Ikiru poster
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Ikiru

8.319522h 23m12MovieDrama

Kanji Watanabe is a middle-aged man who has worked in the same monotonous bureaucratic position for decades. Learning he has cancer, he starts to look for the meaning of his life.

DirectorAkira Kurosawa
WritersShinobu Hashimoto·Akira Kurosawa
ProducerSōjirō Motoki

Where to watch

BFI PlayerBFI PlayerBFI Player Amazon ChannelBFI Player Amazon ChannelBFI Player Apple TV ChannelBFI Player Apple TV Channel
Availability shown for United Kingdom · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Akira Kurosawa

TSTakashi Shimura
Takashi Shimura
Kanji Watanabe
HTHaruo Tanaka
Haruo Tanaka
Sakai
NKNobuo Kaneko
Nobuo Kaneko
Mitsuo, son of Kanji
BHBokuzen Hidari
Bokuzen Hidari
Ohara
MOMiki Odagiri
Miki Odagiri
Toyo
SHShinichi Himori
Shinichi Himori
Kimura
MCMinoru Chiaki
Minoru Chiaki
Noguchi
MYMinosuke Yamada
Minosuke Yamada
Subordinate Clerk Saito
KFKamatari Fujiwara
Kamatari Fujiwara
Sub-Section Chief Ono
MKMakoto Kobori
Makoto Kobori
Kiichi Watanabe, Kanji's Brother
NNNobuo Nakamura
Nobuo Nakamura
Deputy Mayor
AWAtsushi Watanabe
Atsushi Watanabe
Patient

More from Takashi Shimura · Lead actor

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More from Haruo Tanaka · Co-star actor

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More from Akira Kurosawa · Director

Seven Samurai
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Ran
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1985 · 8.0
High and Low
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Kagemusha
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Drunken Angel
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Ikiru — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams Ikiru?

Ikiru is streaming on BFI Player in United Kingdom, and available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store and Amazon Video. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is Ikiru on Netflix?

No, Ikiru is not on Netflix in United Kingdom as of October 2026. It's currently on BFI Player.

Is Ikiru on Amazon Prime Video?

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

Where can I watch Ikiru for free?

Ikiru is available on BFI Player in United Kingdom, but you'll need an active subscription — there's no free option right now.