Movies like The King of Minami Returns: Light and Shadow (2017)
The best movies like The King of Minami Returns: Light and Shadow (2017) are Midnight Diner (2014), Seal Team (2021) and Blood and Bones (2004). If The King of Minami Returns: Light and Shadow hooked you, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedDou kyu sei – Classmates (2016)8.3/10 from 470 votes
- NewestLion Fist (2026)Released 2026
- In JapaneseMidnight Diner (2014)Also in Japanese
Midnight Diner (2014)
A restaurant opens at midnight. Both the menu offerings and personality of the owner draw a series of flawed patrons including Tamako, whose boyfriend has passed away, live-in worker Michiru, and ruckus-raising Kenzo.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSeal Team (2021)
After his best friend is killed in a shark attack, Quinn, a lovable yet tenacious seal assembles a SEAL TEAM to fight back against a gang of sharks overtaking the neighborhood. But this merry band of international seals are not at all trained for such a mission. They seek the help of a much more skillful combatant, Claggart, but even his tricks and flips can’t whip these guys into shape. However, with a little bit of ingenuity, intelligence and a lot of heart, our SEAL TEAM may actually be able to bring peace back to their undersea community.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBlood and Bones (2004)
In 1923, teenager Kim Shun-Pei moves from Cheju Island, in South Korea, to Osaka, in Japan. Along the years, he becomes a cruel, greedy and violent man and builds a factory of kamaboko, processed seafood products, in his poor Korean-Japanese community exploiting his employees.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDeep Water (2026)
A group of international passengers on a flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai is forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters. The terrified group is forced to work together and overcome their differences if they hope to escape their sinking plane and the frenzy of sharks drawn to the wreckage.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBaby Shark's Big Movie (2024)
Baby Shark is forced to leave the world he loves behind after his family’s move to the big city, and must adjust to his new life without his best friend, William. When Baby Shark encounters an evil pop starfish named Stariana who plans to steal his gift of song in order to dominate all underwater music, he must break her spell to restore harmony to the seas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTerra Formars (2016)
With the space program attempting to travel to Mars, 21st century scientists were tasked with warming up the planet so that humans could survive on its surface. They came up with an efficient and cost effective plan of sending cockroaches and mold to the surface so that the mold would absorb the sunlight and the insect corpses would serve as a food source for the mold. It is now the year 2577 and the first manned ship to Mars has landed on the planet and the six crew members are ready for their mission. But what they find are giant mutated humanoid cockroaches with incredible physical strength. The crew members are easily wiped out, but not before sending a transmission back to Earth. Now, humanity will send elite warriors to exterminate the mutated bugs and claim back Mars.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFear Below (2025)
A rag-tag team of divers attempting to salvage a sunken car from a river are thwarted by a highly aggressive bull shark.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisShark Tale (2004)
Oscar is a small fish whose big aspirations often get him into trouble. Meanwhile, Lenny is a great white shark with a surprising secret that no sea creature would guess: He's a vegetarian. When a lie turns Oscar into an improbable hero and Lenny becomes an outcast, the two form an unlikely friendship.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNisekoi: False Love (2018)
Raku Ichijo (Kento Nakajima) is an only son and a high school student. His father is the leader of yakuza group Shuei-gumi. Raku Ichijo doesn't like to fight and he studies hard. His dream is to become a public official. One day, he passes the entrance gate at his high school and is kicked inadvertently by Chitoge Kirisaki (Ayami Nakajo). She is a new transfer student at the school. Chitoge Kirisaki is the only daughter of a rival gang leader. To keep the peace between the rival gangs led by their fathers, Raku Ichijo and Chitoge Kirisaki decide to act as boyfriend and girlfriend. --asianwiki
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Kissing Booth 2 (2020)
With college decisions looming, Elle juggles her long-distance romance with Noah, changing relationship with bestie Lee and feelings for a new classmate.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMask Danshi wa Koishitakunai noni (2023)
When Saikawa rips off Keigo’s mask, he sparks unexpected feelings—and a deal: tutoring in exchange for learning to love what’s behind the mask.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDou kyu sei – Classmates (2016)
Rihito Sajo, an honor student with a perfect score on the entrance exam and Hikaru Kusakabe, in a band and popular among girls, would have never crossed paths. Until one day they started talking at the practice for their school’s upcoming chorus festival. After school, the two meet regularly, as Hikaru helps Rihito to improve his singing skills. While they listen to each other’s voice and harmonize, their hearts start to beat together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMidnight Diner 2 (2016)
The Master's late-night diner welcomes a woman troubled by funeral fans, an elderly scam victim, and a noodle delivery man struggling with love.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGantz: Perfect Answer (2011)
Summoned by the black sphere, Kei and Masaru fight against extraterrestrials until Masaru grows tired of fighting and refuses to continue.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLone Samurai (2025)
A violent and reckless samurai is shipwrecked on a remote island left without an avenue for his rage. After undertaking a spiritual journey to appease his aggressive thoughts, he finds himself abducted by external demons taking the form of cannibals, putting his sense of reality and deadly talents to the test.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLion Fist (2026)
Martial arts fighter Joe goes to prison for four years and takes his wife's blame for a drug bust. After his release, he learns that his son needs expensive surgery because of a life-threatening tumor. Joe's only chance to save him: a brutal all-styles tournament with a $100,000 prize.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSweet Bean (2015)
The master of a dorayaki pastry store hires a 76-year-old woman whose talents attract customers from all over. But she's hiding a troubling secret. Life's joys are found in the little details, and no matter what may be weighing you down, everyone loves a good pastry.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCare Bears Movie II: A New Generation (1986)
True Heart Bear and Noble Heart Horse touch down on Earth to boost the spirits of some unhappy kids at summer camp. But the evil Dark Heart has other plans, and convinces one of the campers to help him capture the Care Bears.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHigh☆Speed!: Free! Starting Days (2015)
Middle school freshmen Haruka and Makoto join the school swim team, and have to join forces with their new teammates to win.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Map That Leads to You (2025)
Heather is a young woman traveling Europe with friends before starting her perfectly planned life. A chance meeting with Jack sparks an unexpected romance that leads to deep emotional discovery. As secrets and life choices test their bond, her path changes forever.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The King of Minami Returns: Light and Shadow?
The closest matches to The King of Minami Returns: Light and Shadow are Midnight Diner (2014), Seal Team (2021) and Blood and Bones (2004). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The King of Minami Returns: Light and Shadow?
Start with Midnight Diner (2014), the closest match to The King of Minami Returns: Light and Shadow.
What is the highest-rated movie like The King of Minami Returns: Light and Shadow?
Dou kyu sei – Classmates (2016), rated 8.3/10 by 470 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The King of Minami Returns: Light and Shadow?
Lion Fist (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like The King of Minami Returns: Light and Shadow?
Yes: Midnight Diner (2014), Blood and Bones (2004) and Terra Formars (2016).
How are movies similar to The King of Minami Returns: Light and Shadow chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The King of Minami Returns: Light and Shadow, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.