After Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, 7 Japanese movies with a global cult following

The latest installment in Koyoharu Gotouge’s beloved franchise didn’t just draw crowds; it also smashed records. On its opening day in Japan, the film raked in a staggering ¥1.64 billion, which is nearly $11 million, setting records for single-day earnings and the biggest opening weekend ever. Globally, the numbers continue to soar, with the film becoming the highest-grossing anime movie of all time. The Infinity Castle arc is one of the most emotional and action-packed chapters of the manga, and fans have been waiting years to see it animated on the big screen. It follows Tanjiro Kamado, his sister Nezuko, and the Demon Slayer Corps as they step into the ominous Infinity Castle to face Akaza, while the larger battle against Muzan Kibutsuji looms. With its mix of sacrifice, reunions, and stunning animation, the film hits both the heart and the senses.

However, Demon Slayer is only the latest in a long line of Japanese films to captivate audiences worldwide. Over the decades, Japanese cinema has produced cult classics, horror milestones, and timeless epics; with a fan following that exists outside Japan. HELLO! lists 7 more Japanese movies which are famous far outside the borders of the land of the rising sun as well.

1. Akira (1988)

Katsuhiro Otomo’s dystopian masterpiece about biker gangs and psychic powers redefined animation for the world. Its visuals and themes of identity and trauma still ripple through pop culture, inspiring countless films, TV shows, and even video games.

2. Seven Samurai (1954)

Akira Kurosawa’s epic tale of warriors hired to defend a village is a Japanese classic for good reason. Its themes of honour and sacrifice with groundbreaking battle sequences laid the foundation for films like The Magnificent Seven and influenced generations of directors.

3. Battle Royale (2000)

Kinji Fukasaku’s shocking story of students forced to fight to the death is brutal and emotional. Controversial at release, it became a cult phenomenon worldwide, shaping later dystopian survival stories like The Hunger Games.

4. Kwaidan (1964)

Masaki Kobayashi’s haunting anthology of ghost stories comprises of painterly visuals, eerie silences, and folklore-driven chills. Rather than jump scares, it relies on dread and mood; which makes it a horror art film which is admired globally.

5. Jigoku  (1960)

A film by Nobuo Nakagawa, it visualised Buddhist hell with surreal, grotesque imagery that shocked audiences. Its boldness earned it cult status among horror lovers, inspiring supernatural cinema for decades.

6. Suicide Club (2001)

Sion Sono’s unsettling film opens with mass suicides and veers into a disturbing exploration of identity and societal pressure. Strange, surreal, and unresolved, it’s a film that lingers and divides.

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7. Ringu (1998)

Hideo Nakata’s cursed videotape became one of Japan’s most iconic horror exports. By using atmosphere over gore, Ringu terrified audiences worldwide and went on to create The Ring remake in the U.S., thus rewriting the language of modern horror.

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