There is perhaps no film more influential than Seven Samurai, and for good reason. Akira Kurosawa's epic tale of a group of warriors hired by a village to protect them from bandits is so important in the history of global cinema that it's impossible to fully follow all the films and shows that come from it.
Often named among the best action movies of all time, Seven Samurai transcends even that lofty honor through Kurosawa's care for the people in the story and through his great technical skill. Even with all the imitators that have followed, it is a unique film. If you've never seen it, run, don't walk to Max or the Criterion Channel before continuing here – you owe it to yourself.
There are plenty of films that followed almost immediately Seven Samurai's premise of “a group of adventurers become unlikely heroes for a small community.” But even more people have taken bits of that – especially the idea of seeing the formation of an unlikely team – and taken it in all kinds of directions.
Zack Snyder's latest film, Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Firewould originally be a Kurosawa-inspired Star Wars film (the original Star Wars films are also very Kurosawa-inspired, but we get what he means). Rebel Moon is very specifically another Seven Samurai-such as a group of warriors from across the galaxy who are recruited to protect a moon colony from an oppressive army.
Whether you plan to watch the PG version releasing on Netflix this weekend or wait for the R-rated version to release in 2024, here are seven more 'Seven Samurai' stories to follow Rebel Moon of.
The beautiful seven
Image: United Artists/Courtesy Everett Collection
Where to watch: MGM Plus, free with a library card on Kanopy and Hoopla, free with ads on Tubi, The Roku Channel and Pluto TV
The star-studded 2016 version is also fun, but any self-respecting “Seven Samurai Movies” list has to start with this direct Hollywood remake of Kurosawa's film. Seven Samurai was deeply influenced by Hollywood westerns, so it only makes sense that the relationship would be reciprocal with this remake (which Kurosawa loved so much, he gave director John Sturges a samurai sword). —Piet Volk
Seven swords
Image: Mandarin films
Where to watch: Free with ads on Tubi, Vudu, Crackle and Plex
Let me get one thing out of the way: there are way more than seven swords in this movie. Tsui Hark's wuxia twist on the Seven Samurai-like is taken from a book, but the influence of Kurosawa's masterpiece is clear. A balletic wuxia with graphic violence from one of Hong Kong's greatest underrated directors. If you ever wished the seven samurai had magical swords (and it doesn't matter if the story is a little hard to follow), this one is for you. —PV
Samurai 7
Image: Gonzo
Where to watch: Crunchyroll or for digital purchase
If you've ever wondered what Seven Samurai would be like with flying warships and clashing blades of cyborg mecha in an anachronistic steampunk version of Japan, look no further than Samurai 7. The 26-episode series follows largely the same format as Kurosawa's original film, but with the stylish flair of an anime set in the future. —Toussaint Egan
The dirty dozen
Image: Warner Home Video
Where to watch: Prime Video, MGM Plus, or for digital rental/purchase
We're starting to stretch the definition here, but basically any movie about bringing the team together counts as one Seven Samurai-like it. In this predecessor of The suicide squadtwelve convicts with outsized personalities are trained as soldiers for a suicide mission. —PV
An insect life
Image: Pixar
Where to watch: Disney Plus, or for digital rental/purchase
Pixar's classic animated comedy has to be one of the best outside Seven Samurai-esque footage, following a colony of ants under siege by a gang of vicious locusts who steal their food. A misfit ant can no longer tolerate this treatment and embarks on a journey to recruit a band of 'great warriors' to fight back. What he finds instead is a group of circus insects who ultimately inspire the colony to stand up and fight for themselves. -AT
Galaxy quest
Image: DreamWorks Images
Where to watch: Digital rental/purchase
You can dread it Galaxy quest like a sci-fi comedy twist on the formula, but it's really true: a group of “warriors” are recruited by a group of aliens to save them from destruction. These “warriors” are actually actors, but that doesn't stop them from saving the day. —PV
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
Where to watch: Digital rental/purchase
Image: Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
This one may not immediately seem like one Seven Samurai movie, but think about it: Max Rockatansky arrives in a city that needs protection from the bandits outside its walls, and he needs help. That's by the book Seven Samurai if we ever heard of it. And what is Max after all, if not a post-apocalyptic ronin? —Austen Goslin