Movies like Augustus -The Illustrious One- (2021)
The best movies like Augustus -The Illustrious One- (2021) are The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939), Departures (2008) and Kokuho (2025). If Augustus -The Illustrious One- hooked you, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedCity Lights (1931)8.2/10 from 2,590 votes
- NewestKokuho (2025)Released 2025
- In JapaneseThe Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939)Also in Japanese
The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939)
In late 19th-century Tokyo, Kikunosuke Onoue, the adopted son of a legendary actor, himself an actor specializing in female roles, discovers that the praise he receives is only due to his status as his father's heir. Devastated, he turns to Otoku, a servant of his family, for comfort, and they fall in love. Kikunosuke becomes determined to leave home and develop as an actor on his own merits, and Otoku faithfully joins him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDepartures (2008)
Daigo, a cellist, is laid off from his orchestra and moves with his wife back to his small hometown where the living is cheaper. Thinking he’s applying for a job at a travel agency he finds he’s being interviewed for work with departures of a more permanent nature – as an undertaker’s assistant.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisKokuho (2025)
Nagasaki, 1964. After the death of his father, the leader of a yakuza gang, gifted Kikuo is taken under the wing of famed Kabuki actor Hanjirō Hanai. Alongside the great performer's only son, Shunsuke, he dedicates his life to the artform - a centuries-old Japanese theatrical tradition known for its costumes, elaborate makeup and innovative stagecraft.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisSalomé (2013)
After the lewd and frenetic Dance of the Seven Veils, and with the solemn pledge from the very lips of Herod himself that she could have whatever her heart desires up to half his kingdom, wanton and proud young Salomé comes before her king with an unreasonable demand. Beguiled by John the Baptist, and then scorned for the sake of his god, lascivious Salomé—encouraged by her mother, the vindictive, Herodias—commands that John be executed and his head delivered on a silver platter.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisI Give My First Love to You (2009)
Takuma knows that his life is shorter than the others and he feels that his demise is getting near. He chose to stay away from the girl that he loves so that she can easily move on. What he didn't know is that he is under-estimating her.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCity Lights (1931)
A tramp falls in love with a beautiful blind flower girl. His on-and-off friendship with a wealthy man allows him to be the girl's benefactor and suitor.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisAvanti! (1972)
A successful businessman travels to Italy to arrange for the return of his tycoon father's body, only to learn that dear old dad died with his longtime mistress.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGnomeo & Juliet (2011)
A version of Shakespeare's play, set in the world of warring indoor and outdoor gnomes. Garden gnomes Gnomeo and Juliet have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. But with plastic pink flamingos and lawnmower races in the mix, can this young couple find lasting happiness?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisTokyo Decadence (1992)
A submissive hooker goes about her trade, suffering abuse at the hands of Japanese salarymen and Yakuza types. She's unhappy about her work, and is apparently trying to find some sort of appeasement for the fact that her lover has married.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNational Theatre Live: Hamlet (2015)
As a country arms itself for war, a family tears itself apart. Forced to avenge his father's death but paralyzed by the task ahead, Hamlet rages against the impossibility of his predicament, threatening both his sanity and the security of the state.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKnightriders (1981)
A medieval reenactment troupe struggles to maintain its family-like dynamic amid pressure from local authorities, interest from talent agents, and their so-called king's delusions of grandeur.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBlue Hawaii (1961)
Just discharged GI Chad Gates returns to Hawaii, where he becomes a tour guide, defying his mother's wishes for him to join the family business.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBattle of the Year (2013)
A down-on-his-luck coach is hired to prepare a team of the best American dancers for an international tournament that attracts all the best crews from around the world, but the Americans haven't won in fifteen years.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCyrano (2021)
A man ahead of his time, Cyrano de Bergerac dazzles whether with ferocious wordplay at a verbal joust or with brilliant swordplay in a duel. But, convinced that his appearance renders him unworthy of the love of a devoted friend, the luminous Roxanne, Cyrano has yet to declare his feelings for her—and Roxanne has fallen in love, at first sight, with Christian.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Young One (1960)
A jazz musician seeks refuge from a lynch mob on a remote island, where he meets a hostile game warden and the young object of his attentions.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisZiegfeld Follies (1945)
The late, great impresario Florenz Ziegfeld looks down from heaven and ordains a new revue in his grand old style.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLittle Shop of Horrors (1986)
Seymour Krelborn is a nerdy orphan working at Mushnik's, a flower shop in urban Skid Row. He harbors a crush on fellow co-worker, Audrey Fulquard, and is berated by Mr. Mushnik daily. One day, Seymour finds a very mysterious unidentified plant which he calls Audrey II. The plant seems to have a craving for blood and soon begins to sing for its supper.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
A melancholy poet reflects on three women he loved and lost in the past: a mechanical performing doll, a Venetian courtesan, and the consumptive daughter of a celebrated composer.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHellzapoppin' (1941)
Olsen and Johnson, a pair of stage comedians, try to turn their play into a movie and bring together a young couple in love, while breaking the fourth wall every step of the way.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRadiance (2017)
The story follows the social intercourse between a cameraman, Masaya, with a visual impairment, and Misako who disconnects from the world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Lost Glory -Beautiful Illusion- (2014)
Inspired by Shakespeare's Othello. It is the summer of 1929. With the end of World War I well behind it, New York in America is lapping up the good times. Otto Goldstein has managed to achieve the American Dream, becoming the envy of all, in this city where people from a variety of countries and social classes come to seek their dreams, hopes and pleasures.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Never Say Goodbye (2022)
Set in 1936, the People's Olympic Games are held in Barcelona in response to the Berlin Olympics under the Nazi regime. Georges, a talented photographer, meets Catherine, a liberal playwright, and the two fall in love. However they soon become embroiled in the Spanish Civil War.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Nocturne (2014)
Takarazuka Revue Flower Troupe adaptation of Ivan Turgenev's novel First Love
Why it matches: Similar story and style
The Last Party ~S. Fitzgerald's Last Day~ (2018)
A musical about the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald. We begin on Dec. 21st, 1940, just moments before Scott dies. The main actor speaks to the audience, asking them what they think he was thinking of, what he was planning. Then he takes us back, for one last party before the end.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Roget (2010)
Takarazuka Snow Troupe 2010 musical. The Second World War has entered its final stage. A family in war-torn Europe is suddenly and brutally attacked, with only a small boy left alive to tell the tale. Roget Jardin swears an oath that he will not rest until he has his revenge on the man that murdered his parents and sister in front of his eyes.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
The Seagull (2014)
Late 19th century Russia, the countryside. The young playwright Treplyov is in love with Nina. This is a tale about many complicated loves and lives. Takarazuka Star Troupe 2014 adaptation of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
The Kawagiri Bridge / Dream Chaser (2021)
--The Kawagiri Bridge-- In the middle of the Edo Era in Kayamachi near the Sumida River lived a childless couple, Minokichi and his wife O-chou. Minokichi was a master carpenter who worked for a large company called Sugitaya. --Dream Chaser-- "Dream Chaser" is one who chases their dreams. A passionate theme of single-minded dream chasing, with each scene presenting a different world through music and dance — this revue show will introduce you to the varied charms of Moon Troupe members.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Hollywood Gossip (2019)
Conrad is aiming to become a movie star, but hasn’t had his breakthrough yet. For his final chance, he goes to attend a screen-test for new and upcoming actors for a major motion picture. However, Jerry Crawford, a young movie star heartthrob, is chosen for the lead role instead. The screen-test being for new and upcoming actors was merely a gimmick. Once Conrad learns the truth, he makes his way to the studio, enraged. Once there, he sees former top actress Amanda. Conrad lacks the acting skills and expressions required to become a star, so Amanda offers to instruct him on the secret to pulling the audience’s gaze towards him. However, Amanda has an ulterior motive - to get revenge on her lover, Jerry, who used her as a stepping stone to become a star!
Why it matches: Similar story and style
The Scarlet Pimpernel (2010)
Takarazuka Revue Moon Troupe 2010 production based on Baroness Orczy's novel 'The Scarlet Pimpernel'
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Nova Bossa Nova (2011)
Rio de Janeiro in South America. Once every year a carnival takes place for three days and three nights. Everyone is excitedly preparing for the big event.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Like Augustus -The Illustrious One- and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Augustus -The Illustrious One-?
The closest matches to Augustus -The Illustrious One- are The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939), Departures (2008) and Kokuho (2025). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Augustus -The Illustrious One-?
Start with The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939), the closest match to Augustus -The Illustrious One-.
What is the highest-rated movie like Augustus -The Illustrious One-?
City Lights (1931), rated 8.2/10 by 2,590 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Augustus -The Illustrious One-?
Kokuho (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Augustus -The Illustrious One-?
Yes: The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939), Departures (2008) and Kokuho (2025).
How are movies similar to Augustus -The Illustrious One- chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Augustus -The Illustrious One-, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.