Movies like Raise the Red Lantern

An epic tale set against the backdrop of a transforming Japan, Memoirs of a Geisha tells the story of a young girl's journey to become one of the most celebrated geishas of her time. Enthusiasts of Raise the Red Lantern will appreciate the lush visuals and the focus on women's roles in a patriarchal society.

This historical drama illustrates the life of Pu Yi, the last Emperor of China, entrenched in the luxury of the Forbidden City and oblivious to the world outside. Like Raise the Red Lantern, it offers a peek into a bygone era with grand sets and costumes, highlighting the political and cultural shifts in 20th-century China.

In The Painted Veil, a British couple finds redemption in a remote village in China during a cholera epidemic. Sharing the theme of marital struggle with Raise the Red Lantern, this movie also paints a picture of a particular historical time and place, where personal and collective destinies are bound.

Like Raise the Red Lantern, The Joy Luck Club delves into the lives of Chinese women, but this time it is through the lens of their American-born daughters. It's a tapestry of interwoven stories that reveal the cultural conflicts and personal identities across different generations.

Set against the French colonial period in Vietnam, Indochine shares with Raise the Red Lantern a lush visual style and the examination of an Asian culture in transition, along with a strong female lead character grappling with her own personal and political dramas.