Shoplifters (2018)
Shoplifters is streaming in Japan on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, U-NEXT.
The verdict
Shoplifters lands among the stronger Japanese films on offer right now. It's sitting at 7.8/10 on TMDB across 2,375 ratings, which puts it comfortably above average. The 120-minute runtime sits in the comfortable middle. In Japan you can stream it on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, U-NEXT.
Should you spend 2h on it?
2h of Japanese drama with crime threaded through. Standard length — a normal evening's watch, nothing to plan around.
- Why
- It rates 7.8/10 on 2,375 ratings so far — a strong early showing.
- Skip if
- you want plot momentum over character work
- Best for
- An ordinary evening in
Story
In the outskirts of Tokyo, a poor but close-knit group living on the fringes of society survives through shoplifting and odd jobs. When Osamu and his son take in a neglected young girl, their already fragile existence begins to unravel. As the family grows attached to her, buried secrets surface, forcing them to confront the true meaning of love, belonging, and what makes a family.
Good to know
| Runtime | 2h |
| Genre | Drama / Crime |
| Language | Japanese |
| Best screen | Stream at home |
Director
Hirokazu Kore-eda
Cast
Where to watch in Japan
Included with a subscription — no extra charge on these platforms.
Availability as of 2026-09-21 — platforms may change over time.
More: Everything new on Netflix
Trailer
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