Movies like Chushingura
If Chushingura's mix of samurai, seppuku and shogun stayed with you, start here. Each film below was picked from what Chushingura's fans love most, with the reason it belongs on this list.
- 1
Harakiri
1962 · Directed by Masaki Kobayashi · 135 min8.5
Why you'll like itShares: samurai, seppuku, jidaigeki · Also a Japanese drama
Down-on-his-luck veteran Tsugumo Hanshirō enters the courtyard of the prosperous House of Iyi. Unemployed, and with no family, he hopes to find a place to commit seppuku—and a worthy second to deliver the coup de grâce…
- 2
Seven Samurai
1954 · Directed by Akira Kurosawa · 207 min8.5
Why you'll like itWith Takashi Shimura · Shares: samurai, jidaigeki · Also a Japanese drama
A samurai answers a village's request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help him teach the people how to defend themselves, and…
- 3
Ugetsu
1953 · Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi · 96 min8.0
Why you'll like itWith Ryōsuke Kagawa · Shares: samurai, jidaigeki · Also a Japanese drama
In 16th century Japan, peasants Genjuro and Tobei sell their earthenware pots to a group of soldiers in a nearby village, in defiance of a local sage's warning against seeking to profit from warfare.
- 4
Throne of Blood
1957 · Directed by Akira Kurosawa · 108 min7.9
Why you'll like itWith Takashi Shimura · Shares: samurai, jidaigeki · Also a Japanese drama
Returning to their lord's castle, samurai warriors Washizu and Miki are waylaid by a spirit who predicts their futures. When the first part of the spirit's prophecy comes true, Washizu's scheming wife, Asaji, presses…
- 5
13 Assassins
2010 · Directed by Takashi Miike · 141 min7.3
Why you'll like itShares: samurai, seppuku, jidaigeki · Also a Japanese drama
A bravado period action film set at the end of Japan's feudal era in which a group of unemployed samurai are enlisted to bring down a sadistic lord and prevent him from ascending to the throne and plunging the country…
- 6
Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai
2011 · Directed by Takashi Miike · 128 min7.2
Why you'll like itShares: samurai, seppuku, shogun · Also a Japanese drama
A tale of revenge, honor and disgrace, centering on a poverty-stricken samurai who discovers the fate of his ronin son-in-law, setting in motion a tense showdown of vengeance against the house of a feudal lord.
- 7
Rashomon
1950 · Directed by Akira Kurosawa · 88 min8.0
Why you'll like itWith Takashi Shimura · Shares: samurai, jidaigeki · Also a Japanese drama
Four people recount different versions of the story of a man's murder and the rape of his wife.
- 8
Samurai Rebellion
1967 · Directed by Masaki Kobayashi · 121 min8.3
Why you'll like itShares: samurai, jidaigeki · Also a Japanese drama
The mother of a feudal lord's only heir is kidnapped by the lord. Her husband and his samurai father must decide whether to accept the unjust decision, or risk death to rescue her.
- 9
The Hidden Fortress
1958 · Directed by Akira Kurosawa · 139 min8.0
Why you'll like itWith Takashi Shimura · Shares: jidaigeki · Also a Japanese drama
In feudal Japan, during a bloody war between clans, two cowardly and greedy peasants, soldiers of a defeated army, stumble upon a mysterious man who guides them to a fortress hidden in the mountains.
- 10
Kagemusha
1980 · Directed by Akira Kurosawa · 180 min7.8
Why you'll like itShares: samurai, jidaigeki · Also a Japanese drama
A feudal epic presenting the tale of a petty thief who is recruited to impersonate Shingen, an aging warlord, in order to avoid attacks by competing clans.
- 11
The Sword of Doom
1966 · Directed by Kihachi Okamoto · 122 min7.8
Why you'll like itShares: samurai, jidaigeki · Also a Japanese drama
Ryunosuke, a gifted swordsman plying his trade during the turbulent final days of Shogunate rule, has no moral code and kills without remorse. It’s a way of life that leads to madness.
- 12
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final
2021 · Directed by Keishi Otomo · 138 min7.7
Why you'll like itShares: samurai, jidaigeki · Also a Japanese historical drama
In 1879, Kenshin and his allies face their strongest enemy yet: his former brother-in-law Enishi Yukishiro and his minions, who've vowed their revenge.