Japanese Movies on Netflix
Last updated March 31, 2023
Eden of the East: Paradise Lost
2010 | NR | 4.2 out of 5 StarsTakizawa returns to Japan in the thrilling feature-length conclusion to "Eden of the East" to make his final moves against the remaining Seleção and uncover the secrets of his mysterious past.
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Ghost Hunt
2006 | NR | 4.1 out of 5 StarsBased on the popular manga series created by Fuyumi Ono, this gripping anime follows the adventures of Naru Shibuya and Mai Taniyama, the teenage paranormal researchers known collectively as the Shibuya Psychic Research team. Aided by cutting-edge technology and a collection of psychic mediums and spirit guides, Naru and Mai investigate the unsettling supernatural events that plague the campus of Ryokuryou High School.
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Departures
2008 | NR | 4.1 out of 5 StarsYoung cellist Daigo has an epiphany in which he realizes he's been heading down the wrong career path. Retreating to his hometown, he trains for a new professional role as a "nakanshi" ¿ one who prepares the dead for burial.
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Ghost Hunt: Season 1
2006 | NR | 4.1 out of 5 StarsMai's fascination with the unknown leads her to join the Shibuya Psychic Research team. Using her growing psychic abilities, Mai works with a spirit medium, a shrine maiden, an exorcist and a monk to uncover the darkest mysteries of the unseen.
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13 Assassins
2010 | NR | 4.0 out of 5 StarsTo stop a tyrant from murdering and exploiting innocent civilians, 13 samurai warriors unite and prepare to end the evildoer's life. But to kill him, the assassins must contend with an army of deadly bodyguards who outnumber them by a wide margin.
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When the Last Sword Is Drawn
2003 | NR | 3.9 out of 5 StarsYôjirô Takita's period drama recounts the life of samurai Kanichiro Yoshimura and the waning days of feudal Japan. His memory triggered by a photograph of the expert swordsman, the elderly Saito reminisces about his past association with Yoshimura.
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Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai
2011 | NR | 3.9 out of 5 StarsHanshirô, a destitute samurai, asks to commit hara-kiri at the estate of feudal lord Kageyu. Knowing the dishonor this will bring to his house, Kageyu begs him to reconsider, unaware of the shocking truth behind Hanshirô's choice of locale.
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The Twilight Samurai
2002 | NR | 3.9 out of 5 StarsSeibei Iguchi, a recent widower and impoverished accountant, eschews his responsibilities as a samurai in order to care for his two daughters and ailing mother. But when his clan leaders demand that he take a dangerous assignment, he cannot refuse.
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Battle Royale
2000 | NR | 3.9 out of 5 StarsWhen even schoolchildren begin to abuse a system on the verge of social collapse, the Japanese government introduces a strict new punishment whereby randomly chosen students are taken to a deserted island and forced to fight each other to the death.
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Fish Story
2009 | NR | 3.8 out of 5 StarsJapanese punk progenitor Gekirin was so far ahead of its time that its first single, "Fish Story," predated the Sex Pistols' debut -- and sunk from sight as fast as the band itself. Thirty-seven years later, that song would save the world. Shifting from the near future (2012) to the pre-punk past (1975) and visiting a number of eras in between, the film illuminates the world-saving song's origins and the crazy chain of events it initiates.
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Kagemusha
1980 | NR | 3.8 out of 5 StarsThree warlord clans are battling for control of medieval Japan. When the leader of the Takeda clan, Lord Shingen (Tatsuya Nakadai), is mortally wounded, he orders that his death be kept secret from his enemies. The clan searches for a "shadow warrior," an exact double, to take his place. Now, a thief named Kagemusha (Nakadai in a double role) must fight for an empire in this stunning film from legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa.
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The Great Happiness Space
2006 | NR | 3.7 out of 5 StarsThis compelling film explores the rarely seen world of Japanese host boys, men who are paid to entertain wealthy women in exclusive nightclubs. Almost but not quite gigolos, more akin to male geishas, the host boys of Café Rakkyo share their secrets with director Jake Clennell in his first documentary. The narrative focuses on Issei, Osaka's top host boy, but all the characters in this unique subculture are fascinating.
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Ghidorah: The Three Headed Monster
1964 | NR | 3.7 out of 5 StarsReleased from a meteor that crash-landed, three-headed mutant dragon Ghidorah rampages through Tokyo, with Mount Fuji becoming the climactic battleground for a confrontation with Mothra, Godzilla and Rodan.
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Nobody Knows
2005 | NR | 3.7 out of 5 StarsJapanese director Hirokazu Koreeda's touching film follows the empty lives of 12-year-old Akira (Yûya Yagira) and his three younger siblings (Ayu Kitaura, Hiei Kimura and Momoko Shimizu) after their mother abandons them in a tiny Tokyo apartment. Pragmatic, determined and wise beyond his years, Akira manages the household as best he can -- but eventually the money runs out, and the children must find new ways to survive. Based on a true story.
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Shall We Dance?
1996 | NR | 3.7 out of 5 StarsDuring his daily commute, likable but dejected Tokyo office worker Shohei (Koji Yakusho) sees a stunning woman in a dance studio. Taken with her, he enrolls in ballroom dance lessons at the studio, even though he risks losing face. Dancing is something his society considers an improper activity for a man. Shohei quickly realizes, however, that he has a gift for dance and loves participating in it, much to the alarm of his wife and daughter.
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Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog
2004 | NR | 3.7 out of 5 StarsHandpicked from a litter of five to become a guide dog, a young Labrador retriever pup named Quill impresses his trainer with his hard work and patience. But once he's paired with blind man Watanabe, he helps his stubborn new owner see the world.
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Ghost
2010 | NR | 3.6 out of 5 StarsAfter wealthy CEO Nanami Hoshino is killed in an accident, she takes the form of a ghost. Soon, she realizes that her grief-stricken husband is in grave danger in this remake of the American film Ghost.
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Street Fighter Alpha
2000 | NR | 3.6 out of 5 StarsReunited by their master's death, martial artists Ryû and Ken soon find themselves up against the criminal organization Shadowlaw in this kinetic anime tale. As Ryû grapples with a sinister force building inside him, a boy claiming to be Ryû's long-lost sibling arrives on the scene -- and is promptly abducted. But the kidnapping is merely part of a grand scheme by Shadowlaw's megalomaniacal leader to exploit Ryû and rule the world.
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Dororo
2008 | NR | 3.6 out of 5 StarsIn exchange for a seat of power, Kagemitsu Daigo (Kiichi Nakai) pledged 48 body parts from his unborn son, Hyakkimaru (Satoshi Tsumabuki), to 48 demons. Now a mighty Samurai warrior out for revenge, Hyakkimaru crosses paths with a young thief named Dororo (Kou Shibasaki). With Dororo by his side, Hyakkimaru grows more complete with every demon he vanquishes. Hitori Gekidan co-stars in this live-action adaptation of Tezuka Osamu's manga.
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Shinobi: Heart Under Blade
2005 | NR | 3.6 out of 5 StarsIt's X-Men meets Romeo and Juliet in Ten Shimoyama's ninja action thriller. Gennosuke (Joe Odagiri), from the Koga ninja clan, falls in love with Oboro (Yukie Nakama), from the rival Iga clan. Already exiled to the mountains, the evil Shogun aims to eliminate the tribes. He pits the clans against each other in a duel to the death, where the ninjas wield their supernatural powers. But will inbred hate snuff out forbidden love?
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Adrift in Tokyo
2007 | NR | 3.6 out of 5 StarsDebt collector Fukuhara (Tomokazu Miura) is sent to shake down 800,000 yen from hapless college student Takemura (Jô Odagiri). But Fukuhara says he'll forgive the debt if the young man simply agrees to walk with him across Tokyo. An unlikely friendship develops during the long downtown journey, filled with bizarre encounters, strange characters and thoughtful conversation in this offbeat comic gem.
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Godzilla vs. Monster Zero
1965 | NR | 3.6 out of 5 StarsFeaturing more monsters than you can shake a mutated tail at, Godzilla vs. Monster Zero sees Godzilla and Rodan (a radioactive pterodactyl) travel to Planet X at the behest of its people to fight three-headed Ghidorah (aka Monster Zero).
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Ichi
2008 | NR | 3.6 out of 5 StarsOn a quest to find the blind masseur who raised her as a child, sightless but exceptionally skilled swordswoman Ichi (Haruka Ayase) saves the life of a hapless samurai (Takao Osawa), which lands her in the middle of a violent feud between local villagers and a gang of bandits. Directed by Fumihiko Sori, this blood-soaked Japanese action movie features beautifully choreographed fight scenes and fine acting.
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Sonatine
1993 | NR | 3.5 out of 5 StarsMob boss Murakawa (Takeshi Kitano) aims to merge his factions of power as he gets closer to middle age. His boss has the perfect assignment for him: to serve as mediator in a town where some of the gang's divisions have become uncooperative with one another. Murakawa fears that he's being forced out of the organization -- and realizes just how right he was when he's suddenly forced into a deadly ambush.
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Godzilla vs. Mothra
1964 | NR | 3.5 out of 5 StarsWhen Tokyo is again threatened by Godzilla, officials believe the key to defeating the mutant may involve a giant moth goddess from a remote island. Two of Mothra's diminutive followers, who are looking for the insect's missing egg, broker the deal.
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