Movies like Samurai Assassin: 20 to watch next

If you loved Samurai Assassin (1965) — a drama, action and history film directed by Kihachi Okamoto — these 20 movies are the closest matches.

The first picks are what fans of Samurai Assassin most often go on to watch; the rest share its genres and themes like japan, samurai and based on novel or book. 6 of them are streaming in India right now — each entry shows where.

Where to watch Samurai Assassin →·Get picks for your whole taste →

1
Samurai Marathon 2019★ 6.0
Shares: Action, Drama, History
When feudal lord Itakura Katsuakira decides to prepare his samurai troops for the onslaught of modernization by having them compete in a marathon, his independent-minded daughter Yuki secretly joins the race.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
2
Rurouni Kenshin Part II: Kyoto Inferno 2014★ 7.6
Shares: Action, Drama
Kenshin has settled into his new life with Kaoru and his other friends when he is approached with a request from the Meiji government. Makoto Shishio, a former assassin like Kenshin, was betrayed, set on fire and left for dead. He survived, and is now in Kyoto, plotting with his gathered warriors to overthrow the new government. Against Kaoru's wishes, Kenshin reluctantly agrees to go to Kyoto and help keep his country from falling back into civil war.
Stream in India on Netflix
3
Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins 2012★ 7.5
Shares: Action, History
In 1868, after the Bakumatsu war ends, the ex-assassin Kenshin Himura traverses Japan with an inverted sword, to defend the needy without killing.
Stream in India on Netflix
4
The Sword of Doom 1966★ 7.8
Shares: Drama, Action
Ryunosuke, a gifted swordsman plying his trade during the turbulent final days of Shogunate rule, has no moral code and kills without remorse. It’s a way of life that leads to madness.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
5
Killing 2018★ 7.1
Shares: Drama, Action
In mid-19th century Edo period, a masterless rōnin named Mokunoshin Tsuzuki resides in a peaceful village among those he helps. However, as the prevalent peace and tranquility are sure to be replaced by war and conflict across the land, the swordsman feels restlessness creeping upon him.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
6
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final 2021★ 7.7
Shares: Action, History, Drama
In 1879, Kenshin and his allies face their strongest enemy yet: his former brother-in-law Enishi Yukishiro and his minions, who've vowed their revenge.
Stream in India on Netflix
7
13 Assassins 2010★ 7.3
Shares: Drama, Action
A bravado period action film set at the end of Japan's feudal era in which a group of unemployed samurai are enlisted to bring down a sadistic lord and prevent him from ascending to the throne and plunging the country into a war-torn future.
Stream in India on Brew
8
When the Last Sword Is Drawn 2003★ 7.4
Shares: Action, Drama, History
Kanichiro Yoshimura is a samurai and family man who can no longer support his wife and children on the low pay he receives from his small-town clan. He is forced by his love for his family to leave for the city in search of higher pay to support them.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
9
Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance 1972★ 7.4
Shares: Drama, Action
Official Shogunate executioner Ogami Itto has been framed for disloyalty to the Shogunate by the Yagyu clan, against whom he now is waging a one-man war, along with his infant son, Daigoro.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
10
The Tale of Zatoichi 1962★ 7.3
Shares: Action, Drama
The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur and master swordsman. Zatoichi targets a yakuza-controlled village, because war with a neighbouring town's smaller gang is brewing.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
11
11 Rebels 2024★ 6.9
Shares: Action, Drama, History
When the brutal Boshin War breaks out in Japan, a group of inmates on death row unite to defend a fortress against the Imperial army.
Stream in India on Netflix
12
Blade of the Immortal 2017★ 6.7
Shares: Action, Drama
Manji, a highly skilled samurai, becomes cursed with immortality after a legendary battle. Haunted by the brutal murder of his sister, Manji knows that only fighting evil will regain his soul. He promises to help a young girl named Rin avenge her parents, who were killed by a group of master swordsmen led by ruthless warrior Anotsu. The mission will change Manji in ways he could never imagine.
Stream in India on Netflix
13
Chûshingura 1962★ 7.1
Shares: History, Drama, Action
After their lord is tricked into committing ritual suicide, forty-seven samurai warriors await the chance to avenge their master and reclaim their honor.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
14
Tenchu! 1969★ 7.0
Shares: History, Action, Drama
A ronin desperately seeks a way out of financial straits; he allies with the Tosa clan under the ruthless leader Takechi, who quickly takes advantage.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
15
Kagemusha 1980★ 7.8
Shares: Action, Drama, History
A feudal epic presenting the tale of a petty thief who is recruited to impersonate Shingen, an aging warlord, in order to avoid attacks by competing clans. The impostor becomes comfortable living his life among nobility, but his responsibilities to his station grow more demanding the longer he occupies it.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
16
Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto 1954★ 7.2
Shares: Drama, Action
Struggling to elevate himself from his low caste in 17th century Japan, Miyamoto trains to become a mighty samurai warrior.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
17
Sekigahara 2017★ 7.0
Shares: History, Drama
The background to and depiction of a watershed battle in Japanese history, at Sekigahara in 1600, when Tokugawa Ieyasu's Army of the East defeated the Army of the West of Ishida Mitsunari. The story includes the intrigues and shifting loyalties of the various retainers, family members, and samurai.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
18
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx 1972★ 7.4
Shares: Action, Drama
Ogami Itto battles a group of female ninja in the employ of the Yagyu clan and must eliminate a traitor who plans to sell his clan's secrets to the Shogunate.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
19
13 Assassins 1963★ 7.5
Shares: Drama, Action
A sadistic Daimyo (feudal lord) rapes a woman and murders both her and her husband, but even when one of his own vassals commits suicide to bring attention to the crime, the matter is quickly hushed up. Not only will there be no punishment, but because the Daimyo is the Shogun's younger brother, he will soon be appointed to a high political position from which he could wreak even more havoc. Convinced that the fate of the Shogunate hangs in the balance, a plot is hatched to assassinate the Daimyo. The two most brilliant strategic minds of their generation find themselves pitted against each other; one is tasked to defend a man he despises, and has a small army at his disposal. The other is given a suicide mission, and has 12 brave men. They are the 13 Assassins.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
20
The Challenge 1982★ 5.9
Shares: Action, Drama
Rick, a down-and-out American boxer, is hired to transport a sword to Japan, unaware that the whole thing is a set up in a bitter blood-feud between two brothers, one who follows the traditional path of the samurai and the other a businessman. At the behest of the businessman, Rick undertakes samurai training from the other brother, but joins his cause. He also becomes romantically involved with the samurai's daughter.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now