15 Must-Watch Movies Similar to Harakiri

Chushingura is reminiscent of Harakiri because both movies explore the themes of samurai, revenge, and suicide. In Harakiri, a ronin seeks seppuku at a feudal lord's palace and reveals the intertwined pasts of two ronin, challenging the clan's integrity. Similarly, in Chushingura, forty-seven samurai warriors await the chance to avenge their master's death and reclaim their honor. Both films delve into the code of the samurai and the pursuit of justice. Despite their similarities, Harakiri stands out with its deftly handled criticism of authoritarian hypocrisy and its touching human drama. The masterful direction of Masaki Kobayashi, coupled with Tatsuya Nakadai's exceptional performance, makes Harakiri essential viewing for samurai film enthusiasts.

Yojimbo, released in 1962, is a captivating samurai film that will remind you of Harakiri. In Yojimbo, a clever ronin arrives in a town divided by two criminal gangs and decides to pit them against each other to save the town. This premise is reminiscent of Harakiri, where a ronin seeking seppuku at a feudal lord's palace uncovers the intertwined pasts of two ronin and challenges the clan's integrity. Both films explore the theme of a lone warrior taking matters into their own hands to bring justice. However, Yojimbo takes a more action-packed and thrilling approach, with its tough guy protagonist playing a dangerous game to save a village of peasants. On the other hand, Harakiri delves deeper into the emotional journey of the main character, featuring a wounded panther-like performance by Tatsuya Nakadai.

Revenge. After killing a high-ranking officer in an illegal duel, a low-ranking samurai is declared insane and challenged to a fixed duel by the vengeful clan to which his dead opponent belonged to. While "Revenge" may not be as well-known as the iconic "Harakiri", it is definitely an underrated gem worth watching. Similar to "Harakiri", "Revenge" is a zankoku jidaigeki film, criticizing the feudal system and the Bushido code. The film delves into the inhumane efforts of feudal clans to save face, rendering the Bushido code as pointless in comparison to human life. Although "Revenge" lacks the same level of character development as "Harakiri", it makes up for it with a gripping plot and explosive performance by Kinnosuke Nakamura. The fight choreography and misty black-and-white photography add to the film's allure.

Seven Samurai, directed by Akira Kurosawa, is a classic Japanese film that is reminiscent of Harakiri. Both movies delve into the world of samurais and explore themes of honor, revenge, and sacrifice. However, while Harakiri focuses on the personal journey of a ronin seeking revenge, Seven Samurai takes a broader approach by depicting a group of samurais coming together to protect a village from bandits. The films also differ in terms of their runtime, with Harakiri being a relatively shorter film compared to the epic length of Seven Samurai. Despite their differences, both movies are masterpieces in their own right and showcase the brilliance of Japanese cinema. If you loved Harakiri, Seven Samurai is a must-watch as it offers a similar captivating exploration of samurai culture with larger-than-life characters and breathtaking action sequences.

Bushido is a movie that takes inspiration from Harakiri. Both films delve into the world of samurais and explore themes such as honor, sacrifice, and the clash between duty and humanity. While Harakiri focuses on a ronin seeking revenge and challenging the integrity of a clan, Bushido tells the story of a salary-man who reflects on his family's gruesome history and realizes he is about to repeat their mistakes.
The similarities between these movies lie in their exploration of the samurai code and the consequences of adhering to it. However, Bushido takes a different approach by bringing the story into a contemporary setting, making it more relatable to a modern audience.

Sanjuro is a lighthearted sequel to the intense and dramatic Harakiri. While Harakiri delves into the complexities of samurai honor, revenge, and poverty, Sanjuro takes a more humorous approach to the samurai genre. In Harakiri, Tatsuya Nakadai delivers a powerful performance as a grieving samurai seeking revenge, whereas in Sanjuro, he plays a crafty and witty ronin named Sanjuro Tsubaki. Both movies showcase Nakadai's versatility as an actor, but his portrayal in Harakiri is more emotionally charged.
The plot of Sanjuro revolves around a group of naive samurai trying to save their framed and imprisoned uncle from a corrupt superintendent. Sanjuro, with his sharp intellect, helps the group navigate through various obstacles and outsmart their enemies. The movie highlights Sanjuro's cleverness and his preference for strategy over brute force.

The Sword of Doom is reminiscent of Harakiri in its portrayal of the samurai world, but with a darker twist. While Harakiri focuses on the emotional journey of a ronin seeking revenge, The Sword of Doom takes us into the mind of a sociopath samurai. Tatsuya Nakadai delivers another exceptional performance as he creates a character that is hauntingly complex. The film's intensity is heightened by its memorable snow storm fight scene, which Quentin Tarantino later paid homage to in Kill Bill. Though the trilogy was never finished, The Sword of Doom leaves its audience craving for more, much like how Harakiri leaves us wanting to explore the samurai genre further. So if you've seen Harakiri and want to delve deeper into the darker side of the samurai world, The Sword of Doom is a must-watch.

Hitokiri is reminiscent of Harakiri in its portrayal of samurai and the themes of honor and revenge. Both films take place in feudal Japan and showcase the brutality and complexity of the samurai code. However, while Harakiri focuses on the personal story of a ronin seeking justice for his family, Hitokiri delves into the historical conflict between the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Loyalist faction. While Harakiri is more character-driven, Hitokiri prioritizes action and showcases the inner torment of its protagonist, Izo Okada. The films also differ in their approach to history, with Harakiri providing a nuanced critique of authoritarianism while Hitokiri focuses more on the bloody violence and personal motivations of its characters. Despite these differences, fans of Harakiri will appreciate Hitokiri for its engaging portrayal of samurai culture and its exploration of historical events.

13 Assassins is reminiscent of Harakiri in its exploration of the samurai code of honor and themes of revenge and suicide. Both movies delve into the dark and brutal world of feudal Japan, exposing the hypocrisy and corruption within the samurai clans. While Harakiri focuses on the story of a lone ronin seeking justice for his family, 13 Assassins brings together a group of skilled assassins on a suicide mission to kill an evil lord. The films share a similar intensity and suspense, with masterful direction and poignant performances. However, 13 Assassins distinguishes itself with its larger scale and epic battle scenes, showcasing the true artistry of the samurai genre. If you enjoyed Harakiri, you'll be captivated by the thrilling action and captivating storytelling of 13 Assassins.

Blade of the Immortal is reminiscent of Harakiri in several ways. Both movies belong to the samurai genre and explore themes of revenge and honor. While Harakiri delves into the complexities of a feudal lord's palace and challenges the clan's integrity, Blade of the Immortal revolves around a cursed samurai who is tasked with avenging the death of a young girl's father. The similarities between the two movies lie not only in their samurai themes but also in their intense fight sequences. Harakiri keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with its masterful direction and sweeping fight scenes, while Blade of the Immortal showcases Takashi Miike's talent for directing large-scale battle sequences. However, despite their similarities, there are distinct differences between the two films.

Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance is a captivating film that transports you to feudal Japan, much like Harakiri. While the former focuses on a ronin seeking revenge, the latter delves into the story of a masterless samurai who wanders the countryside with his young child. Both movies showcase the struggles of these lone warriors, but their approaches differ. Harakiri, directed by Masaki Kobayashi, skillfully combines criticism of authoritarian hypocrisy with a heart-wrenching human drama. Its 133-minute runtime never feels half that long, thanks to Tatsuya Nakadai's exceptional performance as the protagonist. On the other hand, Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance, featuring Tomisaburo Wakayama as the lead, offers a blood-soaked spectacle with striking cinematography. The film follows the duo's adventures through Japan, encountering various adversaries along the way.

Ran is reminiscent of Harakiri in its exploration of the samurai culture and the consequences of power. Both films delve into the dark side of feudal Japan, exposing the hypocrisy and corruption within the ruling class. While Harakiri focuses on the personal tragedy of a wronged samurai seeking revenge, Ran takes a broader approach, depicting the downfall of an entire empire. The similarities between the two films are further enhanced by the presence of Tatsuya Nakadai, who delivers exceptional performances in both. However, Ran stands out with its epic scale and breathtaking visuals. Director Akira Kurosawa's masterful use of color and rapid editing creates a sense of chaos and destruction that perfectly mirrors the narrative. Moreover, Ran's depiction of the relationship between an aging warlord and his jester is a stroke of brilliance, blurring the lines between loyalty and deceit.

Iron Fisted Monk is reminiscent of Harakiri in its exploration of revenge and the pursuit of justice. While Harakiri takes place in feudal Japan and follows the story of a ronin seeking seppuku, Iron Fisted Monk is set in China and centers around a lowly restaurant worker seeking revenge against the Manchurian thugs who killed his boss. Both films delve into themes of revenge, honor, and the consequences of violence. However, Iron Fisted Monk adds a comedic touch to its narrative, incorporating humor and lighter scenes amidst the intense action. Additionally, Iron Fisted Monk features explicit scenes of rape, which create a stark contrast with its comedic moments, showcasing the film's unpredictable and unconventional nature. The characters in Iron Fisted Monk lack consistency and cohesion, with the perspective shifting among different individuals, adding to the film's overall unpredictability.

Aakhree Raasta is reminiscent of Harakiri in its theme of revenge and the exploration of the consequences it brings. Both movies delve into the depths of human emotions and the complexity of personal vendettas. While Harakiri takes place in feudal Japan, Aakhree Raasta is set in the world of Indian crime and justice. The main characters in both films are driven by a desire for retribution, but they find themselves entangled in unexpected conflicts. Harakiri focuses on the honor-bound samurai code, while Aakhree Raasta delves into the father-son relationship. Despite their cultural differences, both movies captivate the audience with their intense storytelling and powerful performances. So, if you enjoyed Harakiri, be sure to watch Aakhree Raasta for a thrilling ride through the realms of justice and revenge.

Gang Land, also known as Pariah, is a movie that shares some similarities with Harakiri. Both films explore the theme of revenge, but with a different approach. While Harakiri takes place in feudal Japan and revolves around a samurai seeking justice for his loved ones, Gang Land is set in a modern-day urban environment and follows an interracial couple who are victims of a random attack. The woman in Gang Land is gang-raped and commits suicide, leading the man to join the gang in order to seek revenge from within. However, as he becomes more involved with the gang, he starts to understand the reasons behind their existence, such as poverty and social rejection, and develops a kinship with them. The main difference between the two movies is the time period and cultural context in which the stories are told.