This list gathers the best nine movies like The Last Samurai (2003). This epic Academy Award nominee movie takes your breath away from the first scene, with outstanding visuals and performance by Tom Cruise. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), is a former army Captain and alcoholic, traumatized by the battles during the American Indian Wars. When he accepts an offer from his former commander Colonel Bagley (Tony Goldwin), to help train the newly created Japanese Army to fight a Samurai rebellion, he has to confront his past demons and ends up embracing the people of Samurai culture after he gets captured by them.
Movies Like The Last Samurai
1. 13 Assassins (2010)
Shinzaemon Shimada (Koji Yakusho) is the leader of a group of assassins in 19th – century Japan. He is secretly hired by a government official, in order to eliminate the ruthless Lord Naritsugu Matsudaira (Goro Inagaki), who is wreaking havoc against his own people. Shimada recruits the best Samurai in Japan for this mission, in order to set a crucial trap for the Lords’ unbeatable bodyguards.
Based on historical events, this remake of a 1963 film will sweep you from its first action scene – with beautiful visual effects and amazing battles, this movie is a wonderful option for Samurai genre lovers. Watch now: Amazon
2. Rurouni Kenshin: The Final (2021)
The fourth in the Japanese thrillers and adventures film series. Rurouni Kenshin tells the story of a former assassin, now a peace seeker, who travels around Japan to help those who seek his services. In the latest film, Kenshin and his allies face the cruelest enemy they have ever encountered: Enishi Yukishiro, Kenshin’s brother-in-law, and his vengeful samurai soldiers. One of the classic samurai anime films.
If you are looking for good old-action, Rurouni Kenshin The Final like the movie The Last Samurai, is definitely worth watching.
Watch now: Netflix
3. Blade of the Immortal (2017)
The great director Raul Ruiz celebrates his 100th film about vengeance. This time the main character is an immortal samurai who pledges to help a woman avenge her parent’s murder. Their mission leads them into a bloody battle with a ruthless warrior and his band of master swordsmen.
Miike films aren’t for everyone (most of them anyway), but Miike knows how to make samurai-action films. It’s a complete blast and got that Tarantino/Kill Bill vibe.
Watch now: Netflix
4. Into The Badlands (2015)
Taking place in an ancient feudal society, controlled by ruthless power-hungry barons – Badlands tells the story of a great warrior and a young boy who embark on a journey across a dangerous land to find enlightenment.
With emotional intensity, great action, amazing martial art scenes, and awesome visual effects – this series will sweep off the feet of all these genre fans.
Watch now: Amazon
5. Zatoichi (2003)
Zatoichi (Takeshi Kitano) is a blind traveler and a master of swords, with a fondness for gambling on dice games. When he arrives in a village torn apart by gangs, he sets out to protect the townspeople and stands by geisha’s siblings to avenge the murder of their parents. Zatoichi must fight his way through numerous vicious battles, before finally clashing with the most heartless cruel enemy.
This is a thrilling action movie, with great storytelling and non-stop action. Battles are well choreographed, and the atmosphere will take you right back to the Samurai era in Japan.
Watch now: Google Play
6. Ichi (2008)
Ichi (Haruka Hayase), is a flute player and Samurai-woman, on a journey to find the man that brought her up as a child. Along the way, she encounters problems and obstacles caused by the fact she is a beautiful woman – she is forced to battle Yakuza and other villains with her exceptional sword skills.
With unforgettable sword scenes and, great action, this film will be such a great joy for Samurai genre fans. Actress Haruka Ayase builds a strong but fragile and touching character at the same time.
Watch Now: Amazon
7. Ghost Dog: The Way Of A Samurai
Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker), is a hitman, a master of his trade – fast and unscrupulous. He adheres to the code of the samurai and interprets and applies the wisdom of Samurai culture. In Samurais’ spirit, he also has pledged his loyalty to a small-time mobster named Louie (John Tormey) who saved his life many years ago. Director Jim Jarmusch, in another masterpiece. It’s an action movie that will make you think, and a drama and action movie that will take your breath away.
The film is humorous and smart, with an unforgettable performance by Forest Whitaker – it’s a cult film, that people keep watching over and over again.
Watch now: Amazon
8. Kill Bill (2003)
In 2003 Quentin Tarantino released the first out of two volumes of his stylish Kill Bill films. The film introduced us to Beatrix Kiddo, aka The Bride, a former female assassin who goes on a roaring rampage of revenge against the members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad who left her for dead.
Quentin Tarantino is one of the best directors of all time. The film is written with an ingenious and amazing script, it has a flowing plot, light-hearted, and has an epic and legendary story that makes you understand why Trentino created this film as a tribute to the old kung-fu and martial arts films of the 80s, 70s, etc.
Watch Now: Amazon Prime
9. Blade (1998)
Blade (Wesly Snipes), is half-mortal and half-immortal. He goes on to vengeance for his mother’s death to rid the world of vampires. The vampires he is battling, are modern-day technologically advanced vampires, chasing his special blood type needed to summon an evil god, who plays a key role in their plan to eliminate the human race.
Wesley Snipes in a wonderful, unforgettable performance, this film was one of the 1990s hits. It is pure fun and action, with amazing vampire battles and extraordinary visual effects.
Watch now: Amazon