Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Slow
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- contemplative
- earnest
- wondrous
- quiet evening
- spiritual reflection
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film visually impressive and spiritually beguiling, while considering its childlike storytelling too slight or slow for its ambitious subject.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jesse’s search for Lama Dorje’s reincarnation is intercut with the historical Siddhartha story played by Keanu Reeves.
American parents Dean and Lisa confront Tibetan Buddhist ideas about reincarnation while traveling toward Bhutan.
Bernardo Bertolucci and cinematographer Vittorio Storaro combine Himalayan settings, religious imagery, and special effects with the Siddhartha material.
Lama Norbu believes Jesse and two other children may be reincarnations of Lama Dorje, creating a spiritual selection process.
Films like Little Buddha, and why
The Last Emperor
shared spiritual themes, child-centered storytelling, and visually expansive historical drama
Kundun
shared Buddhist subject matter, contemplative tone, and interest in enlightenment
The Fall
shared mystical journey, childlike wonder, and visually stylized spiritual fantasy
Movie Details
- Director
- Bernardo Bertolucci
- Release Date
- 1993-12-01
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (461)
Cast
- Keanu Reeves
- Bridget Fonda
- Chris Isaak
- Ruocheng Ying
- Alex Wiesendanger
- Raju Lal
- Greishma Makar Sing
- Sogyal Rinpoche
- Khyongla Rato Rinpoche
- Geshe Tsultim Gyelsen
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Kino Film Collection
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Little Buddha about?
- A skeptical American family enters a visually sumptuous Buddhist quest when their young son is identified as one possible reincarnation of a revered lama.
- What is Little Buddha like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Little Buddha as slow, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Little Buddha violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Little Buddha.
- What did critics think of Little Buddha?
- Critics broadly found the film visually impressive and spiritually beguiling, while considering its childlike storytelling too slight or slow for its ambitious subject.
- Which films are like Little Buddha?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Emperor, Kundun, and The Fall.
- How long is Little Buddha?
- Little Buddha runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch Little Buddha?
- In United States, Little Buddha streams on Kino Film Collection.
