Movies like SEX and the DEATH NOTE (2018)
The best movies like SEX and the DEATH NOTE (2018) are Mind Game (2004), Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B (2014) and Your Eyes Tell (2020). If SEX and the DEATH NOTE hooked you, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks
- Highest ratedYour Eyes Tell (2020)8.5/10 from 529 votes
- NewestThe Moment (2026)Released 2026
- In JapaneseMind Game (2004)Also in Japanese
Mind Game (2004)
Nishi is a loser who has a crush on his childhood girlfriend. After an encounter with the Japanese mafia, he journeys to heaven and back, and ends up trapped in an even more unlikely place.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAaliyah: The Princess of R&B (2014)
The story of R&B singer and actress Aaliyah; namely, the highs and lows of her career, her romantic pursuits, and the events leading up to her death in 2001 at the age of 22.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisYour Eyes Tell (2020)
A tragic accident lead to Akari's blindness, but she clings to life and the smaller pleasures it can still afford her. She meets Rui and begins to talk to him. Rui was once a promising kickboxer, but something happened in his past. Akari's smile brings out a change in Rui. However, the two are connected in more than one way. Rui attempts to do what is right.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisDesperately Seeking Susan (1985)
A bored New Jersey suburban housewife's fascination with a free-spirited woman she has read about in the personal columns leads to her being mistaken for the woman herself and into a chaotic adventure of amnesia and self-discovery.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTaboo (1999)
Set during Japan's Shogun era, this film looks at life in a samurai compound where young warriors are trained in swordfighting. A number of interpersonal conflicts are brewing in the training room, all centering on a handsome young samurai named Sozaburo Kano. The school's stern master can choose to intervene, or to let Kano decide his own path.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Thing Called Love (1993)
A group of newcomers to the country music business seek love and stardom.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEffie Gray (2014)
A look at the mysterious relationship between Victorian art critic John Ruskin and his teenage bride Effie Gray.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPuppy Love (2023)
After a disastrous first date, wild-child Nicole and socially-anxious Max vow to lose each other’s numbers until they learn that their dogs found a love match, and now puppies are on the way! The hilariously mismatched Nicole and Max are forced to become responsible co-parents, but may end up finding love themselves.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStill the Water (2014)
On the Japanese island of Amami, despite lacking parental guidance, Kaito and his girlfriend Kyoko try to find their place in the world. While Kaito suffers from the absence of his father, who moved to Tokyo after his birth, Kyoko must come to grips with her mother’s terminal illness.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIt Feels So Good (2019)
When it rains it pours. Kenji divorced his wife, lost his job and his old squeeze Naoko is getting married back home in the north of Japan, specifically in Akita. He returns there in order to attend her wedding. Naoko surprises him by proposing that they have sex again. The one night stand is the new beginning.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 thisThe Stranger by the Shore (2020)
Abandoned after coming out, Shun befriends Mio just before he has to move. Years later, Mio returns with a confession. How will Shun feel?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisFruits Basket -prelude- (2022)
Kyoko, who couldn't believe anything in the world and lived a desolate life, meets Katsuya Honda, who has been assigned as an educational trainee. She is at the mercy of Katsuya, who is rude and has a strong habit, and she is gradually attracted to her. However, she is disowned by her parents in the wake of an incident with her bad fellow. It's a punishment that I've been doing as much as I like. Katsuya appears in front of Kyoko who thinks so...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Certain Magical Index: The Miracle of Endymion (2013)
On the day Touma Kamijou and Index see Academy City's space elevator, Endymion in the distance, they meet a Level 0 girl with an amazing singing voice, Arisa Meigo. As the three enjoy their time together after school, magic-user Stiyl Magnus suddenly attacks them. His target: Arisa. Why would a girl from the science side be targeted by someone from the magic side, Touma wonders. In the chaos of Stiyl's attack, he tells Touma, Index and Arisa that she might cause a war between the magic side and the science side.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Moment (2026)
A rising pop sensation navigates fame and industry pressures while preparing for her arena tour debut, revealing the transformation of underground culture into mainstream success.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Pillow Book (1995)
Nagiko has a fetish for calligraphy on the human body and meets her ideal soulmate Jerome, an English translator sent to Japan. However, once Nagiko's father's gay publisher rejoins the scene, the story is overtaken by treachery and bloodlust.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHoney: Rise Up and Dance (2018)
Street dancer Skyler comes out of the shadow of her trained dancer sister, Tosha, & joins a dance competition with the Honey dance studio; the prize is a college scholarship.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGenius Party Beyond (2008)
Five stories, five maestros, five styles and one common denominator: maximum creativity. Studio 4°C, the coolest label on the planet, invites us for the second time to an exclusive reunion of a talents with a group film, full of freedom and ingenuity, that goes from Mahiro Maeda's classic anime, to Kazuto Nakazawa's intricate urban sketches, Shinya Ohira's bedlam of color and Tatsuyuki Tanaka's animated cyberpunk. And as if that wasn't enough, Koji Morimoto, the studio big boss, is charge of putting the icing on the cake with fantafabulous piece of abstract poetry that would make a VJ die of ecstasy. The party of the year.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHounddog (2008)
A drama set in the American South, where a precocious, troubled girl finds a safe haven in the music and movement of Elvis Presley.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNinja Terminator (1986)
The hunt is on to gain the fabulous super-strength of ninja sorcery, after three top students of the Ninja Empire each steals one of the sections of the Golden Ninja Warrior statuette. On the case is interpol agent, Jaguar Wong, who must make sure that whoever re-unites the pieces uses the power for doing good not evil. A Hong Kong cut and paste edit of the 1984 Korean Film "스타페리의 不請客" (Uninvited Guest of The Star Ferry) with new ninja scenes.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGirls' Generation ~Girls & Peace~ Japan 2nd Tour (2013)
Girls' Generation ~Girls & Peace~ Japan 2nd Tour is the second concert tour by South Korean girl group Girls' Generation to promote their second Japanese album, Girls & Peace.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
SMTown: The Stage (2015)
Behind the scenes look and interviews with the performers of SM Entertainment as they travel to China, Japan, and Korea for their "SMTOWN Live World Tour IV".
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Mayonaka no Otome tachi (2021)
This unique short coming-of-age drama stars current and former members of the idol group "Sanspo Idol Reporters" (commonly known as SIR), formed in 2011 under the production of Sankei Sports. Haruka, Megumi, and Kyoko, the trio of idols "Harumegu," visit a pachinko parlor for a live event, but the town is suddenly overrun with zombies, causing the event to be canceled. Harumegu, along with pachinko parlor employees Moe and Eri, and patrons Ayaka, Shoko, and Rumi, are trapped inside the parlor until rescue arrives. There was already friction between Haruka and Kyoko, and between Moe and Eri, but in this extreme situation, these tensions gradually become more apparent, creating a tense atmosphere amid fear and tension over the zombies. The eight then begin a "confession contest," gradually regaining composure as each reveals their true feelings. The film is directed and written by Shinji Imaoka, known for "Reiko Iruka."
Why it matches: Similar story and style
μ's Final LoveLive! ~μ'sic Forever♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪~ (2016)
μ's Final LoveLive! μ'sic Forever♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪ was the farewell concert of the fictional idol group μ's from Love Live! School Idol Project, celebrating their career with emotional performances and marking the end of their activities.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Phantasy Star Online 2 Phantasic 3D Live 2018 (2019)
Live 3D hologram concert from 28th October, 2018. Featuring Phntasmic QM & Matoi from the game Phantasy Star Online 2.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
SHINee WORLD VI [PERFECT ILLUMINATION] JAPAN FINAL LIVE in TOKYO DOME (2024)
Shinee World VI: Perfect Illumination is the sixth concert tour by South Korean boy band Shinee. It began on June 23, 2023, at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul, and continued on to Japan later in the year. The tour is Shinee's first in several years, after a hiatus brought on by mandatory military service and the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been well received by critics, who have praised Shinee's live singing and performance skills, and was awarded Stage of the Year at the 2023 Melon Music Awards.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
行くぜ!超ときめき♡宣伝部 at さいたまスーパーアリーナ 〜超ときめきクリスマス〜 (2024)
Why it matches: Similar story and style
IkoNoi Fes 2021 (2022)
Rino Sashihara's idol group =LOVE and its sister group ≠ME (Not Equal Me) held day and night joint concert "IkoNoi Fes 2021" at Fuji-Q Highland Conifer Forest on Saturday, October 9, 2021.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
ときめき♡春の晴れ舞台2025 -2025.4.29(火) at パシフィコ横浜国立大ホール (2025)
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Fanatic (2022)
A teenage girl who appears on a TV show as an idol singer's fan calls herself a ‘seongdeok’ (successful fan), because her idol appeared on the same program. Years later, the same idol singer is arrested on charges of gang rape and illegally filming and distributing sex tapes. The seongdeok, who has suddenly become a criminal’s fan, decides to meet with other fans of the criminal singer in a confused state of anger and sadness.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Like SEX and the DEATH NOTE and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like SEX and the DEATH NOTE?
The closest matches to SEX and the DEATH NOTE are Mind Game (2004), Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B (2014) and Your Eyes Tell (2020). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after SEX and the DEATH NOTE?
Start with Mind Game (2004), the closest match to SEX and the DEATH NOTE.
What is the highest-rated movie like SEX and the DEATH NOTE?
Your Eyes Tell (2020), rated 8.5/10 by 529 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like SEX and the DEATH NOTE?
The Moment (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like SEX and the DEATH NOTE?
Yes: Mind Game (2004), Your Eyes Tell (2020) and Taboo (1999).
How are movies similar to SEX and the DEATH NOTE chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside SEX and the DEATH NOTE, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.
























![SHINee WORLD VI [PERFECT ILLUMINATION] JAPAN FINAL LIVE in TOKYO DOME (2024) poster](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/3y2bKaGZjSM1CUb4gtoRYYBdeoS.jpg)



