“Yakuza” is a word used to describe gangster organizations in Japan, with members who often uphold samurai traditions and sport extensive back tattoos. The equivalent in the West might be an organization like the mafia, and just as there are plenty of great movies about the mafia in America – whose roots are often Italian – so too are there a host of great yakuza movies that take a look at organized crime in Japan.
This brand of gangster movie isn’t super popular in the West, but they deserve more recognition outside Japan, and are likely to be just as appealing to most gangster movie fans as those about the mafia. The following movies are among the best that provide insight into the yakuza lifestyle. Most are Japanese productions, though there are a couple of English-language co-productions included below to keep things interesting. These great yakuza movies are ranked below, starting with the good and ending with the great.
17
‘Youth of the Beast’ (1963)
Directed by Seijun Suzuki
If you watch enough classic yakuza movies, two names you’re frequently going to come across are Jō Shishido and Seijun Suzuki. The pair collaborated a fair few times, with Shishido being a noteworthy actor in Japanese crime cinema, and Suzuki being one of the country’s best directors, as far as this genre was concerned (though neither had bodies of work entirely defined by the crime/yakuza genre).
One of the best films the two worked on was Youth of the Beast, which is about an already bloody gang war in Tokyo that escalates further when a violent and mysterious stranger enters the conflict. It’s a film oozing with style and vibrancy, feeling very fast-paced for a movie of its age and containing a satisfying amount of snappy action set pieces.
16
‘Pale Flower’ (1964)
Directed by Masahiro Shinoda
A surprising favorite of Michael Mann’s, Pale Flower is perhaps more of a romantic drama than it is a full-on yakuza movie, but organized crime does still play a part in its narrative. It’s about a gangster getting released from prison and finding chaos immediately back in the world at large, with a gang war to contend with on top of a young woman with gambling problems entering his life.
Pale Flower strikes a balance between the genres it tackles quite well, all the while also feeling like it’s classifiable as an arthouse film (albeit one of the more approachable ones Masahiro Shinoda directed). For those after something a little unconventional within the broader yakuza genre, this one is well worth seeking out and proves sufficiently unique.

Pale Flower
- Release Date
-
March 1, 1964
- Runtime
-
96 Minutes
- Producers
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Masao Shirai
15
‘A Colt Is My Passport’ (1967)
Directed by Takashi Nomura
A Colt Is My Passport is a top-tier Japanese underrated gangster movie, too, even if the storyline itself probably sounds familiar. It’s not so much about what it’s about, more how it’s about it. Or, if that doesn’t make any sense, A Colt Is My Passport focuses on being stylish and cool more than anything else, and that proves to be more than enough to make it great.
Narratively, there’s a hitman at the center of A Colt Is My Passport, and he gets hired to take down a ruthless crime boss, with complications naturally ensuing because of the riskiness of his mission. Sure, you don’t even have to have seen a yakuza movie before for this to sound like something you might’ve seen before, but it’s all in the execution (pun intended).
14
‘Minbo, or the Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion’ (1992)
Directed by Jūzō Itami
Taking a break from the 1960s for a little here, Minbo, or the Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion is one of the best Japanese crime movies of the 1990s, and it’s also up there as one of the funniest yakuza-related movies, too. Jūzō Itami was best known for some 1980s films he directed (namely, Tampopo and The Funeral), with Minbo carrying his unique sense of humor into something a little more crime-related, as the premise here focuses on a lawyer being hired to take on certain members of the yakuza.
By making fun of the yakuza, Itami was attacked by actual members of the group in real life, and it’s even possible that his death several years after the release of Minbo, or the Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion was caused by yakuza members. That makes this film a particularly bold and admirable one, though what it eventually led to does cast the film overall in something of an inevitably darker light.
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13
‘Branded to Kill’ (1967)
Directed by Seijun Suzuki
Another worthwhile film directed by Seijun Suzuki that stars Jō Shishido, Branded to Kill can count itself as something of a style over substance movie, but what style it has. There are two hitmen central to the plot here, with one of them failing to carry out a mission early on, which, in turn, makes him a target of the second hitman.
So, there are two assassins in Branded to Kill engaged in a bit of a game of cat and mouse, and so the tension is always high, with the narrative seemingly refusing to stop barreling forward. It’s all over the top in the best of ways, and manages to be both exciting and a ton of fun across its entire (relatively brisk) runtime of just 91 minutes. It’s no-nonsense, and packed with so much style that you expect the thing to basically explode or implode at any moment (complimentary).

Branded to Kill
- Release Date
-
June 15, 1967
- Runtime
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91 Minutes
- Director
-
Seijun Suzuki
12
‘Sonatine’ (1993)
Directed by Takeshi Kitano
Takeshi Kitano is a filmmaker/actor who’s closely tied to the yakuza genre. He’s perhaps most recognizable to general audiences as the head instructor from Battle Royale (2000), but has also made plenty of great crime films throughout his career, pulling multiple duties by directing, writing, and acting in most of them.
Sonatine is one of his most notable yakuza movies, but certainly provides an odd, somewhat eccentric twist on the genre. The main character is a part of the yakuza, but is becoming tired of the lifestyle, and starts to question the violent things he’s done during his time as a gangster. It’s an introspective and quiet yakuza film, as a result… besides the brief bursts of often shocking violence, of course, with Sonatine also being notable for feeling like one of the best arthouse crime movies ever made.

Sonatine
- Release Date
-
April 10, 1993
- Runtime
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94 Minutes
- Director
-
Takeshi Kitano
11
‘The Yakuza’ (1974)
Directed by Sydney Pollack
The Yakuza might well be the most well-known yakuza movie made by a non-Japanese director, and filmed (mostly) in English. It was directed by Sydney Pollack and starred Robert Mitchum, with the story focusing on a Westerner who travels to Japan to help out a friend, only to get mixed up with members of the yakuza in the process. The story is consistently interesting, largely thanks to it being co-written by Paul Schrader, an acclaimed writer/director.
It stands as an accessible yakuza movie for English-speaking viewers, as Mitchum’s character provides an outsider’s view into the criminal underworld of Japan. As a result, some might not consider it a truly authentic yakuza film, but it’s still a worthy watch, and has a particularly strong final act that more than justifies the occasionally slow pacing.

The Yakuza
- Release Date
-
March 19, 1975
- Runtime
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152 Minutes
- Director
-
Sydney Pollack
10
‘Outlaw: Gangster VIP’ (1968)
Directed by Toshio Masuda
One of the most extensive yakuza series besides the Battles Without Honor and Humanity series, the Outlaw: Gangster VIP series had six entries, all released between 1968 and 1969. Of those must-see 1960s movies, the first one – simply titled Outlaw: Gangster VIP – tends to be considered the best of the lot.
It’s a truly underrated crime movie, with a gripping plot that focuses on a young yakuza member who seeks revenge against his superiors after his friends are hurt. Outlaw: Gangster VIP is extremely fast-paced and unpredictable throughout, and has a slightly less sprawling scope, making it a little easier to follow – and overall less chaotic – than most films in the Battles Without Honor and Humanity series. It feels personal and more down-to-earth, and it’s those qualities that make the film shine, in the end.
9
‘Violent Cop’ (1989)
Directed by Takeshi Kitano
Another great crime film from Takeshi Kitano, Violent Cop is a movie that very much delivers on what the title implies. Kitano expertly portrays a ruthless cop who’s more than willing to break numerous laws if it means he can take down the yakuza gang members he’s pursuing.
Violent Cop is quite extreme, with a good deal of deadbeat, dark humor throughout much of its runtime that’s combined with brutal violence and some very downbeat moments. It’s got a thrillingly unpredictable tone, and features a story that questions whether a police officer like Kitano’s character is truly any more lawful than the gangsters he’s tasked with taking down. This makes it bleak and intense, but it is also strangely funny throughout for viewers who movies with dark humor.

Violent Cop
- Release Date
-
August 12, 1989
- Runtime
-
103 minutes
- Director
-
Takeshi Kitano
8
‘Tokyo Drifter’ (1966)
Directed by Seijun Suzuki
A movie that proves style over substance doesn’t have to be a bad thing, Tokyo Drifter is a dazzling and remarkably unique low-budget yakuza movie. The plot concerns a complex web of betrayal and assassinations, with various characters engaged in desperate, convoluted games of cat and mouse throughout. The thrills contained within Tokyo Drifter are prioritized over all else, and the style on offer here through the look and overall feel of the film is undeniably memorable.
It’s the kind of movie where you won’t necessarily lose much if you can’t keep track of the plot, as it’s the feeling you get from watching a movie like Tokyo Drifter that matters most. It’s a hugely original and creative movie, consistently colorful, and willing to subvert the expectations of just about any viewer.

Tokyo Drifter
- Release Date
-
April 10, 1966
- Runtime
-
83 minutes
- Director
-
Seijun Suzuki
7
‘Outrage’ (2010)
Directed by Takeshi Kitano
The 21st century hasn’t slowed Takeshi Kitano down as a filmmaker interested in yakuza stories, if 2010’s Outrage is anything to go by. This film – the first in a trilogy – depicts a huge war erupting among different yakuza gangs. Inside the chaos, Kitano’s character is on a desperate quest for revenge after being betrayed by his bosses.
Even by yakuza movie standards, the body count in Outrage is huge, and it feels rare for a scene to go by without another character dying. The constant death and violence can become exhausting, but it’s probably by design, knowing Kitano’s eccentric style and willingness to challenge his audience. In some ways, it’s very simple and blunt, but in other ways, it’s very overwhelming and convoluted. It’s an interesting crime movie; that’s for sure.
6
‘Drunken Angel’ (1948)
Directed by Akira Kurosawa
One of many Akira Kurosawa movies to star Toshiro Mifune (each being legends within Japanese cinema), Drunken Angel is also notable for being one of the earliest crime films that could fit within the yakuza genre. It’s about a young gangster getting treated by a doctor who tries to get the young man out of such a lifestyle, only to find complications ensue when the gangster’s boss gets out of prison.
Those expecting plenty of action within the framework of a yakuza movie may be disappointed that Drunken Angel is more of a grounded drama, but it is well-acted and well-made for its time. Kurosawa did go on to make better crime/thriller movies, but none could really be described as yakuza films, even charitably, which makes Drunken Angel worth highlighting.

Drunken Angel
- Release Date
-
April 27, 1948
- Runtime
-
98 minutes
- Director
-
Akira Kurosawa
5
‘Kill Bill Vol. 1’ (2003)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Volume one of Kill Bill – the film that might be Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece – is first and foremost a homage to martial arts cinema (or simply a martial arts movie in its own right). It’s action-packed and contains one particularly huge fight scene, being the faster-paced and arguably more exciting half of this epic revenge story.
Kill Bill Vol. 1 also owes a great deal to classic yakuza movies, to the point where it could arguably be called a yakuza movie. After all, at least half of the movie takes place in Japan, with The Bride spending much of the runtime targeting O-Ren Ishii and her army of yakuza gangsters, who fight The Bride in the film’s gigantic – and bloody – climactic battle. It’s one of the most relentless and exciting action movies of the 21st century so far, and combines yakuza and samurai genres to spectacular effect.

Kill Bill
- Release Date
-
October 10, 2003
- Runtime
-
111 minutes
4
The original ‘Battles Without Honor and Humanity’ series (1973–1974)
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
It’s hard to mention great yakuza movies without bringing up the Battles Without Honor and Humanity series (sometimes known as the Yakuza Papers series). There are 11 films in the series in total, with most of them being made and released during the 1970s – a time in Japanese cinema when yakuza movies were all the rage.
Of those 1970s movies, the original five – all released in 1973 or 1974 – are certainly the best. They’re frenetic, chaotic, violent, and pulse-pounding movies, with one main protagonist – Shozo Hirono – navigating a complex criminal underworld filled with murder, suspicion, and betrayal. These films are sometimes hard to follow by design, due to the complex plots, but they remain thrilling and unlike anything else out there, and still pack a cinematic punch after almost 50 years.
3
‘Graveyard of Honor’ (1975)
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
1975’s Graveyard of Honor was directed by Kinji Fukasaku, who immediately before the release of this film had directed the first five Battles Without Honor and Humanity movies. Graveyard of Honor follows a different set of characters and storyline, but retains the grit, tension, violence, and energy of the five yakuza movies that Fukasaku had previously directed.
As you’d expect from a movie with “Graveyard” in the title, this is a pretty bleak movie, focusing on a particularly monstrous yakuza member named Rikio Ishikawa. He spends much of the film betraying those close to him, acting violent and disorderly, and generally being an awful person. It’s one of the darkest looks at the yakuza lifestyle, and is even more critical of such a life than the Battles Without Honor and Humanity movies were, feeling like one of the boldest crime movies of the 1970s.
Graveyard of Honor
- Release Date
-
February 15, 1975
- Runtime
-
94
- Director
-
Kinji Fukasaku
2
‘Graveyard of Honor’ (2002)
Directed by Takashi Miike
2002’s Graveyard of Honor may technically be a remake of the 1975 film of the same name, but it has more than enough differences to make it worth watching alongside the original. It’s almost 40 minutes longer, and though it features the same main character of Rikio Ishikawa – and a similar core premise – it takes numerous different turns and detours to keep it thrilling and intense, even for those familiar with the original.
It’s directed by Takashi Miike who, along with Takeshi Kitano, is keeping the yakuza genre alive into the 21st century. While he might be better known for stomach-churning horror movies like Audition, or dark, disturbing comedies like Gozu, he’s also done fantastic work in the crime genre, as demonstrated by his thrilling and worthwhile take on the original Graveyard of Honor.
1
‘Fireworks’ (1997)
Directed by Takeshi Kitano
Standing as perhaps the definitive Takeshi Kitano yakuza movie, Fireworks is also up there with the very best movies of the 1990s, and understandably gets held up as one of the filmmaker’s best efforts. It follows a police officer who’s going through various hardships in his life, and the way he clashes with various personnel within the yakuza underworld, making things even more difficult for him.
It’s patiently paced but never boring, with a unique rhythm that takes a little while to settle into, but eventually becomes distinct and engrossing. It’s also more emotional and beautiful-looking than various other films Kitano directed, both before and after. Fireworks is a good place to start for those new to the filmmaker’s work, and also stands as a good introduction to Japanese crime/gangster movies as a whole.

Fireworks
- Release Date
-
March 20, 1998
- Runtime
-
103 Minutes