Movies like ASIAN SUNRISE (2001)
The best movies like ASIAN SUNRISE (2001) are High Strung (2016), The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939) and Step Up Revolution (2012). If ASIAN SUNRISE hooked you, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedHigh Strung Free Dance (2018)7.3/10 from 244 votes
- NewestAngelic Lie / Jubilee (2025)Released 2025
- In JapaneseThe Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939)Also in Japanese
High Strung (2016)
When a hip hop violinist busking in the New York subway encounters a classical dancer on scholarship at the Manhattan Conservatory of the Arts, sparks fly. With the help of a hip hop dance crew they must find a common ground while preparing for a competition that could change their lives forever.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939)
In late 19th-century Tokyo, Kikunosuke Onoue, the adopted son of a legendary actor, himself an actor specializing in female roles, discovers that the praise he receives is only due to his status as his father's heir. Devastated, he turns to Otoku, a servant of his family, for comfort, and they fall in love. Kikunosuke becomes determined to leave home and develop as an actor on his own merits, and Otoku faithfully joins him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStep Up Revolution (2012)
Emily arrives in Miami with aspirations to become a professional dancer. She sparks with Sean, the leader of a dance crew whose neighborhood is threatened by Emily's father's development plans.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Pornographers (1966)
A former Buddhist monk turned erotic filmmaker, Subuyan lives with hairdresser Haru and her two teenage children. Shooting two skin flicks per day, he somehow manages to stay out of the clutches of the yakuza, but real trouble starts when Haru discovers him lusting after her daughter.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHoney 3: Dare to Dance (2016)
While attending college in Cape Town, Melea Martin feels constrained by the school's strict policies, and decides to set out on her own. Searching for a way to use her talents as a dancer and inspire the community around her, Melea rents a failing theater in order to put on a Hip-Hop Romeo and Juliet performance. But much like the Capulets and Montagues, conflicts between cast members threaten to bring the whole performance to a halt...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRevenge Porn: PAIN OF LOVE (2019)
Rei is a college student in the midst of finding a job. She confesses her love to Mikio, a senior whom she admires. Mikio soon demands that she perform perverted acts.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisZiegfeld Follies (1945)
The late, great impresario Florenz Ziegfeld looks down from heaven and ordains a new revue in his grand old style.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRadiance (2017)
The story follows the social intercourse between a cameraman, Masaya, with a visual impairment, and Misako who disconnects from the world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTokyo Decadence (1992)
A submissive hooker goes about her trade, suffering abuse at the hands of Japanese salarymen and Yakuza types. She's unhappy about her work, and is apparently trying to find some sort of appeasement for the fact that her lover has married.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThrow Away Your Books, Rally in the Streets (1971)
An experimental, psychedelic odyssey through Japanese subculture experienced via the eyes of a disillusioned young man, who must contend with intense familial dysfunction, psychosexual alienation, and existentialist malaise.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGnomeo & Juliet (2011)
A version of Shakespeare's play, set in the world of warring indoor and outdoor gnomes. Garden gnomes Gnomeo and Juliet have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. But with plastic pink flamingos and lawnmower races in the mix, can this young couple find lasting happiness?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisHigh Strung Free Dance (2018)
Zander Raines, a dazzling and tempestuous young choreographer, gives the break of a lifetime to two hopeful artists when he casts a stunning contemporary dancer, Barlow, and innovative pianist, Charlie, in New York’s most-anticipated new Broadway show: Free Dance. But the move throws off the show’s delicate creative balance when Charlie falls hard for Barlow, while Zander embraces her as his muse.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Colors Within (2024)
Totsuko is a high school student with the ability to see the 'colors' of others. Colors of bliss, excitement, and serenity, plus a color she treasures as her favorite. Kimi, a classmate at her school, gives off the most beautiful color of all. Although she doesn't play an instrument, Totsuko forms a band with Kimi and Rui, a quiet music enthusiast they meet at a used bookstore in a far corner of town. As they practice at an old church on a remote island, music brings them together, forming friendships and stirring affections.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBlue Giant (2023)
High school student Dai Miyamoto has his life is turned upside down the day he discovers jazz. Picking up a saxophone and leaving his sleepy hometown for the bustling nightclubs of Tokyo, Dai will find that the life of a professional musician isn’t for the faint of heart, as he must confront what it truly means to be great.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDance with Me (1998)
Young Cuban Rafael just buried his mother, and comes to Houston to meet his father John for the first time. The difficult part is that John doesn't know he is Rafael's father. John runs a dance studio, and everyone prepares for the World Open Dance championship in Las Vegas. It soon becomes clear Rafael is a very good dancer, and Ruby is the biggest hope for the studio at the championship.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAssassination (1964)
In 1863, when American warships approach Japan, an enigmatic ronin becomes an important figure in a complex game of power between the Shogunate and the empire.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBattle of the Year (2013)
A down-on-his-luck coach is hired to prepare a team of the best American dancers for an international tournament that attracts all the best crews from around the world, but the Americans haven't won in fifteen years.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStreetDance 2 (2012)
After suffering humiliation by the crew Invincible, street dancer Ash looks to gather the best dancers from around the world for a rematch.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDouble Suicide (1969)
Successful and married with children, paper-mill owner Jihei knows better than to contradict the strict social and moral codes of 18th-century Japan. But when he meets the lovely courtesan Koharu, he becomes a man obsessed. Koharu returns his love, even foregoing other customers while Jihei schemes to somehow buy her freedom. His efforts yield ruinous consequences for his business and his family life, and Koharu is meanwhile purchased by another client.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGiants and Toys (1958)
Nishi is an advertising executive for a caramel company that is planning to launch a new product, in fierce competition with two other companies.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPhoenix Wright 2 -The Truth Reborn, Again… (2009)
A continuation of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, which ran from February to March of this year at Bow Hall and Nippon Seinenkan. Based on the game "Phoenix Wright" which is highly popular with women — the story of a passionate lawyer who solves difficult cases, set in America. Phoenix Wright has proved the innocence of his lover, who was suspected of murdering a senator, and won back her love. As he must wait for her return, he goes back to his hometown in California. One day, a young girl comes to see him. She wants him to represent her mother, who is suspected of being involved in a certain incident. In California, a new turnabout drama for Phoenix Wright begins...
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Masquerade Hotel (2020)
Nitta Kousuke, a police inspector in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Force, is on the trail of a serial killer who leaves clues to the location of his next crime on his victims. Nitta uses the clues to discover that the Hotel Cortesia will be the site of the next killing, and goes undercover as a front desk clerk to help him unmask the killer. Yamagishi Naomi is the front desk clerk in charge of training him, and the two butt heads at every instance. Will they be able to unmask the killer before he strikes again?
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Phantom (2004)
Takarazuka Revue's Phantom based on the play by Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
A Second Fortuitous Meeting Next Generation -Midnight Girlfriend- / Gran Cantante!! (2022)
A Second Fortuitous Meeting Next Generation -Midnight Girlfriend- a romantic musical set in the Kingdom of Vespert, with a suprising twist! "Gran Cantante!!" is Spanish for "brilliant singer." The theme of this revue is a traditional Spanish festival, featuring enchanting Spanish dances and famous songs written about Spain. Enter the glamorous and passionate world of this revue that relies on the current dynamics of Star Troupe, showing off the talents of Rei Makoto, a well-rounded top star.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Angelic Lie / Jubilee (2025)
The story centers on Azazel, an angel who is the biggest liar in Heaven. His insatiable curiosity about humans, who are full of lies, leads him to touch the heavenly book that records all the deeds of humans on Earth. This act incurs the wrath of God. Azazel is stripped of his angelic title and all his powers, and then he is cast down to the human world.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Hit Me Anyone One More Time -Top Secret- / Tiara Azul -Destino- (2024)
The story centers on Prime Minister Keisuke Kuroda, who has been called the worst prime minister in history. One day, while giving an endorsement speech for an election candidate from his party, Kuroda is hit in the head by a rock thrown at him. He survives but loses his memory. His memories after becoming a politician are completely erased. Unable to remember himself, his wife Satoko, his family, and the people around him, Kuroda is not only confused but also terrified. If news of the unprecedented event of the current prime minister suffering from amnesia were to leak out, the political world would be thrown into chaos! Despite Kuroda’s fears, his secretaries, led by Isaka, treat the situation as top secret and push him to continue carrying out his official duties.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Prince of the Land of Roses (2011)
The King, a Queen with a noble spirit and the Prince lead a quiet life marked by admiration and appreciation of roses. One day marks the end to their days of peace and quiet. The King is transformed into a tyrant through a magical spell by the Queen's sister. The King loses interest in his once-tranquil existence and falls under the woman's spell, becoming addicted to extravagance and gambling. The King banishes the Queen and summons her sister to take her place. The King and the Queen's sister eventually give birth to a prince. A short time later, the King passes away. Eager that her own son becomes the new King, the woman uses her magic to turn the first-born Prince into a wild beast. The spell will be broken on the day he encounters a woman who is not bothered by outside appearances and is capable of seeing through to the truth.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Prisoner of Zenda / Jazzmania (2000)
The tiny European country of Ruritania in the later half of the 1800's. Rudolf the Fifth is crowned king amongst great fanfare, surrounded by the glittering majesty of the court.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Puck / Crystal Takarazuka -Crystal Image- (2014)
Takarazuka Revue's performance based on Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Danza Serenata (2012)
A man appears inside a nightclub that is abandoned and slated for demolition. His name is Isaque. He was once the top dancer while he performed in a show at the club. A sparkling stage, the music, the hustle and bustle of the customers — every day, he keeps the memories alive in his heart, of a time when he totally devoted himself to his dancing.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like ASIAN SUNRISE?
The closest matches to ASIAN SUNRISE are High Strung (2016), The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939) and Step Up Revolution (2012). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after ASIAN SUNRISE?
Start with High Strung (2016), the closest match to ASIAN SUNRISE.
What is the highest-rated movie like ASIAN SUNRISE?
High Strung Free Dance (2018), rated 7.3/10 by 244 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like ASIAN SUNRISE?
Angelic Lie / Jubilee (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like ASIAN SUNRISE?
Yes: The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939), The Pornographers (1966) and Revenge Porn: PAIN OF LOVE (2019).
How are movies similar to ASIAN SUNRISE chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside ASIAN SUNRISE, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.