RATING★ 6.3/10
VERDICT ABOVE AVERAGE
Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings (2018) movie backdrop
Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings (2018) movie poster

Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings Hit or Flop?

Rating
6.3/10
🎯Verdict
ABOVE AVERAGE
👍 GOOD
  • Engaging Storyline
  • Strong Performances
👎 BAD
  • Pacing issues in mid
  • Predictable ending
2018132 minAction, Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery
Audience VerdictABOVE AVERAGE

Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings

Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings Movie Hit or Flop?

ABOVE AVERAGE

Verdict:Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings is a confirmed FLOP based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.

With a rating of 6.3/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Action, Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery genre.

Is Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings Worth Watching?

Answer: Yes, Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies.

It features a runtime of 132 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.

6.3/10 207 votes
132Minutes
2018Release Year
Visual Story
Advertisement

Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings Review

Last updated: January 18, 2026

🎬 Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations

Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2018, Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings emerges as a significant entry in the Action, Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Dee, the detective serving Chinese empress Wu Zetian, is called upon to investigate a series of strange events in Loyang, including the appearance of mysterious warriors wearing Chiyou ghost masks, foxes that speak human language and the pillar sculptures in the palace coming alive. Unlike standard genre fare, Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings features a noteworthy lineup led by Mark Chao . Supported by the likes of William Feng and Carina Lau , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings (2018) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.3/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.

Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline

Quick Plot Summary: Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings is a Action, Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery film that delivers high-octane sequences and adrenaline-pumping confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings Ending Explained & Final Analysis

Ending Breakdown: Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.

The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the action themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Action films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want an adrenaline rush without demanding perfection

Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings Box Office Collection

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Worldwide Gross $84.2M
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT
Advertisement

Full Cast & Crew of Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings

  • Mark Chao – Detective Dee
  • William Feng – Yuchi Zhenjin
  • Carina Lau – Wu Zetian
  • Lin Gengxin – Shatuo Zhong
  • Ma Sichun – Shui Yue

Top Highlights

Mark Chao
Mark ChaoDetective Dee
William Feng
William FengYuchi Zhenjin
Carina Lau
Carina LauWu Zetian
Lin Gengxin
Lin GengxinShatuo Zhong
Ma Sichun
Ma SichunShui Yue
Ethan Juan
Ethan JuanMaster Yuan Ce
Tiger Xu
Tiger XuYi An
Sun Jiaolong
Sun JiaolongPhantom Blade
Chen Weiran
Chen WeiranHong Yuanyu
Zhang Aoyue
Zhang AoyueHuan Tian Zhenren

Where to Watch Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings Online?

Streaming Hub

📺 Stream on

Amazon Prime VideoAmazon Prime Video
Hi-YAHHi-YAH
Amazon Prime Video with AdsAmazon Prime Video with Ads
Hi-YAH Amazon ChannelHi-YAH Amazon Channel

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TVApple TV
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TVApple TV
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

Parents Guide & Age Rating

Not Rated
Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings has not been officially rated yet. Based on its genres (Action, Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery), it contains violence, action sequences.

Final Verdict

Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.3/10, and global collection metrics, Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2018 cinematic year.

Official Trailer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings movie hit or flop?

Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings has received mixed reviews with a 6.3/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.

Is Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings worth watching?

Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Action, Fantasy, Adventure movies, but read reviews first.

Where can I watch Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings online?

Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can also check for it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Hi-YAH, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Hi-YAH Amazon Channel depending on your region.

Best Movies to Watch if you liked Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings

How Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings

No reviews found for this filter.

🛡️

movieMx Verified

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

Advertisement
Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.3
Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/detective-dee-the-four-heavenly-kings-506763" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.3</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings</div></div></a>

Share this rating on your blog or website. Includes a 100% organic backlink.

More with Mark Chao

View full filmography

Part of the Detective Dee Collection (Tsui Hark)

Explore the full watch order, ratings, and collection details.

View Full Franchise