Takashi Miike's greatest movies
I discovered my first Takashi Miike movie more than ten years ago at the tender age of twenty years. As time went by, this director's vibrant, expressive and experimental style has become my favourite. While it was difficult to find his movies a decade ago, things have improved thanks to globalization. I have now watched thirty-one of his movies and continue to discover new films every now and then. Please take a look at this list of my favourite Takashi Miike movies, ranked from best to worst. Give this unique director a chance!
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- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsTakuya KimuraHana SugisakiSôta FukushiCursed with a life of immortality, a samurai is tasked by a young girl to help avenge the death of her father. Based on the manga series by Hiroaki Samura.98% - This dynamic action movie with its unique characters, stunning locations and surprising plot based upon a popular manga is as epic as it gets.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsKô ShibasakiShin'ichi TsutsumiKazue FukiishiYumi tries to assuage the fears of a friend, Yoko, who has received a disturbing voice mail from herself. In the message, Yoko screams while chatting with Yumi. Three days later, the exact call plays out, and Yoko dies.96% - Excellent Japanese horror movie with creative plot, outstanding atmosphere and convincing acting performances
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsRyûnosuke KamikiHiroyuki MiyasakoChiaki KuriyamaA young boy is chosen as the defender of good and must team up with Japan's ancient spirits and creatures of lore to attempt to destroy the forces of evil.95% - Wonderful epic fantasy movie for the whole family with quirky characters, stunning special effects and beautiful settings
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsRyô IshibashiEihi ShiinaTetsu SawakiA widower has his film producer friend organize a fake audition as a means of helping him find a new girlfriend, but the woman he selects is not who she appears to be.94% - This movie starts as a fragile drama that slowly turns into a gloomy mystery thriller and ends as brutal horror film.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsKippei ShînaTomorô TaguchiTakeshi CaesarAmidst a Chinese and Japanese mafia war, a lawyer for the Chinese mob finds a rift forming between him and his corrupt police office brother.93% - The director's breakthrough movie that defined his career convinces with complex characters, revolting decadence and some food for thought.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsYûta SoneKimika YoshinoShôhei HinoA yakuza enforcer is ordered to secretly drive his beloved colleague to be assassinated. But when the colleague unceremoniously disappears en route, the trip that follows is a twisted, surreal and horrifying experience.92% - This highly experimental and at times surreal gangster movie pushes its genre boundaries in an astonishing way.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsKento KakuKonatsu KatoMasayuki DeaiA night in the life of Tokyo taxi driver Midnight, as he encounters quirky characters on his nocturnal trade.90% - This action-fantasy short film based upon a legendary manga entertains from start to finish and leaves viewers wanting more
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsSôta FukushiHirona YamazakiRyûnosuke KamikiA group of high school students are forced to play a game of death without knowing who, why or how.89% - This dystopian science-fiction movie based upon a manga doesn't only offer stunning special effects but also some food of thought.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsTadanobu AsanoNao ÔmoriShin'ya TsukamotoAs sadomasochistic yakuza enforcer Kakihara searches for his missing boss he comes across Ichi, a repressed and psychotic killer who may be able to inflict levels of pain that Kakihara has only dreamed of achieving.84% - This satirical, overwhelming and brutal gangster movie might be Takashi Miike's roughest film to watch.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsHayato IchiharaRiko NarumiShô AoyagiIn the ruthless underground world of the yakuza, no one is more legendary than boss Kamiura. Rumored to be invincible, the truth is he is a vampire-a bloodsucking yakuza vampire boss! Among Kamiura's gang is Kageyama, his most loyal underling. However, the others in the gang view Kageyama with disdain and ridicule him for his inability to get tattooed due to sensitive skin. One day, assassins aware of boss Kamiura's secret arrive from abroad and deliver him an ultimatum: Return to the international syndicate he left years ago, or die. Kamiura refuses and, during a fierce battle with anime-otaku martial-arts expert Kyoken, is torn limb from limb. With his dying breath, Kamiura bites Kageyama, passing on his vampire powers to the unsuspecting yakuza. As he begins to awaken to his newfound abilities, Kageyama's desire to avenge the murder of boss Kamiura sets him on a course for a violent confrontation with Kaeru-kun, the foreign syndicate's mysterious and seemingly unstoppable leader!83% - This unpredictable, satirical and overwhelming gangster movie includes comedy, drama and science-fiction events that make for an unforgettable ride.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsKen'ichi EndôKôjirô HongôNaoko InoueIn this continuation of "Family", it is discovered that the one who gave the order to assassinate the Mitsumikai Boss is the one and only Boss of the Japan Mafia: Mr. Nishiwaki. Hideshi finds something odd about the killing and begins to investigate, uncovering the true motives behind this murder. Miike's sequel is chock full of harrowing Boat chases, big explosions, beautiful women sex and drugs! Takashi Miike's Family, Part 2 continues the tale of the yakuza gangster named Hideshi, who must uncover the identity of the man who killed a powerful crime boss.82% - This complex gangster movie in two parts convinces with a detailed story line that is intellectually challenging and visually impressive. The unforgettable ending offers much room for interpretation.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsShô AikawaMaria ChenRichard ChenThe ace cop of a totalitarian police force and a drifting android play their parts in a post-apocalyptic society. They are destined to fight. Their encounter will change them forever.81% - This quirky science-fiction movie has a plot that is so strange that it gets more and more addicting as the film progresses.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsTakao OsawaNanako MatsushimaGorô KishitaniA team of cops must protect an accused killer with a billion-yen bounty on his head.80% - This gritty, realistic and sinister action-thriller follows a cop who must protect a despicable murderer with a bounty on his head.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsKen'ichi EndôKôjirô HongôNaoko InoueWhen the mobster Iwaida Nishikawi is executed by the hit man Takeshi, his family chases the killer. Takeshi's brothers Takashi and Hideshi Miwa try to find Takeshi, who is hidden with the nurse Rie Ishibashi, to protect him and Hideshi discovers that Takeshi was secretly sent by their Yakuza boss to eliminate Iwaida. Meanwhile, the mobster Kenmoshi abducts Takashi's wife Mariko and rapes her, trying to force Takashi to deliver his brother to him.79% - This complex gangster movie in two parts convinces with a detailed story line that is intellectually challenging and visually impressive.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsShô AikawaRiki TakeuchiRenji IshibashiA yakuza of Chinese descent and a Japanese cop each wage their own war against the Japanese mafia. But they are destined to meet. Their encounter will change the world.78% - This quirky gangster movies comes around with an unforgettablle ending that is worth the wait.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsRinko KikuchiRila FukushimaTomohisa YamashitaTo colonize Mars, 21st century scientists seed the planet with algae and cockroaches. 500 years later, the first manned mission to Mars loses contact with Earth, and a second spacecraft is sent to investigate.76% - This underrated science-fiction film based upon a manga got terrible reviews but this movie is thoroughly entertaining and surprising despite its weak special effects.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsShô AikawaLi-Wei ChangShih ChangA Japanese assassin stranded in Taiwan must take work from a local crime boss to make ends meet when suddenly a woman from his past delivers a son to him.74% - This calm drama set in Taiwan and centered around a lonely gangster, his mute son and a desperate prostitute takes some time to grow but might be one of the director's most memorable films.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsGorô KishitaniRyôsuke MikiNarimi ArimoriA barkeeper saves a Yakuza boss' life and thus makes his way up in the organization. However his fear of nothing soon causes problems.73% - This remake of one of the greatest gangster movies ever released doesn't reach the quality of the original film due to some lengths but is nevertheless a bleak character study that will haunt you for a while.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsBeckyBengalMasayuki DeaiA young boxer and a call girl get caught up in a drug-smuggling scheme over the course of one night in Tokyo.72% - This vibrant Yakuza film convinces with quirky characters even though it certainly doesn't reinvent the genre and is at times too predictable.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsShô AikawaRiki TakeuchiNoriko AotaTwo contract killers cross paths in the middle of the same job and realize they are childhood friends.71% - This surprisingly quiet movie that takes some time to grow shows the conflicts, downsides and fates of a gangster career and offers some food for thought.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsKôji YakushoTakayuki YamadaYûsuke IseyaA group of assassins come together for a suicide mission to kill an evil lord.70% - This remake of an influential sword fighting movie takes the first half to introduce the different characters and finishes with some of the most intense battles ever shown in cinema.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsKento YamazakiRyûnosuke KamikiNana KomatsuA teen gifted with supernatural power discovers the truth behind his cursed and bizarre bloodline, and the evil that lurks within his town.70% - Colourful fantasy film with quirky characters, beautiful locations and intriguing special effects
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsAiko AsanoMinako FujimotoJirô MiyaguchiA comedy about a daring policewoman in leotards, who defeats criminals using gymnastics.69% - This experimental mixture of action, comedy and thriller elements with four quirky female lead characters was the second movie made by Takashi Miike but the first to be officially released.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsHiroyuki IkeuchiSeiichi TanabeSaori SekinoAmbitious yakuza Kenji befriends harmonica-playing bartender Chuji, who moonlights as a part-time drug-dealer for the opposing gang. Their friendship is threatened by Kenji's plans for advancement, as well as by his bodyguard's growing jealousy of Chuji.68% - This interesting mixture of a drama and a thriller focuses on the dangerous friendship between a bartender and a gangster.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsYoshie KashiwabaraNaomi MorinagaKôsuke MoritaTwo care takers are obliged to tend to a child and take care of him overnight when his mother fails to collect him at the end of the day. It turns out to be a more difficult task than first imagined. Special operation thugs demand the boy be handed over to them and launch an attack to retrieve him. One of the caretakers recruits help and withstands the attacks in order to safeguard the boy's health. It turns out that a whole lot more is involved than just a boy and a missing mother.67% - This action thriller made on a shoestring budget was the first movie directed by Takashi Miike and already convinces with fluid storytelling and an interesting lead character.