Hiroyuki Sanada

October 12, 1960 (age 65) Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
IMDb

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.

His titles like The Wolverine, Life, and The Last Samurai - his biggest roles first.
Last updated: August 18, 2026

Watched: 0/76
Weighted avg: 6.42 /10
  • 1
    1
    The Wolverine
    2013July 2013 by James Mangold
    Starring as Shingen Harada / Lord Shingen
    Starring as Shingen Harada / Lord Shingen
    5.97 Okay++
  • 2
    2
    Life
    2017March 2017 by Daniel Espinosa
    Supporting as Sho Murakami
    Supporting as Sho Murakami
    6.00 Okay++
  • 3
    3
    The Last Samurai
    2003December 2003 by Edward Zwick
    Supporting as Ujio
    Supporting as Ujio
    7.26 Excellent--
  • 4
    4
    Minions
    2015June 2015 by Kyle Balda
    Minor role as Sumo Villain (voice)
    Minor role as Sumo Villain (voice)
    5.96 Okay++
  • 5
    5
    Bullet Train
    2022August 2022 by David Leitch
    Supporting as The Elder
    Supporting as The Elder
    7.03 Good++
  • 6
    6
    47 Ronin
    2013December 2013 by Carl Rinsch
    Starring as Kuranosuke Ôishi
    Starring as Kuranosuke Ôishi
    5.73 Okay+
  • 7
    7
    John Wick: Chapter 4
    2023March 2023 by Chad Stahelski
    Supporting as Shimazu
    Supporting as Shimazu
    7.37 Excellent--
  • 8
    8
    Mortal Kombat
    2021April 2021 by Simon McQuoid
    Minor role as Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion
    Minor role as Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion
    6.58 Good
  • 9
    9
    Rush Hour 3
    2007August 2007 by Brett Ratner
    Starring as Kenji
    Starring as Kenji
    6.04 Okay++
  • 10
    10
    Shōgun
    Airing since 2024 by Rachel Kondo
    Lead role as Yoshii Toranaga
    Lead role as Yoshii Toranaga
    7.79 Excellent
  • 11
    11
    Sunshine
    2007April 2007 by Danny Boyle
    Supporting as Kaneda
    Supporting as Kaneda
    6.55 Good-
  • 12
    12
    Army of the Dead
    2021May 2021 by Zack Snyder
    Supporting as Bly Tanaka
    Supporting as Bly Tanaka
    5.71 Okay+
  • 13
    13
    Ring Japanese
    1998January 1998 by Hideo Nakata
    Starring as Ryuji Takayama
    Starring as Ryuji Takayama
    6.68 Good
  • 14
    14
    Mr. Holmes
    2015June 2015 by Bill Condon
    Supporting as Tamiki Umezaki
    Supporting as Tamiki Umezaki
    6.02 Okay++
  • 15
    15
    Speed Racer
    2008May 2008 by Lana Wachowski
    Minor role as Mr. Musha
    Minor role as Mr. Musha
    5.91 Okay++
  • 16
    16
    Mortal Kombat II
    2026May 2026 by Simon McQuoid
    Minor role as Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion
    Minor role as Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion
    7.47 Excellent-
  • 17
    17
    The Twilight Samurai Japanese
    2002November 2002 by Yoji Yamada
    Lead role as Seibei Iguchi
    Lead role as Seibei Iguchi
    7.30 Excellent--
  • 18
    18
    The Railway Man
    2013December 2013 by Jonathan Teplitzky
    Supporting as Nagase
    Supporting as Nagase
    6.38 Good-
  • 19
    19
    Minamata
    2020March 2020 by Andrew Levitas
    Starring as Mitsuo Yamazaki
    Starring as Mitsuo Yamazaki
    6.44 Good-
  • 20
    20
    Helix
    2014–2015 by Ronald D. Moore
    Minor role as Dr. Hiroshi Hataki
    Minor role as Dr. Hiroshi Hataki
    5.54 Okay
  • 21
    21
    The Catcher Was a Spy
    2018June 2018 by Ben Lewin
    Supporting as Kawabata
    Supporting as Kawabata
    5.75 Okay+
  • 22
    22
    Ring 2 Japanese
    1999January 1999 by Hideo Nakata
    Minor role as Ryuji Takayama
    Minor role as Ryuji Takayama
    5.36 Okay-
  • 23
    23
    The Promise Chinese
    2005December 2005 by Chen Kaige
    Supporting as General Guangming
    Supporting as General Guangming
    5.33 Okay-
  • 24
    24
    Royal Warriors Cantonese
    1986June 1986 by David Chung
    Starring as Peter Yamamoto
    Starring as Peter Yamamoto
    6.39 Good-
  • 25
    25
    The White Countess
    2005October 2005 by James Ivory
    Starring as Matsuda
    Starring as Matsuda
    5.82 Okay+
  • 26
    26
    The Spiral Japanese
    1998January 1998 by George Iida
    Minor role as Ryûji Takayama
    Minor role as Ryûji Takayama
    5.13 Okay--
  • 27
    27
    Ninja in the Dragon's Den Cantonese
    1982June 1982 by Corey Yuen
    Starring as Genbu
    Starring as Genbu
    6.69 Good
  • 28
    28
    Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye
    2022February 2022 by Brad Baruh
    Starring as Akihiko (archive footage)
    Starring as Akihiko (archive footage)
    6.41 Good-
  • 29
    29
    Message from Space: Galactic Wars Japanese
    1978–1979
    Starring as Hayato
    Starring as Hayato
    7.03 Good++
  • 30
    30
    The Dagger of Kamui Japanese
    1985March 1985 by Rintaro
    Lead role as Jirô
    Lead role as Jirô
    5.74 Okay+
  • 31
    31
    Ninja Wars Japanese
    1982December 1982 by Kōsei Saitō
    Lead role as Jotaro Fuefuki
    Lead role as Jotaro Fuefuki
    5.70 Okay+
  • 32
    32
    Shogun's Ninja Japanese
    1980November 1980 by Norifumi Suzuki
    Lead role as Momochi Takamaru
    Lead role as Momochi Takamaru
    5.95 Okay++
  • 33
    33
    Legend of the Eight Samurai Japanese
    1983December 1983 by Kinji Fukasaku
    Starring as Inue Shinbei Masashi
    Starring as Inue Shinbei Masashi
    5.71 Okay+
  • 34
    34
    The City of Your Final Destination
    2009March 2009 by James Ivory
    Supporting as Pete
    Supporting as Pete
    5.54 Okay
  • 35
    35
    Samurai Reincarnation Japanese
    1981June 1981 by Kinji Fukasaku
    Supporting as Kirimaru Iga
    Supporting as Kirimaru Iga
    5.71 Okay+
  • 36
    36
    Message from Space Japanese
    1978April 1978 by Kinji Fukasaku
    Minor role as Shiro Hongo
    Minor role as Shiro Hongo
    5.65 Okay
  • 37
    37
    Onmyoji Japanese
    2001October 2001 by Yojiro Takita
    Supporting as Dōson
    Supporting as Dōson
    5.93 Okay++
  • 38
    38
    Roaring Fire Japanese
    1981August 1981 by Norifumi Suzuki
    Lead role as Joji
    Lead role as Joji
    6.02 Okay++
  • 39
    39
    Shogun's Samurai Japanese
    1978January 1978 by Kinji Fukasaku
    Minor role as Hayate
    Minor role as Hayate
    6.30 Good--
  • 40
    40
    Sharaku Japanese
    1995June 1995 by Masahiro Shinoda
    Lead role as Tonbo
    Lead role as Tonbo
    6.12 Good--
  • 41
    41
    Round About Midnight Japanese
    1999November 1999 by Makoto Wada
    Lead role as Koji
    Lead role as Koji
    Needs more reviews
  • 42
    42
    Lovers Lost Japanese
    1982June 1982 by Kinji Fukasaku
    Starring as Kunihiko Yasuoka
    Starring as Kunihiko Yasuoka
    6.01 Okay++
  • 43
    43
    Vengeance for Sale Japanese
    2002February 2002 by Kihachi Okamoto
    Lead role as Sukeroku Sukedachiya
    Lead role as Sukeroku Sukedachiya
    Needs more reviews
  • 44
    44
    Yellow Fangs Japanese
    1990February 1990 by Sonny Chiba
    Lead role as Eiji
    Lead role as Eiji
    Needs more reviews
  • 45
    45
    Kaito Ruby Japanese
    1988November 1988 by Makoto Wada
    Starring as Toru Hayashi
    Starring as Toru Hayashi
    6.11 Good--
  • 46
    46
    Fall Guy Japanese
    1982October 1982 by Kinji Fukasaku
    Minor role as Actor
    Minor role as Actor
    6.02 Okay++
  • 47
    47
    The Executioner Japanese
    1974August 1974 by Teruo Ishii
    Minor role as Ryuichi Koga (child)
    Minor role as Ryuichi Koga (child)
    6.05 Okay++
  • 48
    48
    East Meets West Japanese
    1995August 1995 by Kihachi Okamoto
    Lead role as Kamijo Kenkichi
    Lead role as Kamijo Kenkichi
    Needs more reviews
  • 49
    49
    Murder on D Street Japanese
    1998May 1998 by Akio Jissoji
    Lead role as Seiichiro Fukiya
    Lead role as Seiichiro Fukiya
    Needs more reviews
  • 50
    50
    We Are Not Alone Japanese
    1993March 1993 by Yojiro Takita
    Lead role
    Lead role
    Needs more reviews
  • 51
    51
    High School Teacher Japanese
    1993 by Ken Yoshida
    Lead role as Hamura Takao
    Lead role as Hamura Takao
    Needs more reviews
  • 52
    52
    One Who Died in Vain Japanese
    1986April 1986 by Kazuyuki Izutsu
    Lead role
    Lead role
    Needs more reviews
  • 53
    53
    The Wolverine: Path of a Ronin
    2013December 2013 by Laurent Bouzereau
    Minor role as Self
    Minor role as Self
    6.20 Good--
  • 54
    54
    Aegis Japanese
    2005July 2005 by Junji Sakamoto
    Lead role as Hisashi Sengoku
    Lead role as Hisashi Sengoku
    Needs more reviews
  • 55
    55
    Mahjong Horoki Japanese
    1984October 1984 by Makoto Wada
    Lead role as Bouya Tetsu
    Lead role as Bouya Tetsu
    Needs more reviews
  • 56
    56
    Swords of the Space Ark
    1981January 1981 by Bunker Jenkins
    Lead role as Hayato
    Lead role as Hayato
    Needs more reviews
  • 57
    57
    Kamikaze, the Adventurer Japanese
    1981November 1981 by Ryuichi Takamori
    Starring as Akira Hoshino
    Starring as Akira Hoshino
    Needs more reviews
  • 58
    58
    House on Fire Japanese
    1986April 1986 by Kinji Fukasaku
    Minor role as Chuya Nakahara
    Minor role as Chuya Nakahara
    5.66 Okay
  • 59
    59
    First Love Japanese
    2000April 2000 by Tetsuo Shinohara
    Starring as Shinichirô Fujiki
    Starring as Shinichirô Fujiki
    Needs more reviews
  • 60
    60
    Sure Death 4 Japanese
    1987June 1987 by Kinji Fukasaku
    Minor role as Ukyo
    Minor role as Ukyo
    Needs more reviews
  • 61
    61
    Dreamy Fifteen Japanese
    1980July 1980 by Shinji Sōmai
    Minor role as Isozaki
    Minor role as Isozaki
    5.96 Okay++
  • 62
    62
    The Shogun Assassins Japanese
    1979September 1979 by Sadao Nakajima
    Minor role as Monk Miyoshi Isa
    Minor role as Monk Miyoshi Isa
    5.82 Okay+
  • 63
    63
    All About Our House Japanese
    2001June 2001 by Koki Mitani
    Minor role as Bartender
    Minor role as Bartender
    5.98 Okay++
  • 64
    64
    Kabamaru the Ninja Boy Japanese
    1983August 1983 by Norifumi Suzuki
    Starring as Shizune Mejiro
    Starring as Shizune Mejiro
    Needs more reviews
  • 65
    65
    Masamune Shogun Japanese
    1987
    Minor role
    Minor role
    Needs more reviews
  • 66
    66
    Shin Hanshichi torimono chô Japanese
    1997 by Kidou Okamoto
    Lead role as Hanshichi
    Lead role as Hanshichi
    Needs more reviews
  • 67
    67
    Cabaret Japanese
    1986April 1986 by Haruki Kadokawa
    Minor role as Tanokura
    Minor role as Tanokura
    Needs more reviews
  • 68
    68
    The Abe Clan Japanese
    1995November 1995 by Kinji Fukasaku
    Supporting as Emoto Matashichiro
    Supporting as Emoto Matashichiro
    Needs more reviews
  • 69
    69
    こんな恋のはなし Japanese
    Airing since 1997
    Starring
    Starring
    Needs more reviews
  • 70
    70
    Hideyoshi Japanese
    1996
    Minor role as Ishida Mitsunari
    Minor role as Ishida Mitsunari
    Needs more reviews
  • 71
    71
    119 Japanese
    1994November 1994 by Naoto Takenaka
    Minor role
    Minor role
    Needs more reviews
  • 72
    72
    Unmarried Family Japanese
    2001
    Starring as Yosuke Matoba
    Starring as Yosuke Matoba
    Needs more reviews
  • 73
    73
    ふぞろいの林檎たち Japanese
    1983–1997
    Supporting as 本田 修一
    Supporting as 本田 修一
    Needs more reviews
  • 74
    74
    Tokugawa Ieyasu Japanese
    Airing since 1988
    Supporting
    Supporting
    Needs more reviews
  • 75
    75
    Yagyu Jubei Secret Quest Japanese
    Airing since 1982
    Supporting as Matahira
    Supporting as Matahira
    Needs more reviews
  • 76
    76
    Tabloid Japanese
    1998
    Supporting
    Supporting
    Needs more reviews
Co-starring with:
Sonny Chiba 14 titles
Tadanobu Asano 6 titles
Keanu Reeves 2 titles
Tatsuya Nakadai 2 titles
Hugh Jackman 2 titles
Michelle Yeoh 2 titles
Mari Natsuki 2 titles
Masayoshi Haneda 2 titles
Ko Shibasaki 1 title