Movies like Dance Festival (1992)
The best movies like Dance Festival (1992) are The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939), City Lights (1931) and Tokyo Decadence (1992). If Dance Festival hooked you, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedCity Lights (1931)8.3/10 from 2,593 votes
- NewestGolden Liberty (2025)Released 2025
- In JapaneseThe Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939)Also in Japanese
The 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 thisCity Lights (1931)
A tramp falls in love with a beautiful blind flower girl. His on-and-off friendship with a wealthy man allows him to be the girl's benefactor and suitor.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies 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 thisAn Actor's Revenge (1963)
In Edo Japan, a kabuki actor seeks revenge against the three men who drove his parents to their deaths years ago.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDepartures (2008)
Daigo, a cellist, is laid off from his orchestra and moves with his wife back to his small hometown where the living is cheaper. Thinking he’s applying for a job at a travel agency he finds he’s being interviewed for work with departures of a more permanent nature – as an undertaker’s assistant.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies 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 thisLittle Shop of Horrors (1986)
Seymour Krelborn is a nerdy orphan working at Mushnik's, a flower shop in urban Skid Row. He harbors a crush on fellow co-worker, Audrey Fulquard, and is berated by Mr. Mushnik daily. One day, Seymour finds a very mysterious unidentified plant which he calls Audrey II. The plant seems to have a craving for blood and soon begins to sing for its supper.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBed of Roses (1996)
The seeds of love are planted when Lisa, a high-powered investment banker, receives flowers from a secret admirer. But when his fairy-tale fantasies clash with her workaholic ways, they soon find out that sometimes, it's harder than it seems for love to conquer all.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisKnightriders (1981)
A medieval reenactment troupe struggles to maintain its family-like dynamic amid pressure from local authorities, interest from talent agents, and their so-called king's delusions of grandeur.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
Seymour works in a skid row florist shop and is in love with his beautiful co-worker, Audrey. He creates a new plant that not only talks but cannot survive without human flesh and blood.
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 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 thisBLACKPINK ARENA TOUR [SPECIAL FINAL IN OSAKA] (2018)
BLACKPINK in Kyocera Dome! The K-pop girl group had eight shows in three cities for their 2018 Japan arena tour, and became the first overseas girl group to hold a concert at Osaka's Kyocera Dome on December 24. A 50,000-strong audience filled the dome on Christmas Eve to see the girls perform fierce hits like "Boombayah", "Whistle" and "DDU-DU-DDU-DU", as well as special solo stages.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisLove Like the Falling Petals (2022)
Haruto Asakura falls in love with hairdresser Misaki Ariake and asks her out. Watching Misaki Ariake work hard to achieve what she wants, Haruto Asakura, who almost gave up his dream to become a photographer, begins to pursue his dream again, but Misaki Ariake is diagnosed with a disease that ages her 10x faster than normal.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisI Give My First Love to You (2009)
Takuma knows that his life is shorter than the others and he feels that his demise is getting near. He chose to stay away from the girl that he loves so that she can easily move on. What he didn't know is that he is under-estimating her.
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 thisCOLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing (2025)
Ichika is a high school musician who can enter a mysterious place called “SEKAI,” where she and her friends express their innermost emotions through music alongside Hatsune Miku. One day after giving a live performance, Ichika meets a new Miku that she has never seen before. No matter how hard this new Miku tries to sing, she struggles connecting with the hearts of her listeners. Miku must rely on the help of others to find a way to sing again.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisTrapeze (1956)
A pair of men try to perform the dangerous "triple" in their trapeze act. Problems arise when the duo is made into a trio following the addition of a sexy female performer.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Court Jester (1955)
A hapless carnival performer masquerades as the court jester as part of a plot against a usurper who has overthrown the rightful king of England.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Great Ace Attorney -The Truth Comes Back to Life Anew- (2023)
Ryunosuke Naruhodo, a university student who aspires to become a lawyer, travels from the Meiji era Empire of Japan to the British Empire just before the World's Fair in order to learn about the latest judicial system. Ryunosuke gets involved in difficult cases one after another, and together with his legal assistant Satoshi Kotobuki, he stands up for his clients, but then the great detective of the century, Herlock Sholmes, shows up... From the famous line "I have an objection!" to an exciting court battle that overturns a desperate situation, a new truth will be brought back to life this summer!
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Golden Liberty (2025)
The story begins when outlaws break into the first West Coast location of the Carvey House, a restaurant chain with many locations in railroad stations. Sheriff Lyman is called in to stop the commotion, but he inexplicably pulls a gun on one waiter. The waiter’s true identity is Jesse Sander, a surviving member of the Wild Bunch train robbery gang, whom they were looking for. Jesse is recruited by Lyman for their plan to rob a train. Having stayed on the straight and narrow since the gang broke up, Jesse reluctantly accepts his inevitable fate and agrees to participate in the plan.
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
Sanctuary (2014)
2015 Takarazuka Revue production of "Sanctuary," a dramatization of the early days of marriage between King Henri VI of France and Margot de Valois, filmed for television.
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
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
Houzuki An Dinner Show 『Next One』 (2019)
Houzuki An's dinner show.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Jaguar Beat (2023)
JAGUAR BEAT is a story-based show that endeavors to add something fresh to the Takarazuka traditions. It depicts the life of the half-human, half-beast JAGUAR and the way he found love. Born in the jungle on an unnamed planet, JAGUAR falls for the beautiful CRYSTAL BIRD. Beckoned by her, he sets off on a journey into a mysterious world… This Mega Fantasy featuring powerful beats will showcase the many talents of Rei Makoto and the other members of Star Troupe.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Genroku Baroque Rock (2022)
Chuushingura is based on a true story from the Genroku era, and has been retold in all kinds of fiction. In this interpretation, this tale, which has been universally loved since time immemorial, is presented by the Takarazuka Revue of the love and fantasy-filled Reiwa Era in a way that’s sure to entertain. The times of Kuronosuke and Kira align, and love shines in the heart of Edo, in a clock romance ticking away in a world of baroque rock.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
![BLACKPINK ARENA TOUR [SPECIAL FINAL IN OSAKA] (2018) poster](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/eHciW1OtAYPyiFJwDYbqSFg2ZlY.jpg)
Like Dance Festival and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Dance Festival?
The closest matches to Dance Festival are The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939), City Lights (1931) and Tokyo Decadence (1992). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Dance Festival?
Start with The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939), the closest match to Dance Festival.
What is the highest-rated movie like Dance Festival?
City Lights (1931), rated 8.3/10 by 2,593 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Dance Festival?
Golden Liberty (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Dance Festival?
Yes: The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939), Tokyo Decadence (1992) and Throw Away Your Books, Rally in the Streets (1971).
How are movies similar to Dance Festival chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Dance Festival, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.