Movies like Sword of the Stranger (2007)
The best movies like Sword of the Stranger (2007) are Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995), Gintama: The Movie (2010) and Fist of the North Star: The Legend of Yuria (2007). If Sword of the Stranger hooked you with its action and animation, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks
- Highest ratedSpirited Away (2001)8.5/10 from 19,210 votes
- NewestOne Piece Episode of East Blue (2017)Released 2017
- In JapaneseDragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995)Also in Japanese
Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995)
The Z Warriors discover an unopenable music box and are told to open it with the Dragon Balls. The contents turn out to be a warrior named Tapion who had sealed himself inside along with a monster called Hildegarn. Goku must now perfect a new technique to defeat the evil monster.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGintama: The Movie (2010)
Odd Jobs Gin has taken on a lot of odd work in the past, and when you're a Jack of All Trades agency based in a feudal Japan that's been conquered and colonized by aliens, the term "Odd Jobs" means REALLY ODD jobs. But when some more than slightly suspicious secrets from the shadows of Gintoki Sakata's somewhat shady former samurai past and a new pair of odd jobs collide, the action is bound to get so wild and demented that only a feature film will do it justice!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFist of the North Star: The Legend of Yuria (2007)
Second part of the new Fist of the North Star movie pentalogy presenting the story from Yuria's perspective, spanning from her childhood, including the day she first met Kenshiro.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKagemusha (1980)
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. The impostor becomes comfortable living his life among nobility, but his responsibilities to his station grow more demanding the longer he occupies it.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & history
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOne Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island (2005)
The Straw Hats visit a recreational island, run by Baron Omatsuri, who asks them to complete a series of ordeals if they wish to stay on the island. Luffy accepts and the Straw Hats work together to complete them, but as the island's mysteries unfold, their lives and friendships are put to the test. It's up to Luffy to stop the Baron's plot and keep his crew together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNaruto Shippuden the Movie: Blood Prison (2011)
After his capture for attempted assassination of the Raikage, leader of Kumogakure, as well as killing Jōnin from Kirigakure and Iwagakure, Naruto is imprisoned in Hōzukijou: A criminal containment facility known as the Blood Prison. Mui, the castle master, uses the ultimate imprisonment technique to steal power from the prisoners, which is when Naruto notices his life has been targeted. Thus begins the battle to uncover the truth behind the mysterious murders and prove Naruto's innocence.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBerserk: The Golden Age Arc I - The Egg of the King (2012)
Guts, an immensely strong sword-for-hire, has little direction in his life, simply fighting one battle after the next. However, this all changes suddenly when he meets and is bested by Griffith, a beautiful and charismatic young man who leads the Band of the Hawk mercenary army. After Guts joins the Band and the relationship between the two men begins to blossom, Casca, the tough, lone swordswoman in the Band of the Hawk, struggles to accept Guts and the influence he has on the world around her. While the two men begin to fight together, Griffith continues to rise to power, all seemingly in order to reach his mysterious, prophesied goals. What lengths will Guts and Griffith go to in order to reach these goals, and where will fate take the two men?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLupin the Third: The Fuma Conspiracy (1987)
Goemon's wedding to Murasaki Suminawa, daughter of a samurai clan's leader, is interrupted when the Fuma ninjas attack, kidnapping the bride-to-be and demanding her family's ancient treasure as ransom. Lupin, Jigen, Goemon and Fujiko work together once again to try to save Murasaki and get to the treasure before the Fuma can steal it.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGirls und Panzer der Film (2015)
When the Ministry of Education goes back on its promise to keep Ooarai Girls Academy open, the task of saving the five-mile-long Academy Ship from the wreckers falls to Miho and her barely-seasoned tankery team. However, things go off track almost immediately. While the Oorai tank crew may have won the high school tournament, they’re now facing a larger and more experienced university team, and if they fail, their armored vehicles will be forfeit! Will they be swapping their tanks for the memories? It’s possible, but winning a tank battle is all about tactics and teamwork, and the fledgling Ooarai students have more friends and allies than anyone suspects.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBleach the Movie: Fade to Black (2008)
A strange disturbance in the World of the Living sends Ichigo and Kon to the Soul Society, where the Seireitei has been devastated by an explosion of reishi and Rukia is missing. Stranger still, none of the Soul Reapers remember Ichigo, and they think he’s the one responsible for the destruction. Now on the run, Ichigo is forced into a lonely battle in order to find Rukia and stop the real culprits!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKabaneri of the Iron Fortress: Life That Burns (2017)
In the midst of an industrial revolution, the people of Hinomoto fight hordes of undead creatures, known as Kabane, using powerful armored trains. (Compilation film of the second half of the original TV series.)
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisK: Missing Kings (2014)
The "Academy Island Incident" in which four "kings" cross paths... Since then, Silver Clansmen Kuroh Yatogami and Neko have been searching for their master, Shiro. Without finding any clues to Shiro's whereabouts, the two became disheartened. However, one day, they see HOMRA members Rikio Kamamoto and Anna Kushina being chased by someone.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBoruto: Naruto the Movie (2015)
The spirited Boruto Uzumaki, son of Seventh Hokage Naruto, is a skilled ninja who possesses the same brashness and passion his father once had. However, the constant absence of his father, who is busy with his Hokage duties, puts a damper on Boruto's fire. He ends up meeting his father's friend Sasuke, and requests to become... his apprentice!? The curtain on the story of the new generation rises!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Boy and the Beast (2015)
Kyuta, a boy living in Shibuya, and Kumatetsu, a lonesome beast from Jutengai, an imaginary world. One day, Kyuta forays into the imaginary world and, as he's looking for his way back, meets Kumatetsu who becomes his spirit guide. That encounter leads them to many adventures.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Broly - Second Coming (1994)
A Saiyan Space pod crash-lands on Earth out of which a wounded Saiyan crawls: Broly, the Legendary Super Saiyan. The wounded Broly shouts out in frustration and turns into normal form. The place soon freezes, trapping him in it and he falls into a coma.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOne Piece "3D2Y": Overcome Ace's Death! Luffy's Vow to his Friends (2014)
The special takes place during the two year before the Straw Hats reunite on Sabody. Luffy is currently in Rusukaina training to get stronger to take on the New World. However the training is interrupted when Hancock's sisters, Marigold and Sandersonia, are kidnapped by the Byrnndi World, a pirate who was locked away on Level 6 of Impel Down but escaped during Luffy's invasion to save Ace, in order to lure Hancock to him and use her as a hostage against the World Government due to her Shichibukai status. Thus Luffy and Hancock head off to confront him and save Hancock's sisters.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (1995)
Not paying attention to his job, a young demon allows the evil cleansing machine to overflow and explode, turning the young demon into the infamous monster Janemba. Goku and Vegeta make solo attempts to defeat the monster, but realize their only option is fusion.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDragon Ball Z Side Story: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans (1993)
Dr. Raichi is one of the only survivors of the Tuffles, a race that once lived on Planet Plant before the coming of the Saiyans. The Saiyans not only massacred the entire Tuffle race, but also stole their technology and conquered the planet, renaming it Planet Vegeta in honor of their king. Raichi managed to escape with a capsule and found refuge on the Dark Planet, a world at the end of the universe. His only wish is to eradicate the last remaining Saiyans.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOne Piece Episode of East Blue (2017)
Experience the inspiring moments that launched Luffy and the first four members of his crew on their grand adventure to find the One Piece! It’s all here—from Shanks giving Luffy the straw hat, to Nami facing the Fish-Men at her hometown. Along the way, Zoro finds his swordsman’s zeal, Usopp pays for his pranks, and Sanji sizzles up the Baratie. Join the crew where it all began in the waters of East Blue.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNaruto: The Lost Story - Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village! (2003)
Naruto and his friends must get back a jug of stolen holy water from a band of higher class ninjas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDoggie March (1963)
It tells the story of Rock, a puppy whose mother is killed by a tiger and a fox. To fulfill his revenge, will achieve together a large number of animals. An animated collaboration between Osamu Tezuka and Toei Animation.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & action
Akira (1988)
A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath that only two teenagers and a group of psychics can stop.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & action
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Clever Dog Sonya (1991)
Clever dog Sonya lives in the apartment of a multi-storey building, her master's name is Ivan Ivanovich Korolyov. And despite the fact that Sonya is a very small and polite dog, she constantly gets into some incredible stories. But from each situation, Sonya draws conclusions for the future.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Zatoichi (2003)
Blind traveler Zatoichi is a master swordsman and a masseur with a fondness for gambling on dice games. When he arrives in a village torn apart by warring gangs, he sets out to protect the townspeople.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKing Kong (2005)
In 1933 New York, an overly ambitious movie producer coerces his cast and hired ship crew to travel to mysterious Skull Island, where they encounter Kong, a giant ape who is immediately smitten with the leading lady.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Buffalo Boy and His Flute (1963)
A young boy who likes to play the flute dreams that he has lost his water buffalo.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Undersea Super Train: Marine Express (1979)
The plot of Marine Express can be described in two parts. The first part focuses on the people boarding the train and the problems they encounter on it. The second part takes place after the train has stopped at its half-way point, an island that used to be home to an ancient civilization millennia ago and has its fair share of secrets.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Spirited Away (2001)
A young girl, Chihiro, becomes trapped in a strange new world of spirits. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, she must call upon the courage she never knew she had to free her family.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisJapan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2004)
Japan blossomed into its Renaissance at approximately the same time as Europe. Unlike the West, it flourished not through conquest and exploration, but by fierce and defiant isolation. And the man at the heart of this empire was Tokugawa Ieyasu, a warlord who ruled with absolute control. This period is explored through myriad voices-- the Shogun, the Samurai, the Geisha, the poet, the peasant and the Westerner who glimpsed into this secret world.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both history
Hezarfen (2010)
Hezarfen is a historical Turkish character. The story takes place in 1632 in Istanbul, where he will attempt the first flight of the human being.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Like Sword of the Stranger and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Sword of the Stranger?
The closest matches to Sword of the Stranger are Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995), Gintama: The Movie (2010) and Fist of the North Star: The Legend of Yuria (2007). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Sword of the Stranger?
Start with Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995), the closest match to Sword of the Stranger.
What is the highest-rated movie like Sword of the Stranger?
Spirited Away (2001), rated 8.5/10 by 19,210 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Sword of the Stranger?
One Piece Episode of East Blue (2017) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Sword of the Stranger?
Yes: Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995), Gintama: The Movie (2010) and Fist of the North Star: The Legend of Yuria (2007).
How are movies similar to Sword of the Stranger chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Sword of the Stranger, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.





























