In recent years, the popularity and exposure of Asian movies has skyrocketed in the U.S. — due in part to the historic moment in 2019 when South Korean film Parasite, directed by Bong Joon Ho, became the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
In this list, you’ll find Asian-American flicks filmed in English, as well as movies in their native language with subtitles. Featuring award-winning art films, romantic comedies, thrillers, action movies, documentaries and more, this list has everything from big name directors, indie producers, and first-time filmmakers. With movies from Korea, Japan, China, the Philippines, India, the U.S. and beyond, this list will welcome you into the world of Asian cinema and turn you into an Asian film cinephile in no time. So text a friend and be prepared to laugh, cry, and be impressed by amazing stories, cast and crew.
1
Always Be My Maybe
Starring lauded comedians Ali Wong and Randall Park, this film follows the complicated relationship between old flames from San Francisco. Wong plays a celebrity chef whose new restaurant and boyfriend are threatened by her childhood love. Get ready to laugh out loud with these two legendary comedians, along with Michelle Buteau and Keanu Reeves.
2
BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky
If you’re not already obsessed with K-Pop sensation BLACKPINK, this 2020 documentary about their humble beginnings and rise to stardom will put you over the top. Each band member heartwarmingly recounts her personal journey and her love for her bandmates, who have become friends and sisters. After you watch the movie, make sure to give the band a listen, especially their ear worm collaborations with Selena Gomez, Dua Lipa and Lady Gaga.
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3
Seoul Searching
A Korean American favorite that premiered at Sundance in 2015, this endearing film is about teenagers of Korean descent who were born and raised in other countries like Mexico, Germany and the UK. The diverse and unruly teens travel to Seoul in 1986 to get in touch with their cultural heritage in this wholesome comedy-drama.
4
White Tiger
Based on the eponymous bestselling novel, this 2021 South Asian film follows the remarkable story of a driver for a rich Indian family who escapes from poverty and becomes an entrepreneur. What does the “white tiger” mean in the film? You’ll just have to watch to find out.
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5
Ip Man
What’s a list of Asian films without some classic martial arts flicks? The four Hong Kong movies in the 2008 Ip Man series are named after the real Chinese martial artist and grandmaster of the martial art called Wing Chun whose students included Bruce Lee.
6
Okja
Only Bong Joon Ho could make a film about a little Korean girl and her unusual pet, a fantastical hippo-like creature, into a political statement about animal rights, ethics and corporate greed. This 2017 film features Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal at their villainous best.
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7
Lingua Franca
In this intense 2019 romantic drama about sexuality and nationality, an immigrant Filipino trans woman, who is a caretaker for an elderly woman, falls in love with the woman’s grandson who is fresh out of rehab. The film is directed and acted by Isabel Sandoval, who shot the film over just 16 days in Brooklyn.
8
Shirkers!
This quirky 2018 documentary by Sandi Tan chronicles the making, disappearance and reclaiming of a film she made in 1992, when she was 19. The film won the documentary directing award at Sundance in 2018, making Tan the second Singapore-born filmmaker to win an award at the festival.
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9
The Super Parental Guardians
This 2016 Filipino action-comedy about two unconventional parents and their adventures is one of the highest grossing Filipino film in Philippine cinema history. After his best friend dies, Arci must take care of her two kids, whose uncle also lives with them. Taking on the roles of “momshie” and “popshie,” the two guardians tackle whatever parenthood throws at them.
10
Mirai
After his baby sister is born, a jealous 4-year-old boy befriends fantastical pets and people that he meets in his house in this charming 2018 Japanese anime film. Conversing with strange creatures that resemble real people and animals he sees daily, the young boy matures as he makes deeper connections to his family and life.
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11
Advantageous
Directed and written by a female Asian American team, this 2015 film follows a mother who has to make tough choices after being fired from her job selling cosmetic procedures. Should she sell her eggs since women are becoming rapidly infertile or sacrifice her daughter’s education at an elite school?
12
Time to Hunt
The first South Korean film screened in the Berlinale Special section at the Berlin International Film Festival, this dark dystopian action thriller has all the compelling plot elements of this genre: ex-prisoners, a heist, and a mysterious assassin. The film was released worldwide by Netflix in 2020.
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13
The Wandering Earth
Set in the near future, this 2019 Chinese science fiction film with super slick graphics follows heroes as they try to find a new sun and save the Earth from a collision with Jupiter. Fingers crossed this doesn’t happen in real life.
14
Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop
Set to a cute J-Pop soundtrack, this adorable 2021 comedy-drama romance film follows the relationship between a teen boy who best expresses himself through Haiku and a shy teen girl. The film was so popular that it inspired a manga adaptation that was published for almost two years.
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15
The Paper Tigers
In this hilarious 2021 dramedy, three former martial arts prodigies--now middle-aged men working insurance, collecting disability checks and crossing over into mixed martial arts teaching--have to get back in shape, juggle their jobs and dad life and get over old grudges to avenge their beloved mentor who was murdered.
16
Snowpiercer
Bong Joon Ho’s 2013 film might be your worst nightmare: the earth’s last remaining people are stuck on a train circling the globe that is divided into cars according to class. Chaos ensues in the cramped quarters, but don’t worry. Chris Evans saves the day.
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17
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
You’ll remember all your high school feels in this sweet film about an Asian-American teen, played by Lara Condor, whose secret love letters get mailed to each of her five crushes. The 2018 film was so popular it inspired two sequels, which are also on Netflix.
18
My Amanda
Not all male and female leads on the big screen are romantically involved. This 2021 Filipino film chronicles a platonic friendship between a man and a woman who are often mistaken for a couple. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t some tension.
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19
Sweet & Sour
Hyper-competitive Korean workplaces, luxury vacations and a hospital love scene: this 2021 South Korean romantic comedy is about a very complicated long-distance relationship. The storylines collide at the end of the film and you’ll be hit with a plot twist that will have you questioning everything.
20
The Half of It
This Asian American coming-of-age film from 2020 draws us in with a twist on a familiar trope. To make some money, a nerdy and friendless teen girl writes love letters and texts for an awkward and inarticulate jock.
