In the Mood for Love (2000)

2046 is the sequel of In the Mood for Love. Both explore love and loss, and change of feelings overtime. You don't really need to watch in chronological order as each can be viewed as a separate.

2046 is loose sequel of 'In the Mood for Love'. Both are from same director and have same lead actor. Both have beautiful music and many more similarities.

A man and a woman are brought together because of their spouses' indiscretions.

Set in contemporary Hong Kong, a disillusioned hitman embarks on his last hit but first, he has to overcome the affections of his cool, detached partner he rarely sees. Thinking it is dangerous and improper to become involved with a colleague, he tries to find a surrogate for his affection. Against the sordid and surreal urban nightscape, he crosses paths with a strange drifter looking for her ex-boyfriend and a mute trying to get the world's attention in his own ways.

Slow burn art films. Creates romance not out of overt displays of affection but rather through implication and omission.

If you have seen both movies, you’ll understand. The main characters find out that their respective significant others are in an entanglement. Proceeding the news, both MCs talk about their SOs and perform a lot of charades. The romance is subtle, thoughtful, innocent, and fresh.

Both are critically acclaimed romance films directed by Wong Kar Wai. Tony Leung plays a main character in both too.

Both movies share the same intensity and atmosphere. Two loners are brought together by something they share in common, but it's the same thing that could easily break them apart. I wouldn't be surprised if Wong Kar Wai took inspiration from Midaregumo.

Zhang Jing Yi is the FL in both. The chemistry is natural. The relationship had depth. However, BEITD does not have a satisfactory ending.

The song "Yumeji's Theme" by Shigeru Umebayashi that's featured predominantly in "In the Mood for Love" plays at one point in "Lock Me Up, Tie Him Down". Main leads find solace in each despite one of them being married.

The quiet atmosphere and intense emotions of star-crossed lovers who never should have fallen for each other, although in the end they make entirely different choices.

Both having the same male lead actor (Tony Leung) both movies share a similar vibe even though Lust, Cation takes the love entanglement to the next level. One might see that if you watch In the Mood for Love firs, Lust, Cation seems like a continuation overall for the male protagonist. From far and unreachable to ever connected and almost wrongful placed love.

Beautiful, sensual movies directed by Wong Kar Wai. Both take place in the 1960s, unfullfilled romance. The covers are also similar.