Best Japanese movies: Over the years, the Japanese film industry has wowed audiences by giving some of the most iconic, influential, and intelligent movies. With such a long history and so many films, venturing into Japan’s rich cinematic landscape can be intimidating. However, there are numerous Japanese movies worth watching, from dramas to horror and comedies. Not just that, Japan also has some of the best, most influential directors of all time, meaning there’s no shortage of directors looking to push cinematic storytelling in new directions. The best Japanese movies ever made are perfect examples of this historic and influential industry and are a must-see if you’re a fan of Japanese cinema. Let’s count down the best Japanese movies ever made on this page!
Top 20 Best Japanese Movies of all time
Unlock an explosion of creative and pure cinematic bliss from a Japanese industry that continues to innovate and surprise after all these days!
1. Drive My Car
Driving My Car is a fantastic movie that celebrates themes of infidelity, loss, forgiveness, and the power of human connection. The story involves an aging actor-director and his young driver who struggle to recover from the death of his wife while directing a production of Uncle Vanya. It was the first Japanese film to receive a nomination for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, where it also received the Oscar for Best International Feature Film.
Cast: Toko Miura, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Reika Kirishima
Crew: Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Takamasa Oe, Yuji Sadai
Year: 2021
Also Read: Top 20 Best Zombie Movies List 2024 | All Time Hit Movies
2. Departures
An Oscar-winning film earning a reputation as the Best International Feature Movie, Departures is an excellent Japanese film to watch. The film tells the story of a young man who returns to his hometown after an unsuccessful career as a cellist and finds work as a traditional Japanese ritual mortician called bokashi. A captivating and thought-provoking masterpiece about death, life, and complicated family bonds, this film is hard to watch without your eyes with tears.
Cast: Masahiro Motoki, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Ryôko Hirosue
Crew: Yôjirô Takita, Kundô Koyama
Year: 2008
Also Read: Moviesflix Movies Download [August 2024]
3. Shoplifters
A family crime production by Hirokazu Kore-eda, Shoplifters appears to be inspired by Japan’s real-life shoplifting wave and crime against the elderly. The story revolves around a family who are forced to take up shoplifting due to being poor in modern Tokyo. In addition to winning eight Japan Academy Prizes, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and eventually won the Palme d’Or. Undoubtedly, Shoplifters is a mysterious, complex, subtle film that reaches a most unexpected ending, a twist-reveal worthy of psychological suspense noir. This is also one of the most popular Japanese movies of all time.
Cast: Sakura Ando, Mayu Matsuoka, Kirin Kiki
Crew: Hirokazu Koreeda, Ryuto Kondo, Haruomi Hosono
Year: 2018
4. Grave of the Fireflies
If you love watching dark animated movies, don’t skip this Japanese movie. In Grave of the Fireflies movie, the two children struggle to cope with the horrors of war in Japan in 1940. Directed by Isao Takahata, the film first appeared as a double feature with the much lighter My Neighbor Totaro. The straightforward yet thoughtful story is a testament to the director’s ability to infuse every notable gesture and moment with tremendous emotion. The film celebrates the innocence of a child and shows how simply it is shattered by the horrors of war.
Cast: Ayano Shiraishi, Tsutomu Tatsumi, Akemi Yamaguchi
Crew: Isao Takahata, Isao Takahata, Akiyuki Nosaka
Year: 1988
5. Late Spring
Late Spring, Directed by Yasujiro Oju, is a Japanese drama that depicts the bond between an adult woman and her father. The film is a leading example of a genre about the ordinary lives of common people. There is an abiding and considerable sadness in this touching film. The director’s guidance is truly reflected in Late Spring, as his storytelling enables the audience to fully connect with Noriko’s internal struggles. Despite the minimalist and peaceful visuals, there is much to be acquired from this movie. And that’s a great message of filial love and personal sacrifice.
Cast: Setsuko Hara, Chishu Ryu, Yumeji Tsukioja
Crew: Kaza Hirotsu, Yasujiro Ozu, Kogo Noda
Year: 1949
6. Tokyo Story
An important movie by Yasujiro Ozu, Tokyo Story is a renowned Japanese movie. The film could easily border on melodrama, but it is a quiet film, quietly moving as it explores the dynamics of a family unit. It is indeed a masterpiece, but perhaps difficult to digest for both international and modern audiences. Tokyo Story was conceived as too Japanese for a global audience. However, it’s a subtle and gorgeous Japanese drama about the bonds of generations that’s well worth watching. In 2012, the Tokyo Story led Sight & Sound’s list of the greatest films of all time.
Cast: Chieko Higashiyama, Chishu Ryu, So Yamamura
Crew: Yasujuro Ozu, kogo Nodam
Year: 1953
7. Your Name
A blockbuster Anime by Makoto Shinkai, Your Name (also known as Kimi no Na Wa), is a compelling and dramatic story. It is about two students who switch bodies while headed toward a rare comet. The film became famous in Japan and globally. Your Name is a complete package of comedy, romance, a brilliant twist, heart-wrenching, an amazing soundtrack, and an unexpected depth. Without presenting too much, the film balances natural disasters and the cultural memory of puppy love.
Cast: Mone Kamishiraishi, Ryo Narita, Ryunosuke Kamiki
Crew: Makoto Shinkai, Clark Cheng, Makoto Shinkaj
Year: 2018
8. Tokyo Godfathers
Tokyo Godfathers is directed and written by renowned Satoshi Kon. The film covers everything from tragicomedy, anime, and Christmas love, to name a few. Tokyo Godfathers features three homeless men who find a baby in the trash. The film has found a distinguished audience throughout the United States.
Cast: Toru Emori, Aya Okamoto, Yoshiaki Umegaki
Crew: Shogo Furuya, Satoshi Kon, Keiko Nobumoto
Year: 2003
9. Rashomon
Directed and Written by Akira Kurosawa, Rashomon is a remarkable movie in the Japanese film industry. Inspired by the narrative device, the Rashomon effect, the film follows the narrative use of different perspectives on the same event. An unrivaled samurai film, Rashomon places less emphasis on swordsmanship and more on character study. Every character in the film is well portrayed in this complicated tale, and this engaging structure of storytelling instantly draws the audience in. Notably, it was one of the first Japanese films to be critically acclaimed overseas and receive an Academy Honorary Award at the Oscars.
Cast: Machiko Kyo, Toshiro Mifune, Masayuki Mori
Crew: Akira Kurosawa, Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Shinobu Hashimoto
Year: 1950
10. Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke is the fourth creature-based film from Studio Ghibli. It has managed to establish its name globally. The film centers on a young prince who finds himself caught in a battle between humans harvesting a forest for resources and the spirits of the forest. Depicting mankind’s negative impact on the environment, Princess Mononoke refuses to portray a clear villain. Overall, this is one of the best animated coming-of-age animations ever made.
Cast: John DiMaggio, Billy Bob Thornton, Billy Crudup
Crew: Hayao Miyazaki, Neil Gaiman
Year: 1997
11. Fireworks
Fireworks (Hana-Bi) is one of the famous Japanese movies by comedian cum filmmaker, Takeshi Kitano. The film is the story of a former police officer who borrows money from a gang and gets involved in a crime to pay them back. It was the most recent film to be included on a list of 100 favorite films by legendary director Akira Kurosawa. Not surprisingly, Fireworks won the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival. Watch it on Google Play and YouTube.
Cast: Takeshi Kitano
Crew: Kayoko Kishimoto, Ren Osugi, Takeshi Kitano
Year: 1997
12. Tampopo
Expect it or not, Japanese culture has the most delicious cuisines. So it is evident that a conventional comedy film revolving around food as well as sex turns out to be heart-touching. The human and light-hearted approach to comedy in this film transcends language barriers. Tampopo follows a delivery man and the owner of a ramen shop because they search for the perfect noodle. Simply put, the film mixes meaningful drama, hilarious humor, and erotic tension, all the while poking fun at American film tropes and building sequences around sexual taboos.
Cast: Juzo Itami
Crew: Tsutomu Yamazaki, Ken Watanabe, Nobuko Miyamoto
Year: 1985
13. Harakiri
If you looking to watch stylish and violent action sequences, add Harakiri to your watchlist. Director Masaki Kobayashi helmed this masterpiece in 1962, which is considered one of the best samurai films of all time. The film is based on a ronin during the Tokugawa Shogunate who arrives at the estate of a local lord requesting to perform a suicide ritual called harakiri. Harakiri celebrates themes of power, glory, and authority, and it received the Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1963. Tatsuya exudes a stunning performance as the broken ronin, transforming the film from a subtle drama into a compelling rip-off.
Cast: Tatsuya Nakadai, Shima Iwashita, Akira Ishihama
Crew: Yasuhiko Takiguchi, Masaki Kobayashi, Shinobu Hashimoto
Year: 1962
14. Ugetsu
Ugetsus is renowned as a masterpiece of Japan’s Golden Age of Cinema. The movie depicts the tale of an aspiring samurai who abandons his wife and then falls under the spell of a ghost. Sometimes it is counted among ghost stories, but it is not a horror story. Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi, a prolific filmmaker, the film explores themes of ego, lust, and the position of women in society. Speaking of awards, Ugetsu won the Silver Lion and the Pasinetti Award at the Venice Film Festival, in addition to being nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, Black and White.
Cast: Kinuyo Tanaka, Masayuki Mori, Machiko Kyo
Crew: Kenji Mizoguchi, Akinari Ueda, Hisakazu Tsuji, Matsutaro Kawaguchi
Year: 1953
15. Akira
A groundbreaking cyberpunk anime classic, Akira is one of the most famous Japanese films ever made. The film features beautiful, if not extremely violent, visuals and helped make anime films popular on a global scale. Established in the dystopian future of 2019, Akira follows a biker gang leader and his telekinetic friend during a revolution in Neo-Tokyo. From action sequences to music, the film is a power-packed ride.
Cast: Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Tesshô Genda
Crew: Katsuhiro Ôtomo, Izô Hashimoto
Year: 1988
16. High and Low
Akira Kurosawa’s high-stakes, suspenseful, riveting police thriller centers on a rich businessman. The film starts out as a thriller and turns into a procedural drama, and it does so subtly enough to introduce you to Japan’s grievances that were long forgotten. High and Low depicts Gondo’s character, and he is forced to balance his desire for success with being a good person. This greatest thriller is one of the must watch Japanese Films of all time.
Cast: Yutaka Sada, Toshiro Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai
Crew: Akira Kurosawa, Ryuzo Kikushima, Hideo Oguni
Year: 1963
17. Howl’s Moving Castle
A classic Japanese movie from Studio Ghibli, Howl’s Moving Castle is established in a fictional empire where magic exists. This anime is the story of a young woman named Sophie, who is transformed into an old woman by a witch’s spell. It features Miyazaki’s hand-drawn visuals, beautiful flying sequences, and charming characters. Howl’s Moving Castle also reflects ageism and feminism, proving to have insightful messages beyond its mesmerizing visuals.
Cast: Chieko Baishô, Takuya Kimura, Akihiro Miwa
Crew: Diana Wynne Jones, Hayao Miyazaki
Year: 2004
18. Battle Royale
Battle Royale is Kinji Fukasaku’s last film, which toes the line between being an action and a horror film. The film is bloody, explosive, and high-octane. It focuses on 42 teenagers stranded on a deserted island and forced to fight before the last survivor is allowed to leave. While the film is considered a cult classic in the U.S., it was a super hit in Japan and internationally.
Cast: Tatsuya Fujiwara, Aki Maeda, Tarô Yamamoto
Crew: Kinji Fukasakum, Koushun Takami, Kenta Fukasaku
Year: 2000
19. My Neighbour Totoro
A pure joy by Studio Ghibli, My Neighbour is a great film that has a lot to offer, including the growth of childhood, the dreamy magic of the countryside, the bonds of family, and environmentalism. My Neighbour Totoro centers on two sisters who enter into the spirit of the forest in 1950s rural Japan. This is also one of the popular Japanese movies that is loaded with maximum cuteness and minimal conflict, forming the next-level comfort movie.
Cast: Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto
Crew: Hayao Miyazaki
Year: 1988
20. Ikiru
Directed by Akira Kurosawa, Ikiru is inspired by Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich, which is essentially the story of an ailing bureaucrat in the ultimate search for meaning. The film is surprisingly funny and extremely intimate. Ikiru is a must-watch Japanese film that comments on the purpose of life and the acceptance of death. It explores topics that everyone will find relevant.
Cast: Takashi Shimura, Shin’ichi Himori, Haruo Tanaka
Crew: Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto, Hideo Oguni
Year: 1952
21. Seven Samurai
Another movie by prolific Akira Kurosawa, Seven Samurai is popular as the finest foreign language film ever created. The movie centers on a group of farmers who appoint samurai to protect their crops during Japan’s Sengoku period in the 1500s. A watershed moment for Japanese cinema, Seven Samurai has been a favorite of numerous leading directors.
Cast: Toshirô Mifune, Keiko Tsushima, Takashi Shimura
Crew: Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, Shinobu Hashimoto
Year: 1954
22. Spirited Away
Directed and Written by Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, respectively, Spirited Away possesses the record for the highest-grossing movie in Japan. It was also the first non-English Language anime movie to hold the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Spirited Away is one of the most captivating animated movies of all time. It centers on a 10-year-old girl trapped in the spirit world who must save her guardians from an evil witch. It is available on Max, so watch it today!
Cast: Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki
Crew: Hayao Miyazaki
Year: 2001
conclusion
From Japan’s golden era movies to the latest classics, there’s a lot to like about Japanese movies. Whether you’re looking to watch daily life, samurai, ghosts, or animated movies, our list has been covered. That means, the above are some of the very best Japanese movies that would be worth watching.
Add Comment