Ong-Bak

Movie guide

Ong-Bak (2003)

องค์บาก

  • Action
  • Crime
  • Thriller
7.2/10 Drama4U Score · from 1,982 TMDB votes · How the score works

Ong-Bak (2003) guide: Tony Jaa's Muay Thai action thriller from director Prachya Pinkaew. Plot summary, cast, release date and where to stream it in the US.

Ong-Bak Plot Summary (No Spoilers)

In a quiet Thai village, an ancient statue is more than a work of art. It is a sacred object at the heart of local faith and tradition. When thieves take its head, the community is left shaken, and the task of bringing it home falls to Ting, a young fighter trained in Muay Thai.

Ting leaves the countryside behind and heads into the city, a world of crowded streets, shady deals and dangerous people. To recover what was stolen, he must navigate a criminal underworld far removed from the life he knows. Along the way he crosses paths with characters such as George, Muay Lek and Komtuan.

At its core, Ong-Bak is a straightforward quest story. A determined outsider sets out to restore something precious, relying on discipline and his fighting skills rather than wealth or connections. The film blends action, crime and thriller elements, and themes of fate and duty run through the journey.

Ong-Bak — Mood illustration, not a still from the film
Mood illustration, not a still from the film

What Makes Ong-Bak Notable

  • Tony Jaa in the lead: Tony Jaa plays Ting, with Petchtai Wongkamlao as George / Humlae, Patrarin Punyanutatam as Muay Lek and Suchao Pongwilai as Komtuan.
  • Director and writer: The film is directed by Prachya Pinkaew from a screenplay by Suphachai Sittiaumponpan.
  • Muay Thai on screen: The traditional Thai martial art takes centre stage, and the fight choreography is the film’s main draw.
  • A bold promise: The tagline reads “No computer graphics. No stunt doubles. No wires.” That signals a focus on practical, physical stunt work.
  • Thai-French production: Originally titled องค์บาก, the film was made in Thailand and France by Baa-Ram-Ewe, Sahamongkolfilm and EuropaCorp. The dialogue is in Thai and English.
  • Audience reception: On TMDB, viewers rate it an average of 7.2/10 from nearly 2,000 votes. Anyone looking for an Ong-Bak review can treat that as a useful snapshot of audience opinion.

Who Will Enjoy Ong-Bak

  • Martial arts fans curious about Muay Thai and practical fight choreography
  • Viewers who enjoy simple, fast-moving action plots built around a clear mission
  • Fans of Asian action cinema and Thai films
  • Anyone interested in stunt work done without digital effects or wires
  • Crime thriller fans who like a hero up against the criminal underworld

Release Date & Where to Watch Ong-Bak

Ong-Bak first premiered on 31 January 2003. In the United States it opened in cinemas on 17 October 2004 with an R rating. The runtime is 105 minutes, and a trailer is available.

Where to watch in the US:

  • Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, fuboTV, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel, Warriors and Gangsters Amazon Channel
  • Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
  • Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling

Availability can change, so check each platform for current offers.

Trailer

Cast

  • Tony JaaTony Jaaas TingSee credits →
  • Petchtai WongkamlaoPetchtai Wongkamlaoas George / HumlaeSee credits →
  • Patrarin PunyanutatamPatrarin Punyanutatamas Muay LekSee credits →
  • Suchao PongwilaiSuchao Pongwilaias Komtuan
  • Choomporn TheppitakChoomporn Theppitakas Uncle Mao
  • Cheathavuth WatcharakhunCheathavuth Watcharakhunas Peng
  • Wannakit Siriputas Don
  • Rungrawee BarijindakulRungrawee Barijindakulas Ngek

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

When was Ong-Bak released?
Ong-Bak first premiered on 31 January 2003. It opened in US cinemas on 17 October 2004.
Where can I watch Ong-Bak in the US?
It is streaming on Amazon Prime Video (including the ad-supported tier), fuboTV, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel and Warriors and Gangsters Amazon Channel. You can also rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home and FlixFling.
Who is in the cast of Ong-Bak?
Tony Jaa stars as Ting, alongside Petchtai Wongkamlao as George / Humlae, Patrarin Punyanutatam as Muay Lek, Suchao Pongwilai as Komtuan and Choomporn Theppitak as Uncle Mao.
How long is Ong-Bak and what is it rated?
Ong-Bak runs 105 minutes and is rated R in the United States.
What is Ong-Bak about?
After the head of a sacred statue is stolen from his village, Muay Thai fighter Ting travels to the city and confronts the criminal underworld to get it back.

Sources

  1. TMDB
  2. IMDb

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