Direction: Shunji Iwai

The best movies, series, and documentaries directed by Shunji Iwai. Explore exceptional titles that showcase a unique filmmaking vision.


Love Letter

1995 · Movie · 117 min. · Japan

Direction Shunji Iwai

Cast Miho Nakayama · Etsushi Toyokawa · Miki Sakai

Synopsis Love Letter (1995) follows Hiroko Watanabe, who, two years after the tragic mountain climbing accident that took her fiancé Itsuki's life, discovers an old yearbook. In a moment of profound sorrow, she pens a letter to him using his former...

7.0

457 votes

7.0

457 votes

All About Lily Chou Chou

2001 · Movie · 146 min. · Japan

Direction Shunji Iwai

Cast Hayato Ichihara · Shûgo Oshinari · Ayumi Ito · Takao Osawa

Synopsis All About Lily Chou Chou (2001) delves into the complex lives of a group of high school students navigating the peculiarities of Japan's vibrant pop and cyber culture. These teenagers face typical adolescent challenges, such as dealing with school bullies...

6.9

701 votes

6.9

701 votes

6.7

288 votes

Swallowtail Butterfly

1996 · Movie · 148 min. · Japan

Direction Shunji Iwai

Cast Hiroshi Mikami · Chara · Ayumi Ito · Yôsuke Eguchi

Synopsis Swallowtail Butterfly (1996) follows the journey of a young girl who, after the loss of her mother, finds herself under the care of Glico, a bold and outspoken woman with a history in the sex industry. Glico affectionately names the...

6.7

166 votes

6.7

166 votes

A Bride for Rip Van Winkle

2016 · Movie · 179 min. · Japan

Direction Shunji Iwai

Cast Haru Kuroki · Cocco · Gou Ayano · Sôkô Wada

Synopsis A Bride for Rip Van Winkle (2016) follows Nanami, a disinterested part-time junior high school teacher who finds comfort in the online world of "Planet," a popular social media platform. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she receives a...

6.7

133 votes

6.7

133 votes

Last Letter

2020 · Movie · 120 min. · Japan

Direction Shunji Iwai

Cast Hideaki Anno · Ryunosuke Kamiki · Suzu Hirose · Nana Mori

Synopsis Last Letter (2020) follows a woman who reconnects with her niece at their shared family funeral, marking their first meeting in many years. The niece, now grown, grapples with the loss of her mother, while the woman takes on the...

6.5

29 votes

6.5

29 votes

Hana & Alice

2004 · Movie · 135 min. · Japan

Direction Shunji Iwai

Cast Anne Suzuki · Yû Aoi · Tomohiro Kaku · Sei Hiraizumi

Synopsis Hana & Alice (2004) follows the story of two inseparable high school freshmen, Hana and Alice, who become smitten with an older classmate while commuting by train. Their lives take an unexpected turn when Hana, while secretly trailing him, sees...

6.3

279 votes

6.3

279 votes

The Case of Hana & Alice

2015 · Movie · 100 min. · Japan

Direction Shunji Iwai

Synopsis The Case of Hana & Alice (2015) follows Alice, a new student at Ishinomori Academy, who uncovers an eerie rumor about a past murder. The tale involves a mysterious phrase, "Judas was killed by four other Judas," which sparks her...

6.3

516 votes

6.3

516 votes

April Story

1998 · Movie · 67 min. · Japan

Direction Shunji Iwai

Cast Takako Matsu · Seiichi Tanabe · Kaori Fujii · Rumi

Synopsis April Story (1998) follows Uzuki Nireno, a young woman who departs from her tranquil rural life in Hokkaido to embark on her academic journey at a prestigious university in Western Tokyo. Despite the challenges of adapting to urban life, Uzuki...

6.2

240 votes

6.2

240 votes

Undo

1994 · Movie · 47 min. · Japan

Direction Shunji Iwai

Cast Etsushi Toyokawa · Tomoko Yamaguchi · Tomorô Taguchi

Synopsis Undo (1994) follows the story of Moemi, who is less than thrilled when her partner Yukio brings home a pair of turtles as pets. Despite Yukio's efforts to keep her company, Moemi, who desires a dog or cat, feels overlooked....

6.2

50 votes

6.2

50 votes

Vampire

2011 · Movie · 120 min. · Japan

Direction Shunji Iwai

Cast Kevin Zegers · Rachael Leigh Cook · Keisha Castle-Hughes · Kristin Kreuk

Synopsis Vampire (2011) follows the tale of an ordinary-seeming young man who harbors a dark secret: a thirst for blood and a peculiar method of finding victims. He targets women who are struggling with suicidal thoughts, engaging with them online. However,...

5.9

125 votes

5.9

125 votes

New York, I Love You

2009 · Movie · 110 min. · United States

Direction Fatih Akin · Yvan Attal · Randall Balsmeyer · Allen Hughes

Cast Bradley Cooper · Hayden Christensen · Andy García · Rachel Bilson

Synopsis New York, I Love You (2009) is a cinematic journey through the heart of one of the world's most iconic cities, weaving together a collection of interconnected tales of love and romance. Each story unfolds in the vibrant backdrop of...

5.5

6K votes

5.5

6K votes

Ghost Soup (TV)

1992 · Movie · 58 min. · Japan

Direction Shunji Iwai

Cast Ranran Suzuki · Hiroyuki Watari · Dave Spector · Ken Mitsuishi

Synopsis Ghost Soup (TV) (1992) unfolds on a chilly Christmas Eve in Tokyo, where Ichiro is settling into his newly acquired apartment, having moved in a month earlier than anticipated. As he begins to make himself at home, two unexpected visitors...

5.2

24 votes

5.2

24 votes

Jam Films

2002 · Movie · 105 min. · Japan

Direction Daizaburo Hanada · Jôji Iida · Shunji Iwai · Ryûhei Kitamura

Cast Natsuko Akiyama · Hirofumi Arai · Haruka Ayase · Ryoko Hirosue

Synopsis Jam Films (2002) presents a collection of short stories that delve into the surreal and the mundane. "The Messenger" introduces a enigmatic woman who visits a mobster in hiding, revealing his destiny. A simple mix-up involving a "Kendama" toy and...

5.2

30 votes

5.2

30 votes

Direction Shunji Iwai

Cast Shinji Higuchi · Hoshi Moeka · Non · Takumi Saito

Synopsis The 12 Day Tale of the Monster that Died in 8 (2020) follows the journey of a performer who, after losing his employment due to the global pandemic, turns to an unusual hobby for solace. He purchases capsule monsters online...

Not rated

Not rated

Friends After 3.11

2011 · Documentary · 120 min. · Japan

Direction Shunji Iwai

Cast Miyuki Matsuda · Kokoro Fujinami · Masashi Gotô · Tetsuya Iida

Synopsis Friends After 3.11 (2011) delves into the aftermath of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, which led to a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima power plant, sparking widespread discontent. Director Iwai Shunji presents a profoundly personal documentary, utilizing...

Not rated

Not rated

Direction Shunji Iwai

Cast Miki Shiraishi · Shin'ya Ueda

Synopsis The Summer Solstice Story (TV) (S) (1992) is an episode from Kansai TV's Bara Dos, a part of director Iwai Shunji's 'Dangerous Everyday Life' series. The film was predominantly improvised during the shooting process. The initial footage was too brief...

Not rated

Not rated

Direction Shunji Iwai

Cast Doona Bae · Kim Ju-hyuk · Lee Ju-shil · Shin Eun-soo

Synopsis Chang-ok's Letter (TV Series) (2017) follows the life of Eun-ha, a dedicated housewife who juggles numerous responsibilities daily. Beyond managing her household, she also tends to her demanding mother-in-law, who is mostly confined to bed. Eun-ha's husband provides little assistance,...

Not rated

Not rated

Last Letter

2018 · Movie · 114 min. · China

Direction Shunji Iwai

Cast Zhou Xun · Eric Qin · Wendy Zhang · Estelle Wu

Synopsis Last Letter (2018) follows Zhihua as she steps in for her deceased older sister at a reunion, where she unexpectedly encounters Yin Chuan, an old flame from her youth. As the gathering stirs up old memories, Zhihua gradually unravels the...

Not rated

Not rated