The Last Emperor poster

The Last Emperor

1500 slaves. 353,260,000 royal subjects. Warlords. Concubines. And 2 wives. He was the loneliest boy in the world.

7.6(2,008)19872h 43mRated PG-1315

A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.

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Status
Released
Budget
$23.8M
Box office
$43,984,230
Language
English
  • suicide
  • experiment
  • china
  • isolation
  • buddhism
  • becoming an adult
  • war crimes
  • suicide attempt
  • war on drugs
  • revolution
  • drug addiction
  • opium

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Produced in

China, France, Italy, United Kingdom

Gallery

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Videos

Awards & recognition

Oscar wins
9
Total wins
62
Total nominations
26
  • Won 9 Oscars
  • 62 wins
  • 26 nominations total

Awards data for The Last Emperor provided by OMDb.

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • PremierePG-13New York City, New York18 Nov 1987
    • PremierePG-13Los Angeles, California19 Nov 1987
    • Theatrical (limited)PG-13New York City, New York20 Nov 1987
    • TheatricalPG-1315 Apr 1988
  • United KingdomGB

    • Theatrical1526 Feb 1988
  • AustraliaAU

    • TheatricalM26 Nov 1987
  • BrazilBR

    • Theatrical21 Oct 1987
    • TheatricalLIMDB8 Jan 1988
  • DenmarkDK

    • Theatrical1518 Dec 1987
  • FranceFR

    • TheatricalTP25 Nov 1987
    • PhysicalDVD18 Feb 2003
    • PhysicalBlu-Ray5 Oct 2012
    • Physical4K UHD3 Oct 2023
  • GermanyDE

    • Theatrical1229 Oct 1987
    • TheatricalBest of Cinema1 Jul 2025
  • GreeceGR

    • Theatrical1319 Dec 1987
  • Hong KongHK

    • TheatricalIIB4 Oct 1987
  • IrelandIE

    • Theatrical1527 May 1988
  • ItalyIT

    • PremiereRome22 Oct 1987
    • Theatrical23 Oct 1987
  • JapanJP

    • PremiereTokyo International Film Festival4 Oct 1987
    • Theatrical23 Jan 1988

Frequently asked questions

The Last Emperor was released on 4 October 1987.

Audience reviews

1IMDb 7.7/10
  • C

    CinemaSerf

    7/17/2023

    8/10

    This is a glorious film to watch on a big screen. It depicts the end of empire and the birth of new ones - and it does it in a spectacularly colourful and stylish fashion. The death of the Empress Dowager sees the toddler Pu Yi ascend the Dragon Throne of China, and live amidst concubines and eunuchs in the Forbidden City. He grows up believing his is a divine right to rule, and it is only upon the arrival of his tut…

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