16 Must-Watch Movies Like Yojimbo – Action, Drama, Thriller

Sanjuro: A crafty samurai helps a young man and his fellow clansmen trying to save his uncle, who has been framed and imprisoned by a corrupt superintendent. This is the sequel to 'Yojimbo', and Toshirô Mifune returns as the wandering ronin Sanjûrô Tsubaki. While both movies share the same director and actor, 'Sanjuro' has a lighter and funnier tone compared to 'Yojimbo'. In 'Sanjuro', the protagonist relies more on his brains than his sword, showcasing his cleverness and wit. The movie keeps you engaged with its suspenseful plot, and the final scene where the swords are drawn is truly memorable. If you enjoyed 'Yojimbo', you shouldn't miss 'Sanjuro' for its entertaining storyline and Mifune's charismatic performance.

The Hidden Fortress:
The Hidden Fortress, like Yojimbo, is a film that captivates its audience with a thrilling story set in ancient Japan. While Yojimbo showcases a crafty ronin playing two criminal gangs against each other, The Hidden Fortress tells the tale of two greedy peasants who unknowingly escort a princess and her general across enemy lines. Although George Lucas drew inspiration from The Hidden Fortress for his Star Wars films, the similarities between the two movies are merely superficial. Unlike Star Wars, Kurosawa's film delves into the complexities of its characters through subtle acting and visual composition, rather than relying heavily on special effects. The peasant farmers in The Hidden Fortress, for instance, exhibit quick shifts between cowardice, bickering, and thievery, making them more complex and nuanced than the droids in Star Wars.

"Seven Samurai" is reminiscent of "Yojimbo" because both movies showcase the brilliance of Akira Kurosawa's storytelling. While "Yojimbo" focuses on a crafty ronin playing two criminal gangs against each other, "Seven Samurai" revolves around a village hiring a veteran samurai to protect them from bandits. Both films explore the theme of a lone warrior taking on a greater cause, highlighting the power of individual action in the face of adversity. However, "Seven Samurai" goes a step further by assembling a team of seven samurai who not only defend the village but also teach the villagers to stand up for themselves. This adds depth to the story and creates a strong sense of community and camaraderie. Additionally, "Seven Samurai" is a visually stunning masterpiece, with images that can only be described as true cinematic poetry. The film's emotional impact is indescribable, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.

Samurai Assassin: In this film, set in 1860, a group of assassins gather in Edo castle to kill a powerful man in the Tokugawa government, suspecting a traitor among them. The story focuses on Niiro, an impoverished ronin who dreams of becoming a samurai, and Kurihara, an aristocratic samurai who befriends Niiro. The film brilliantly captures the complexities of the samurai/ronin mentality, with Toshirô Mifune delivering a powerful performance. The direction, music, and cinematography are all top-notch, creating a truly immersive experience. While the plot can be a bit hard to follow at times, the attention to detail and the brutal final confrontation in a snowstorm make it worth watching. The comparison between the softly falling snow and the bloody battle is chilling and surreal.

Harakiri, also known as Seppuku, is a movie released in 1964 that shares similarities with the main movie Yojimbo. Both films fall under the genres of Action, Drama, and Mystery, and are set in feudal Japan. Yojimbo tells the story of a crafty ronin who plays two criminal gangs against each other to free a town, while Harakiri follows a ronin seeking seppuku at a feudal lord's palace and reveals the intertwined pasts of the characters. Both movies explore the themes of samurai honor and the consequences of violence. However, Harakiri delves deeper into the idea of revenge and challenges the integrity of the clan. With its deftly handled criticism of authoritarian hypocrisy and touching human drama, Harakiri is a must-watch for fans of samurai flicks.

Ran is reminiscent of Yojimbo in its exploration of power dynamics and the consequences of wielding authority. While Yojimbo focuses on a crafty ronin playing two criminal gangs against each other, Ran delves into the story of an elderly warlord who underestimates the corrupting influence of power on his three sons. Both films showcase Akira Kurosawa's masterful direction and skill in creating visually stunning scenes. However, while Yojimbo is a tight and fast-paced action thriller, Ran is an epic war drama with a more contemplative and symbolic style. The characters in Ran, like Hidetora's jester, undergo complex transformations, blurring the lines between their roles and adding depth to their stories. The film serves as a warning about the destructive power of war, making it a must-watch for fans of Kurosawa's work and those interested in thought-provoking cinema.

Samurai Saga, also known as Aru kengo no shogai, is a movie that will remind you of Yojimbo. While Yojimbo showcases a crafty ronin who manipulates two criminal gangs against each other, Samurai Saga tells the story of a poet/swordsman with a huge nose who helps a woman he loves to be with another man. Both movies feature Toshiro Mifune, who brings remarkable presence to his roles. Although Samurai Saga is a little light on action compared to Yojimbo, it makes up for it with powerful scenes and a deeper focus on the relationship between the characters. So, if you enjoyed Yojimbo and want to see Mifune in a different kind of samurai role, Samurai Saga is definitely worth watching.

Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple is reminiscent of Yojimbo in many ways. Both movies are set in Japan and revolve around the theme of samurai warriors. In Yojimbo, a crafty ronin plays two criminal gangs against each other to free a town, while in Samurai II, Musashi Miyamoto returns to Kyoto and challenges the master of the Yoshioka School to a duel after a series of fights. Both films showcase the impressive swordplay and skills of their respective protagonists, with Toshirô Mifune delivering captivating performances in both. However, there are some differences between the two movies. Yojimbo focuses more on the action and thriller aspects, while Samurai II delves deeper into the characters' personal journeys and the development of their skills and principles. Additionally, Yojimbo has a more gritty and intense atmosphere, while Samurai II has a touch of romance and explores themes of compassion and self-discovery.

Samurai Banners, known as "Furin Kazan", is a 1969 film that bears a resemblance to Yojimbo. Both movies star the legendary Toshiro Mifune as a ronin, showcasing his exceptional talent and charisma. While Yojimbo portrays a crafty ronin who manipulates two criminal gangs against each other, Samurai Banners takes us back to the 16th century, where Mifune's character helps a daimyo expand his realm and unite Japan under one ruler. This epic historical film, based on a novel adapted by Shinobu Hashimoto, immerses us in the Sengoku warring period with its massive fight scenes and visually stunning cinematography. Although Kurosawa's influence is felt in this film, it is interesting to note that he was not involved in the project.

Bushido is reminiscent of Yojimbo in its exploration of the samurai culture and honor code, but with a dark and confrontational twist. While Yojimbo tells the story of a crafty ronin playing two criminal gangs against each other, Bushido delves into a salary-man's family history, where his ancestors sacrificed themselves for cruel lords. As the protagonist reflects on his bloodline's tragic past, he realizes that he is about to repeat their mistakes. The movie presents a dark and doomed world, intertwining film noir with samurai elements, and portraying the clash between duty and humanity. The performances in Bushido are outstanding, particularly Kinnosuke Nakamura's ability to play different characters with unique presence. The black and white photography adds to the film's intensity, with its geometrically composed frames and Masayuki Mori always at the center.

The Sword of Doom, released in 1966, is a movie that will remind you of Yojimbo. Both films are set in feudal Japan and center around the world of samurais. While Yojimbo tells the story of a crafty ronin who plays two criminal gangs against each other to save a town, The Sword of Doom focuses on a sociopath samurai whose actions create a trail of vendettas. Both movies explore the themes of honor, violence, and the consequences of one's actions. In terms of style, both films showcase stunning visuals and skillful direction that keep the pace of the storytelling tight. However, The Sword of Doom stands out with Tatsuya Nakadai's exceptional performance, which some would argue is one of his best. His portrayal of the moody and complex character is reminiscent of Marlon Brando in his early films.

"Hitokiri" is an intriguing film that takes us back to feudal Japan, just like "Yojimbo." While "Yojimbo" revolves around a crafty ronin playing two rival gangs against each other, "Hitokiri" follows the story of a destitute ronin who joins an established clan, only to be manipulated into becoming a mindless killer by its ruthless leader. Both movies share the samurai genre, showcasing the skill and honor of these sword-wielding warriors. However, "Hitokiri" delves deeper into Japanese history, featuring actual historical figures like Ryoma Sakamoto and Hampeita Takechi. Unfortunately, the film fails to provide a comprehensive history lesson, focusing more on intense action sequences and the internal struggles of its characters. In contrast, "Yojimbo" presents a more straightforward plot with memorable characters and a tight pace.

The Fall of Ako Castle is reminiscent of Yojimbo in its portrayal of samurai culture and honor, but with a different historical context. While Yojimbo takes place in a town divided by criminal gangs, The Fall of Ako Castle tells the story of the downfall of the Asano clan and the revenge of its former samurai. Both movies showcase the skillful sword fights and martial arts of the samurai, with Toshirô Mifune in Yojimbo and Shin'ichi Chiba in The Fall of Ako Castle delivering impressive performances. However, the two films differ in their plot and runtime. Yojimbo focuses on a ronin playing two gangs against each other, while The Fall of Ako Castle delves into the historical events surrounding the 47 ronin. With its immersive story and intense samurai action, The Fall of Ako Castle is a must-watch for fans of Japanese folklore and epic battles.

The Challenge is reminiscent of Yojimbo in several ways. Both films center around a lone outsider who becomes entangled in a conflict between rival factions. In Yojimbo, it is a crafty ronin who manipulates two gangs against each other, while in The Challenge, an American boxer gets caught in a feud between two Japanese brothers. The similarities continue with both movies featuring samurais and sword fights as key topics. However, there are notable differences between the two films. Yojimbo is a classic samurai action pic set in Japan, while The Challenge takes place in the US. Yojimbo is widely regarded as a masterpiece, with a higher people rating average and multiple award nominations and wins. On the other hand, The Challenge has a lower rating and did not receive any nominations or wins.

Samurai Pirate is reminiscent of Yojimbo, as both movies feature Toshiro Mifune as the lead actor. While Yojimbo is a classic samurai action film set in a town divided by criminal gangs, Samurai Pirate takes us on an adventure with a pirate named Sukezaemon, who finds himself shipwrecked in a strange corner of the world. In Yojimbo, Mifune's character plays the gangs against each other to free the town, while in Samurai Pirate, he becomes entangled in a plot by an evil premier to succeed the dying king.
Despite their similarities, the two movies have some notable differences. Yojimbo is a gripping thriller that explores themes of loyalty, honor, and the influence of individual actions on a larger scale.

Chushingura takes us on a journey of revenge and honor just like Yojimbo. While Yojimbo is set in a town divided by two criminal gangs, Chushingura tells the story of forty-seven samurai warriors seeking vengeance after their lord is tricked into ritual suicide. Both movies delve into the world of samurai and showcase the complexities of their code of ethics. Yojimbo, with its crafty ronin playing two gangs against each other, keeps you on the edge of your seat with its thrilling action and intense drama. On the other hand, Chushingura captivates with its legendary tale and visually rich scenes, like the breathtaking snow scene and heart-wrenching moments. It may be confusing at first, but as the story unfolds, you'll find yourself immersed in a world familiar to the Japanese audience.