Japan has been home to many incredible directors over the years. Even today, the country has some of the most talented minds in the film industry, even if you don’t realize it!
If you want to learn about more Japanese directors so that you can enjoy some new and fantastic movies, stick around. We will be going through 20 of our all-time favorites, so you can get involved and watch these movies, too!
You will be surprised by how many of these movies you are going to love – even the old ones. Try something different, and watch some of the suggestions.
1. Hirokazu Kore-eda (1962 – present)
Known for his family depictions, this director is known for his ability to add symbolism to everything he creates. Most of the actors in his pieces are unknown, which only adds to the beauty of his incredible work.
Some must-see movies by Hirokazu Kore-eda include the following:
Distance (2001)
Monster (2023)
Like Father, Like Son (2013)
Nobody Knows (2004)
Our Little Sister 2015)
After Life (1998)
2. Toshio Matsumoto (1932 – 2017)
While he only directed a handful of movies, Matsumoto’s influence on cinema was astounding. He is known for his bizarre psychedelic projects, creating films and shorts that would grip the world.
One of his most notable adaptations was loosely based on “Oedipus Rex”.
Some must-see movies by Toshio Matsumoto include the following:
Demons (1971)
Dogura Magura (1988
Funeral Parade of Roses (1969)
White Hole (1979)
Shift (1982)
Atman (1975)
3. Keisuke Kinoshita (1912 – 1998)
This is a name that should be given far more recognition than it gets. Kinoshita was responsible for developing the film scene and was one of the most prolific filmmakers at the time. He is known for his wartime dramas and touching plots.
Some must-see movies by Keisuke Kinoshita include the following:
Twenty-Four Eyes (1987)
Big Joys, Small Sorrows (1986)
Carmen Comes Home (1951)
Army (1944)
Ballad of Narayama (1958)
Father (1988)
4. Kinji Fukasaku (1930 – 2003)
Shock and violence is the name of the game for Fukasaku’s creations, and he even got a big break with Hollywood on a number of his projects. He is known for this yakuza works, and is not afraid to shy away from gore.
Some must-see movies by Kinji Fukasaku include the following:
Fall Guy (1982
Battle Royale (2000)
Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)
Shogun’s Samurai (1978)
Yakuza Graveyard (1976)
Blackmail is My Life (1968)
5. Satoshi Kon (1963 – 2010)
Known for his incredible animation works, Kon started out as a manga artist and went on to create some of the most notable works we know and love today.
Some must-see movies by Satoshi Kon include the following:
Paprika (2006)
Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
Memories (1995)
Perfect Blue (1997)
Paranoia Agent (2004)
Millennium Actress (2001)
6. Mikio Naruse (1905 – 1969)
Naruse was one of the greatest figures in Japan’s ‘golden age of cinema’. He was not afraid to show his pessimistic and bleak outlook on life, and stuck to predominantly female protagonists in all his works.
Some must-see movies by Mikio Naruse include the following:
Wife! Be like a Rose! (1935)
Every Night Dreams (1933)
Floating Clouds (1955)
Flowing (1956)
Sudden Rain (1956)
Late Chrysanthemums (1954)
7. Ishiro Honda (1911 – 1993)
Any Godzilla fan will know Ishiro Honda’s name. Famous for his gripping stories of Godzilla, Mothra, King Kong, and a host of other well-loved characters that have crossed the oceans. You can enjoy all the classics he’s worked on, and much more.
Some must-see movies by Ishiro Honda include the following:
Godzilla (1954)
Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975)
Mothra vs Godzilla (1964)
King Kong Escapes (19676)
All Monsters Attack (1969)
King Kong vs Godzilla (1962)
8. Takashi Miike (1960 – present)
With more than 90 movies under his belt, Miike is known for his intriguing and bizarre creations. They are unconventional and controversial, with dark themes that definitely are not for everyone.
Some must-see movies by Takashi Miike include the following:
13 Assassins (2010)
Tadanobu Asano in Ichi the Killer (2001)
Sun Scarred (2006)
Crows Zero (2007)
Rainy Dog (1997)
First Love (2019)
9. Seijun Suzuki (1923 – 2017)
Known for his theatrics and love for bringing excitement to the screen, Suzuki is famous for his dramas and thrillers.
He loved to incorporate jazz while also showing the life of postwar Japan and the importance of human frailty. His creations are beautiful and touching, and will always put a spin on a story.
Some must-see movies by Seijun Suzuki include the following:
Tokyo Drifter (1966)
Yumeji (1991)
Youth of the Beast (1963)
Voice Without a Shadow (1958)
Princess Raccoon (2005)
Pistol Opera (2001)
10. Hiroshi Teshigahara (1927 – 2001)
As one of the most important avant-garde directors of his time, Teshigahara created new and exciting opportunities for telling stories. He is known for his deep and thought-provoking movies with captivating plots and characters that will keep you hooked.
Some must-see movies by Hiroshi Teshigahara include the following:
The Face of Another (1966)
Woman in the Dunes (1964)
Pitfall (1962)
The Man Without a Map (1968)
White Morning (1965)
Antonio Gaudi (1984)
11. Masaki Kobayashi (1916 – 1996)
Kobayashi was one of the most important Japanese directors of the 60s, and he was not afraid to be ambitious.
He served in the Second World War and started directing after his service, going on to create incredible films – including a 10-hour epic called The Human Condition.
Some must-see movies by Masaki Kobayashi include the following:
A Soldier’s Prayer (1961)
Harakiri (1962)
Road to Eternity (II) (1959)
Samurai Rebellion (1967
No Greater Love (1959)
Kwaidan (1964)
12. Hayao Miyazaki (1941 – present)
Any fan of Studio Ghibli will already know this name. Miyazaki is known for his incredible animations with heartwarming stories and messages. His works are loved around the world, and across all ages.
Some must-see movies by Hayao Miyazaki include the following:
Ponyo (2008)
Castle in the Sky (1986)
Spirited Away (2001)
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Arrietty (2010)
13. Kenji Mizoguchi (1898 – 1956)
Mizoguchi is arguably one of the most figured in Japanese cinema, and has inspired directors all over the country and world.
Unfortunately, many of this director’s older works are lost as they were released prewar, but the works that have survived are beautiful.
Some must-see movies by Kenji Mizoguchi include the following:
Street of Shame (1956)
Miss Oyu (1951)
The Water Magician (1933)
Princess Yang Kwei-fei (1955
Ugetsu Monogatari (1953)
Sisters of the Gion (1936)
14. Yasujiro Ozu (1903 – 1963)
Tokyo Story is an unmissable creation of Ozu’s. This director is known for his ability to create one masterpiece after the other and uses rule-breaking visual techniques in his works to help reflect the ordinary nature of his subjects.
Some must-see movies by Yasujiro Ozu include the following:
Tokyo Story (1953)
Early Summer (1951)
Dragnet Girl (1933)
A Story of Floating Weeds (1934)
Late Spring (1949)
The Only Son (1936)
15. Akira Kurosawa (1910 – 1998)
Known as the Japanese director to bring Japanese cinema to the West, Kurosawa is known for his incredible samurai movies. Many of his movies have seen Western adaptations, including Seven Samurai, which was turned into The Magnificent Seven.
Some must-see movies by Akira Kurosawa include the following:
Seven Samurai (1954)
Throne of Blood (1957)
Scandal (1950)
No Regrets of Our Youth (1946)
Ran (1985)
To Live (1952)
16. Kon Ichikawa (1915 – 2008)
Ichikawa is known for his intriguing creations, with many of them involving themes of kabuki and a number of period pieces that everyone will love.
Some must-see movies by Kon Ichikawa include the following:
Tokyo Olympiad (1965)
An Actor’s Revenge (1963)
Princess from the Moon (1987)
Dodes’ka-den (1970)
Galaxy Express (1979)
Fires on the Plain (2014)
17. Shohei Imamura (1926 – 2006)
Starting out as an assistant for the legendary Yasujirō Ozu, Imamura is known for his heavily anti-American movies like The Insect Women.
These kinds of creations ultimately led his production to being halted, resulting in his opening his own independent studio.
Some must-see movies by Shohei Imamura include the following:
Black Rain (1989)
Pigs and Battleships (1961)
Foundry Town (1962)
My Second Brother (1959)
Profound Desire of the Gods (1968)
Zegen (1989)
18. Takeshi Kitano (1947 – present)
There are two distinct sides to Takeshi: incredible director and ubiquitous television host and comedian! His works vary greatly, but his skill and eye for detail never fail.
Some must-see movies by Takeshi Kitano include the following:
Dolls (2002)
A Scene at the Sea (1991)
Kids Return (1996)
Kikujiro (1999)
Getting Any? (1994)
Hana-bu (1997)
19. Kiyoshi Kurosawa (1955 – present)
Known for his incredible contributions to the horror genre, Kurosawa is not a one-trick pony. You can also find fantastic versatility in his works, which has even led to him winning prizes at the famous Cannes Film Festival in 2008.
Some must-see movies by Kiyoshi Kurosawa include the following:
Journey to the Shore (2015)
Seventh Code (2013)
Tokyo Sonata (2008)
Bright Future (2002)
Before We Vanish (2017)
Cure (1997)
20. Sion Sono (1961 – present)
As one of the most recognizable Japanese directors today, Sono is known for his provocative and unconventional creations. Everything he does receives critical acclaim and is definitely worth watching.
Some must-see movies by Sion Sono include the following:
Love Exposure (2008)
Suicide Club (2001)
Why Don’t You Play In Hell (2013)
Himizu (2011)
Cold Fish (2010)
Guilty of Romance (2011)
Final Thoughts
Which Japanese director’s movies have you watched? If you haven’t seen any of the works mentioned above, which one are you going to watch first?
Each one is incredible and brings something new to the table, so don’t skip – especially Miyazaki’s works on Studio Ghibli!
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
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