Movies like The Life of Oharu: 20 to watch next
If you loved The Life of Oharu (1952) — a drama film directed by Kenji Mizoguchi — these 20 movies are the closest matches.
The first picks are what fans of The Life of Oharu most often go on to watch; the rest share its genres and themes like prostitute, based on novel or book and despair. 6 of them are streaming in India right now — each entry shows where.
Where to watch The Life of Oharu →·Get picks for your whole taste →
- 1
Sansho the Bailiff 1954★ 8.1
Shares: Drama
In 11th-century feudal Japan, following the exile of an idealistic governor, his wife and children are separated by slave traders; the children, Zushio and Anju, are sold into brutal servitude under the cruel bailiff Sansho.
Stream in India on Plex
- 2
Street of Shame 1956★ 7.7
Shares: Drama
Follows five prostitutes employed at a Japanese brothel while the nation debates the passage of an anti-prostitution law.
Stream in India on Plex
- 3
Call Boy 2018★ 6.5
Shares: Drama
Ryo Morinaka is a university student and works part-time at a bar. He is bored with his daily life and exists in a state of torpor. One day, his friend Shinya Tajima brings the owner of a host bar over to the place where Ryo Morinaka works. Shizuka Mido is the owner of the host bar. Soon, Ryo Morinaka begins to work for Shizuka Mido at the members only host bar. He feels embarrassment initially, but he fulfills the desires of women and develops a sense of purpose.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 4
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
- 5
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
- 6
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
- 7
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
- 8
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
- 9
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
- 10
Tokyo Decadence 1992★ 6.0
Shares: Drama
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.
Stream in India on Bloodstream
- 11
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
- 12
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
- 13
I Walk the Line 1970★ 5.9
Shares: Drama
Henry Tawes, a middle-aged sheriff in a rural Tennessee town, is usually the first man to criticize others for their bad behavior. Miserable in his marriage, Henry falls in love with teenage seductress Alma, who is the daughter of local criminal and moonshiner Carl McCain. Henry's moral character comes further into question when he is tempted to conceal Carl's crimes in order to prolong his relationship with Alma.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 14
The Lower Depths 1957★ 7.1
Shares: Drama
Residents of a rundown boardinghouse in 19th-century Japan, including a mysterious old man and an aging actor, get drawn into a love triangle that turns violent. When amoral thief Sutekichi breaks off his affair with landlady Osugi to romance her younger sister, Okayo, Osugi extracts her revenge by revealing her infidelity to her jealous husband.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 15
The Bad Sleep Well 1960★ 7.7
Shares: Drama
In this loose adaptation of "Hamlet," illegitimate son Kôichi Nishi climbs to a high position within a Japanese corporation and marries the crippled daughter of company vice president Iwabuchi. At the reception, the wedding cake is a replica of their corporate headquarters, but an aspect of the design reminds the party of the hushed-up death of Nishi's father. It is then that Nishi unleashes his plan to avenge his father's death.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 16
Taboo 1999★ 6.6
Shares: Drama
Set during Japan's Shogun era, this film looks at life in a samurai compound where young warriors are trained in swordfighting. A number of interpersonal conflicts are brewing in the training room, all centering on a handsome young samurai named Sozaburo Kano. The school's stern master can choose to intervene, or to let Kano decide his own path.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 17
Rambling Rose 1991★ 6.2
Shares: Drama
In the Deep South of the 1930s, Rose is taken in by the Hillyer family to serve as housemaid so that she can avoid falling into a life of prostitution. Her appearence and personality is such that all men fall for her, and she knows it. She can't help herself from getting into trouble with men.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 18
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
- 19
Harakiri 1962★ 8.5
Shares: Drama
Down-on-his-luck veteran Tsugumo Hanshirō enters the courtyard of the prosperous House of Iyi. Unemployed, and with no family, he hopes to find a place to commit seppuku—and a worthy second to deliver the coup de grâce in his suicide ritual. The senior counselor for the Iyi clan questions the ronin’s resolve and integrity, suspecting Hanshirō of seeking charity rather than an honorable end. What follows is a pair of interlocking stories which lay bare the difference between honor and respect, and promises to examine the legendary foundations of the Samurai code.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 20
Aristocrats 2021★ 7.0
Shares: Drama
Hanako is looking for stability with her man. She gets dumped instead. She begins dating. Miki studied and worked hard to get to where she is and is holding down a job. They are introduced through an intermediary man.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now