Movies Like Pulgasari (1985)

Pulgasari is a 1985 drama, fantasy, horror film from Shin Sang-ok with a MovieMagicScore of 5.5/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Godzilla vs. Megaguirus and Pacific Rim: Uprising.

Drama Fantasy Horror

Godzilla vs. Megaguirus

2000

In an alternate timeline the original Godzilla is never defeated and repeatedly reemerges to feed on Japan's energy sources. A new inter-dimensional weapon called the Dimension Tide is created with the intent of eliminating Godzilla. However, the new weapon might also serve as a gateway to something far more sinister.

6.6

MagicScore

Pacific Rim: Uprising

2018

It has been ten years since The Battle of the Breach and the oceans are still, but restless. Vindicated by the victory at the Breach, the Jaeger program has evolved into the most powerful global defense force in human history. The PPDC now calls upon the best and brightest to rise up and become the next generation of heroes when the Kaiju threat returns.

6.1

MagicScore

Propaganda

2013

An anti-western propaganda film about the influences of American visual and consumption culture on the rest of the world, as told from a North Korean perspective.

8.1

MagicScore

Under the Sun

2015

Over the course of one year, this film follows the life of an ordinary Pyongyang family whose daughter was chosen to take part in Day of the Shining Star (Kim Jong-il's birthday) celebration. While North Korean government wanted a propaganda film, the director kept on filming between the scripted scenes. The ritualized explosions of color and joy contrast sharply with pale everyday reality, which is not particularly terrible, but rather quite surreal.

7.2

MagicScore

Daimajin

1966

A giant stone statue comes to life to protect the residents of a small town against the depradations of an evil warlord.

6.4

MagicScore

Return of Giant Majin

1966

The tyrannical Lord Danjo Mikoshiba covets the rich, fertile lands surrounding Lake Yakumo. During a memorial ceremony for the late Chigusa lord, Mikoshiba launches an attack, overthrowing the honorable Lord Juro. Just when all seems lost, Daimajin rises from Lake Yakumo to settle a score of his own.

6.2

MagicScore

Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack

2001

Godzilla has become a distant memory for Japan when the destruction of a US submarine raises alarms for Admiral Tachibana. His estranged daughter Yuri investigates the legend of the guardian monsters, who must rise to protect Japan against the vengeful spirits within Godzilla that seek to destroy both the nation and its people for the suffering they inflicted in the Pacific conflict.

7.5

MagicScore

Gamera: Guardian of the Universe

1995

A ship runs aground on a mysterious atoll leading to an investigation by insurance representative Kusanagi, who discovers an ancient bead that he gives to his daughter Asagi. Meanwhile, ornithologist Nagamine investigates reports of a new species of large bird named Gyaos. As the Gyaos begin to attack, an ancient guardian with a bond to Asagi emerges.

7.4

MagicScore

Monster Portal

2022

A young woman inherits her estranged father's estate after his mysterious death. Once she and her friends arrive at the mansion, they discover that the home is on an old cemetery, which has the power of opening a portal to another realm, which contains the creatures foretold to the world by writer H.P. Lovecraft.

5.6

MagicScore

#10

Godzilla Minus One

2023

In postwar Japan, Godzilla brings new devastation to an already scorched landscape. With no military intervention or government help in sight, the survivors must join together in the face of despair and fight back against an unrelenting horror.

7.6

MagicScore

#11

Shin Godzilla

2016

When a massive, gilled monster emerges from the deep and tears through the city, the government scrambles to save its citizens. A rag-tag team of volunteers cuts through a web of red tape to uncover the monster's weakness and its mysterious ties to a foreign superpower. But time is not on their side - the greatest catastrophe to ever befall the world is about to evolve right before their very eyes.

7.2

MagicScore

#12

Mothra

1961

Shipwreck survivors found on the presumably uninhabited Infant Island leads to a scientific expedition that discovers a surviving native population along with the Shobijin, tiny twin fairy priestesses of the island's mythical deity called Mothra. After the fairies are kidnapped by an exploitative businessman named Clark Nelson, Mothra sets out to rescue them.

7.1

MagicScore

#13

Godzilla: Final Wars

2004

Humanity finally rids themselves of Godzilla, imprisoning him in an icy tomb in the South Pole. All is peaceful until various monsters emerge to lay waste to Earth's cities. Overwhelmed, humanity is seemingly saved by a race of benevolent aliens known as Xiliens. But not all is what it seems with these bizarre visitors. If humanity wishes to survive, they must reluctantly resurrect their most hated enemy, Godzilla.

7.1

MagicScore

#14

Mothra vs. Godzilla

1964

Journalists Ichiro Sakai and Junko cover the wreckage of a typhoon when an enormous egg is found and claimed by greedy entrepreneurs. Mothra's fairies arrive and are aided by the journalists in a plea for its return. As their requests are denied, Godzilla arises near Nagoya and the people of Infant Island must decide if they are willing to answer Japan's own pleas for help.

7.0

MagicScore

#15

Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster

1964

After a meteorite unleashes a three-headed beast upon Tokyo, Mothra tries to unite with Godzilla and Rodan to battle the extraterrestrial threat.

7.0

MagicScore

#16

Frankenstein Conquers the World

1965

During WWII, Germans obtain the immortal heart of Frankenstein's monster and transport it to Japan to prevent it being seized by the Allies. Kept in a Hiroshima laboratory, it is seeming lost when the United States destroys the city with the atomic bomb. Years later a wild boy is discovered wandering the streets of the city alone, born of the immortal heart.

6.7

MagicScore

#17

Godzilla

1977

A re-edited Italian-language dubbed version of the original Godzilla, using as a basis the U.S. version, "Godzilla, King of the Monsters!" (1956), plus WWII newsreel footage and clips from other science fiction films. The re-edited film was then colorized via a process called "Spectrorama 70" consisting of applying various colored gels to the black and white footage. The film's opening and ending also features new music composed by musicians Fabio Frizzi, Franco Bixio, and Vince Tempera (under the pseudonym Magnetic System).

6.7

MagicScore

#18

Kong: Skull Island

2017

Explore the mysterious and dangerous home of the king of the apes as a team of explorers ventures deep inside the treacherous, primordial island.

6.5

MagicScore

#19

Rodan

1956

Mining engineer Shigeru investigates the disappearance and death of his fellow coworkers when prehistoric nymphs are discovered emerging from the mines. After an attack on the local village, Shigeru heads deeper into the mines only to make a more horrifying discovery in the form a prehistoric flying creature. Soon a second monster appears as the two converge in Fukuoka.

6.5

MagicScore

#20

The War of the Gargantuas

1966

Gaira, a humanoid sea beast spawned from the discarded cells of Frankenstein's monster, attacks the shores of Tokyo. While the Japanese military prepares to take action, Gaira's Gargantua brother, Sanda, descends from the mountains to defend his kin. A battle between good and evil ensues, leaving brothers divided and a city in ruins.

6.4

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Pulgasari?

The top films similar to Pulgasari by MovieMagicScore are Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (6.6), Pacific Rim: Uprising (6.1), Propaganda (8.1). Each shares drama/fantasy/horror themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Pulgasari worth watching?

Pulgasari holds a MovieMagicScore of 5.5/10 from 52 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is Pulgasari?

Pulgasari (1985) is a drama, fantasy, horror film directed by Shin Sang-ok, starring Chang Son Hui, Ham Gi Sop, Jong-uk Ri.

Where can I find more recommendations like Pulgasari?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more drama recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Godzilla vs. Megaguirus Movies like Pacific Rim: Uprising Movies like Propaganda Movies like Under the Sun Movies like Daimajin Movies like Return of Giant Majin

About movies like Pulgasari

This ranked list pairs Pulgasari (1985), a drama and fantasy and horror film from Shin Sang-ok, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Chang Son Hui take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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