Movies like Wangan Midnight Return (2001)
The best movies like Wangan Midnight Return (2001) are Hello World (2019), ALL YOU NEED IS KILL (2026) and Tokyo Tribe (2014). If Wangan Midnight Return hooked you, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedDragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995)7.4/10 from 828 votes
- NewestLegend of the White Dragon (2026)Released 2026
- In JapaneseHello World (2019)Also in Japanese
Hello World (2019)
A shy high schooler in Kyoto meets a man claiming to be his future self, who tells him he’s hacked into the past to save their first love.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisALL YOU NEED IS KILL (2026)
When a massive alien flower known as "Darol" unexpectedly erupts in a deadly event, unleashing monstrous creatures that decimate the population of Japan, Rita is caught in the destruction—and killed. But then she wakes up again. And again. Caught in an endless time loop, Rita must navigate the trauma and repetition of death until she crosses paths with Keiji, a shy young man trapped in the same cycle. Together, they fight to break free from the loop and find meaning in the chaos around them.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTokyo Tribe (2014)
In an alternate Japan, territorial street gangs form opposing factions collectively known as the Tokyo Tribes. Merra, leader of the Wu-Ronz tribe of Bukuro, joins forces with heavy-hitting gangster Buppa of Buppa Town. With Buppa's support, Merra aims to initiate a gang war between the Wu-Ronz and the Musashino Saru, and in a confrontation between the two attempts to kill Kai of the Musashino Saru. The inadvertent murder of Kai's friend Tera (a Musashino Saru member beloved by all Tribes since before their formation) leads to the joining of forces between all of the Tribes in an all-out war against Merra and Buppa.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLegend of the White Dragon (2026)
Forced to hide in the shadows, fugitive hero Erik Reed must clear his name to reunite with his family. Standing in his way is a mysterious villain obsessed with destroying the White Dragon for good.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea (2006)
On their way through the Battle Frontier, Ash and friends meet up with a Pokémon Ranger who's mission is to deliever the egg of Manaphy to a temple on the ocean's floor. However, a greedy pirate wants the power of Manaphy to himself.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBlood: The Last Vampire (2009)
On the surface, Saya is a stunning 16-year-old, but that youthful exterior hides the tormented soul of a 400-year-old "halfling". Born to a human father and a vampire mother, she has for centuries been a loner obsessed with using her samurai skills to rid the world of vampires, all the while knowing that she herself can survive only on blood like those she hunts.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisZatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman (1971)
Zatoichi is a blind massage therapist and swordsman who finds out that something troubling is taking place on the outskirts of town. After discovering who the guilty parties are -- an accomplished Chinese martial artist named Wang Kang and his youthful attendant -- Zatoichi finds them and discovers that the pair's mixed up with a dangerous bunch of terrorist samurai who murdered the boy's parents. Now, Zatoichi must step in to save the day.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisScarlet (2025)
After failing to avenge her father's murder, Princess Scarlet, wakes up in the "Land of the Dead." In this world filled with madness, if she does not achieve her revenge against her nemesis and reach the "No End Place," she will become "Void" and cease to exist. Can Scarlet find a way to live at the end of her endless journey?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBatman: Gotham Knight (2008)
Six interlocking stories reveal Bruce Wayne's earliest adventures as Batman and the steps he took to become the grim avenger of Gotham City.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragon 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
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: The World's Strongest (1990)
The evil Dr. Kochin uses the dragon balls to resurrect his mentor, Dr. Wheelo, in an effort to take over the world. Dr. Wheelo, his body having been destroyed by the avalanche that killed him fifty years before, desires the body of the strongest fighter in the world as his new vessel. Believing Roshi to be the world's strongest warrior, Dr. Kochin abducts Bulma and forces Roshi to surrender himself to save her. When Goku hears of their abduction, he goes to their rescue.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMade in Abyss: Journey's Dawn (2019)
First compilation movie of the TV series which covers episodes 1-8 with new scenes added for the introduction. It covers the period from when Riko descends into the Abyss with her robot companion Reg, reaching the second layer where they meet the White Whistle Ozen who reveals information about Riko's mother.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCosmic Princess Kaguya! (2026)
Iroha's life gets knocked off its orbit when Kaguya, a carefree runaway from the Moon, moves in and convinces her to perform in a virtual world together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' (2015)
One peaceful day on Earth, two remnants of Frieza's army named Sorbet and Tagoma arrive searching for the Dragon Balls with the aim of reviving Frieza. They succeed, and Frieza subsequently seeks revenge on the Saiyans.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragon Ball: The Path to Power (1996)
A retelling of Dragon Ball's origin with a different take on the meeting of Goku, Bulma, and Kame-Sen'nin. It also retells the Red Ribbon Army story; but this time they find Goku rather than Goku finding them.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDetective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram (2024)
A message has arrived from Kid the Phantom Thief, that he will steal a Japanese sword belonging to wealthy Onoe Family in Hakodate, Hokkaido. Conan and Heiji Hattori, who happened to be in Hakodate, are on the case to capture Kid. Coincidentally the family lawyer of Onoe is found murdered in the warehouse district, apparently slaughtered by a Japanese sword. The suspect is an investor/arms dealer who is said to be after Onoe family’s hidden treasure. In the North among cherry blossoms, the exciting hunt for treasure begins!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDetective Conan: The Time Bombed Skyscraper (1997)
Once brilliant teenage detective Shinichi Kudo was given a poison that reverted him to a 4-year-old. He's adopted the pseudonym Conan Edogawa so no one (save for an eccentric inventor) will know. Now he's got to solve a series of bombings before his loved ones become victims. Who is this madman and why is he doing this? Only the young genius can save the day but will even he be up to the task?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004)
In a post-war alternative timeline, Japan is divided into the North, controlled by the Union, and the South, controlled by the United States. A mysterious high tower rises within the borders of the Union. Three high school students promise to cross the border with a self-built airplane and unravel the secret of the tower.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLegend of the Galactic Heroes: Overture to a New War (1993)
Reinhard von Müsel and Yang Wen-li return to their respective homes, one victorious and the other defeated. While Reinhard earns the new name Lohengramm, Yang and his friends celebrate some welcome news.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMade in Abyss: Wandering Twilight (2019)
Second compilation movie of the TV series which covers episodes 9-13. Riko and Reg descend to the third and fourth layer where Riko has her first experience of the Curse.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Wangan Midnight Return?
The closest matches to Wangan Midnight Return are Hello World (2019), ALL YOU NEED IS KILL (2026) and Tokyo Tribe (2014). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Wangan Midnight Return?
Start with Hello World (2019), the closest match to Wangan Midnight Return.
What is the highest-rated movie like Wangan Midnight Return?
Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995), rated 7.4/10 by 828 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Wangan Midnight Return?
Legend of the White Dragon (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Wangan Midnight Return?
Yes: Hello World (2019), ALL YOU NEED IS KILL (2026) and Tokyo Tribe (2014).
How are movies similar to Wangan Midnight Return chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Wangan Midnight Return, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.