Kwaidan poster
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Kwaidan

7.719653h 3mPG-13MovieHorrorFantasyDrama

Taking its title from an archaic Japanese word meaning "ghost story," this anthology adapts four folk tales. A penniless samurai marries for money with tragic results. A man stranded in a blizzard is saved by Yuki the Snow Maiden, but his…

DirectorMasaki Kobayashi
WriterYōko Mizuki
ProducerShigeru Wakatsuki

Where to watch

HBO Max Amazon ChannelHBO Max Amazon ChannelCriterion ChannelCriterion ChannelHBO MaxHBO Max
Availability shown for United States · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Masaki Kobayashi

MAMichiyo Aratama
Michiyo Aratama
First Wife (segment "The Black Hair")
RMRentaro Mikuni
Rentaro Mikuni
Husband (segment "The Black Hair")
MWMisako Watanabe
Misako Watanabe
Second Wife (segment "The Black Hair")
KIKenjirō Ishiyama
Kenjirō Ishiyama
Father (segment "The Black Hair")
RA
Ranko Akagi
Mother (segment "The Black Hair")
FKFumie Kitahara
Fumie Kitahara
(segment "The Black Hair")
KM
Kappei Matsumoto
(segment "The Black Hair") (uncredited)
YI
Yoshiko Ieda
(segment "The Black Hair") (uncredited)
OTOtome Tsukimiya
Otome Tsukimiya
(segment "The Black Hair") (uncredited)
KT
Kenzō Tanaka
(segment "The Black Hair") (uncredited)
KN
Kiyoshi Nakano
(segment "The Black Hair") (uncredited)
TNTatsuya Nakadai
Tatsuya Nakadai
Minokichi (segment "The Woman of the Snow")

More from Michiyo Aratama · Lead actress

Niji wo Oru
Niji wo Oru
1980
Wind, Clouds, and Rainbow
Wind, Clouds, and Rainbow
1976 · 9.0
The Human Condition I: No Greater Love
The Human Condition I: No Greater Love
1959 · 8.1
Shin Heike Monogatari
Shin Heike Monogatari
1972 · 7.3
The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer
The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer
1961 · 8.4
The End of Summer
The End of Summer
1961 · 7.5
The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity
The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity
1959 · 8.2
The Sword of Doom
The Sword of Doom
1966 · 7.8
Chûshingura
Chûshingura
1962 · 7.1
Japan's Longest Day
Japan's Longest Day
1967 · 7.3
See all fromMichiyo Aratama

More from Rentaro Mikuni · Co-star actor

Professional Killers
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1972 · 8.0
Harakiri
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1962 · 8.5
Vengeance Is Mine
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1979 · 7.5
Nemuri Kyoshiro
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1972
Akai Unmei
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1976
Mister, Missus, Miss Lonely
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1980 · 7.5
Free and Easy 2
Free and Easy 2
1989 · 8.7
Hito wa sore wo scandal to iu
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1978
Rikyu
Rikyu
1989 · 7.5
The Go Masters
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1982 · 6.6
See all fromRentaro Mikuni

More from Masaki Kobayashi · Director

Harakiri
Harakiri
1962 · 8.5
The Human Condition I: No Greater Love
The Human Condition I: No Greater Love
1959 · 8.1
Samurai Rebellion
Samurai Rebellion
1967 · 8.3
The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer
The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer
1961 · 8.4
The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity
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1959 · 8.2
The Inheritance
The Inheritance
1962 · 7.3
Fossil
Fossil
1972
Inn of Evil
Inn of Evil
1971 · 6.3
The Fossil
The Fossil
1975 · 7.2
The Empty Table
The Empty Table
1985 · 6.9
See all fromMasaki Kobayashi

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Kwaidan — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams Kwaidan?

Kwaidan is streaming on HBO Max and Criterion Channel in United States, and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is Kwaidan on Netflix?

No, Kwaidan is not on Netflix in United States as of October 2026. It's currently on HBO Max and Criterion Channel.

Is Kwaidan on Amazon Prime Video?

Kwaidan isn't included with a Prime Video subscription in United States, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Where can I watch Kwaidan for free?

Kwaidan is available on HBO Max and Criterion Channel in United States, but you'll need an active subscription — there's no free option right now.