Kwaidan
“In the tradition of "RASHOMON" and "GATE OF HELL."”
Taking its title from an archaic Japanese word meaning "ghost story," this anthology adapts four folk tales. A penniless samurai marries for money with tragic results. A man stranded in a blizzard is saved by Yuki the Snow Maiden, but his rescue comes at a cost. Blind musician Hoichi is forced to perform for an audience of ghosts. An author relates the story of a samurai who sees another warrior's reflection in his teacup.
Where to watch Kwaidan in India
Can I watch Kwaidan in India? Kwaidan isn't currently available to stream in India. Availability changes often — add it to your watchlist and check back.
No streaming info for your region.
Click a service to open Kwaidan there. Availability last verified on November 13, 2026.
Where is Kwaidan streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, TCM, HBO Max | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| United Kingdom | BFI Player, BFI Player Amazon Channel, BFI Player Apple TV Channel | Amazon Video |
| Canada | Criterion Channel | Apple TV Store, YouTube |
| Australia | SBS On Demand | Apple TV Store |
| Japan | — | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store |
About Kwaidan
Kwaidan is a 1965 Japanese-language horror, fantasy and drama film directed by Masaki Kobayashi. The cast is led by Michiyo Aratama, Rentaro Mikuni, Misako Watanabe. It has a runtime of 3h 3m. Viewers rate it 7.7/10 across 500 ratings.
Kwaidan was produced by Ninjin Club and TOHO and made in Japan. It was released on January 6, 1965, and carries a NR certification. Made on a budget of about $1 million, it went on to gross $1 million worldwide.
- Director
- Masaki Kobayashi
- Writers
- Yōko Mizuki
- Release date
- January 6, 1965
- OTT release
- May 27, 2020
- Original language
- Japanese
- Age rating
- NR
- Status
- Released
- Country
- Japan
- Budget
- $1 million
- Box office
- $1 million
- Production
- Ninjin Club, TOHO
Kwaidan cast & crew
Kwaidan was directed by Masaki Kobayashi and written by Yōko Mizuki.
The cast features Michiyo Aratama as First Wife (segment "The Black Hair"), Rentaro Mikuni as Husband (segment "The Black Hair"), Misako Watanabe as Second Wife (segment "The Black Hair"), Kenjirō Ishiyama as Father (segment "The Black Hair"), Ranko Akagi as Mother (segment "The Black Hair"), and Fumie Kitahara as (segment "The Black Hair").
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Tōru Takemitsu, cinematography is by Yoshio Miyajima, and it was produced by Shigeru Wakatsuki.
Is Kwaidan worth watching?
Kwaidan holds an audience score of 7.7/10 from 491 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed horror films.
At 3h 3m, it's a full-evening commitment.
If you enjoy horror, fantasy, and drama, Kwaidan is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch Kwaidan
Kwaidan isn't currently available on major streaming services in India. We track availability continuously — add it to your watchlist and we'll keep an eye out.
It first became available to stream digitally on May 27, 2020.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect India today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
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Cast of Kwaidan
Michiyo Aratama
First Wife (segment "The Black Hair")
Rentaro Mikuni
Husband (segment "The Black Hair")
Misako Watanabe
Second Wife (segment "The Black Hair")
Kenjirō Ishiyama
Father (segment "The Black Hair")
Ranko Akagi
Mother (segment "The Black Hair")
Fumie Kitahara
(segment "The Black Hair")
Kappei Matsumoto
(segment "The Black Hair") (uncredited)
Yoshiko Ieda
(segment "The Black Hair") (uncredited)
Otome Tsukimiya
(segment "The Black Hair") (uncredited)
Kenzō Tanaka
(segment "The Black Hair") (uncredited)
Kiyoshi Nakano
(segment "The Black Hair") (uncredited)
Tatsuya Nakadai
Minokichi (segment "The Woman of the Snow")
Kwaidan — FAQs
▸Where can I watch Kwaidan in India?
Kwaidan is not currently available on major streaming services in India. Availability changes often — check back soon.
▸Where can I watch Kwaidan in the US?
In the US, Kwaidan is streaming on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, and TCM, and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
▸Where can I watch Kwaidan in the UK?
In the UK, Kwaidan is streaming on BFI Player, BFI Player Amazon Channel, and BFI Player Apple TV Channel, and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video.
▸What language is Kwaidan in?
Kwaidan is originally in Japanese. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is Kwaidan?
Kwaidan runs 3 hours 3 minutes (183 minutes).
▸What is Kwaidan rated?
Kwaidan is rated NR. It holds a 7.7/10 audience score from 491 ratings.
▸When did Kwaidan release on OTT?
Kwaidan became available digitally on May 27, 2020.
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