Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
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)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Empire of the Sun

  • 19871987
  • PGPG
  • 2h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
124K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,340
211
Empire of the Sun (1987)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer1:39
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • History
  • War
A young English boy struggles to survive under Japanese occupation of China during World War II.A young English boy struggles to survive under Japanese occupation of China during World War II.A young English boy struggles to survive under Japanese occupation of China during World War II.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
124K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,340
211
  • Director
    • Steven Spielberg
  • Writers
    • Tom Stoppard(screenplay by)
    • J.G. Ballard(based on the novel by)
    • Menno Meyjes(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Christian Bale
    • John Malkovich
    • Miranda Richardson
Top credits
  • Director
    • Steven Spielberg
  • Writers
    • Tom Stoppard(screenplay by)
    • J.G. Ballard(based on the novel by)
    • Menno Meyjes(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Christian Bale
    • John Malkovich
    • Miranda Richardson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 378User reviews
    • 65Critic reviews
    • 62Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 6 Oscars
      • 13 wins & 17 nominations total

    Videos1

    Empire of the Sun
    Trailer 1:39
    Empire of the Sun

    Photos353

    Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Christian Bale and Ben Stiller in Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Christian Bale and Nigel Havers in Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Christian Bale and John Malkovich in Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Christian Bale and Takatarô Kataoka in Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Christian Bale at an event for Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Christian Bale at an event for Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Empire of the Sun (1987)
    1 sheet
    1 sheet movie poster

    Top cast

    Edit
    Christian Bale
    Christian Bale
    • Jimas Jim
    John Malkovich
    John Malkovich
    • Basieas Basie
    Miranda Richardson
    Miranda Richardson
    • Mrs. Victoras Mrs. Victor
    Nigel Havers
    Nigel Havers
    • Dr. Rawlinsas Dr. Rawlins
    Joe Pantoliano
    Joe Pantoliano
    • Frank Demarestas Frank Demarest
    Leslie Phillips
    Leslie Phillips
    • Maxtonas Maxton
    Masatô Ibu
    Masatô Ibu
    • Sgt. Nagataas Sgt. Nagata
    • (as Masato Ibu)
    Emily Richard
    Emily Richard
    • Jim's Motheras Jim's Mother
    Rupert Frazer
    Rupert Frazer
    • Jim's Fatheras Jim's Father
    Peter Gale
    Peter Gale
    • Mr. Victoras Mr. Victor
    Takatarô Kataoka
    Takatarô Kataoka
    • Kamikaze Boy Pilotas Kamikaze Boy Pilot
    • (as Takatoro Kataoka)
    Ben Stiller
    Ben Stiller
    • Daintyas Dainty
    David Neidorf
    David Neidorf
    • Tiptreeas Tiptree
    Ralph Seymour
    Ralph Seymour
    • Cohenas Cohen
    Robert Stephens
    Robert Stephens
    • Mr. Lockwoodas Mr. Lockwood
    Naishe Zhai
    • Yangas Yang
    • (as Zhai Nai She)
    Guts Ishimatsu
    • Sgt. Uchidaas Sgt. Uchida
    Emma Piper
    • Amy Matthewsas Amy Matthews
    • Director
      • Steven Spielberg
    • Writers
      • Tom Stoppard(screenplay by)
      • J.G. Ballard(based on the novel by)
      • Menno Meyjes(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Amistad
    7.3
    Amistad
    The Color Purple
    7.7
    The Color Purple
    Munich
    7.5
    Munich
    Close Encounters of the Third Kind
    7.6
    Close Encounters of the Third Kind
    A.I. Artificial Intelligence
    7.2
    A.I. Artificial Intelligence
    War Horse
    7.2
    War Horse
    Always
    6.4
    Always
    Lincoln
    7.3
    Lincoln
    Bridge of Spies
    7.6
    Bridge of Spies
    The Sugarland Express
    6.7
    The Sugarland Express
    Duel
    7.6
    Duel
    The Thin Red Line
    7.6
    The Thin Red Line

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Eric Flynn, who plays a British POW, was actually a POW as a child in a Japanese camp.
    • Goofs
      At the beginning, Jim encounters Japanese soldiers in the city as they are gathered for a meal. They eat dumplings family-style, using long, blunt-ended chopsticks. Japanese people generally use pointed chopsticks. If there is a common bowl of food, Japanese turn their chopsticks around to transfer the food to their own bowl, and then eat with the narrow end.
    • Quotes

      Jim: [during an American airstrike] P-51! Cadillac of the sky!

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Wall Street/Throw Momma from the Train/Broadcast News/Empire of the Sun (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Suo Gan
      Performed by The Ambrosian Junior Choir

      Arranged and conducted by John McCarthy

      Soloist James Rainbird

    User reviews378

    Review
    Top review
    Another Wonderful Spielberg Creation
    it was one of those movies i never expected to watch. it was late, i was bored, and i happened to stumble upon a channel i barely ever watch. and while i sat watching events unfold in front of me, i slowly forgot about my usual program of interest. there is something about this film that truly captivates you and leaves your eyes glued to it every second. Christian bale displays his talents wonderfully in this movie, and the most striking thing to me was his ability to give such a realistic, yet youthful performance. his subtle acts of defiance against authority, his brave expeditions that left older men in awe, the fact that a little boy could irritate a general so much. friendships were forged, even with the enemy and it was by far one of the most astounding movies i've ever seen. it's long, it's good, and if you haven't seen it - do so.
    helpful•83
    34
    • slayer_5_By_5
    • Nov 13, 2004

    FAQ16

    • Why did the Japanese soldiers order the Brits to start carrying the white rocks up the embankment?
    • Why did the Japanese troops smash the windows in the prisoner barracks? Why did Nagata beat Dr Rawlins & suddenly stop?
    • Why did Nagata suddenly become enraged in Basie's corner of the barracks?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 25, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
      • Mandarin
      • Shanghainese
    • Also known as
      • Cesarstvo sonca
    • Filming locations
      • Trebujena, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain
    • Production companies
      • Amblin Entertainment
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $35,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $22,238,696
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,314,509
      • Dec 13, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $22,238,696
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 33 minutes

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Empire of the Sun (1987)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Empire of the Sun (1987) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    2022 TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list
    Image caption not available
    2:02
    LGBTQIA+ Movies and Shows to Watch This Summer
    Watch the video

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.