Verdict:The Adventures of Marco Polo is a confirmed FLOP based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 6.0/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Romance, Adventure genre.
Answer: Yes, The Adventures of Marco Polo is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Romance movies.
It features a runtime of 104 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Last updated: January 11, 2026
Released in 1938, The Adventures of Marco Polo enters the Romance genre with a narrative focused on The Venetian traveler Marco Polo meets Kublai Khan and foils a plotter with fireworks in medieval China. Under the direction of Archie Mayo, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
The film is anchored by performances from Gary Cooper. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
From a technical standpoint, The Adventures of Marco Polo offers a competent presentation. The cinematography uses a distinct visual palette that aligns well with the tone. The sharp editing keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace, maximizing the impact of the key sequences.
Beyond the narrative, The Adventures of Marco Polo resonates with current cultural themes in the Romance space. It stays within the established boundaries of its genre, providing exactly what core fans expect without reinventing the wheel.
As of early 2026, The Adventures of Marco Polo is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. It is also featured on platforms like Amazon Prime Video with Ads. For audiences in the US, UK, and India, digital rentals are typically available on platforms like Amazon Video roughly 45-60 days after the theatrical release.
The plot of The Adventures of Marco Polo centers on a unique premise within the Romance landscape. The Venetian traveler Marco Polo meets Kublai Khan and foils a plotter with fireworks in medieval China. The second act serves as a major turning point, leading to a climax that fans of 1938 cinema will find fairly predictable.
The ending of The Adventures of Marco Polo has sparked significant debate on social media. It signifies the ambiguous resolution of the main plot thread. Given the current box office momentum, discussions of a The Adventures of Marco Polo sequel or a wider cinematic universe are already gaining traction.
Final verdict for The Adventures of Marco Polo (1938): with an audience rating of 6/10, the reception has been divisive. It is a recommended for fans of Romance, Adventure cinema who appreciate attention to detail.
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $2,000,000 |
| Worldwide Gross | $1,700,000 |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The estimated production budget for The Adventures of Marco Polo is $2,000,000. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Apple TVAmazon VideoApple TVAnalyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6/10, and global collection metrics, The Adventures of Marco Polo stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1938 cinematic year.
The Adventures of Marco Polo has received mixed reviews with a 6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
The Adventures of Marco Polo is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Romance, Adventure movies, but read reviews first.
The Adventures of Marco Polo is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can also check for it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads depending on your region.
The Adventures of Marco Polo has received mixed reviews with a 6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
The Adventures of Marco Polo is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Romance, Adventure movies, but read reviews first.
The Adventures of Marco Polo is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can also check for it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads depending on your region.
The Adventures of Marco Polo is a Romance, Adventure movie that follows: The Venetian traveler Marco Polo meets Kublai Khan and foils a plotter with fireworks in medieval China....
The Adventures of Marco Polo is classified as Romance, Adventure. We recommend checking the official age rating before watching with children.
The Adventures of Marco Polo is primarily available in its original language, with subtitles and dubbed versions available on various streaming services and digital stores.
The Venetian traveler Marco Polo meets Kublai Khan and foils a plotter with fireworks in medieval China.
There's a hole in this particular Polo! The Adventures of Marco Polo is directed by Archie Mayo and John Cromwell and written by Robert E. Sherwood and N.A. Pogson. It stars Gary Cooper, Alan Hale, Binnie Barnes, Basil Rathbone,Sigrid Gurie, George Barbier and Ernest Truex. Music is by Hugo Friedhofer and cinematography by Rudolph Maté and Archie Stout. Adventurer Marco Polo (Cooper) travels to China, where he finds the Emperor Kublai Khan (Barbier) and a wshole bunch of revolutionary intrigue. The legend of Marco Polo has proven to be spurious, so it's no surprise to find that a 1938 filmic production of the man is wholly fanciful. This is not a bad film, in fact it's a pleasant enough way to spend an hour and 40 minutes with. Problem is is that it's pitched more at gentle comedy then anything remotely dramatic. Cast are having fun performing in a costumer (Rathbone on villain duties owns the pic), but you have to cringe at some of the era foibles that sees various races playing the wrong race. The action is competently staged, particularly the final siege and battle, though the speeding up of some sequences is too daft. Likable cast make it worth staying with, but really they could have just made a character up and made this film as it is. 5/10
This is my kind of topic - an adventure film set at the Mongol Court with loads of intrigue, machinations and sword fights. Sadly, though, this is really not much good at any of that. Gary Cooper is really poorly cast in the title role and Basil Rathbone - probably as good a baddie as you will see on the silver screen, isn't up to much either as the scheming "Ahmed" - the chief advisor to the legendary Kublai Khan (George Barbier). Sadly, this film is really pretty short on action with way too much emphasis put on the love interest provided by Sigrid Gurie's pretty "Princess Kukachin". But for a lively effort from Alan Hale as warrior chief "Kaidu" leading a bit of a charge in the last ten minutes, this really is a procedural vehicle for a star who looks completely disinterested in the role. The writing and production are fine - Sam Goldwyn didn't do low budget - but this really is a lacklustre stab at what could have been a much more engaging and enjoyable action drama that depicts the Khan as a bit of a dunderheaded pussycat!
