Movies like The Burning Buddha Man (2013)
The best movies like The Burning Buddha Man (2013) are Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms (2006), Devilman - Volume 3: Devilman Apocalypse (2000) and Demon City Shinjuku (1988). If The Burning Buddha Man hooked you with its horror and animation, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedNinja Scroll (1993)7.8/10 from 800 votes
- NewestMononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain (2024)Released 2024
- In JapaneseDevilman - Volume 3: Devilman Apocalypse (2000)Also in Japanese
Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms (2006)
A folklore professor becomes unwittingly possessed by the ancient Japanese demons of Thunder and Lightning. But when The Bureau of Paranormal Research & Defense dispatches a team of agents to investigate, a cursed samurai sword sends Hellboy to a supernatural dimension of ghosts, monsters, and feudal mayhem. Now while pyrokinetic Liz Sherman and fishboy Abe Sapien battle one very pissed-off dragon, a lost and cranky Hellboy must find his way home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDevilman - Volume 3: Devilman Apocalypse (2000)
Fear runs rampant throughout Tokyo with the revelation that demons in fact exist amongst us. Paranoia and the darker side of humanity boils onto the streets as people turn on one another, suspecting that anyone could in fact be a demon hiding in human clothing. Amidst the growing tensions, tragedy strikes Akira causing his mind to snap, retreating into his subconscious, allowing his Devilish alter-ego Amon to break free from Akira's cage of flesh and wreak havoc on both human and demons alike.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDemon City Shinjuku (1988)
Ten Years ago, Genichiro Izayoi died trying to stop the sorcerer Rebi Ra, and as a result Shinjuku became a playground for demons. And now, the day approaches when Rebi Ra will complete his decade-long ritual to plunge the rest of the world into chaos! As Genichiro's son, it falls to Kyoya to venture into the heart of Shinjuku and put an end to the sorcerer his father couldn't beat. Can Kyoya exceed his father's legacy, or will the demons of Shinjuku create Hell on Earth?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDevilman - Volume 1: The Birth (1987)
Akira Fudo is just a normal kid in Tokyo, until an old friend of his, Ryo, shows up and turns his world upside down. An upcoming war of demons on humanity is waiting in the wings, however, the only way for a human to fight a demon is with their power. To save the world, Akira and Ryo risk a dangerous ceremony in an attempt to create humanity's only hope: the powerful Devilman.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & horror
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBlue Exorcist: The Movie (2012)
The atmosphere in True Cross Academy is lively and boisterous in the days leading up to the grand festival held once every 11 years. During this time, Okumura Rin is entrusted with the responsibility of suppressing the berserk Phantom Train. In the midst of his mission, he meets a devil whose appearance is that of a young boy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWicked City (1987)
A peace treaty between the Earth and the Black World, a parallel universe of demons, is coming to an end. Two cops, Taki, a human male, and Maki, a female demon, are assigned to protect a diplomat who will help secure another treaty. A radical group of demons from the Black World are out to assassinate the diplomat and prevent the treaty; only the bond that forms between the two cops can save the Earth from destruction.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisConstantine: City of Demons - The Movie (2018)
A decade after a tragic mistake, family man Chas Chandler and occult detective John Constantine set out to cure his daughter Trish from a mysterious supernatural coma.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDevilman - Volume 2: Demon Bird (1990)
Akira Fudo, adjusting to his new powers as Devilman, is in for a heap of trouble as his newest enemies sent from the demon world are Jinmen, the sadistic tortoise with his victims' faces on his shell --including Akira's mother-- and Sirene, the demon bird, who has more than a few tricks up her feathery sleeves to keep him and humanity at the brink of extinction.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisX (1996)
It's the year of destiny, and 15 year old Kamui Shiro, a powerful psychic, has returned to Toyko after a 6 year absence, having left when he was very young. He wants to be with his childhood friends, Fuma (his best friend) and Kotori, Fuma's little sister (and Kamui's possible girlfriend). He wants to protect them from all dangers, but destiny and fate are haunting Kamui and pulling in himself and his beloved childhood friends. It is his destiny and his sole decision to decide the fate of the world, no matter if he wants the role or not. Now it is a matter of if he will join the side of the Seven Seals and become the Dragon of Heaven to save mankind or join the Seven Angels and become the Dragon of Earth to destroy all civilization so the earth can heal itself from man's destruction.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisVampire Hunter D (1985)
In a far-future time ruled by the supernatural, a young girl requests the help of a vampire hunter to kill the vampire who has bitten her and thus prevent her from becoming a vampire herself.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNinja Scroll (1993)
Jubei is a masterless ninja who travels the land alone, lending his services to those with gold—or a worthy cause. His fearsome abilities have served him well, but a plot to overthrow the government threatens to end his wandering ways—and possibly his life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain (2024)
In the chambers of the Edo harem, two newcomers uncover political intrigue, rivalry and a vengeful spirit only one traveling medicine seller can vanquish.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisInuyasha the Movie: Affections Touching Across Time (2001)
InuYasha is a half-demon who was trapped in the Legendary Tree and was set free by Kagome, a girl who traveled 500 years through time. This time, both of them will have to face Menomaru, a Chinese demon whose father, known as Hyoga, came 300 years ago to invade Japan, but was stopped by InuYasha's Father. InuYasha and Kagome, along with Sango, Miroku, Shippou, Kaede and Myoga, will try to stop Menomaru in his becoming the most powerful demon ever.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Mt. Natagumo Arc (2021)
The special consists of the 15-21 episodes of the Kimetsu no Yaiba Season 1.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Swordsmith Village- (2023)
A recap of Kimetsu no Yaiba episodes 43–45, with new footage and special end credits. Together with his comrades, Zenitsu and Inosuke, along with one of the top-ranking members of the Demon Slayer Corps, Tengen Uzui, Tanjiro embarks on a mission within the Entertainment District, where they encounter the formidable, high-ranking demons, Daki and Gyutaro.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hashira Meeting Arc (2021)
The special consists of the 22-26 episodes of the Kimetsu no Yaiba Season 1.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- (2024)
Tanjiro undergoes rigorous training with the Stone Hashira, Himejima, in his quest to become a Hashira. Meanwhile, Muzan continues to search for Nezuko and Ubuyashiki. A recap of Kimetsu no Yaiba episodes 55–56, with new footage and special end credits.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCat Soup (2001)
The surreal black comedy follows Nyatta, an anthropomorphic kitten, on his travel to the land of the dead and back in an effort to save his sister's soul.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Asakusa Arc (2022)
Tanjiro ventures to Asakusa for his second mission with the Demon Slayer Corps. A recap of Kimetsu no Yaiba episodes 6–10, with new footage and special end credits.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBio Hunter (1995)
A strange virus known as the Demon Virus, attacks the human genetic code, transforming people into monsters with demonic powers. One particular monster is terrorizing the streets of Tokyo. ripping open young women to devour their livers. A famed psychic holds the secret to the identity and purpose of this monster. Now it is up to two molecular biologists. self-proclaimed Bio Hunters Komada and Koshigaya, to reach the psychic and his beautiful daughter before its too late! The Demon Virus is out to conquer the world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror & animation
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Tell-Tale Heart (2010)
A computer-generated rendering of the classic Poe tale about a man's sanity being a point of contention as he confesses to murdering an elderly man, driven by the victim's pale blue 'vulture eye', culminating in guilt-induced auditory hallucinations of the victim's beating heart.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror & animation
Deed Poll (2004)
Two drug-addicted, incestuous, rich siblings kill a call-boy to make playing cards out of his skin.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both thriller
Identity (2003)
Complete strangers stranded at a remote desert motel during a raging storm soon find themselves the target of a deranged murderer. As their numbers thin out, the travelers begin to turn on each other, as each tries to figure out who the killer is.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both thriller
Worth the HypeMovies like thisYoung and Innocent (1937)
When a young writer is falsely accused of murdering a famous actress, he escapes custody and joins forces with the daughter of a police constable to prove his innocence.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBeauty Betrayed (2002)
A gun fires and supermodel Lily Sampson is dead. Two cops, Clark and his new partner Allie, are on the case. Their only clues are a revealing videotape of the victim in a searing game of bondage with a famous fashion photographer, and Lily's high school yearbook which reveals a mysterious twin sister and clues to a lifelong rivalry with another model.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both thriller
Thousand Year Sleep (2007)
Samantha, Lydia, Isabella, and Lisa. These four young women are about to learn that humanity is just an irrelevant flame burning nowhere in the vastness of space. Their dreams will be shattered and one man will marvel at the evil he has committed.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920)
A doctor's research into the roots of evil turns him into a hideous depraved fiend.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)
Dr. Henry Jekyll believes that there are two distinct sides to men: one that is good and one that is evil. He believes that by separating the two, man can become liberated. He succeeds in his experiments with chemicals to accomplish this and transforms into Hyde to commit horrendous crimes. When he discontinues use of the drug, it is already too late.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)
Dr. Jekyll believes good and evil exist in everyone and creates a potion that allows his evil side, Mr. Hyde, to come to the fore. He faces horrible consequences when he lets his dark side run amok.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll (1960)
After a series of scientific experiments directed towards freeing the inner man and controlling human personalities, the kindly, generous Dr Henry Jekyll succeeds in freeing his own alter ego, Edward Hyde, a sadistic, evil creature whose pleasure is murder.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Burning Buddha Man?
The closest matches to The Burning Buddha Man are Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms (2006), Devilman - Volume 3: Devilman Apocalypse (2000) and Demon City Shinjuku (1988). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Burning Buddha Man?
Start with Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms (2006), the closest match to The Burning Buddha Man.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Burning Buddha Man?
Ninja Scroll (1993), rated 7.8/10 by 800 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Burning Buddha Man?
Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain (2024) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like The Burning Buddha Man?
Yes: Devilman - Volume 3: Devilman Apocalypse (2000), Demon City Shinjuku (1988) and Devilman - Volume 1: The Birth (1987).
How are movies similar to The Burning Buddha Man chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Burning Buddha Man, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.