15 Movies Like Ilo Ilo

Loved Ilo Ilo? Based on its unique Cinema DNA—including its pacing, themes, and emotional tone—we've curated the ultimate list of what you should watch next.

The Shadow's Edge
#1

The Shadow's Edge

Macau Police brings the tracking expert police officer out of retirement to help catch a dangerous group of professional thieves.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to Ilo Ilo.

Blades of the Guardians
#2

Blades of the Guardians

Dao Ma, the "second most wanted fugitive," is entrusted by his benefactor, the chief of Mo family clan, to take on a mysterious escort mission-escorting the "most wanted fugitive" to Chang'an.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to Ilo Ilo.

The Pursuit of Happyness
#3

The Pursuit of Happyness

A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional career.

💡Why it's a match: A highly-rated genre match based on the viewing habits of people who liked Ilo Ilo.

Lust, Caution
#4

Lust, Caution

During World War II, a secret agent must seduce and assassinate an official who works for the Japanese puppet government in Shanghai.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to Ilo Ilo.

Dear You
#5

Dear You

Grandma Ye Shurou from Chaoshan lived a simple life, enjoying her twilight years. Her grandson, Xiaowei, burdened by debt, secretly traveled to Thailand to find his rumored billionaire grandfather, Zheng Musheng. However, Xiaowei returned with shocking news: his grandfather was long gone, and the person with whom Grandma had exchanged love letters was a complete stranger. As Xiaowei investigated, a love affair hidden for half a century suddenly surfaced, striking Grandma's heart.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to Ilo Ilo.

Summer Palace
#6

Summer Palace

Yu Hong leaves her home village and starts university in Beijing, where she develops a consuming and compulsive relationship with another student. The student riots from 1989 then ensue and take a toll on their lives.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to Ilo Ilo.

Farewell My Concubine
#7

Farewell My Concubine

In an epic tale of theater, gender, love and class, two Beijing opera actors navigate political turmoil as their friendship evolves over decades.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to Ilo Ilo.

Lost in Beijing
#8

Lost in Beijing

A look at modern-day life in China's capital centered on a ménage-a-quatre involving a young woman, her boss, her husband and her boss's wife.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to Ilo Ilo.

Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass
#9

Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass

During a chase inside a museum, Tom and Jerry find an ancient magical compass and end up being transported through time. Lost in a distant era, they will need to work together to find a way back home.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to Ilo Ilo.

Fist of Fury
#10

Fist of Fury

During the Japanese occupation of Shanghai, Chen Zhen, the star pupil of a recently-deceased martial arts teacher battles a Japanese dojo which seeks the demise of his fighting school.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to Ilo Ilo.

Hero
#11

Hero

During China's Warring States period, a district prefect arrives at the palace of Qin Shi Huang, claiming to have killed the three assassins who had made an attempt on the king's life three years ago.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to Ilo Ilo.

Panda Plan 2: The Magical Tribe
#12

Panda Plan 2: The Magical Tribe

The panda "Huhu" is about to move into a brand new panda enclosure when he's suddenly confronted by international robbers. Huhu falls off a cliff while battling the robbers, only to awaken to discover he's in a mysterious tribe. To return to the enclosure, this intriguing team helps the tribe solve various problems...

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to Ilo Ilo.

To Live
#13

To Live

Married couple Fugui and Jiazhen endure tumultuous events in mid-20th century mainland China as their personal fortunes move from wealthy landownership to peasantry.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to Ilo Ilo.

Unknown Pleasures
#14

Unknown Pleasures

Two disaffected, unemployed Chinese youth drift through life on the streets of their industrial town, their paths crossing with that of a local young singer and dancer working for a liquor company as a spokesmodel.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to Ilo Ilo.

A Brighter Summer Day
#15

A Brighter Summer Day

A boy experiences first love, friendships and injustices growing up in 1960s Taiwan.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to Ilo Ilo.