11 Best Japanese Movies on Netflix in 2024

Japan has always been a fan favorite for many people around the world. Japan has a rich history and culture, and it’s no surprise that their movies are just as good. But what are the best Japanese movies on Netflix in 2024?

Choose from comedies to dramas, and anime to live-action flicks, Japan has something for everyone. From classics like Spirited Away to more recent hits like Your Name, this list of the 11 best Japanese movies on Netflix will have you hooked from start to finish!

Movies are a great way to escape reality and indulge in a world of fantasy. Many films have been remade from Japanese films, so if you want to know what’s popular in Japan, check out these Japanese movies on Netflix in 2024. Each of them will take your breath away with the narrative and cinematic quality.

⏳ Short in time? Here is a quick guide for you:

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The Best Japanese Movies on Netflix You Must Watch

1. The End Of Evangelion

The End of Evangelion is a Japanese animated sci-fi psychological drama movie produced by Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and directed by Hideaki Anno, Kazuya Tsurumaki. The story of Evangelion revolves around teenage protagonist Shinji Ikari who is recruited to fight mysterious alien lifeforms called Angels alongside an organization called NERV. The final two episodes of the TV series are dedicated to ending this arc and were originally planned as one live action/animation film before they were split into two OVAs due to budget issues.

Year: 1997

Directors: Hideaki Anno, Kazuya Tsurumaki

Runtime: 87 Minutes

IMDb Rating: 8.1

2. Spirited Away

Spirited Away is a popular Japanese animated fantasy movie cinematography by Atsushi Okui and produced by Toshio Suzuki. The story is about Chihiro, a ten-year-old girl, and her parents who stumbled upon an amusement park that seemed abandoned. After mother and father are transformed into giant pigs, Chihiro meets the mysterious Haku and explains that the park is a paradise for supernatural beings who need a rest in the earthly realm, where they must work together with their parents.

Year: 2001

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Runtime: 125 Minutes

IMDb Rating: 8.6

3. Lu Over The Wall

Lu Over The Wall is also a popular Japanese animated fantasy movie produced by Junnosuke Itou, Yuka Okayasu and directed by Masaaki Yuasa. The story is about Kai who is gifted but passionate about spending the day in a small fishing village after his family moved from Tokyo. When his classmates invited him to play keyboards in a group, an unexpected guest came to their training. This is Lu, a young mermaid who makes people dance to his songs, whether they like it or not. As Kai spends more time with Lu, he realizes that he can tell Lu what he really thinks and begins to build a relationship.

Year: 2017

Director: Masaaki Yuasa

Runtime: 112 Minutes

IMDb Rating: 6.8

4. Wasao

Wasao is one of the most popular Japanese movie written by Hirotoshi Kobayashi and directed by Yoshinari Nishikori. The story is about Wasao, an Akita dog from Aomori Prefecture, who is known on travel blogs as an ugly but lovable puppy. This amazing drama starring Wasao himself turns parts of the ex-bum’s life into an original story.

Year: 2011

Director: Yoshinari Nishikori

Runtime: 116 Minutes

IMDb Rating: 5.7

5. Your Name

Your Name is a Japanese animated romantic fantasy movie cinematography by Makoto Shinkai and produced by Kōichirō Itō, Katsuhiro Takei. The story follows a high school girl who begins to have dreams about herself as a young man, and she sets off to explore the nature of her dreams. The film was released in Japan on August 26, 2016. It has since become the fourth highest grossing anime film of all time.

Year: 2016

Director: Makoto Shinkai

Runtime: 112 Minutes

IMDb Rating: 8.4

6. Modest Heroes

Modest Heroes is a Japanese animated anthology movie directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Yoshiyuki Momose, Akihiko Yamashita and this movie was released on August 24, 2018. The story is about two little Aquarius who are looking for their missing father, the boy suffers from a fatal allergy to eggs, and an invisible employee tries to become a hero.

Year: 2018

Directors: Akihiko Yamashita, Yoshiyuki Momose, Hiromasa Yonebayashi

Runtime: 54 Minutes

IMDb Rating: 6.6

7. Mirai

Mirai is a popular Japanese animated adventure movie produced by Yuichiro Saito, Takuya Itō, Yūichi Adachi, Genki Kawamura and directed by Mamoru Hosoda. The story is about a boy named Kun who feels forgotten by his family when his sister Mirai arrives. While fleeing home, Kun stumbles upon a magical garden that serves as a time travel portal. There, as a little girl, he experiences a series of adventures with his sister, where he meets his mother and opens up new perspectives to the world.

Year: 2018

Director: Mamoru Hosoda

Runtime: 98 Minutes

IMDb Rating: 7

8. A Whisker Away

A Whisker Away is an Japanese fantasy romantic movie written by Mari Okada and directed by Junichi Sato, Tomotaka Shibayama. The story is about the line between humans and animals that is blurred after a girl becomes a cat.

Year: 2020

Directors: Junichi Sato, Tomotaka Shibayama

Runtime: 105 Minutes

IMDb Rating: 6.7

9. Alice in Borderland

Alice in Borderland is a Japanese sci-fi thriller drama series composed by Yutaka Yamada and directed by Shinsuke Sato. This is a sci-fi thriller that takes viewers on a journey through the portal and into the unknown. The series follows Alice and her friends as they struggle against impossible odds to establish a new life in an alien world filled with dangerous creatures and unimaginable terror.

Year: 2020

Director: Shinsuke Sato

Runtime: ***

IMDb Rating: 7.6

10. Asakusa Kid

Asakusa Kid is a popular Japanese movie cinematography by Fūta Takagi and directed by Gekidan Hitori. The story is about a young man drops out of school to pursue a career as an artist. He quickly found concerts and followed one of Japan’s most famous artists.

Year: 2021

Director: Gekidan Hitori

Runtime: 123 Minutes

IMDb Rating: 7.1

11. Ju-On: Origins

Ju-On: Origins is a popular Japanese horror television series composed by Kuniaki Haishima and written by Hiroshi Takahashi, Takashige Ichise. Origins is set in an alternate timeline during the early 1990s where it follows a group of teenagers who move into a house known as the Ju-On House to investigate its mysteries. The series takes place over six days and weaves together the past and present with each episode focusing on different characters.

Year: 2020

Director: Sho Miyake

Runtime: ***

IMDb Rating: 6.1

How To Access Movies On Netflix From Anywhere

Too many movies from this list may not be available in your country. So what’s the solution? How will you be able to watch these movies? 

The solution is that you have to use a VPN. So that you can access movies on Netflix from anywhere in the world. Here are the best VPNs to unblock movies on Netflix:

1. ExpressVPN: Top Rated VPN

ExpressVPN uses OpenVPN, Ikev2, and L2Tp-IPSec protocols, which are known as the most reliable security protocols. This VPN has 3000+ servers across 94 countries offering 100Mb/s internet speed. 

They offer a 30 days risk-free money-back program and 24/7 live chat support for all of your problems. You can even stream Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video, and mostly anything in Ultra HD quality. The only limitation is that ExpressVPN has only five device limitations.

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2. Surfshark: Universal VPN

Surfshark is a very easy-to-use No Log VPN with a comprehensive interface and is well suited for new users. While everything runs on RAM servers there is no logging. Its vast server network can unblock any trading platform for you and the best part is that you can pay in crypto (BTC, ETH, etc) while taking a subscription. 

While there are no independent audits run by this VPN, they offer a 45 days risk-free money-back guarantee program. There are no IP or DNS leaks found, you can check out on full review.

Price: $2.49/month on 2-year subscription.

3. NordVPN: Recommended

NordVPN offers 5400+ servers in 62+ countries, you can enjoy all local content immersively. This VPN is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. There will be no DNS/IPv6 leaks as it offers high-grade security. 

You will also get six simultaneous connections per subscription along with Netflix streaming ability. They are offering 30 days of the money-back guarantee program. So, if you don’t like the app then you will get your full refund within 5 days.

Price: $3.29/month on 2-year subscription.

4. CyberGhost: Optimized Servers for Streaming

Cyberghost VPN has a solid no-logs policy, and security is guaranteed by support for the best OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP protocols and by military-grade 256-bit encryption. It has optimized servers for streaming and torrenting with a good price value. 

Cyberghost is available at a discount price of only $2.75 per month on a 3-year plan. I tried to test Netflix, Hulu, Disney+. Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and other streaming services from different servers in the US, UK, India.

Price: $2.75/month on 3-year subscription.

5. IPVanish: Unlimited Connections (No log)

You can enjoy unblocking streaming services and grab crazy deals by spoofing your location with 1500+ servers in more than 75 locations across the world (Dynamic IPs) IPVanish works well in real-time with decent internet speeds. 

They have also included leak protection along with standard 256-bit encryption and OpenVPN protocol. They offer a 30 days risk-free money-back program and 24/7 live chat support for all of your problems. If you want then there is a hidden page for low price subscriptions.

Price: $3.99/month on 1-year subscription.

Final Words

So here we have got information about some of the best Japanese movies on Netflix that are worth checking out. Japanese cinema is highly underrated by Western audiences. Hollywood dominates the global film industry, but Japanese movies are always worth taking a look at. From animation to horror, you can stream some of the most interesting films on Netflix through this article.

Hope you liked this article and do share this article with your friends so that they too can watch their favorite movies on Netflix.

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