419 Films Showcasing Japanese Cinema
418 titles
- 401
The Taste of TeaMovie · 2004 · 143m · Comedy, Drama, FantasyThis film follows a family in rural Tochigi as they navigate everyday life. Yoshiko balances being a housewife with her work on an animated film. Her uncle, Ayano, a music producer, returns from Tokyo seeking a fresh start. Sachiko becomes increasingly uneasy, feeling as though a giant version of herself is constantly watching her. The story unfolds through a series of small moments, capturing the experiences of each family member as the days drift by.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.5 - 402
After the RainMovie · 2000 · 91m · DramaHeavy rains cause a river to flood, trapping a group of travelers in a remote country inn. As the storm persists, tensions begin to escalate among those confined within.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.3 - 403
The Masseurs and a WomanMovie · 1938 · 66m"The Masseurs and a Woman" explores themes of love and family through interconnected stories at a secluded mountain resort. Director Hiroshi Shimizu uses gentle, often humorous moments to depict loneliness and the fundamental human desire for connection. The film follows a blind masseur and his colleague, a mysterious city woman, a solitary man, and his troublesome nephew.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.8 - 404
The Mourning ForestMovie · 2007 · 98m · DramaA young woman working at a retirement home takes an elderly resident on a trip to the countryside. Their outing takes an unexpected turn when they become stranded in the forest.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.8 - 405
Daredevil in the CastleMovie · 1961 · 95mAmidst the brutal conflict between the Toyotomi and Tokugawa clans, Mohei, a swordsman who has lost his entire family, is enlisted by Toyotomi to capture Osaka Castle, the key to victory. Mohei's daring abilities will be pushed to their limits.IMDb 6.3TMDB 7.1 - 406
The Bird People in ChinaMovie · 1998 · 118m · Adventure, DramaA hardworking Japanese businessman, Wada, travels to remote China seeking a jade mine. His expedition changes when he meets a determined yakuza who joins him in the search for wealth.
Together, along with their local guide Shen, they journey through difficult landscapes and uncover unexpected truths that go beyond finding jade. The challenges they face test their strength, their values, and their beliefs. This adventure story explores self-discovery and the powerful connections forged between people brought together by hardship.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.2 - 407
The Sea and PoisonMovie · 1986 · 123mDuring the war, two interns and a nurse are questioned by American military police about their role in a horrific event: the vivisection of a crashed American air crew.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.9 - 408
Summer CloudsMovie · 1958 · 128mAfter her husband's death in the war, a widow struggles to run a farm with the help of her demanding mother-in-law and her young son. A visiting reporter sparks an affair with her, but he is married and unwilling to leave his wife. Meanwhile, her brother attempts to secure the farm's future through strategic marriages for his children, as the land faces confiscation and his children yearn for city life rather than continuing the hard labor in the fields.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.5 - 409
Beyond OutrageMovie · 2012 · 112m · Action, CrimeWhen the police aggressively target organized crime, a major conflict erupts between the Sanno and Hanabishi yakuza clans. This internal power struggle from *Outrage* has escalated into a full-blown war across the country in *Outrage Beyond*.IMDb 6.7TMDB 7.0 - 410
The Insect WomanMovie · 1963 · 123m · DramaIn 1918, Tome is born into a poor family in rural Japan. The film, "The Insect Woman," suggests her life is repetitive and cyclical, like an insect doomed to repeat its actions. Directed by Shohei Imamura, the story follows Tome's tireless attempts to escape her difficult life. She faces new obstacles and possibilities daily, navigating a world that often ignores her hardships. Imamura’s film presents a stark depiction of a woman’s strength in the face of hardship, highlighting the complicated relationship between personal will and societal limitations.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.2 - 411
Broken DrumMovie · 1949 · 108mA construction company's future is threatened, leading a controlling father to arrange marriages and careers for his children – all in an attempt to restore the family's financial security.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.7 - 412
Our Brief EternityMovie · 2009 · 105mA new virus, Emanon, sweeps through Tokyo, causing infected individuals to lose the memory of their most important person. Teru, a man who lives a carefree life, reconnects with his ex-girlfriend, Mio, only to discover she has been infected and doesn't remember him. As the virus spreads globally, chaos erupts. Teru and Mio attempt to rekindle their relationship, but he too becomes infected, losing his memories of her. With Tokyo in ruins, they seek refuge in the countryside where they once lived.IMDb 6.3 - 413
Shinsengumi: Assassins of HonorMovie · 1969 · 122mIn late 19th-century Japan, as power moves from the Shogunate to the Emperor, the country anticipates a new era. However, not everyone welcomes change. The Shinsengumi, a group of samurai, farmers, and commoners, unite to fight against this shift in history. Their leader, Isami Kondo, a former farmer, leads the fierce Shinsengumi in defense of the weakening Shogunate. He inspires his men with strength and compassion, but danger and betrayal are ever-present.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.8 - 414
I Live in FearMovie · 1955 · 103m · DramaThis movie tells the story of Kiichi Nakajima, an elderly foundry owner who grows increasingly fearful of a nuclear war. Believing Japan is in danger, he decides to move his family to Brazil for safety. His family doubts his sanity and attempts to have him declared legally incompetent.
Dr. Harada, a Domestic Court counselor, is brought in to help resolve the conflict. He must navigate Nakajima's fears, his family's worries, and the wider anxieties surrounding nuclear war. The film explores themes of family obligation, personal responsibility, and how global tensions affect individual lives. It balances suspense with quiet moments, presenting a deeply human drama about love, loyalty, and protecting one's family's future.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.3 - 415
The Story of the Last ChrysanthemumMovie · 1939 · 144m · Romance, DramaLate 19th century Tokyo. Kikunosuke Onoue is a celebrated actor famous for playing female roles, and the adopted son of a respected theater master. But his fame is largely due to his family name, not his talent. He finds comfort in Otoku, a compassionate servant in their home, and they develop a deep connection.
Kikunosuke wants to prove himself as an artist, independent of societal expectations. Otoku supports him as he searches for his own path, and their journey explores love, identity, and freedom of expression against traditional norms.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.8 - 416
Dora-heitaMovie · 2000 · 111mIn Horisoto, Japan's most lawless town, a newly appointed magistrate employs cunning and exploits the flaws of those who oppose him to overcome corruption and bring order.IMDb 6.7TMDB 5.1 - 417
The WolvesMovie · 1971 · 131mSeji Iwahashi is released from prison after serving time for killing the Kanno gang boss. He discovers his old gang has merged with the Kannos. With deep-seated animosity between the two groups, it seems only a matter of time before violence erupts again.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.4 - 418
The HeartMovie · 1955 · 120mDuring the final years of the Meiji era, a compassionate student forms a friendship with a married couple. He gradually discovers that their relationship is marked by a palpable tension, rooted in a mysterious event from their shared history.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.8
