Overview
A master of Kung Fu must confront his dark past to embrace his true destiny.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- witty
- energetic
- heartfelt
- action movie night
- marvel marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an energetic and culturally significant MCU entry with excellent martial arts action and strong performances, while noting some familiar superhero formula.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Shang-Chi moves between his contemporary San Francisco life and the legacy of his father, mother, and family organization.
The film emphasizes weapon-based kung fu, long-form fight choreography, stunt work, and fluid hand-to-hand combat.
The journey to Ta Lo expands the family conflict into a legendary realm populated by fantastical beings and ancient traditions.
Shang-Chi's central confrontation is inseparable from his relationship with Xu Wenwu and the legacy of the Ten Rings.
Films like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and why
Black Panther
shares superhero spectacle, East Asian cultural representation, family conflict, and mythic fantasy worldbuilding
Doctor Strange
shares martial arts choreography, comic-book mythology, family legacy, and high-energy action adventure
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
shares emotionally grounded superhero origins, intergenerational conflict, and exuberant fantasy action
Movie Details
- Director
- Destin Daniel Cretton
- Release Date
- 2021-09-01
- Runtime
- 132 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (10774)
Cast
- Simu Liu
- Tony Leung Chiu-wai
- Awkwafina
- Ben Kingsley
- Zhang Meng'er
- Fala Chen
- Michelle Yeoh
- Yuen Wah
- Florian Munteanu
- Andy Le
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- 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 Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings about?
- A charismatic martial-arts hero returns to his family’s dangerous legacy and discovers that mastering his identity may be the key to saving two worlds.
- What is Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as moderate.
- What did critics think of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an energetic and culturally significant MCU entry with excellent martial arts action and strong performances, while noting some familiar superhero formula.
- Which films are like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings?
- Films with a similar feel include Black Panther, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
- How long is Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings?
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings runs 132 minutes.
- Where can I watch Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings?
- In United States, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings streams on Disney Plus.
