Recommended Japanese Movies on Netflix: A Guide to Gemlike Works That Will Captivate You
After a long day of work or house chores, do you ever find yourself wondering what movie to watch to unwind? Netflix offers a wide selection of Japanese films, but with so many titles available, it can be hard to choose.
From heartwarming human dramas and laugh-out-loud comedies to edge-of-your-seat thrillers, Japanese cinema is filled with the nuanced emotional expression unique to Japan.
In this article, we’ll introduce recommended Japanese films you can watch on Netflix.
Find a title that catches your eye and make the most of your time at home.
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Recommended Japanese Movies on Netflix: A Gem-Filled Guide to Captivating Films (1–10)
Honnō-ji HotelNEW!
The 2017 film “Honnō-ji Hotel.” Set in a retro inn tucked away in a Kyoto back alley, it tells a mysterious story in which the characters time-slip from the present day to Honnō-ji in 1582.
The protagonist, played by Haruka Ayase, meets Oda Nobunaga on the verge of unifying the nation and is depicted as squarely facing the choices in her own life.
Nobunaga, portrayed by Shinichi Tsutsumi, is rendered as a deeply human and highly compelling character.
The film balances a major inner conflict—whether history can be changed—with light, chuckle-worthy comedic elements.
It’s recommended not only for history buffs but also for anyone feeling a bit uncertain in their daily life.
Asakusa KidNEW!
Asakusa Kid, set in Asakusa in the late 1960s and early 1970s, portrays Beat Takeshi’s youth and his bond with his mentor, Sensaburo Fukami.
Directed and written by Hitori Gekidan, the film carefully depicts the apprenticeship years of a comedian.
You’ll be drawn in by Yo Oizumi’s portrayal of the mentor—awkward yet effortlessly cool—and by Yuya Yagira’s performance as the young Takeshi.
In a vaudeville world transformed by the rise of television, the emotions of people wavering between old-school performance and new forms of comedy quietly resonate.
bombNEW!
This is a suspense film where tense interrogations in an interview room run in parallel with a ticking time limit set against the streets of Tokyo.
You’ll be drawn into the gripping psychological battle between the detective played by Yuki Yamada and the mysterious man portrayed by Jiro Sato.
Because it centers on dialogue, the developments are easy to follow, letting you share in the heart-pounding thrills.
The fear of everyday scenes turning dangerous and the profound human drama that questions the structure of society go beyond a simple culprit hunt.
The realistic performances by Sairi Ito and Shota Sometani also shine, making it a work you won’t be able to look away from until the very end.
Please enjoy it for a fulfilling time at home.
Recommended Japanese films on Netflix: A gem-filled guide to works you’ll find yourself engrossed in (11–20)
I have no recollection of that!NEW!
House of Dynamite begins with a tense situation in which an unidentified missile is launched toward the United States.
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, this film is not merely a disaster thriller; it realistically portrays human psychology and the difficulty of decision-making under extreme pressure.
With Idris Elba as the President, the characters face a series of decisions under severe time and information constraints that will leave viewers holding their breath.
Tackling weighty themes like the threat of nuclear weapons and national security from a contemporary perspective, this is a must-see for anyone seeking a deeply affecting experience.
Back then.NEW!
The film “One in a Hundred Thousand” starring Tori Matsuzaka is based on a true story about a young man at rock bottom who becomes captivated by Aya Matsuura’s charm and spends youthful days with fellow fans as part of the Hello! Project community.
Directed by Rikiya Imaizumi, the work is more than just a lighthearted comedy.
It gently weaves the ebb and flow of life—meeting friends and the farewells that eventually come.
The joy of finding something you can be truly passionate about as an adult, and the silly yet precious moments, quietly resonate in your heart.
It’s a tender, companionable human drama that warmly affirms those cherished days now past.
We Couldn’t Become AdultsNEW!
When it comes to works that gently resonate in the heart, evoking past memories and lost dreams, Isn’t It Romantic? is a standout.
The story follows a protagonist working in television who, after accidentally sending a friend request to a former lover on social media, begins to trace back through his memories.
Lead actor Mirai Moriyama and co-star Sairi Ito deliver absorbing performances that delicately capture the joy and bittersweetness of days gone by.
Director Yoshihito Mori’s visuals convey the warmth of memory, offering many viewers a chance to bask in a nostalgic reverie.
You’ll be moved by the way the protagonist looks back on the past, accepts who he is now, and moves forward.
It’s the kind of film that lets you relax and immerse yourself in its world while reflecting on the path you’ve walked.
ShopliftersNEW!
The Shibata family lives quietly in an old one-story house in a downtown area of Tokyo.
They make a living through shoplifting and the like, and although they appear to be an ordinary family at first glance, they are in fact a pseudo-family with no blood ties.
One winter day, Osamu—played by Lily Franky—and the others find a girl shivering in the cold in a housing complex corridor and take her home.
Unable to leave the injured girl to fend for herself, they welcome her in and begin living together.
Alongside Hatsue—an elderly woman played by Kirin Kiki—and the rest, they respect one another, live independently, and discover modest happiness together.
It’s a work that deeply prompts reflection on what a real family truly is.
Please enjoy this gently resonant human drama.