRATE LIFE at an "extended family" party...........The very moving and touching energy, that surged forth, when mother and daughter often came together, after years and decades of conflict..........and realized that they were on each other's team..........The tears of joy that often sprang forth, when a given daughter realized, for the first time, that her mother was not disappointed in her..........and that her own happiness was PARAMOUNT, in her mother's heart.

    In a small way, it did bother me that every single one of the Chinese mothers came from a dysfunctional family (and/or background). I do realize, however, that the overall story would not have been anywhere near as "riveting", had each daughter not had a mother who had to fight and claw her way to survival (and to sanity!). I will say that, of all the mothers, Tsai Chin's Lindo Jon character was perhaps the most unforgivable role model for maternity. Most of my friends, who have seen this movie, agree that she was almost HATEFUL in her attitude toward her daughter! However, this part of the movie did help make the overall plot very interesting (and deeply charged with emotion!).

    A few closing comments: as a former student of Chinese History I really enjoyed seeing some of the common Chinese familial traits played out in this movie: respect for elders, honoring one's ancestors and being an obedient child. Finally, I must compliment the casting director of The Joy Luck Club: you selected some of the prettiest little girls to play the mothers and daughters in their earliest years.
    9Ironboundfw

    Glorious Film making

    Every time I look back at movies through the years, I find myself wondering why The Joy Luck Club did not make a huge splash in the awards circle. The film is one of the BEST FILMS of my lifetime. It will always represent to me, the dream that is America.

    I think it's because the emotions of the film are so universal, that I count it as one of my favorites. I am male, I am hispanic, I came to the United States when I was 13 years old. I felt alienated, lonely and hopeless, could anyone really understand all that I wanted to do, all that I wanted to become. How do you reconcile your cultural roots, with wanting to fit into the American Dream.

    I try to watch The JOY LUCK CLUB as often as I try to read the book. Because it reminds me that we are all connected in so many ways. That our dreams and desires are not all together different. that Love reaches beyond race, beyond politics and beyond time.

    when I saw this film I thought, The Academy of Arts and Sciences would gush over it. But it never reached the kind of acclaim it truly deserved. I think it's because most film makers field of personal experience limited in reaching and feeling. Most of the Academy comes from back grounds that didn't see struggle, that doesn't see the world in unison, but in carefully separated categories. This to them was not a human experience film, it was a film for a minority group. But, while The JOY LUCK CLUB is life affirming to some, to those who have lived the similarities, it is life changing.
    justducky

    Honest and Beautiful

    Joy Luck Club is a deeply moving film that will touch the heart and mind of anyone who opens themselves to it's messages about life.

    If someone (such as darkfalz) feels this film speaks more of women's shallow choices, they miss out on humanity for the sake of superficial judgment.

    This is a film about hard choices and sacrifice. It's a story of the generation gap that inevitably occurs between immigrant mother's and their daughters who were brought up surrounded by different values. Each mother strives to raise her children in a way that will bring them success and joy in life. Each hopes to free their offspring from the pains they themselves had to endure.

    It is also about the Chinese way of pushing a child to be the best, and gives insight into a mother's need to see her own struggles amount to something great in her daughter. However, this is not just about Asians. It is about all parents hopes and all children's frustrations with fulfilling those dreams.

    In America the story of the first generational gap is a very real and painful one. It happens for boys as much as girls, and I know a lot of men who relate to this film despite it's inherent chick flick nature. It celebrates the need to keep your roots and history alive, even if you let go of certain traditions that you were not born into.

    The women in the film often make hard choices. Many of them folly and sin, but it is not a film about forgiving them so much as it is about the lasting effect of the choices we make.

    Everyone should see this film. It's one of the most honest human dramas out there.
    jhadefoxx

    A masterpiece

    Words fail to capture the essence of this film. I read the book before I saw the movie and as anyone can tell you, the book for a movie is usually a lot better, but in this case and I think they are both on the same level. I watched this movie again for the umpteenth time today and every time I watch it I see the magic again. It makes me think of my own relationship with my mother and my relationship with my daughter. This is the story that made me feel in love with Asian film.

    IMDb's Picks For Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

    IMDb's Picks For Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

    IMDb celebrates the cinematic contributions of Asians and Pacific Islanders with a list of some iconic films, new classics, and hidden gems to add to your Watchlist.
    See the list
    Production art
    List

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In a 2018 NPR interview, executive producer Janet Yang recalled that director Wayne Wang (who she said usually had "the most lovely personality") lost his temper in a marketing meeting because the studio had presented him with the choices for posters to advertise the movie, and all of the options avoided showing the face of an Asian person. Either the designs were very abstract (for example, a decorative woodcut) or they were photos of the actresses' backs.
    • Goofs
      In the second chess game that Waverley plays as a child with the boy the chess board and the positions of the pieces are clearly shown on the screen. The boy moves his queen. Waverley makes a move and the boy responds with a move in which he captures a pawn and he says "check". The only possible move that the boy could have made at this point which would have resulted in an utterance of any kind would have been "checkmate" - Black queen supported by black bishop takes white pawn, Mate. After this Waverley makes another move which would have been impossible under the rules of the game because the game would have been over on black's last move.
    • Quotes

      Suyuan: That bad crab, only you tried to take it. Everybody else want best quality. You, your thinking different. Waverly took best-quality crab. You took worst, because you have best-quality heart. You have style no one can teach. Must be born this way. I see you.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: True Romance/The Ballad of Little Jo/Kalifornia/The Joy Luck Club/The Real McCoy (1993)
    • Soundtracks
      I Enjoy Being A Girl
      Music by Richard Rodgers

      Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

      Courtesy of Williamson Music

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ20

    • How long is The Joy Luck Club?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 29, 1993 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Mandarin
      • Cantonese
    • Also known as
      • El Club de la Buena Estrella
    • Filming locations
      • 610 Rhode Island Street, San Francisco, California, USA(Harold and Lena's home interior)
    • Production company
      • Hollywood Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $11,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $32,901,136
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $159,009
      • Sep 12, 1993
    • Gross worldwide
      • $32,901,136
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 19 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    The Joy Luck Club (1993)
    Top Gap
    By what name was The Joy Luck Club (1993) officially released in India in Hindi?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.