SummaryIn 19th century China, a magical sword given by a warrior (Chow Yun-Fat) to his lover (Michelle Yeoh) is stolen and the quest to find it ensues. The search leads to the House of Yu where the story travels in a different direction with the introduction of a mysterious assassin and another love story.
Directed By:Ang Lee
Written By:Hui-Ling Wang, James Schamus, Kuo Jung Tsai, Du Lu Wang
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
94
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.1
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
100% Positive
32 Reviews
32 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
Magnificently nonchalant about its magic.
100
Splendid, soaringly ambitious Chinese period fantasy.
User score
Universal Acclaim
87% Positive
449 Ratings
449 Ratings
10% Mixed
50 Ratings
50 Ratings
4% Negative
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
Jul 30, 2022
10
A beautifully made, graceful, well acted, and emotional movie that is still excellent to watch to this day. Watching it in its original Chinese language with subtitles is an exceptional joy as effort was put into the subtitles to make it fit with the somber nature of the film.
Mar 14, 2022
10
I was absolutely mesmerised by Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Everything about it is breathtaking, it is nothing short of a poetic, visually gorgeous martial arts masterpiece. As much as I did love Brokeback Mountain, I think this is Ang Lee's best film. Speaking of Lee, he is a fine director, and does a superb job with his direction on this film. The story is easy to follow, but there is also a certain complexity to it as it explores the perennial themes of love, loyalty, duty and sacrifice, while the script is wonderfully poetic and the pace rarely lags. The characters are also hugely credible. They could have been clichéd easily, but actually they have surprisingly so much depth to them and at the end you admire them. The visuals, music, stunt work and acting are what really impress though. The film looks gorgeous, all Ang Lee's films look beautiful but this gets my vote as his most visually stunning. The cinematography is beautiful, and the scenery and costumes are exquisite. The stunt work is brilliantly choreographed and the special effects actually enhance rather than distract. The music is just gorgeous, there were a few scenes where I was reduced to tears. And there are many memorable scenes especially the jaw-dropping rooftop pursuit and tree top battle. As for the acting, Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh both excel, and I was surprised in a very good way by Zhang Ziyi who is electrifying as the teenage thief. In conclusion, this is a breathtaking film and a must see for anyone who loves martial arts or visually stunning movies especially. 10/10 Bethany Cox
100
It is with gravity and levity and incomparable grace that Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon -- by light years the best movie of 2000.
100
Handsome, passionate and fun. It's everything we go to the movies for.
90
My first viewing left me dazzled but slightly confused; a second deeply impressed; a third rhapsodic. I wish I hadn't needed to rediagram it in my head to turn it into the masterpiece it so obviously wants to be.
80
Whenever Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon resorts to flying fists or soaring sword battles, the Force is definitely with it.
75
The film may be too talky for action-minded viewers and too fantastic for more serious spectators, but it brings appealing twists - including a feminist sensibility - to the venerable martial-arts genre.
Aug 8, 2021
10
A fantastic layered story with it's stunning cinematography and beautifully choregraphed fight scenes all combines to make one of 2000's best movies.
A classic.
Dec 21, 2025
6
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is visually beautiful, with graceful fight scenes and a calm, poetic tone. The action is impressive and the world feels rich, but the slow pacing and distant characters can make it hard to fully connect. It’s a stylish and artistic film, even if it doesn’t always feel engaging.
Aug 25, 2024
6
Quite boring, overrated, with stylized combat, people who think they understand martial arts rate this movie highly but its just simpleton's version of high art.
Dec 28, 2015
3
I had high expectations for this show but was largely let down. Although the special effects were good, the acting was mediocre and the ending was terrible and disappointing.
Jan 26, 2015
1
After seeing good reviews for this movie I thought it was gonna be really cool but I was wrong. This movie is very overrated and has a boring story. The story is about a thief that steals a special sword, people chase after that thief, the thief falls in love the end. The fighting scenes are cheesy and not very good and the floating acrobatics did the movie no justice. Overall I wouldn't recommend this movie, there are better martial arts/fantasy movies out there.
Production Company:
- Sony Pictures Classics
- Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia
- Good Machine
- Edko Films
- Zoom Hunt International Productions
- China Film Co-Production Corporation
- Asian Union Film & Entertainment
Release Date:Dec 8, 2000
Duration:2 h
Rating:PG-13
Tagline:A film by Ang Lee
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 4 Wins & 10 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 2 Wins & 3 Nominations
Online Film & Television Association
• 11 Wins & 21 Nominations
