Memoirs of a Geisha

"A story like mine has never been told."

2005 2h 26m EN

🙌

7.6

BANGER

★7.6TMDB · 3,473

DramaRomanceHistory

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

In the years before World War II, a penniless Japanese child is torn from her family to work as a maid in a geisha house.

“A story like mine has never been told.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Where to watch · US

Amazon VideoRent

Apple TV StoreRent

Google Play MoviesRent

Google Play MoviesBuy

YouTubeBuy

Fandango At HomeBuy

Cast

Zhang Ziyi
Sayuri
Gong Li
Hatsumomo
Michelle Yeoh
Mameha
Ken Watanabe
Chairman
Suzuka Ohgo
Chiyo
Kaori Momoi
Mother
Koji Yakusho
Nobu
Youki Kudoh
Pumpkin

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Rob Marshall
Writers: Robin Swicord
Languages: English, Japanese
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Mid-budget at $85M — the now-extinct middle tier of Hollywood.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 21 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Japanese.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Rob Marshall, shot by Dion Beebe. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by John Williams. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Pietro Scalia shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Zhang Ziyi and Gong Li and Michelle Yeoh carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "A story like mine has never been told.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Rob Marshall directs. Dion Beebe behind the camera. John Williams scores. Pietro Scalia cuts. Profitable at the box office. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English, Japanese.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Mid-budget at $85M — the now-extinct middle tier of Hollywood.
2Released 21 years ago.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Japanese.
4Directed by Rob Marshall, shot by Dion Beebe. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by John Williams. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Pietro Scalia shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Zhang Ziyi and Gong Li and Michelle Yeoh carry the top of the cast.
8Marketing tagline: "A story like mine has never been told.".
9IMDB entry: tt0397535 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Classified under 26 themes, including "secret love", "japan", "prostitute", "sibling relationship".

The technical file

Cinematography: Dion Beebe
Original score: John Williams
Editing: Pietro Scalia
Production design: John Myhre
Costume design: Colleen Atwood
Makeup / hair: Noriko Watanabe
Stunt coordinator: Doug Coleman
Runtime: 146 min · 2h 26m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $85,000,000
Box office: $162,242,962
Return: 191% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG-13
IMDB: Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

Awards

Academy Award for Best Costume Design
Academy Award for Best Cinematography
Academy Award for Best Production Design
National Board of Review: Top Ten Films

Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.

Also by

Rob Marshall

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.

Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

Alunauwie2025-09-29
★ 10/10
Memoirs of a Geisha, adapted from Arthur Golden’s 1997 novel, presents a visually stunning journey of Chiyo, a young girl navigating love, loss, and identity within the mysterious world of geishas. Despite criticism over casting and a slow narrative pace, the film captivates with its rich cinematography, authentic cultural elements, and powerful performances—earning it three Academy Awards. While some narrative gaps remain, especially around Chiyo’s storytelling frame, the film still leaves a lasting emotional impression. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com)

Production companies