Movies like Japanese Mom (2017)
The best movies like Japanese Mom (2017) are Holiday Date (2019), A Time to Remember (2021) and The Matchmaker's Playbook (2018). If Japanese Mom hooked you with its romance, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedGabriel's Rapture: Part I (2021)7.8/10 from 200 votes
- NewestOne Night Only (2026)Released 2026
- In KoreanA Time to Remember (2021)Also in Korean
Holiday Date (2019)
When Brooke’s boyfriend, Ethan, breaks up with her just before the holidays, she agrees to go home with Joel, an actor who will pose as her boyfriend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Time to Remember (2021)
Woo-jin is Korea's top star - every item he wears and uses are always a hot potato and gets sold out overnight. He is especially famous for remembering all his fan names. He seems to be just perfect, but there is one big secret that nobody knows - he cannot forget but only remember things. Woo-jin is forced to relive painful moments over and over again, feeling the same amount of anguish each time. One day, Woo-jin encounters a woman named Hae-soo, who suffers from the opposite pain from him: her memory resets every 30 days.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Matchmaker's Playbook (2018)
After a career-ending accident, former NFL recruit Ian Hunter is back on campus, and he's putting his extensive skills with women to work as one of the masterminds behind a successful and secretive dating service. But when Blake Olson requests the services of Wingmen, Inc., Ian may have landed his most hopeless client yet. As Blake begins the transformation from hot mess to smokin' hot, Ian realizes he's in danger of breaking his cardinal rule....
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTurkey Drop (2019)
Lucy Jacobs, a freshman university student, returns home to her small town for Thanksgiving break and suspects she's about to get turkey dropped— aka dumped by her high school sweetheart. To avoid a Turkey Day travesty, Lucy gets out of her comfort zone, proving she's not the same play-it-safe girl she once was.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAttraction (2001)
A writer/radio advice show host fails to heed his own advice as he stalks his ex-girlfriend and then becomes involved with an actress friend of hers.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRunaway (2010)
A man falls in love with a half-woman/half-phoenix who fell to Earth from the sky.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Beauty Inside (2015)
Woo-jin, a furniture designer who wakes up in a different body every day, falls for Yi-soo, a woman he meets through his work.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGabriel's Rapture: Part I (2021)
In the fourth instalment of the Gabriel's Inferno series, Professor Gabriel Emerson has embarked on a passionate, yet clandestine affair with his former student Julia Mitchell, but when they return from their romantic holiday in Italy, their happiness is threatened. Will Gabriel succumb to Dante's fate?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisX (2011)
A veteran call girl and a runaway prostitute witness a murder which sends them on an out-of-control roller coaster ride through the twilight zone of sex-for-sale.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChateau Christmas (2020)
Margot, a world-renowned pianist, returns to Chateau Newhaus to spend the holidays with her family and is reunited with an ex who helps her rediscover her passion for music.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFree Rein: Valentine's Day (2019)
Love is in the air as Zoe and friends go on a quest to find a fabled Maid's Stone. But when rivalry blinds them to danger, it's Raven to the rescue!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBrigadoon (1954)
Americans Jeff and Tommy, hunting in Scotland, stumble upon a village - Brigadoon. They soon learn that the town appears once every 100 years in order to preserve its peace and special beauty. The citizens go to bed at night and when they wake up, it's 100 years later. Tommy falls in love with a beautiful young woman, Fiona, and is torn between staying or going back to his hectic life in New York.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFrequencies (2013)
The story of the forbidden relationship between a 'low born' boy and a 'high born' girl in an alternate reality where every person's relationships and life worth are determined by their innate 'frequencies'.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAll of My Heart: The Wedding (2018)
Brian and Jenny are planning their wedding at the Inn where they fell in love. When a distant relative arrives and stakes their claim to the Inn, Brian and Jenny must find a way to save their beloved Inn or risk having to sell.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisInnocent Thing (2014)
A high school teacher whose wife is about to give birth finds himself tangled in temptation and obsession when a student falls for him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSailing Into Love (2019)
A biology teacher’s crusade to save a nearby island from development leads to unexpected romance with the handsome and mysterious young sea captain who is new to the seaside town of Willow Bay.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisParis, Wine & Romance (2019)
Isabella is the ambitious new owner of her family’s Oregon winery whose dream of becoming world-renowned takes a big step forward when she enters a prestigious wine competition in Paris. Upon arrival, Isabella meets her biggest competitor, Jacques, from one of the world’s foremost winemaking families. Impressed by Isabella and her expertise in wine, a budding romance develops between them.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTaking a Shot at Love (2021)
Former professional ballet dancer Jenna works with NHL star Ryan Cooper to help him recover from an injury using ballet as therapy, and as they grow close, he helps her mend her injured heart. But when it’s time for Ryan to return to the ice and leave Jenna and her small, Connecticut town, they both must consider the paths they want to take and just maybe, love will find its way.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Christmas Kiss II (2014)
At a Christmastime event, Jenna shares an impromptu, unforgettable kiss with the dashing billionaire, Cooper Montgomery. Unaware of his intentions and fearful of getting hurt in another relationship, Jenna vows to resist his charms, but begins to realize his affection is real as the two spend more time together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
SnoozefestMovies like thisNostalgic Christmas (2019)
When Anne helps her father close the family's toy store, what she finds will help inspire an entire town that is need of some Christmas cheer.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOne Night Only (2026)
Two love-starved strangers crash into each other on the one night of the year when single people are allowed to have sex.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFemale Employees: 2-on-2 Swapping (2023)
Hee-jeong and his male colleague were locked up when the door is locked while they cleaning and organizing a warehouse. While they are still trapped, the male employee filmed her physiological phenomenon, and later used it as blackmail for him to covets Hee-jeong's body. He even demands 2-on-2 swapping with their other female colleague.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Hot Wheelz (TBA)
A roller skating rink employee develops an infatuation with the rink's one regular patron.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Runaway Bride (1999)
Having already left three grooms at the altar, Maggie Carpenter is branded "the runaway bride" by jaded New York journalist Ike Graham. But, after his facts are called into question, Ike races to Maggie's hometown to save his reputation and report on her upcoming fourth trip down the aisle – during which he's convinced she'll run again. Though he's there on a muckraking mission, Ike can't help but fall for this breathtaking heartbreaker.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPillow Talk (1959)
Playboy songwriter Brad Allen's succession of romances annoys his neighbor, interior designer Jan Morrow, who shares a telephone party line with him and hears all his breezy routines. After Jan unsuccessfully lodges a complaint against him, Brad sets about to seduce her in the guise of a sincere and upstanding Texas rancher. When mutual friend Jonathan discovers that his best friend is moving in on the girl he desires, however, sparks fly.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLove and Affair (2011)
Eun-kyeong introduces her elementary school friend Mi-hee, whom she met after a long time, to her boyfriend Ji-hoon. Mi-hee, who is currently dating a married man, feels attraction to men who are in relationships. One day, they get a chance to be by themselves in the car and she tries to seduce him. He makes her promise that she won't tell Eun-kyeong and wants her too. They meet again a few days later and promise to continue meeting up, enjoying their secret affair. She looks at him with pleasure, at the way he's surprised at the phone call from Eun-kyeong and is blabbering away an excuse. Ji-hoon completely falls for Mi-hee but she tells him goodbye for the sake of Eun-kyeong. Unable to accept this, he goes after her...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Two girlfriends on a summer holiday in Spain become enamored with the same painter, unaware that his ex-wife, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship, is about to re-enter the picture.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisI Have Two Wives (2019)
Min-ji is an ordinary housewife with a dark secret. Unlike the wishes of her husband, In-gyu, who has a business running resorts, they don't have a child yet. They've tried test tubes and home remedies, but nothing has worked. Her husband and her in-laws finally decide to get a surrogate mother, and Min-ji has no choice but to agree to it, as she is worn out from their pressure. Hometown friend Jeong-ah comes knocking on the door. Min-ji is uneasy with Jeong-ah around, as she knows her past secrets, including the time she lived with someone else and had an abortion. On the other hand, In-gyu has completely fallen for bold and sexy Jeong-ah. Like a crow that nests in another's nest, Jeong-ah takes over Min-ji's place slowly and gradually. Min-ji is driven into a corner, so she meets Jeong-ah's husband, Joo-sik, to stop her. However, she falls for his trap and is used to replace his wife who ran away from home.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Female Hostel 3 (2019)
Lonely boarding house women! Any man who goes in there can't come out in one piece! Boarding house owner Hyeon-jeong and tenants Seon-mi and Joo-hee have a rule; boyfriends are allowed to visit, but they can't sleep together! One day, Joo-hee brings in her boyfriend, Jeong-sik, and they secretly spend a hot night together. The next morning, Jeong-sik tries to leave quietly, but gets caught by Hyeon-jeong. She tells him that he broke the rules and he needs to be punished, so she comes on to him.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Schoolmistress 2 (2018)
Third time repeater Sang-goo needs special tutoring for his upcoming college entrance test. His father puts his son away in a pension together with a beautiful female teacher in hopes of motivating him.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Like Japanese Mom and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Japanese Mom?
The closest matches to Japanese Mom are Holiday Date (2019), A Time to Remember (2021) and The Matchmaker's Playbook (2018). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Japanese Mom?
Start with Holiday Date (2019), the closest match to Japanese Mom.
What is the highest-rated movie like Japanese Mom?
Gabriel's Rapture: Part I (2021), rated 7.8/10 by 200 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Japanese Mom?
One Night Only (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Korean movies like Japanese Mom?
Yes: A Time to Remember (2021), The Beauty Inside (2015) and Innocent Thing (2014).
How are movies similar to Japanese Mom chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Japanese Mom, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.