Departures (2008): cast, story & where to watch
2008 · Film · ★ 7.9
Released in 2008, Departures is a drama film directed by Yojiro Takita, running about 130 minutes. “The gift of last memories” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Daigo, a cellist, is laid off from his orchestra and moves with his wife back to his small hometown where the living is cheaper. Thinking he’s applying for a job at a travel agency he finds he’s being interviewed for work with departures of a more permanent nature – as an undertaker’s assistant.
Who’s in it. Departures stars Masahiro Motoki as Daigo Kobayashi, Ryoko Hirosue as Mika Kobayashi, Tsutomu Yamazaki as Ikuei Sasaki and Kazuko Yoshiyuki as Tsuyako Yamashita, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.9/10, Departures has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $69.9M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Departures page.
If you liked it. Fans of Departures tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Departures (2008)?
- In US, Departures is available to rent or buy from Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Departures worth watching?
- Departures holds an audience score of 7.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Departures?
- Departures stars Masahiro Motoki, Ryoko Hirosue, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Kazuko Yoshiyuki and Kimiko Yo.
- When was Departures released?
- Departures was released in 2008, with a runtime of about 130 minutes.