🏷 Discover The Best Sengoku Period Movies & TV Shows To Watch Today

9 titles with this tag

The Sengoku period (1467–1615) was a time of relentless war, political intrigue, and legendary samurai in Japanese history. From epic battles to cunning strategies, this turbulent era has inspired countless films and TV shows that bring its stories to life. Whether you're a history buff or a fan of action-packed drama, discovering the best Sengoku-era content can transport you to a world of honor, betrayal, and heroism. Dive into our curated selection of must-watch movies and series that capture the essence of this fascinating period.

Cast

Rio Suzuki

Hiroki Suzuki

Naoya Uchida

Akio Otsuka

Dororo (2019) TV Show

8.5 1.3K votes

Genre: Action, Animation

Country: Japan

Seasons: 1

Episodes: 24

Audience: TV-MA

Story: During the Warring States period, the young thief Dororo encounters Hyakkimaru, a strange, sightless boy who wields fearsome prosthetics in place of his missing limbs. Parts of Hyakkimaru’s body were traded to a group of 12 demons by his father in exchange for power, but thanks to a kindly medicine man, Hyakkimaru survived his horrifying ordeal. Now he roams the land in search of his missing body, and together he and Dororo will fight to survive in an unforgiving, demon-plagued world.

Plot: swordplay, samurai, mythology, supernatural, remake, gore, swordsman, curse, ...

Place: japan

Cast

Hiroyuki Sanada

Cosmo Jarvis

Anna Sawai

Tadanobu Asano

Shōgun (2024) TV Show

8.4 1.8K votes

Genre: Drama, War

Country: United States of America

Seasons: 1

Episodes: 10

Audience: TV-MA

Story: In Japan in the year 1600, at the dawn of a century-defining civil war, Lord Yoshii Toranaga is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him, when a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village.

Plot: civil war, based on novel or book, samurai, interpreter, miniseries, fish out of water, jidaigeki, historical drama, ...

Time: 17th century

Place: japan

Cast

Machiko Kyu014d

Mitsuko Mito

Kinuyo Tanaka

Masayuki Mori

Ugetsu (1953)

8.0 642 votes

Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery

Country: Japan

Duration: 96 min.

Audience: NR

Story: In 16th century Japan, peasants Genjuro and Tobei sell their earthenware pots to a group of soldiers in a nearby village, in defiance of a local sage's warning against seeking to profit from warfare. Genjuro's pursuit of both riches and the mysterious Lady Wakasa, as well as Tobei's desire to become a samurai, run the risk of destroying both themselves and their wives, Miyagi and Ohama.

Plot: samurai, based on novel or book, greed, bigamy, tragedy, rural area, black and white, ghost, ...

Time: 16th century

Place: japan

Cast

Toshiru014d Mifune

Minoru Chiaki

Kamatari Fujiwara

Misa Uehara

The Hidden Fortress (1958)

8.0 713 votes

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama

Country: Japan

Duration: 139 min.

Audience: PG

Story: In feudal Japan, during a bloody war between clans, two cowardly and greedy peasants, soldiers of a defeated army, stumble upon a mysterious man who guides them to a fortress hidden in the mountains.

Plot: male friendship, border crossing, jidaigeki, sengoku period, feudal japan, mountain fortress

Time: 16th century

Place: japan

Cast

Toshiru014d Mifune

Isuzu Yamada

Takashi Shimura

Akira Kubo

Throne of Blood (1957)

7.9 991 votes

Genre: Drama, History

Country: Japan

Duration: 108 min.

Audience: 12

Story: Returning to their lord's castle, samurai warriors Washizu and Miki are waylaid by a spirit who predicts their futures. When the first part of the spirit's prophecy comes true, Washizu's scheming wife, Asaji, presses him to speed up the rest of the spirit's prophecy by murdering his lord and usurping his place. Director Akira Kurosawa's resetting of William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" in feudal Japan is one of his most acclaimed films.

Plot: samurai, based on novel or book, prophecy, castle, siege, ambition, betrayal, black and white, ...

Place: japan

Cast

Miyoko Shoji

Mami Koyama

Fumiko Orikasa

Showko Tsuda

Millennium Actress (2002)

7.9 1.1K votes

Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance

Country: Japan

Duration: 87 min.

Audience: PG

Story: Documentary filmmaker Genya Tachibana has tracked down the legendary actress Chiyoko Fujiwara, who mysteriously vanished at the height of her career. When he presents her with a key she had lost and thought was gone forever, the filmmaker could not have imagined that it would not only unlock the long-held secrets of Chiyoko’s life... but also his own.

Style: surreal

Plot: key, earthquake, second sino-japanese war (1937-45), historical, recluse, adult animation, movie star, story within the story, ...

Place: japan, china

Cast

Richard Chamberlain

Toshiru014d Mifune

Yoko Shimada

John Rhys-Davies

Shōgun (1980) TV Show

7.7 239 votes

Genre: Action, Drama, War

Country: Hong Kong, Japan

Seasons: 1

Episodes: 5

Audience: TV-14

Story: An English navigator becomes both a player and pawn in complex political games in feudal Japan.

Plot: asia, samurai, miniseries, period drama, sengoku period

Time: 17th century

Place: japan

Cast

Tomoya Nagase

Yuri Chinen

Koichi Yamadera

Akio Otsuka

Sword of the Stranger (2007)

7.6 468 votes

Genre: Action, Animation, History

Country: Japan

Duration: 103 min.

Audience: PG

Story: Pursued by formidable Chinese assassins, young Kotaro and his dog run into No Name, a mysterious stranger who gets pulled into the chase. The unlikely companions form a bond over saving the dog from a poison attack, but chaos erupts when the assassins find Kotaro, and No Name must face his past before a horrible fate is met again.

Plot: samurai, swordplay, espionage, human animal relationship, swordsman, dog, sengoku period, feudal japan, ...

Cast

👤

Elijah Bender

👤

David Spafford

👤

Nathan Ledbetter

👤

David Eason

Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan (2021) TV Show

7.1 305 votes

Genre: Documentary, War

Country: Canada

Seasons: 1

Episodes: 6

Audience: TV-MA

Story: Dynamic reenactments and expert commentaries bring to life the tumultuous history and power struggles of a warring 16th-century feudal Japan.

Plot: samurai, docudrama, historical, reenactment, warlords, sengoku period, feudal japan, social & cultural documentary

Time: 16th century

The Best Movies to Watch from the Sengoku Period

The Sengoku period has produced some of the most visually stunning and emotionally gripping films in Japanese cinema. These movies blend historical accuracy with cinematic brilliance, offering audiences a front-row seat to the chaos and glory of the era. Whether you prefer sweeping epics or intimate character studies, the following films are essential viewing for any fan of Sengoku history.

Classic Sengoku Films That Define the Genre

Seven Samurai (1954) – Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece is a cornerstone of samurai cinema. Set during the late Sengoku period, it follows a village of farmers who hire seven masterless samurai (ronin) to defend them from bandits. The film’s iconic battle scenes and deep character development make it a timeless classic.
Kurosawa’s Hidden Fortress (1958) – Another Kurosawa gem, this film follows two bumbling peasants caught in the middle of a war between warlords. Its influence can be seen in modern works like Star Wars, proving its enduring appeal.

Modern Takes on Sengoku History

13 Lords of the Shogun (2022) – A Netflix original that blends historical drama with supernatural elements. It follows a young samurai battling to restore peace after the fall of the Ashikaga shogunate. The film’s stunning visuals and strong performances make it a standout in recent Sengoku adaptations.
Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan (2021) – While technically a docudrama, this series delivers gripping storytelling with a mix of CGI and live-action reenactments. It explores the rise of Oda Nobunaga, one of the most ambitious warlords of the Sengoku period.

Top TV Shows Set in the Sengoku Period

Television has also embraced the drama and intrigue of the Sengoku era, producing series that range from historical epics to supernatural thrillers. These shows offer a deeper dive into the politics, battles, and personal stories of the time, making them perfect for binge-watching. Below are some of the best TV shows that bring the Sengoku period to life.

Must-Watch Sengoku TV Series

Sengoku Basara: Moonlight Party (2012) – A unique anime series that reimagines historical figures as colorful, over-the-top characters. While not strictly historical, its blend of action, humor, and drama makes it a fun watch for fans of the era.
Sanada Maru (2016) – A Taiga drama (Japan’s annual historical epic) that follows the legendary siege of Osaka Castle. With stunning production values and a star-studded cast, it’s a must-see for anyone interested in the final days of the Sengoku period.

Where to Stream Sengoku Content

Finding the best Sengoku movies and TV shows is easier than ever thanks to streaming platforms. Here’s where you can access these top picks:

Netflix: 13 Lords of the Shogun, Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan
Amazon Prime Video: Seven Samurai, Kurosawa’s Hidden Fortress
Crunchyroll: Sengoku Basara: Moonlight Party
NHK World: Sanada Maru