Movies like Sansho the Bailiff: 20 to watch next
If you loved Sansho the Bailiff (1954) — a drama film directed by Kenji Mizoguchi — these 20 movies are the closest matches.
The first picks are what fans of Sansho the Bailiff most often go on to watch; the rest share its genres and themes like governor, japan and courtesan. 8 of them are streaming in India right now — each entry shows where.
Where to watch Sansho the Bailiff →·Get picks for your whole taste →
- 1
The Life of Oharu 1952★ 7.8
Shares: Drama
During the Edo Period, a noblewoman's banishment for her love affair with a lowly page signals the beginning of her inexorable fall.
Stream in India on Plex
- 2
The Insect Woman 1963★ 7.2
Shares: Drama
A woman, Tome, is born to a lower class family in Japan in 1918. The title refers to an insect, repeating its mistakes, as in an infinite circle. Imamura, with this metaphor, introduces the life of Tome, who keeps trying to change her poor life.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 3
Throne of Blood 1957★ 7.9
Shares: Drama
Returning to their lord's castle, samurai warriors Washizu and Miki are waylaid by a spirit who predicts their futures. When the first part of the spirit's prophecy comes true, Washizu's scheming wife, Asaji, presses him to speed up the rest of the spirit's prophecy by murdering his lord and usurping his place. Director Akira Kurosawa's resetting of William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" in feudal Japan is one of his most acclaimed films.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 4
Late Spring 1949★ 8.0
Shares: Drama
Noriko is perfectly happy living at home with her widowed father, Shukichi, and has no plans to marry -- that is, until her aunt Masa convinces Shukichi that unless he marries off his 27-year-old daughter soon, she will likely remain alone for the rest of her life. When Noriko resists Masa's matchmaking, Shukichi is forced to deceive his daughter and sacrifice his own happiness to do what he believes is right.
Stream in India on Plex
- 5
Samurai Rebellion 1967★ 8.2
Shares: Drama
The mother of a feudal lord's only heir is kidnapped by the lord. Her husband and his samurai father must decide whether to accept the unjust decision, or risk death to rescue her.
Stream in India on Tubi TV
- 6
Ugetsu 1953★ 8.0
Shares: Drama
In 16th century Japan, peasants Genjuro and Tobei sell their earthenware pots to a group of soldiers in a nearby village, in defiance of a local sage's warning against seeking to profit from warfare. Genjuro's pursuit of both riches and the mysterious Lady Wakasa, as well as Tobei's desire to become a samurai, run the risk of destroying both themselves and their wives, Miyagi and Ohama.
Stream in India on Plex
- 7
Intentions of Murder 1964★ 7.1
Shares: Drama
The neglected common-law wife of a Japanese librarian is repeatedly harassed by a young man with a heart condition who seduces her with the prospect of a better life.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 8
After the Storm 2016★ 7.2
Shares: Drama
Ryota is an unpopular writer although he won a literary award 15 years ago. Now, Ryota works as a private detective. He is divorced from his ex-wife Kyoko and he has an 11-year-old son Shingo. His mother Yoshiko lives alone at her apartment. One day, Ryota, his ex-wife Kyoko, and son Shingo gather at Yoshiko's apartment. A typhoon passes and the family must stay there all night long.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 9
Tokyo Story 1953★ 8.1
Shares: Drama
The elderly Shukishi and his wife, Tomi, take the long journey from their small seaside village to visit their adult children in Tokyo. Their elder son, Koichi, a doctor, and their daughter, Shige, a hairdresser, don't have much time to spend with their aged parents, and so it falls to Noriko, the widow of their younger son who was killed in the war, to keep her in-laws company.
Stream in India on Tubi TV, Plex
- 10
Three Outlaw Samurai 1964★ 7.5
Shares: Drama
Shiba, a wandering ronin, encounters a band of peasants who have kidnapped the daughter of their dictatorial magistrate, in hopes of coercing from him a reduction in taxes. Shiba takes up their fight, joined by two renegades from the magistrate's guard, Sakura and Kikyo. The three outlaws find themselves in a battle to the death.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 11
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya 2013★ 8.1
Shares: Drama
Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter and his wife, a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthrals all who encounter her. But, ultimately, she must confront her fate.
Stream in India on Netflix
- 12
The Ballad of Narayama 1983★ 7.5
Shares: Drama
In a small village in a valley everyone who reaches the age of 70 must leave the village and go to a certain mountain top to die. If anyone should refuse they would disgrace their family. Old Orin is 69. This winter it is her turn to go to the mountain. But first she must make sure that her eldest son Tatsuhei finds a wife.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 13
Sakuran 2006★ 6.5
Shares: Drama
Kiyoha rises from the lowly courtesan ranks to the high class position of Oiran in the steamy red-light district of Yoshiwara. She is determined to stand on her own two feet and live life as she pleased.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 14
Suzaku 1997★ 7.3
Shares: Drama
Depicts the life of a family in a remote Japanese timber village. Family head Tahara Kozo lives with his mother Sachiko, wife Yasuyo, nephew Eisuke and young daughter Michiru. Economic recession and failed development plans cause tragedy in the family.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 15
A Man 2022★ 7.1
Shares: Drama
Akira works as a lawyer. One day, he meets with his former client Rie, who asks Akira to perform a background check on her late husband Daisuke.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 16
A Hen in the Wind 1948★ 7.2
Shares: Drama
Tokiko patiently awaits her husband's return from WWII when her four-year old son falls ill. She takes him to the doctor but has no means of paying, so she resorts to prostitution. A month later, her husband returns to find his desperate wife, who tells him the truth. Together, they must deal with the consequences.
Stream in India on Plex
- 17
The Human Condition I: No Greater Love 1959★ 8.2
Shares: Drama
After handing in a report on the treatment of Chinese colonial labor, Kaji is offered the post of labour chief at a large mining operation in Manchuria, which also grants him exemption from military service. He accepts and moves with his newlywed wife Michiko, but when he tries to put his ideas of more humane treatment into practice, he finds himself at odds with scheming officials, cruel foremen, and the military police.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 18
Repast 1951★ 7.6
Shares: Drama
In post-WWII Osaka, a middle-aged woman is forced to examine her dreary life and marriage when her husband's young and flirtatious cousin arrives for a brief stay to escape an arranged marriage.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 19
Maborosi 1995★ 7.5
Shares: Drama
A tragedy strikes a young woman's life without warning or reason. She continues living while searching for meaning in a lonely world.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 20
Call Me Chihiro 2023★ 7.2
Shares: Drama
An unapologetic former sex worker starts working at a bento stand in a small seaside town, bringing comfort to the lonely souls who come her way.
Stream in India on Netflix