Japanese cinema is the parent of some of the absolute gems that shine in the samurai genre. Picture this: dramatic and action-packed tales of bold warriors, exploring the dark and daring facets of society. These movies bring to life noble swordsmen, solitary figures with jaw-dropping martial arts skills, and clans that redefine cool. From Shakespearean tragedies to manga magic, the samurai saga has left its mark, not just on Japanese but also on Western cinema. Check out the best samurai movies of all time below.

Ran

Lady Snowblood

Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengence

Sword of Doom

Samurai Assassin

Harakiri

Sanjuro

Yojimbo

Throne of Blood

Seven Samurai