Movies like Moonlight Mask (2011)
The best movies like Moonlight Mask (2011) are Bushido (2024), After the Rain (2018) and Policeman and Me (2017). If Moonlight Mask hooked you, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedUgetsu (1953)8.0/10 from 676 votes
- NewestKingdom: Return of the Great General (2024)Released 2024
- In JapaneseBushido (2024)Also in Japanese
Bushido (2024)
Kakunoshin, renowned for his skills with a sword and in the game of go, embodies the samurai code. Falsely accused of a theft, he is forced to become a lowly ronin. Years later, when a case of missing gold pulls him into a new web of intrigue, Kakunoshin uncovers the truth behind his downfall. With the real culprit exposed, the go board flips, and a hellstorm of righteous vengeance follows.
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 thisPoliceman and Me (2017)
Kako, a 16-year-old high school girl, goes to a mixer pretending to be 22. While there, she meets Kouta who at first has a very intimidating aura. But once he saves her from an awkward situation, she wants to know more about him as does he. That is until he finds out she isn't 22. The next day Kako runs into him again, but this time he's working as a police officer. Kako still wants to get closer to Kouta, but he isn't interested or is he?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like this47 Ronin (2013)
Kai—an outcast—joins Oishi, the leader of 47 outcast samurai. Together they seek vengeance upon the treacherous overlord who killed their master and banished their kind. To restore honour to their homeland, the warriors embark upon a quest that challenges them with a series of trials that would destroy ordinary warriors.
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 thisUgetsu (1953)
In 16th century Japan, peasants Genjuro and Tobei sell their earthenware pots to a group of soldiers in a nearby village, in defiance of a local sage's warning against seeking to profit from warfare. Genjuro's pursuit of both riches and the mysterious Lady Wakasa, as well as Tobei's desire to become a samurai, run the risk of destroying both themselves and their wives, Miyagi and Ohama.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisHis Motorbike, Her Island (1986)
Ko, a motorbike enthusiast from the city wandering the Japanese countryside, falls for the carefree local Miyo and teaches her how to ride. When Miyo proves herself a biker prodigy, Ko begins to fear she's destined to crash.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNorwegian Wood (2010)
Toru recalls his life in the 1960s, when his friend Kizuki killed himself and he grew close to Naoko, Kizuki's girlfriend, and another woman, the outgoing, lively Midori.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCrows Explode (2014)
A month after Genji Takiya graduates, a new battle for supremacy at Suzuran All-Boys High School begins. Transfer student Kaburagi Kazeo combats Kagami Ryohei for the coveted top spot, amidst a brewing inter-school conflict with Kurosaki Industrial High.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Liar and His Lover (2013)
Set within music field, this film depicts a love story between a 25-year-old sound engineer and 16-year-old high school student Riko, who posessess a gifted voice. 25-year-old sound engineer Aki is a member of popular band "Crude Play," but right after the band decides to make their major record debut Aki quits the band. But, Aki provides his music to Crude Play under the name of producer Soichiro. Aki begins to date Riko, whose father runs a fruit and vegetable shop. Riko doesn't know about Aki's background, but she likes to listen to him hum. Riko is in a band herself, with childhood friend Yuichi and Sota. One day she is scouted by producer Soichiro.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins (2012)
In 1868, after the Bakumatsu war ends, the ex-assassin Kenshin Himura traverses Japan with an inverted sword, to defend the needy without killing.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKingdom: Return of the Great General (2024)
Depicts a continuation of the "Battle of Mayang", an all-out war against the neighboring country Zhao that Shin and Wang Ki fought in in the previous work "Flame of Fate".
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLove and Honor (2006)
A look at the relationship between a young blind samurai and his wife, who will make a sacrifice in order to defend her husband's honor.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGolden Kamuy (2024)
On the Hokkaido frontier, a war veteran and Ainu girl race against misfits and military renegades to find treasure mapped out on tattooed outlaws.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisShogun's Samurai: The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy (1978)
Following the death of the second Tokugawa shogun, it is revealed that he was poisoned by retainers of his son Iemitsu in hopes of gaining him the shogunate despite the stammer and birthmark which undermine his respect. Iemitsu and his brother Tadanaga become bitter rivals for the shogunate, and the land is split into factions, eventually erupting into warfare. Iemitsu's mentor, his fencing instructor Yagyu, is fixated upon securing Iemitsu the shogunate and ends up betraying everyone, even his own family, in pursuit of the goal.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOcean Waves (1993)
At Kichijōji Station, Tokyo, Taku Morisaki glimpses a familiar woman on the platform opposite boarding a train. Later, her photo falls from a shelf as he exits his apartment before flying to Kōchi Prefecture. Picking it up, he looks at it briefly before leaving. As the aeroplane takes off, he narrates the events that brought her into his life...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAzumi (2003)
In war-torn Japan, the Tokugawa Shogun, desperate to restore peace to his people, orders the assassination of the hostile warlords. A beautiful young woman is raised from birth with nine other orphans, to become an assassin. Her name is Azumi, the ultimate assassin.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAjin: Demi-Human (2017)
Kei Nagai dies in a car accident, but realises he is a type of immortal known as Ajin. Hunted by humans, Ajin is eventually found by the government and used as a subject in cruel experiments. He finds fellow demi-humans along the way as he escapes and goes on the run.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRiver's Edge (2018)
High schooler Haruna befriends loner Yamada, then is drawn into the tangled relationship between him, a model and the girl who loves him unreasonably.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisInu-Oh (2022)
A cursed dancer and a blind musician — both ostracized by society — become business partners and inseparable friends as their larger-than-life concerts propel them to stardom in 14th century Japan.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBrahman: Legendary Hero (1999)
Short indie shot-on-video tokusatsu film from Central Island.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Kamen Rider OOO 10th: The Core Medals of Resurrection (2022)
The year is 2021 and the world is in a state of chaos and fear. The ancient king OOO has come back to life after 800 years of dormancy. As the Kougami Foundation mounts a human resistance, Eiji Hino returns to Japan, believing he has at last found the means to revive the Greeed Ankh...
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Kamen Rider Saber: Trio of Deep Sin (2022)
Eight years after the battle for the Book of Omniscience, the peaceful lives of Touma, Rintaro, Mei and Kento are troubled by a mysterious new Falchion who can seemingly erase people from existence altogether!
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Kikaider Reboot (2014)
In the near future, the brilliant Dr. Komyoji is enlisted to lead the ARK Project—a scientific endeavor dedicated to forging a brighter tomorrow through robotics. However, the doctor’s mysterious death puts those plans to an abrupt hold... Not long after, the grieving Komyoji children wander into the crosshairs of a black ops squad on the hunt for their father’s research. But from within the cross fire emerges Jiro—a bleeding-edge android programmed to protect the siblings! Now on the run, the Komyojis soon discover their father’s once hopeful ambitions have taken a DARK turn...
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Super Star Fleet Sazer-X the Movie: Fight! Star Warriors (2005)
The Sazer-X team find a mysterious boy who claims to have amnesia, meanwhile, an ancient evil has awakened and begins consuming the people of earth. Bosquito, an extremely powerful evil being from ancient times has absorbed the power of the Justirisers and is using it to fuel its own minions. Sazer-X, the Justirisers, and the Gransazers must work together to defeat this villain and save the planet.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Godzilla (1954)
Japan is thrown into a panic after several ships are sunk near Odo Island. An expedition to the island led by Dr. Kyohei Yamane soon discover something far more devastating than imagined in the form of a 50 meter tall monster whom the natives call Gojira. Now the monster begins a rampage that threatens to destroy not only Japan, but the rest of the world as well.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSpace Sheriff Shaider: The Movie (1984)
An alien assassin, Omega, who makes a living by hunting down Space Sheriffs, arrives on Earth. Adapting a helmet, twin shoulder cannons, and other weapons into his fighting style after losing to Gavan and Sharivan, Omega is now targeting Shaider and challenges him to a fight to the death. Space Sheriff Shaider is the film adaptation of the Metal Heroes series of the same name. This movie takes place between episodes 19 & 20 of the TV show.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Japan Local Heroes Great Battle (2015)
The story begins with Takeru Yamato (Yatsurugi) lying on the ground, unconscious, struck down by a force that possesses a little girl. This witch and her four generals go to war against our heroes. A fight that seems unequal at first but the strength of their friendship will prove that nothing can beat them.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Ultraman Sorta vs. Godzilla Starring Matt Frank: The Movie (2022)
Despite repeatedly being told not to, famed kaiju illustrator Matt Frank presses a button. He shouldn't have pressed the button.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Like Moonlight Mask and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Moonlight Mask?
The closest matches to Moonlight Mask are Bushido (2024), After the Rain (2018) and Policeman and Me (2017). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Moonlight Mask?
Start with Bushido (2024), the closest match to Moonlight Mask.
What is the highest-rated movie like Moonlight Mask?
Ugetsu (1953), rated 8.0/10 by 676 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Moonlight Mask?
Kingdom: Return of the Great General (2024) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Moonlight Mask?
Yes: Bushido (2024), After the Rain (2018) and Policeman and Me (2017).
How are movies similar to Moonlight Mask chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Moonlight Mask, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.