
Hiroyuki Sanada
ActingAbout Hiroyuki Sanada
Hiroyuki Sanada (真田 広之, Sanada Hiroyuki, born Hiroyuki Shimosawa (下澤 廣之, Shimosawa Hiroyuki); 12 October 1960) is a Japanese actor from Tokyo. Before breaking in to the movie business, he trained at Sonny Chiba’s Japan Action Club hoping to one day become a martial arts action film star. Sanada appeared in many action films in the 70s and early 80s, but as it became clear he was actually a talented and well-rounded actor, he was able to branch out into all different types of roles in every genre. Today he is best known in the west for his involvement in big-budget Hollywood productions such as The Last Samurai and Rush Hour 3.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Hiroyuki Sanada reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Hiroyuki Sanada's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 60% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Hiroyuki Sanada remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Avengers: Endgame, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Hiroyuki Sanada Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Hiroyuki Sanada's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Hiroyuki Sanada.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | John Wick: Chapter 4 | Shimazu | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2022 | Bullet Train | The Elder | Hit | Similar → |
| 2022 | Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye | Akihiko (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2021 | Army of the Dead | Bly Tanaka | Average | Similar → |
| 2021 | Mortal Kombat | Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion | Hit | Similar → |
| 2020 | Minamata | Mitsuo Yamazaki | Hit | Similar → |
| 2019 | Avengers: Endgame | Akihiko | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2018 | The Catcher Was a Spy | Kawabata | Average | Similar → |
| 2017 | Life | Sho Murakami | Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | Mr. Holmes | Tamiki Umezaki | Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | Minions | Sumo (voice) | Average | Similar → |
| 2013 | 47 Ronin | Kuranosuke Ôishi | Average | Similar → |
| 2013 | The Wolverine: Path of a Ronin | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2013 | The Railway Man | Nagase | Hit | Similar → |
| 2013 | The Wolverine | Shingen Harada / Lord Shingen | Average | Similar → |
| 2008 | Speed Racer | Mr. Musha | Average | Similar → |
| 2007 | Rush Hour 3 | Kenji | Hit | Similar → |
| 2007 | Sunshine | Kaneda | Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | The White Countess | Matsuda | Average | Similar → |
| 2003 | The Last Samurai | Ujio | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | The Twilight Samurai | Seibei Iguchi | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | Vengeance for Sale | Sukeroku Sukedachiya | Average | Similar → |
| 2001 | Onmyoji | Dōson | Average | Similar → |
| 2001 | All About Our House | Bartender | Average | Similar → |
| 2000 | First Love | Shinichirô Fujiki | Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | Round About Midnight | Koji | Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | Murder on D Street | Seiichiro Fukiya | Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | Ring | Ryuji Takayama | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | The Abe Clan | Emoto Matashichiro | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Sharaku | Tonbo | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | 119 | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | Oda Nobunaga | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | Tsugumi | Kyoichi Takahashi | Average | Similar → |
| 1990 | Let's Go to the Hospital | Kohei Shintani | Average | Similar → |
| 1990 | Yellow Fangs | Eiji | Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | Who Do I Choose? | Jun Yamamoto | Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | Kaito Ruby | Toru Hayashi | Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | Sure Death 4 | Ukyo | Hit | Similar → |
| 1986 | Royal Warriors | Peter Yamamoto | Hit | Similar → |
| 1986 | One Who Died in Vain | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | Mahjong Horoki | Bouya Tetsu | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Fall Guy | Actor | Average | Similar → |
| 1982 | Ninja in the Dragon's Den | Genbu | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Lovers Lost | Kunihiko Yasuoka | Average | Similar → |
| 1981 | Roaring Fire | Joji | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | Shogun's Ninja | Momochi Takamaru | Average | Similar → |
| 1978 | Shogun's Samurai | Hayate | Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | The Executioner | Ryuichi Koga (child) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1969 | New Prison Walls of Abashiri: The Vagrant Comes to a Port Town | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1966 | Game of Chance | Kenichi Endo | Average | Similar → |
Hiroyuki Sanada - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Hiroyuki Sanada?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Hiroyuki Sanada is "Avengers: Endgame" with a rating of 8.2/10.
How many movies has Hiroyuki Sanada acted in?
Hiroyuki Sanada has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Hiroyuki Sanada?
Other notable films include "Oda Nobunaga", "The Twilight Samurai", and "Ninja in the Dragon's Den".




