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List of Best Japanese Movies To Watch in 2024

I have curated a list below based on their IMDB ratings and popularity. Check out which movie you have not watched yet and which one is your favourite on the list. 

Call Me Chihiro

I am starting with my favourite movie, which I have watched over 100 times. The Call Me Chihiro movie is about a girl who works at a bento shop and falls in love with the food there. She loves this job because it allows her to start heartfelt conversations with all types of customers. It makes her feel like she is not living alone, and this completely changes Chihiro's life. 

Genre: Drama, Animation

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead

How many of you love action comedy films? All of you? Here is another mind-blowing Japanese film: Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead! The storyline of this movie is superb. It starts with an ordinary young man who realizes that he is a zombie apocalypse. In his mundane life, he decides to seize the opportunity and live the best life. Can he live a better life, or will he change his plan? The movie is available on Netflix, so watch it today! 

Genre: Action, Comedy

The Village

The village is one of the best Japanese Movies of all time. It has the best IMDB rating, and people love all the characters in this film. The story will take you to a once-scenic, secluded village that has been dominated by a vast trash disposal site. The main character in this movie is a young man who lives in the village. But the main story begins when a mysterious stranger comes to the village. Who is he? How will he help village people? 

Genre: Thriller, Drama

Re/Member

Are you a horror movie lover? Japanese are the best at making Horror movies, and one of the best ones is Re/Member! Are you excited to know the storyline? Here we go- the movie is all about six high school students who find themselves trapped in a time loop. Each night, students get hunted down and brutally murdered by a vengeful ghost. They make plans to escape from the loop by searching for the body parts of a dismembered corpse hidden within the school grounds.

Genre: Horror, Drama

Hell Dogs

How can I not mention Hell Dogs? One of the best Japanese movies 2024 was a major hit. Movie freaks still watch it online on Netflix. The movie is all about a traumatized ex-cop haunted by a past mistake. He got the task of being undercover in the Yakuza. The story also becomes more interesting when he connects with a gangster known for his violent outbursts. Also, the undercover operation pushes him to his limits and tells him to confront his own demons.

Genre: Action, Crime

Love Like the Falling Petals

If you love watching romantic Japanese movies online, I recommend watching Love Like the Falling Petals. A photographer named Haruto falls in love with Misaki, a vibrant hair stylist. It is love at fight sight from Haruto's side. Both start their conversation to get to know each other better, but the main story begins when she tells her she is suffering from a rare disease, causing her to age rapidly. 

Genre: Drama, Romance

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Once Upon a Crime

Once Upon a Crime is also in my list of Best Japanese movies 2024! The movie will show you the characters of Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella. This movie's story begins when Little Red (Hashimoto) tries to solve thhis big mystery behind the murder with the help of her investigation skills. Can she find who the murderer was? 

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

In Love and Deep Water

In Love and Deep Water story is about two people named Suguru Ubukata and Chizuru Banjaku. Suguru Ubukata is a butler on a luxury cruise ship whereas Chizuru Banjaku is a mysterious woman who boards the ship with a hidden agenda. Both teams shake hands and make a plan to investigate a murder. In this investigation, both Suguru Ubukata and Chizuru Banjaku fall in love with each other.  

Genre: Romantic, Thriller

Asakusa Kid

Takeshi Kitano is a fantastic legendary comedian in Japan who was an apprentice to Fukami of Asakusa. It was another big name in Japan's comedy world. Asakusa Kid tells a complete story of Takeshi's youth and how he shared a great bond with his master before the two had to part ways. Gekidan Hitori, a famous Japanese movie director, directed Asakusa Kid.

Genre: Biography, drama

Bright: Samurai Soul

I am sure most of you love to watch animated movies as well. Are you the one looking for a perfect Japanese animation film with the best storyline? Watch out, Bright: Samurai Soul! This animated movie begins with a lone ronin and an elf warrior who get together to protect a girl who possesses a powerful and coveted artefact. The reason why I suggest you watch this movie is that you will love watching thrilling battles. 

Genre: Action, Adventure, Animation

Mother

In search of the best Japanese movies of all time, you will always find "Mother" movie. The reason is simple: fabulous storyline and superb acting! This Japanese movie is all about a single mother named Akiko who lives in poverty. But she raised her son, Shuhei and exposed him to the darker sides of life. The "Mother" movie is directed by Tatsushi Omori.

Genre: Thriller, Drama

The Forest of Love

Another popular Japanese film that won the hearts of so many movie freaks. The Forest of Love is a top-notch film that is all about a manipulative conman named Joe Murata who exploits the vulnerability of two girls suffering from the trauma of a group suicide during school time. The film is directed by Sion Sono, and it is available on Netflix. Watch now!

Genre: Crime, drama

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Kingdom

Sometimes we love to watch historical movies instead of romantic or comedy. If you are searching for the best Historical Japanese movie, watch Kingdom! The top-grade movie is based on a manga series: Yasuhisa Hara. This historical movie is all about China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, and two young warriors. These two warriors are in search to unify the warring states. 

Genre: Action

Hot Gimmick: Girl Meets Boy

A high school girl named Hatsumi Narita Got involved with Ryoki Tachibana, who is a tenant in her apartment building. Her life walks towards the worst side when Ryoki keeps on blackmailing and bullying her all the time. But what's the reason behind blackmailing? Where she will run to get support. How will she remove Ryoki from her life? 

Genre: Drama

We Couldn't Become Adults

Done with action or horror films? Looking for the best romantic movies? Let me bring something awesome to the table now. "We Couldn't Become Adults" is another fabulous film that starts with Sato who is a middle-aged graphic designer who sinks into depression after knowing that he is living an ordinary life. But, when receiving messages from an old flame, it triggers a series of nostalgic flashbacks. He starts remembering his past relationships. 

Genre: Romance, Drama

HiGH&LOW

I have another action film that gained a lot of wonderful feedback from the Japanese audience. It is available on the netflix app. But, before you go and watch, let me share the story of HiGH&LOW: there is a town in Japan which was completely dominated by the Mugen clan. There is a twist in the story as they get stopped by the Amamiya Brothers who refused to submit to their rule. This action film is directed by Shigeaki Kubo.

Genre: Action

Stand by Me Doraemon

Any Doremon lover here? Are you one? If yes, you can't miss the Stand by Me Doraemon movie! This adventure film begins when a young boy who has a lot of dreams and wants to fulfill them takes support from his robotic cat Doraemon. Through Doraemon's gadgets, they embark on a heartwarming journey through time and learn important lessons of life. The Stand by Me Doraemon movie is directed by Takashi Yamazaki and Ryuichi Yagi!

Genre: Sci-fi, Adventure

Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist is also one of my favourite Japanese movies of all time that has the ebay IMDB rating and people love watching it back to back. Want to know the storyline of Fullmetal Alchemist? A young alchemist named Edward lost his arm and Alphonse lost his entire body in the failed transmutation. Both these brothers start their search to find the Philosopher's Stone, a mythical object. 

Genre: Action, adventure, fantasy, sci-fi

River's Edge

Teenagers will love this Japanese movie! River's Edge is all about a student Haruna Wakagusa who is close to Ichiro Yamada after telling off her ex-boyfriend for bullying him. Ichiro made a plan to take Haruna to a river's Edge to tell the whole truth about the dead body. Instead of telling police about this case, Haruna Wakagusa confides in her best friend Kanna about the situation.

Genre: Crime, drama

Flavors of Youth

Flavors of Youth is also one of the Best Japanese movies 2024! If you love the combination of animation and drama in a movie, I am sure you will love watching it. This movie highlights three amazing stories to highlight "Si Shi Wei Mei". The best part about these three stories is it captures the fleeting beauty and poignant nostalgia of growing up. 

Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance

Conclusion

These are all the best Japanese movies of all time. From action to animation, I covered almost all the top movies that audiences love the most to watch. Moreover, their IMDB ratings are good, so you don't need to think about whether to watch these films or not. Grab your favourite snack, watch any movie with your family, and share your experience with whichever one you like the most. If any of your friends love watching top Japanese movies, share this article with them. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the most viewed Japanese movie?

A1. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Mugen Train is the most-viewed Japanese movie of all time. It was also the first Japanese film to reach $400M and $500M worldwide.

Q2. Does Netflix have Japanese movies?

A2. The best Japanese movies on Netflix are Once Upon a Crime, Call Me Chihiro, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, The Village, and Re/Member.

Q3. Who is Japan's biggest movie star?

A3. The biggest movie star in Japan is Ken Watanabe, who has performed in The Last Samurai, Godzilla & Inception.

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