Top 10 Best Japanese Mythological Movies

The golden age of yokai spanned from the early to mid-1800s, just before Japan opened up to the West and began modernizing. Over generations of storytellers, yokai gradually took shape through books, woodblock prints, scrolls, and sculptures. At that time, adults were captivated by stories of encounters with yokai, while children collected cards depicting these creatures. Yokai, also known as Ayakashi or Mononoke, could be mischievous, bring bad luck, or even grant fortune. They could be found anywhere—from forests and fields to rivers, bathhouses, and even toilets. Their forms were strange, often a blend of animal and human (like Kappa), sometimes linked to natural phenomena like storms (Yuki-Onna), or even objects (Tsukumogami).

The Great Yokai War is a fantasy film directed by Takashi Miike, starring Ryunosuke Kamiki, Chiaki Kuriyama, and Etsushi Toyokawa. The movie tells the story of a 10-year-old boy who, after his parents' divorce, moves to live with his grandparents. The plot follows a parable about yokai living in a vast local forest. One night, the boy ventures into the forest to investigate a thread he had spun, only to be frightened by eerie noises and run back home. He then experiences a dream/vision in which his grandfather is kidnapped and held captive in the forest. Gathering his courage, the boy returns to the forest to rescue his guardian. From there, he encounters ghosts and slowly uncovers a dark force overtaking the world. Based on traditional Japanese mythology, the film offers a wide range of emotions for the viewer.

Ugetsu Monogatari is a film directed by Kenji Mizoguchi, rated 8.2 on IMDb, starring Masayuki Mori, Machiko Kyo, and Kinuyo Tanaka. Ugetsu tells the story of two rural families: Genjuro, a potter, and his wife Miyagi, and Tobei, a farmer, and his wife Ohama. When war breaks out, soldiers under Shibata Katsuie arrive in the village and force the men to work in labor camps. Both families are forced to flee, but Genjuro and Tobei head to the big city to sell pottery and make a fortune. While Miyagi takes their child back home, Ohama joins her husband and Genjuro on their journey. In the city, Tobei dreams of becoming a samurai, while Genjuro is seduced by a young noblewoman, abandoning his family. Eventually, both men realize their mistakes and return to their village.

Mizoguchi's compassion for female characters is evident in the subtle portrayal of their suffering, such as the scene where Ohama is taken by soldiers, with symbolic shots of sandals and bones representing her violation. Tragedies are softened, with no crying or complaints—Miyagi's death is only narrated by the village elder. This understatement highlights the unconditional sacrifices made by the women in the film. Ugetsu is a ghost story and a jidaigeki (period drama), featuring Masayuki Mori and Machiko Kyō. It is one of Mizoguchi's most famous films, regarded by critics as a masterpiece of Japanese cinema. It is credited with popularizing Japanese cinema in the West and influencing the future of Japanese filmmaking.

In Japan, the term yokai (meaning monster or demon) refers to supernatural beings that wander in the realm of the living. According to legend, not only humans or animals, but even inanimate objects, if they accumulate negative energy for over a century, can transform into yokai. This is why the forms of these spirits in Japanese culture are diverse, and they are often a favorite subject of filmmakers. In Japanese folklore and mythology, one such well-known character is Onibaba, a demon similar to Yamanba or bakeneko. Onibaba takes the shape of an old woman, known for devouring humans. The Noh mask representing Onibaba depicts her with a grotesque, wrinkled face, bulging eyes, and a wide mouth with sharp teeth. This figure is known by several other names and has various legends surrounding her.

One legend tells that Onibaba was once a normal woman, a wet nurse for the daughter of a wealthy family. She loved her adopted daughter deeply, especially after her own biological daughter went missing. The biological daughter had worn an Omamori protective amulet before she disappeared. The adopted daughter fell ill and required the liver of a pregnant woman to cure her. Driven by desperation, the wet nurse hid in a cave, waiting for pregnant women to pass by. One day, she killed a pregnant woman and discovered the amulet. Overcome with madness, she transformed into a demon, killing and eating anyone she encountered. Onibaba is said to dwell in a cave or a small house in a desolate field.

Yume is a psychological film directed by Akira Kurosawa and Ishiro Honda. Kurosawa, considered one of the most influential filmmakers in history, directed 30 films during his 57-year career. He entered the Japanese film industry in 1936 after a brief stint as a painter. After years as an assistant director and screenwriter, he made his directorial debut in 1943 with the action film Sanshiro Sugata, also known as Judo Saga, set during World War II. His post-war film Drunken Angel (1948) introduced a then-unknown actor, Mifune Toshirō, who played a major role and solidified Kurosawa's reputation as one of Japan's most important young directors. Kurosawa would continue collaborating with Mifune in 15 more films. His wife, Yaguchi Yōko, also appeared in one of his films.

Yume is divided into eight segments, each representing a different dream experienced by the protagonist: The Sun in the Rain: A tale of a boy who disobeys his mother and plays in the rain; The Peach Orchard: A festival of dolls and the story of peach trees; The Snowstorm: A group of mountaineers caught in a snowstorm; The Tunnel: A commander and the spirits of fallen soldiers; The Crowd: A chaotic mass of refugees; Red Mount Fuji: A volcanic eruption; The Terrifying Demon: The aftermath of a nuclear bomb; The Windmill Village: A beautiful village living in harmony with nature. This colorful film carries deep meaning and symbolism.

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is an anime film produced by Studio Ghibli, the studio behind many of the greatest anime films of all time. In 2008, Studio Ghibli first announced that Takahata Isao was working on a feature-length film. Takahata later revealed at the 62nd Locarno International Film Festival that he would adapt the Japanese folktale "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" into a movie. On December 13, 2012, Studio Ghibli and distributor Tōhō confirmed the film's release under the title "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya." Later that month, Ikebe Shinichiro was initially assigned to compose the soundtrack, but on February 4, 2013, the filmmakers announced that Hisaishi Joe would take over the music composition duties. This marked the first time Hisaishi collaborated with Takahata and the first time he worked on music for two Ghibli films in the same year, the other being Miyazaki Hayao's "The Wind Rises".

The film tells the story of Princess Kaguya and her mysterious life as a girl from the moon. Nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2015 Academy Awards, this beautifully animated tale is a deeply humanistic Japanese folktale. Kaguya, known as the bamboo princess in many Japanese legends, was discovered by an old man while cutting bamboo in the forest. He found a tiny girl inside a glowing stalk of bamboo along with treasures, which he used to raise her as a princess. As she grows, however, she faces numerous challenges. Kaguya is pressured by a nobleman to marry, and in despair, she prays to the moon god for help. Moon maidens descend to Earth to take her back to their celestial home. But Kaguya refuses to forget her earthly memories, and the farewell is marked by tears from both her and her parents.

Horror stories exist across all cultures, often with a dual purpose: to instill fear for moral lessons or to entertain and profit. In some cases, the intent is to make children behave by scaring them with frightening tales, while others focus on the financial gains of the entertainment industry, as seen in today’s horror movie market. In Japan, the genre known as Kaidan (ghost stories) offers a fascinating topic of discussion. Far from just terrifying audiences, Kaidan reflects a deeper, cultural storytelling tradition. Rooted in Japan’s Edo period, Kaidan stories are an enduring form of narrative, connecting the spiritual and supernatural with Japanese folk traditions.

Kaidan is a chilling film that weaves together four distinct horror tales. The first, “The Black Hair,” follows a poor samurai who leaves his wife for a wealthier woman, only to realize his lingering love for his first wife. The second story, “The Woman of the Snow,” tells of two woodcutters caught in a snowstorm. A mysterious woman appears and kills one of them, sparing the younger man. In the third tale, “Hoichi the Earless,” a blind musician named Hoichi is hired to play the story of a bloody sea battle between the Genji and Heike clans. He is often visited by a ghost, leading him to an ominous fate. Each of these tales explores the thin veil between the living and the dead in Japan’s rich tradition of Kaidan.

Mononoke Hime, also known as Princess Mononoke, is an iconic anime that many people associate with their childhood. Produced by Studio Ghibli in 1997 and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the film is set in a mystical world where vast forests are inhabited by magical creatures. The term Mononoke doesn’t refer to a name, but rather a general term in Japanese meaning spirit or monster, often interpreted as a "vengeful soul". The film first premiered in Japan on July 12, 1997, and in the United States on October 29, 1999. The setting takes place in the late Muromachi period (1392-1572), where the once powerful samurai are becoming mercenaries, and the growing human influence over nature has angered the gods of the forest. As the humans advance with technology, nature itself begins to retaliate against them.

The story follows Ashitaka, the last prince of the Emishi tribe, who embarks on a quest to find peace between the human world and the creatures of the forest near the Iron Town. Along the way, he encounters Lady Eboshi, the leader of Iron Town with plans to conquer the forest, and the fierce warrior Princess Mononoke, raised by the wolf god Moro. Ashitaka becomes caught between these two opposing forces, but through understanding and sincerity, he helps to ease Mononoke’s hatred towards humanity and brings a sense of awareness to Eboshi. Although the film is often considered a children’s animation, its themes of ecological conservation and the destructive nature of human progress are especially relevant to adults and young adults alike.

Hotarubi no Mori, also known as Into the Forest of Fireflies' Light, is an anime film adapted from a popular manga. Released in Japan on September 17, 2011, and later in limited edition DVD and Blu-ray in February 2012, this film is directed by Takahiro Omori. The story centers on a young girl named Hotaru, who, while lost in the forest, meets a mysterious boy named Gin. Gin is not human but a spirit of the forest, and anyone who touches him causes him to vanish. Gin helps Hotaru find her way out of the forest, and over the years, they form an extraordinary friendship. However, their bond is marked by the inability to touch each other, as any contact would make Gin disappear forever. As Hotaru grows older, her feelings for Gin intensify, and her longing to touch him becomes overwhelming. In a tragic turn of events, Gin accidentally touches a human child, causing him to dissolve into tiny, green spirits. In a heartbreaking farewell, Hotaru embraces Gin for the last time before he vanishes completely, leaving only his clothes behind. This emotional film has touched the hearts of many viewers.

Yōkai Daisensō, released in 2012, is also known by the alternate title Yokai Ningen Bem – Humanoid Monster Bem, a film with horror elements. The term Yokai refers to mythical, supernatural creatures found throughout Japanese folklore. These creatures have appeared in stories and legends for generations. For example, the Yokai O-dokuro (Giant Skull), featured in the famous painting by Mitsukuni, depicts a massive skeletal monster that represents one of the many spirits of the Japanese supernatural world. Some yokai take the form of animals, others resemble humans, and some are inanimate objects given life. Many are anthropomorphized representations of natural phenomena. While some yokai are harmless and mischievous, others are fearsome entities, often appearing in the dark to terrorize those who cross their path.

The film is based on a popular anime from the 1960s and follows the story of three Yokai demons. Typically, demons are portrayed as dark forces intent on harming humanity. However, these three yokai are different—they do not seek to attack humans, but rather fight against other malevolent yokai that threaten humanity. Although their intentions are good, and they strive to protect people, gaining the trust of humans is no easy task. The yokai represent humanity's attempt to rationalize and personify the chaotic, unpredictable, and unexplainable forces of nature. They are the shadows in the night, embodying fear and the unknown fate that awaits us. At their core, yokai are the personification of superstitions and are symbolic of the darker side of human imagination.

Momo e no Tegami (also known as A Letter to Momo) is a heartfelt Japanese animated film with a simple yet profound style. The film has been featured at various international film festivals and translated into multiple languages for worldwide distribution. Momo e no Tegami invites viewers into a charming and whimsical world that blends humor with deep emotional resonance. Directed by Hiroyuki Okiura, the film tells the story of an 11-year-old girl named Momo who moves to a rural part of Japan following the sudden death of her father in a tragic accident. While adjusting to her new life, Momo discovers a strange letter from her late father, which becomes a key element in her journey.

Amid her grief, Momo is confronted by three mischievous yokai (supernatural creatures) who appear to protect her. Each yokai has a distinct personality, though their presence causes more chaos than comfort. As time passes, Momo begins to realize that the three yokai and the cryptic message in her father's letter are mysteriously linked. Although the film lacks the fantasy world of films like Spirited Away, A Letter to Momo has garnered numerous accolades, including the Tokyo Anime Award, the Japanese Academy Awards, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, and the Annie Awards. It was also showcased during the Vietnam-Japan cultural exchange week.