Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings (2018)
Tsui Hark's visually spectacular third entry in the Detective Dee saga blends Tang Dynasty intrigue with supernatural mystery and breathtaking action.
Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings - Movie Information
- Original Title: 狄仁杰之四大天王
- Release Year: 2018
- Directed by: Tsui Hark
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery
- Runtime: 2h 12m
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 27, 2018 (China), August 8, 2018 (France - U), July 27, 2018 (Italy)
- Alternative Titles: Ouchou no Inbou: Yami no Shitennou to Ougon no Dragon (JP), 狄仁杰之四大天王 (CN), Détective Dee 3 La Légende des rois célestes (FR), Detective Dee e i 4 Re Celesti (IT), Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings (US)
- Production Companies: Huayi Brothers Pictures 浙江华谊兄弟影业
- Production Countries: China, Hong Kong
Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings - Plot
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.
Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the supernatural spectacle unfold:
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Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Tsui Hark
Main Cast
- Mark Chao
- William Feng
- Carina Lau
- Lin Gengxin
- Ma Sichun
- Ethan Juan
- Tiger Xu
- Sun Jiaolong
- Chen Weiran
- Zhang Aoyue
Writers
- Zhang Jialu
Producers
- Chen Kuofu
- Shi Nansun
Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings - FAQs
What is Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings about?
The film follows Detective Dee as he investigates a wave of supernatural disturbances in Loyang — ghost-masked warriors, foxes that speak like humans, and palace statues that come to life. All while serving Empress Wu Zetian, who faces her own political threats from within the imperial court.
Is Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings a sequel?
Yes, it's the third film in Tsui Hark's Detective Dee series. It follows Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010) and Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon (2013). Mark Chao reprises his role as the young Dee from the 2013 prequel.
Where can you stream Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings?
You can stream Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings on Amazon Prime Video, Hi-YAH, or catch it free with ads on Pluto TV, Tubi TV, YouTube Free, Plex, and Xumo Play. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Does the film have a post-credits scene?
Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings does not include a traditional post-credits scene. The story wraps up within the film itself, though fans of the franchise will find plenty of setup and character threads that could carry the series forward into future installments.
Who are the main actors in this film?
Mark Chao leads the cast as Detective Dee, with Carina Lau returning as the formidable Empress Wu Zetian. They're joined by William Feng, Lin Gengxin, Ma Sichun, and Ethan Juan, making for a strong ensemble that blends action chops with dramatic presence.
How does the supernatural element work in the story?
The film leans heavily into Tang Dynasty mythology and folklore. Talking foxes, animated stone sculptures, and warriors in Chiyou ghost masks blur the line between the natural and the supernatural. Tsui Hark uses these elements to build a mystery that's as visually inventive as it is narratively layered.
Who composed the music for this film?
The score was composed by Kenji Kawai, the acclaimed Japanese composer known for his atmospheric and haunting work on films like Ghost in the Shell and Ip Man. His music brings a distinctive blend of orchestral grandeur and traditional Asian textures to the film's epic fantasy setting.
How did Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings perform at the box office?
The film earned over $84 million in worldwide box office revenue, performing solidly in the Chinese market where the Detective Dee franchise has a loyal following. It's a strong commercial result for a fantasy action production of this scale and ambition.
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