Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- spectacular
- propulsive
- heightened
- blockbuster night
- visual spectacle marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film visually impressive but undermined by thin characterization, simplistic storytelling, and underwhelming monster spectacle.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The fifteenth-century Great Wall becomes the frontline against marauding beasts.
The elite defenders are distinguished by vividly colored armor and specialized combat units.
William begins as a fortune-seeking mercenary and gradually commits to defending the wall and its army.
Zhang Yimou's Chinese historical setting and military imagery are presented through an international cast and Hollywood-scale fantasy spectacle.
Films like The Great Wall, and why
Kingdom of Heaven
shares historical fantasy, large-scale creature assaults, military teamwork, and lavish production design
Gods of Egypt
shares stylized action spectacle, mythic monsters, and a warrior confronting an overwhelming supernatural threat
300
shares period adventure, elite warriors, siege warfare, and heightened visual design
Movie Details
- Director
- Zhang Yimou
- Release Date
- 2016-12-16
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (5688)
Cast
- Matt Damon
- Jing Tian
- Willem Dafoe
- Andy Lau
- Pedro Pascal
- Zhang Hanyu
- Lu Han
- Lin Gengxin
- Eddie Peng Yu-Yan
- Huang Xuan
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
- 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 The Great Wall about?
- A fortune-seeking mercenary finds purpose when he joins the Great Wall’s color-coded defenders against an ancient army of ravenous monsters.
- What is The Great Wall like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Great Wall as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is The Great Wall violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Great Wall as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Great Wall?
- Critics broadly found the film visually impressive but undermined by thin characterization, simplistic storytelling, and underwhelming monster spectacle.
- Which films are like The Great Wall?
- Films with a similar feel include Kingdom of Heaven, Gods of Egypt, and 300.
- How long is The Great Wall?
- The Great Wall runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Great Wall?
- In United States, The Great Wall streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
