Movies like Waseda University (1953)
The best movies like Waseda University (1953) are Flying Colors (2015), Molly Maxwell (2013) and Waterboys (2001). If Waseda University hooked you, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks
- Highest ratedSanjuro (1962)7.9/10 from 764 votes
- NewestAristocrats (2021)Released 2021
- In JapaneseFlying Colors (2015)Also in Japanese
Flying Colors (2015)
A high school girl, Sayaka Kudō was the bottom of the class. After a year, she improved her deviation value from 30 to 70, then passed Keio University that is considered one of the most difficult to enter in Japan.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMolly Maxwell (2013)
At Phoenix Progressive School, students take notes lying on parlor couches and are encouraged to explore their gifts through electives like break-dancing and graphic-novel writing. In the midst of all this liberal pedagogy and budding talent, Molly Maxwell feels unexceptional, until she falls for her attractive English teacher, Ben.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWaterboys (2001)
In a Japanese school, 5 adolescent geeks join the new sport teacher and take up the challenge to take part in the synchronised swimming competition, in-spite of the mockeries of the real sportsmen.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFrom Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
Yokohama, 1963. Japan is picking itself up from the devastation of World War II and preparing to host the 1964 Olympics—and the mood is one of both optimism and conflict as the young generation struggles to throw off the shackles of a troubled past. Against this backdrop of hope and change, a friendship begins to blossom between high school students Umi and Shun—but a buried secret from their past emerges to cast a shadow on the future and pull them apart.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSakuran (2006)
Kiyoha rises from the lowly courtesan ranks to the high class position of Oiran in the steamy red-light district of Yoshiwara. She is determined to stand on her own two feet and live life as she pleased.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisShall We Dance? (1996)
A bored accountant spots a beautiful woman in the window of a ballroom dance studio. He secretly starts taking dancing lessons to be near her, and then over time discovers how much he loves dancing. His wife, meanwhile, has hired a private detective to find out why he has started coming home late smelling of perfume.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHanasaku Iroha the Movie: Home Sweet Home (2013)
While sorting through a mess of books in the staff room, Ohana happens upon one of Denroku's log books from long ago. Within it, it recounts a story of Ohana's mom when she was the same age as her.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHachiko (1987)
The tragic, true story about Hachikō, an Akita dog who was loyal to his master, Professor Ueno, even after Ueno's death.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Gentle Breeze in the Village (2007)
Soyo, a student in a school with only six students, develops feelings for the new student, Hiromi, who has moved from Tokyo.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSanjuro (1962)
In this companion piece and sequel to "Yojimbo," jaded samurai Sanjuro helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan's evil influences, and in the process turns their image of a proper samurai on its ear.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisWolf Girl and Black Prince (2016)
Erika Shinohara is a first year of high school student. While talking to friends, she makes up a story about her "boyfriend." In reality, Erika Shinohara doesn't have a boyfriend. Erika's friends soon begin to doubt her story and Erika is also running out of lies. Erika then sees a pretty boy on the street and takes his picture discreetly. She later shows his picture to her friends as her boyfriend. The boy in the picture is Kyouya Sata and happens to attend the same school as Erika. She tells Kyouya about her situation and asks him to be her pretend boyfriend. Even though Kyouya has a pretty appearance, he has a dark side.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTokyo Sonata (2008)
The winds of change blow as a family grapples with unemployment, alienation, mistrust and a lack of communication. When a Japanese salaryman loses his job to outsourcing to China, it's simply the beginning of a series of shattering incidents, leading to the implosion of the family unit.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTwenty-Four Eyes (1954)
From 1928 to 1946, the lives of 12 young people and their school teacher in a poor Japanese village are profoundly affected by historical events and personal circumstances.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSwing Girls (2004)
A group of delinquent high school girls form a band when they accidentally poison their school's brass band and have to replace them.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisChikamatsu Monogatari (1954)
When the wife of a 17th-century Kyoto scrollmaker is falsely accused of having an affair with his best employee, the pair flee the city and find themselves truly falling for one another.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLinda Linda Linda (2005)
Only three days before the school festival, a newly formed high school band rushes to put together a set for their big show — including a hit single by '80s by the Japanese punk rock band The Blue Hearts.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAfter the Rain (2018)
Akira Tachibana is a soft-spoken high school student who used to be a part of the track and field club. Working part-time at a restaurant, she finds herself inexplicably falling in love with her manager, a divorced 45-year-old man.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBlue Spring (2001)
Soon after being named the new leader of his high school's gang system, Kujo grows bored with the violence and hatred that surround him. He wants desperately to abandon his post… but his once-enviable position of power has a strange way of making him feel powerless.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFrom Me to You (2010)
Sawako Kuronuma looks miserable on the outside, but is actually a positive-minded girl, who looks up to Shota Kazehaya, a sociable and friendly boy. Perceiving Sawako's good intentions, he secretly has feelings for her. Sawako meets Kazehaya and makes her first friends, Chizuru and Ayane but in comes Kurumi proclaiming her love for him... Will Sawako and Kazehaya ever find out about each other's feelings?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAristocrats (2021)
Hanako is looking for stability with her man. She gets dumped instead. She begins dating. Miki studied and worked hard to get to where she is and is holding down a job. They are introduced through an intermediary man.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Waseda University?
The closest matches to Waseda University are Flying Colors (2015), Molly Maxwell (2013) and Waterboys (2001). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Waseda University?
Start with Flying Colors (2015), the closest match to Waseda University.
What is the highest-rated movie like Waseda University?
Sanjuro (1962), rated 7.9/10 by 764 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Waseda University?
Aristocrats (2021) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Waseda University?
Yes: Flying Colors (2015), Waterboys (2001) and From Up on Poppy Hill (2011).
How are movies similar to Waseda University chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Waseda University, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.



















