Skip to content

Movies like Spring Thunder (1939)

The best movies like Spring Thunder (1939) are My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999), GO (2001) and Her Blue Sky (2019). If Spring Thunder hooked you, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks

  1. My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)

    The Yamadas are a typical middle class Japanese family in urban Tokyo and this film shows us a variety of episodes of their lives. With tales that range from the humorous to the heartbreaking, we see this family cope with life's little conflicts, problems, and joys in their own way.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  2. GO (2001)

    Sugihara, a Japanese-born, third-generation Korean teenager struggles to find a place in a society that will not accept him.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  3. Her Blue Sky (2019)

    High school student Aoi Aioi lives with her elder sister, Akane, after a tragic accident took their parents away 13 years ago. Because Akane has since been taking care of her single-handedly, Aoi wants to move to Tokyo after her graduation to relieve her sister's burden and pursue a musical career, inspired by Akane's ex-boyfriend Shinnosuke "Shinno" Kanamuro. Shinno was part of a band until he left for Tokyo to become a professional guitarist after the sisters' parents passed away, and he was never to be seen again.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  4. Mai Mai Miracle (2009)

    Inspired by her grandfather's stories, young Shinko embarks on wild flights of fancy about the history of the little town she lives in. But dreams can't fend off the realities of growing up.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  5. The 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 this
  6. I've Always Liked You (2016)

    Love is blooming at Sakuragaoka High School. Natsuki Enomoto has finally mustered the courage to confess to her childhood friend, Yuu Setoguchi. However, in the final moments of her confession, an embarrassed Natsuki passes it off as a "practice confession." Oblivious to her true feelings and struggling with his own, Yuu promises to support Natsuki in her quest for love. While Natsuki deals with her failed confession, fellow classmate Koyuki Ayase struggles with his own feelings for Natsuki. Despite his timidness, he is determined to win over her heart. This movie follows Natsuki as she dreams of one day ending her practices and genuinely confessing to Yuu. Meanwhile, close friends also find themselves entangled in their own webs of unrequited love and unspoken affections.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  7. Blue Giant (2023)

    High school student Dai Miyamoto has his life is turned upside down the day he discovers jazz. Picking up a saxophone and leaving his sleepy hometown for the bustling nightclubs of Tokyo, Dai will find that the life of a professional musician isn’t for the faint of heart, as he must confront what it truly means to be great.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  8. Wolf 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 this
  9. The Piano Forest (2007)

    Shuhei Amamiya transfers to Moriwaki Elementary filled with hope and ambition. But it doesn't take long before he gets picked on by the class bullies, and gets involved in a dare to play the mysterious piano in the forest. Igniting his meeting with an equally enigmatic child, Kai Ichinose, who seems to be the only one capable getting sound out of the thought to be broken piano.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  10. Detective Conan: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital (2003)

    Mouri Kogoro is called to a special case in the ancient capital of Kyoto. There, Conan meets Heiji and they team up once again to solve the case, recover the stolen Healing Buddha statue, and even discover the identity of Heiji's first love.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  11. Ocean 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 this
  12. A Geisha (1953)

    Fleeing a distressing family situation, Eiko, a very young girl, becomes an apprentice to Miyoharu, a veteran geisha. Both, determined to preserve their professional integrity, must face the selfishness and ambition of several petty people.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  13. Clannad: The Motion Picture (2007)

    Plagued by a seemingly endless stream of haunting dreams, Tomoya drifts through life with an almost overwhelming sense of anger and emptiness. Then, one fateful day, he meets the mysterious and beautiful Nagisa, and his world begins to change. While helping Nagisa revive the defunct Drama Club at their high school, Tomoya discovers that she has the same dreams. Their story starts beneath the cherry blossoms, but where will fate lead them?

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  14. After 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 this
  15. Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko (2021)

    Brash single mother Nikuko is well-known for her bold spirit, much to the embarrassment of Kikuko, her pensive yet imaginative daughter. In contrast to her mother, Kikuko wants nothing more than to fit in as she navigates the everyday social dramas of middle school. Life in the harbor is peaceful until a shocking revelation from the past threatens to uproot the pair's tender relationship.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  16. The Garden of Words (2013)

    Takao, who is training to become a shoemaker, skipped school and is sketching shoes in a Japanese-style garden. He meets a mysterious woman, Yukino, who is older than him. Then, without arranging the times, the two start to see each other again and again, but only on rainy days. They deepen their relationship and open up to each other. But the end of the rainy season soon approaches.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  17. Nisekoi: 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 this
  18. Fruits Basket -prelude- (2022)

    Kyoko, who couldn't believe anything in the world and lived a desolate life, meets Katsuya Honda, who has been assigned as an educational trainee. She is at the mercy of Katsuya, who is rude and has a strong habit, and she is gradually attracted to her. However, she is disowned by her parents in the wake of an incident with her bad fellow. It's a punishment that I've been doing as much as I like. Katsuya appears in front of Kyoko who thinks so...

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  19. A Silent Voice: The Movie (2016)

    Shouya Ishida starts bullying the new girl in class, Shouko Nishimiya, because she is deaf. But as the teasing continues, the rest of the class starts to turn on Shouya for his lack of compassion. When they leave elementary school, Shouko and Shouya do not speak to each other again... until an older, wiser Shouya, tormented by his past behaviour, decides he must see Shouko once more. He wants to atone for his sins, but is it already too late...?

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  20. Blue Spring Ride (2014)

    In middle school, Futaba Yoshioka was madly in love with Tanaka Kou but he moves away with his mother. She is reunited with him later in life but he is not the same person anymore.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this

Like Spring Thunder and something else?

Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best movies like Spring Thunder?

The closest matches to Spring Thunder are My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999), GO (2001) and Her Blue Sky (2019). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.

What should I watch after Spring Thunder?

Start with My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999), the closest match to Spring Thunder.

What is the highest-rated movie like Spring Thunder?

A Silent Voice: The Movie (2016), rated 8.4/10 by 4,765 TMDB users.

What is the newest movie like Spring Thunder?

Blue Giant (2023) is the most recent release on this list.

Are there Japanese movies like Spring Thunder?

Yes: My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999), GO (2001) and Her Blue Sky (2019).

How are movies similar to Spring Thunder chosen?

First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Spring Thunder, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.

↑ ↓ to move · Enter to open · Full search page