292 Japanese Films to Explore

And Then

1985 • 130 min

Daisuke, a 30-year-old with a passion for music and literature, is expected by his wealthy family to find a stable job and a suitable wife. His family can easily support his lifestyle. However, his carefully planned life is disrupted when…

7.1

7.2

Gintama 2: Rules are Made to Be Broken

2018 • 134 min • Box office $30M

Comedy, Action, Science Fiction

The Yorozuya crew steps back into action to defend the nation's shogun as the Shinsengumi police face a critical situation.

7.1

6.4

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs

1960 • 111 min

Drama

"Mama," set in Tokyo's Ginza district, offers a look into the life of Keiko, a 30-year-old hostess. The film follows her daily experiences as a widow navigating societal expectations and the demands of her job. Keiko must project confidence and…

7.9

8.0

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Violet Evergarden: The Movie

2020 • 140 min • Box office $20M

Animation, Fantasy, Romance

Years after the war, as the world changes with new technology, Violet holds onto a lingering hope: to see her lost commanding officer again.

8.3

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The Castle of Cagliostro

1979 • 102 min • Budget $7M • Box office $8M

Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Lupin the Third, a renowned master thief, and his partner Jigen discover a large quantity of expertly made counterfeit money. Intrigued, Lupin sets out to find the counterfeiters, leading him to the imposing Castle of Cagliostro. Inside the castle, Lupin…

7.5

7.6

13+

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Fire Festival

1985 • 125 min

Tatsuo, a deeply respectful lumberjack, tries to stop the construction of a marine park on his family's property by championing traditional ways.

5.4

7.1

Underdog: Part One

2020 • 132 min

The film follows three struggling boxers who are treated as expendable fodder. Former pro boxer Suenaga Akira, aiming for a comeback, finds himself fighting for every opportunity. Omura Ryuta, a young man with a difficult past, seeks a path to…

7.1

6.7

United Red Army

2007 • 190 min

Two radical student groups merge to create the United Red Army (URA) and establish a training camp in the mountains. However, their ideology transforms into authoritarianism, and the URA leaders start unfairly targeting their own members. This leads to a…

6.3

7.1

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Chikamatsu Monogatari

1954 • 102 min

Drama, Romance

In 17th century Kyoto, a talented scroll-maker and his wife navigate the strict rules of their society. False rumors of an affair between his wife and his employee shatter their peaceful life. Threatened by public shame and financial loss, they…

7.7

8.0

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House

1977 • 88 min

Comedy, Fantasy, Horror

To learn more about her mother's history, Gorgeous travels with six friends to visit their aunt at a historic country estate. The large, mysterious house reveals hidden secrets and stories from the past. As Gorgeous and her friends explore, they…

7.3

7.2

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The Elegant Life of Mr. Everyman

1963 • 103 min

A businessman's public drunken outburst catches the ear of reporters, who then persuade him to recount his entire life.

6.1

7.1

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The Eel

1997 • 117 min

Drama, Crime

This character-driven story follows a businessman haunted by his past as he serves a prison sentence for killing his wife. After his release, he tries to start over by opening a small barbershop in a peaceful neighborhood. He seeks redemption…

6.9

7.3

The Yellow Handkerchief

1977 • 109 min

Comedy, Drama

A convict is released from prison after serving a long sentence for a murder he committed years ago. He hopes to reconnect with his ex-wife and start their life over. Their connection is subtly signaled by a yellow handkerchief she…

6.9

7.3

The Light Shines Only There

2014 • 120 min

He's convinced love isn't for him, and she's decided to stop searching for it. They unexpectedly connect during a short summer in Hakodate, a city in northern Japan.

6.3

6.7

Pale Flower

1964 • 96 min

Crime, Romance

This crime drama centers on a recently released ex-gangster trying to find his place in a shifting world of criminal alliances. His life changes when he meets a spirited young woman drawn into the dangerous world of gambling and shady…

7.3

7.7

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The Hidden Fortress

1958 • 139 min

During a brutal war between feudal Japanese clans, two cowardly and greedy peasants, former soldiers from a defeated army, find themselves guided by a mysterious man to a hidden fortress in the mountains.

8.0

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+11

Postcard

2010 • 114 min

In the final months of World War II, a middle-aged soldier named Keita receives a postcard from a fellow soldier who believes he's facing certain death. After the war concludes, Keita travels to meet the wife of his comrade, Yuko,…

5.4

7.0

Antiporno

2017 • 76 min

Drama, Mystery

A young, volatile artist named Kyoko disrupts the lives of those around her when a renowned Japanese film studio tasks a group of respected filmmakers with remaking their classic, artistic erotic films.

6.7

6.3

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Late Spring

1949 • 108 min

Drama

Noriko, a 27-year-old woman happily living with her father, enjoys a peaceful life free from marital expectations. But her aunt Masa's attempts to help disrupt their close family. Worried Noriko will be alone, Masa convinces her father, Shukichi, to find…

8.0

8.2

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Glasses

2007 • 106 min

Comedy, Drama

A stressed-out professional woman escapes her city life with a relaxing island getaway. There, she finds herself surrounded by quirky and unusual locals.

7.2

7.1

Kamome Diner

2006 • 102 min

Drama, Comedy

In a quiet Helsinki street, Sachie opens a diner specializing in rice balls. After a month with no customers, she soon gets her first one: Midori, a lanky Japanese tourist. Sachie invites Midori to stay with her.

7.4

7.2

Noriko's Dinner Table

2005 • 159 min

Thriller, Drama

Noriko Shimabara, a teenager from Toyokawa, runs away from home to connect with Kumiko, the administrator of the online bulletin board, Haikyo.com. She becomes part of Kumiko's online community, which takes a disturbing turn following the mass suicide of 54…

6.9

7.0

Fine, Totally Fine

2008 • 110 min

Feeling adrift, two friends and a girl struggling with awkwardness navigate life's uncertainties, possibly discovering romance.

6.0

6.9

Let's Go, Jets!

2017 • 121 min

A group of high school cheerleading students, including Hikari Tomonaga, diligently follow the precise guidance of their teacher, Kaoruko Saotome, as they train for the USA Cheerdance Championship.

7.3

6.8

The Tokyo Night Sky Is Always the Densest Shade of Blue

2017 • 108 min

By day, Mika is a nurse; by night, she works as an entertainer in a women's bar. Shinji, who is partially blind, works as a construction worker. Both young and weary, they each live isolated lives, yet their paths repeatedly…

6.8

6.5

P. P. Rider

1983 • 118 min

Three high school students find themselves caught in a dangerous situation when they search for their classmate who has been kidnapped by the local yakuza. Their investigation leads them into conflict with the powerful crime syndicate and a police force…

5.6

6.6

Early Summer

1951 • 125 min

Drama

This film follows a 28-year-old woman as she grapples with pressure from her friends and family to get married and have children. It explores her journey through love, loneliness, and finding herself. As she's urged towards marriage, she must examine…

7.8

8.0

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Moving

1993 • 124 min

Estranged from her father and struggling with her emotionally overwhelmed mother, a young woman navigates the complexities of growing up.

7.5

7.6

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The Discarnates

1988 • 108 min

A writer recently divorced finds himself unexpectedly reunited with the spirits of his parents, who died when he was young. Each encounter, however, drains his vitality. He is now faced with a difficult choice: embrace a new future, or remain…

6.4

7.1

Mirai

2018 • 98 min • Box office $29M

Animation, Family, Fantasy

Feeling overlooked since his new baby sister arrived, four-year-old Kun starts encountering people and animals connected to his family's past within their unusual home. These encounters help him learn how to embrace his role as a big brother.

7.1

7.0

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Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

1984 • 117 min • Budget $1M • Box office $9M

Adventure, Animation, Fantasy

After a devastating apocalypse, the peaceful kingdom of the Valley of the Wind is one of the last safe places left. It's surrounded by a poisonous forest protected by giant insects. Princess Nausicaä works to find a way for people…

7.9

8.0

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Drive My Car

2021 • 179 min • Budget $1M • Box office $15M

Drama

Two years after the death of his wife, stage actor and director Yusuke Kafuku takes on a directing job for a play in Hiroshima. He's assigned a quiet young woman named Misaki to drive his car. During their journeys, buried…

7.4

7.5

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Kaza-hana

2001 • 116 min

A government employee encounters a hostess at a nightclub, and they embark on a trip together.

5.5

6.8

Another World

2018 • 119 min

Ko, a man in his late 30s, lives in the countryside with his wife and teenage son. Mitsuhiko, who runs a car dealership in their hometown, also remained there. Their mutual friend Eisuke returns from a lengthy military assignment, and…

6.4

6.3

Labyrinth of Cinema

2020 • 179 min

A sudden lightning strike hits a theater just as it's closing, and three moviegoers are unexpectedly transported into the world of the film they were about to watch.

6.9

6.7

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Shozo, a Cat and Two Women

1956 • 135 min

Shozo is burdened by the demands of both his ex-wife and his current wife, but finds solace in the companionship of his cat.

6.7

6.4

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Throw Away Your Books, Rally in the Streets

1971 • 137 min

Drama

A visually compelling story follows a disillusioned young man as he explores the intricate world of Japanese subculture. Facing family problems and loneliness, he embarks on a surreal journey that examines the difficulties of modern life. This exploration of Japan’s…

7.3

7.5

First Love

2019 • 108 min

Crime, Action, Comedy

In Tokyo, a young boxer named Leo falls for Monica, a sex worker who is in prison. Their lives become entangled when they get involved in a drug smuggling operation. Suddenly, they are being hunted by a corrupt police officer,…

6.7

17+

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+18

Battle Royale

2000 • 113 min • Budget $4M • Box office $30M

Drama, Thriller, Action

In a dystopian future, the Japanese government enacts the controversial "Battle Royale" law. A group of ninth-grade students are selected and compelled to fight to the death by their own classmates.

7.3

7.5

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+12

We Are Little Zombies

2019 • 120 min

Drama, Music

Orphaned and unable to express grief, four 13-year-olds find an outlet in music. They form a powerful band as they navigate the complexities of their emotions. It's a story about finding oneself.

6.7

6.9

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+12

Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet

2021 • 110 min • Box office $95M

Animation, Action, Crime

During the opening ceremony of the World Sports Games Tokyo, a quadrennial international sporting event, the unveiling of the world's first 1,000 km/h vacuum superconducting maglev train is announced. As the announcement draws global attention, key executives from major corporations…

6.4

6.3

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Begging for Love

1998 • 135 min

A search for the grave of a Taiwanese father triggers painful recollections of childhood abuse.

6.3

7.5

The Funeral

1984 • 124 min

Comedy, Drama

Wabisuke grapples with grief after his father-in-law's sudden death. Over three emotionally intense days at home, his family faces a series of strange events that test their relationships. As they prepare for the funeral, hidden secrets are revealed, old conflicts…

7.1

7.2

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Belle

2021 • 121 min • Box office $63M

Animation, Science Fiction, Drama

Suzu, a 17-year-old high school student, lives with her father in a rural town. Still grieving the loss of her mother from childhood, Suzu discovers the vast online world "U" and begins exploring it as her avatar, Belle. Quickly, Belle…

7.7

7.0

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On the Edge of Their Seats

2020 • 75 min

At the start of the high school baseball season, a group of students in the stands navigate their own personal issues amidst the game.

7.5

6.5

Hit Me Anyone One More Time

2019 • 127 min

Keisuke Kuroda awakens in a hospital with complete amnesia. While escaping the hospital, he catches a news report and discovers he is Japan's Prime Minister, whose approval rating is historically low. He suffered a head injury during a speech –…

6.9

6.2

Always - Sunset on Third Street

2005 • 133 min • Box office $33M

Comedy, Drama

Mutsuko, a young woman, travels to Tokyo for employment and finds herself working at a repair shop. There, she forms close bonds with the owner's family. Meanwhile, her neighbors Hiromi, writer Chagawa, and Junnosuke navigate the changing landscape of postwar…

7.6

7.7

When the Last Sword Is Drawn

2003 • 137 min • Budget $4M • Box office $2M

Action, Drama, History

Samurai Kanichiro Yoshimura struggles to provide for his wife and children with his clan's meager pay. Driven by love for his family, he makes the difficult decision to leave his small town for the city in search of better-paying work.

7.5

7.4

Soccer Aid

2001 • 125 min • Budget $19M • Box office $274M

Animation, Family, Fantasy

A young girl named Chihiro finds herself in a bewildering world inhabited by spirits. After her parents are mysteriously transformed, she must find the strength within herself to rescue her family.

8.5

8.6

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We Couldn't Become Adults

2021 • 124 min

Drama, Romance

A friend request triggers a forty-something man's memories of past relationships, spanning from the 1990s to the present day. He revisits these connections in search of the aspirations he'd lost along the way.

6.4

6.5

17+

Stream on

Akira

1988 • 124 min • Budget $5M • Box office $49M

Animation, Science Fiction, Action

In a futuristic Neo-Tokyo, a top-secret government experiment goes wrong, transforming a biker gang member into a dangerous psychic. This unstable individual threatens the city's survival. Two ordinary teenagers and a group of people with psychic abilities must join forces…

7.9

8.0

17+

Stream on

Eureka

2001 • 218 min

Drama

After a devastating event in the countryside of Japan, a group of survivors struggles to heal and rebuild their lives. Their efforts for recovery are complicated by the presence of a serial killer stalking the area.

7.7

Wild Berries

2003 • 108 min

This film explores the delicate balance of an everyday family life, which begins to unravel with the unexpected return of their carefree son, Shuji, after a prolonged absence.

6.5

6.7

Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy

2021 • 121 min • Box office $1M

Drama, Romance

The film unfolds in three parts, exploring the choices and consequences faced by three women. Each part presents a distinct episode: an unexpected love triangle, a dangerous seduction, and a chance meeting. Together, these stories reveal how their decisions lead…

7.2

7.5

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Wife of a Spy

2020 • 114 min

Drama, War, Thriller

In 1940, Japan is deeply divided about joining World War II. Satoko, whose husband is a fabric merchant, is devoted to him but starts to sense he's involved in something secretive. She gradually becomes involved in a veiled game, carefully…

6.7

6.6

—

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Burst City

1982 • 115 min

In a desolate, futuristic Tokyo of highways and ruins, a rebellious group of punk bands and their followers unite to demonstrate against the stagnant, uninspired pace of Japanese life.

6.3

6.0

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Ride or Die

2021 • 142 min

Drama, Romance, Thriller

Rei assists the woman she's secretly loved for years in escaping her abusive husband. As they flee together, their feelings for one another intensify.

6.7

5.6

17+

Stream on

Sandakan No. 8

1974 • 122 min

A young journalist interviews an elderly woman who recounts being forced into prostitution in Borneo at a brothel known as Sandakan No. 8.

7.7

7.6

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Vengeance Is Mine

1979 • 140 min

Crime, Drama

Iwao Enokizu is a skilled thief and a dangerous killer who has avoided the law for years. He expertly moves through the hidden world of society, creating a network of deception that keeps his enemies away. As Enokizu's life becomes…

7.5

7.6

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My Neighbor Totoro

1988 • 86 min • Budget $3M • Box office $41M

Fantasy, Animation, Family

Two sisters, Kiki and Chizu, leave their city home and move with their father to be near their mother, who is hospitalized. While adjusting to their new surroundings, they discover a magical secret: ancient Totoros live in the forest. The…

8.1

Stream on

+10

Harakiri

1962 • 135 min

Action, Drama, History

Tsugumo Hanshirō, a retired samurai facing unemployment and isolation, seeks permission from the esteemed House of Iyi to commit ritual suicide (seppuku) and find someone to assist him. A senior counselor doubts Hanshirō’s motives, questioning if his desire for a…

8.4

8.6

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Summer Wars

2009 • 114 min • Box office $18M

Animation, Science Fiction

Kenji Koiso, a teenage math prodigy, takes a summer job in his crush Natsuki's hometown. He discovers her family is gathered for their matriarch's 90th birthday and is asked to pretend to be Natsuki's fiancé. Simultaneously, Kenji's efforts to solve…

7.5

7.4

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High and Low

1963 • 142 min • Budget $250K

Drama, Crime

A powerful CEO must abandon his corporate world to race against time and save a boy who has been mistakenly kidnapped. As he works to get the ransom and bring his employee's child home, the situation becomes increasingly urgent. This…

8.3

8.4

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Sanshiro Sugata

1943 • 80 min

Drama

"A Tale of Strength and Adaptation" follows Sanshiro, a young man determined to master Jujutsu. His journey changes when he meets Judo, a new style of self-defense. Sanshiro's resolve is challenged as he learns this different discipline, testing his strength…

6.5

6.7

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Attack on Titan: Crimson Bow and Arrow

2014 • 118 min

A century ago, humanity secured safety behind enormous walls that held back man-eating Titans. But this haven is shattered when a massive Titan breaches the walls, unleashing a wave of giants into the previously protected zone.

8.1

7.7

Mind Game

2004 • 103 min • Box office $36K

Animation, Romance, Comedy

Nishi is a failure with a longing for his childhood sweetheart. Following a run-in with the Japanese mafia, he experiences a trip to heaven and back, only to find himself stranded in an even stranger location.

7.5

7.7

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The Twilight Samurai

2002 • 129 min • Budget $5M • Box office $7M

Drama, Romance

At the close of the 19th century, low-ranking samurai Seibei Iguchi faces hardship as a widower supporting his two daughters and aging mother. His life changes when Tomoe, a childhood friend, returns. Yet, as the feudal system collapses, Seibei is…

7.8

8.0

20th Century Boys 3: Redemption

2009 • 156 min

Adventure, Mystery, Science Fiction

The ultimate confrontation arrives, bringing with it a shocking truth. Who is Friend, and how can he be defeated?

6.7

6.5

Hanagatami

2017 • 169 min

Spring 1941. In the coastal town of Karatsu, sixteen-year-old Toshihiko attends school while his aunt cares for his sick cousin. Surrounded by the sea and local traditions, Toshihiko forms close bonds with other remarkable teenagers as they all grapple with…

7.0

Stream on

Dreams

1990 • 119 min • Budget $12M • Box office $2M

Fantasy, Drama

Filmmaker Akira Kurosawa explores the dream world, drawing inspiration from his own nocturnal visions to create fantastical stories. Each narrative takes viewers on a journey through magical realms filled with enchantment. Using vivid imagery and storytelling, Kurosawa blurs the lines…

7.7

Stream on

Railroad Man

1999 • 112 min

In a remote village in Hokkaido, a railway stationmaster struggles with grief over the loss of his wife and daughter. When the railway line is slated for closure, he's offered a job at a hotel, but he's reluctant to leave…

7.1

Stream on

True Mothers

2020 • 140 min

Drama

Following years of unsuccessful fertility treatments, Satoko and her husband Kiyokazu choose to adopt. Six years later, after welcoming their son Asato, Satoko has left her job to focus on her husband and child. Their family enjoys a quiet life…

7.3

7.0

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100 Yen Love

2014 • 114 min

Drama, Comedy, Romance

Ichiko, a laid-back slacker, has a falling out with her sister and moves out to live independently, taking a late-night job at a discount store. Returning home one evening, she encounters Kano, a silent boxer who trains at a nearby…

7.2

7.1

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Zatoichi

2003 • 116 min • Budget $2M • Box office $34M

Adventure, Drama, Action

Zatoichi, a blind masseur and skilled swordsman who enjoys gambling, arrives in a village plagued by feuding gangs. He decides to defend the villagers from the violence.

7.2

7.4

17+

Stream on

+11

Street of Shame

1956 • 87 min

Drama

The film explores the lives of five women working in a Japanese brothel as the country considers a law to ban prostitution. Their stories unfold against a backdrop of societal change, revealing their personal struggles and the wider impact of…

7.7

7.8

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In This Corner of the World

2016 • 130 min • Box office $19M

Drama, Animation, Romance

Japan, 1943, World War II. Young Suzu journeys from her village near Hiroshima to Kure, a naval port, to marry and live with her husband's family. Her resourcefulness blossoms as she adapts to a life of hardship, quickly becoming essential…

7.9

7.8

13+

Stream on

Cure

1997 • 112 min • Budget $20K • Box office $234K

Crime, Thriller, Horror

A seasoned but jaded detective in modern Tokyo investigates a series of brutal murders that have terrified the city. The killings share unsettling similarities, and as the detective investigates, he becomes increasingly consumed by guilt and paranoia. He navigates the…

7.5

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Bright Future

2003 • 115 min • Budget $10M

Drama, Mystery

Two friends working as laundry workers in Tokyo discover an unusual fascination with jellyfish. As they become detached from everyday life, they find themselves drawn to the beauty and danger of these creatures. The film uses visuals and subtle character…

6.8

6.7

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The Lower Depths

1957 • 125 min

Drama

In 19th century Japan, a varied group of people share a rundown boardinghouse. Among them is a quiet old man with a hidden past and a former actor reflecting on his career. Their peaceful lives are disrupted by Sutekichi, a…

7.1

7.2

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A Balance

2021 • 152 min

A filmmaker documenting a divisive local tragedy faces a moral crisis when a hidden truth from her past comes to light.

7.5

7.0

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Like Grains of Sand

1995 • 129 min

This is a coming-of-age story about Shuji, a Japanese teenager who develops feelings for his close friend Hiroyuki. However, Hiroyuki is drawn to Kasane, a new student in their class.

6.7

7.3

All About Lily Chou-Chou

2001 • 146 min • Budget $1M • Box office $6M

Drama, Crime

This film follows the difficult adolescence of Yūichi Hasumi and Shūsuke Hoshino, examining the evolving and complicated way they relate to each other. The story unfolds against the backdrop of Yūichi's deep fascination with the ethereal and imaginative music of…

7.4

7.5

Stream on

+14

The Magic Hour

2008 • 136 min

Comedy

In the bustling port town of Sukago, a hustler finds himself indebted to a ruthless gang boss. To settle his debt, the hustler must arrange a meeting between the boss and a shadowy hitman – a task the hustler doesn’t…

7.5

7.2

My Darling Is a Foreigner

2010 • 100 min

Based on a true story. A Japanese woman and an American man develop a relationship in Japan. Their connection faces challenges due to cultural differences and language barriers.

5.6

6.0

Café Lumière

2004 • 103 min

Drama

Set in modern Tokyo, which echoes its historical past, the story follows Yoko, a writer researching a modernist composer from the 1930s. Unwanted pregnancy complicates her life, but she finds support from a used bookstore owner who helps with her…

6.7

6.8

—

Woman in the Dunes

1964 • 147 min

Drama, Thriller

A vacationing entomologist is held captive in a remote seaside village by its struggling residents, who are fascinated by him. Forced to live under their basic conditions, he develops a close relationship with a local woman whose life revolves around…

8.2

8.4

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Suzaki Paradise: Red Light District

1956 • 81 min

Newly unemployed, Yoshigi and Tsutue find themselves on the edge of Tokyo's red-light district in Suzaki. Tsutue secures a job serving sake at a small bar run by a kind older woman, while Yoshigi takes a noodle delivery job at…

7.0

7.4

Doraemon: Nobita's Treasure Island

2018 • 108 min • Box office $80M

Animation, Adventure, Fantasy

After hearing the tale of Treasure Island, Nobita becomes fascinated with the idea of finding his own uncharted island and exploring it, even though the entire planet is already mapped.

7.0

6.7

Dear Etranger

2017 • 127 min

Makoto Tanaka, 40, is happily remarried to Nanae, and they share two daughters from Nanae's previous relationship. Makoto strives for a normal family life. When Nanae becomes pregnant, the family dynamic shifts unexpectedly.

7.1

7.0

It Feels So Good

2019 • 115 min

Drama, Romance

Kenji's life is falling apart: he's divorced, unemployed, and his former girlfriend, Naoko, is getting married in Akita, northern Japan. He travels there for the wedding, where Naoko unexpectedly suggests they sleep together. Their one night together marks the start…

6.5

Boiling Point

1990 • 96 min

Crime, Comedy, Drama

Set against the striking landscapes of Okinawa, the film follows Masaki, a gas station attendant and former baseball player whose life changes when he has a dangerous run-in with the local Yakuza. To protect himself, Masaki travels to Okinawa to…

6.9

6.8

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A Beloved Wife

2019 • 118 min

This comedy explores a strained marriage between an unemployed screenwriter and his wife, who has financially supported him for a decade. The story is drawn from the writer/director's personal experiences.

6.5

6.4

Domains

2019 • 150 min

Aki and Naoko, childhood friends growing distant, navigate different life paths. Naoko is now married with a daughter, while Aki is single and taking leave due to a personal crisis. While the premise may seem familiar, director Kusano Natsuka presents…

5.1

6.0

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Muddy River

1981 • 105 min

Growing up near a muddy river in Osaka, two boys develop a strong friendship. Their parents both work along the riverbank.

7.3

7.8

Twenty-Four Eyes

1954 • 156 min

Drama

From 1928 to 1946, this moving film follows the lives of a poor village in rural Japan. The story shows how major historical events and personal challenges deeply affect the villagers. It explores the difficult balance between survival as a…

7.7

7.9

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Sonatine

1993 • 94 min • Box office $58K

Action, Crime, Thriller

This drama centers on Murakawa, an older yakuza member, who begins to doubt his life when his boss sends him to Okinawa for a seemingly simple mediation in a gang war. He soon discovers the conflict between the rival groups…

7.5

7.4

17+

Violent Cop

1989 • 103 min

Crime, Thriller

A seasoned detective investigates his colleague's possible involvement in corruption, drugs, and the Yakuza. He finds himself caught in a dangerous world, forced to question his own ethics as he seeks the truth. His pursuit of answers leads him to…

7.2

7.1

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Tora-san, Our Lovable Tramp

1969 • 91 min

Tora-san, a traveling salesman who was banished from his family home years ago, unexpectedly reunites with his aunt, uncle, and sister Sakura. His return stirs up trouble, as he causes disruptions like drunken antics at a wedding and jeopardizes Sakura's…

7.8

6.9

Seven Samurai

1954 • 207 min • Budget $2M • Box office $105M

Action, Drama

A samurai, struggling financially, accepts a village’s plea for protection. The village is threatened by bandits, so the samurai assembles six companions to train the villagers in self-defense. In return, the villagers supply the soldiers with food.

8.5

8.6

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+14

100

Did the Red Bird Escape?

1973 • 99 min

A young man with a history as an outlaw struggles to leave his past behind, even as he becomes involved with a wealthy family.

6.3

6.8

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