25 Best Movies Featuring All-Asian Casts You Need to Watch

These films represent the incredible diversity of Asian cinema, from grand adventures to personal stories. You’ll find everything from suspenseful thrillers and imaginative animation to deeply moving character studies. Every film features an entirely Asian cast, whether made in Asia or created by Asian filmmakers around the world. Explore these important movies, discover amazing actors, and experience stories that have resonated globally.

‘Crazy Rich Asians’ (2018)

This lighthearted movie tells the story of a Chinese American economics professor who finds out her boyfriend is from a very rich family in Singapore. Filmed in beautiful locations across Singapore and Malaysia – including famous spots like Marina Bay Sands and CHIJMES – the movie stars Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, and Awkwafina. Directed by Jon M Chu, it was a huge success and an important step forward for Asian American visibility in film worldwide.

‘Parasite’ (2019)

This darkly funny and suspenseful Korean film tells the story of two families brought together when one hires a tutor. Directed by Bong Joon Ho and starring Song Kang Ho and Cho Yeo Jeong, it won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and went on to win numerous international awards, including Best Picture. The film cleverly uses detailed sets and biting humor to examine the differences between social classes.

‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ (2000)

Directed by Ang Lee, this epic martial arts film follows a stolen sword and the connected fates of those pursuing it. Featuring stars Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, and Chang Chen, the movie combines stunning fight sequences with a touching love story and beautiful scenery from across China. It was a global success, introducing the wuxia genre to audiences around the world.

‘In the Mood for Love’ (2000)

Wong Kar-wai’s film tells the story of two neighbors who grow close after each begins to suspect their spouse is cheating. Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung deliver beautifully subtle performances as the leads. The film’s visuals, created by Christopher Doyle, are striking, using rich colors and smooth camera movements. The music and repeating themes combine to create a captivating and melancholic atmosphere of desire and loneliness.

‘Seven Samurai’ (1954)

Akira Kurosawa’s classic film tells the story of a group of samurai without masters who come together to protect a village from bandits. Starring Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura, the film’s exciting action and storytelling heavily influenced countless movies that followed, including many westerns and big-budget blockbusters. It’s famous for its impressive battle scenes and innovative editing techniques.

‘Spirited Away’ (2001)

Spirited Away is a beautifully animated fantasy film from the renowned Studio Ghibli. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the story centers on a young girl who finds herself in a magical spirit world after her parents undergo a mysterious transformation. Featuring an all-Japanese voice cast, the film is set in a vibrant bathhouse filled with creatures from Japanese folklore, all brought to life with stunning hand-drawn animation. It became a massive hit in Japan and received critical acclaim and numerous awards worldwide.

‘Shoplifters’ (2018)

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s film tells the story of an unconventional family who get by through small crimes and by looking out for each other. Starring Ando Sakura, Lily Franky, and Mayu Matsuoka, the movie won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival and shines a light on the challenges of social welfare in Japanese cities. Its emotional power comes from realistic acting and a subtle, observant style.

‘Rashomon’ (1950)

Akira Kurosawa’s influential film tells the story of a crime in the woods, but the truth is unclear because the story is told from multiple, often contradictory, perspectives. Starring Toshiro Mifune, Machiko Kyo, and Takashi Shimura, the film pioneered a storytelling technique now commonly referred to by the film’s name. Its striking visuals – particularly shots looking up into the bright sky and through patterns of light and shadow – became instantly recognizable and highly imitated.

‘Train to Busan’ (2016)

This Korean thriller takes place on a speeding train where a dangerous virus is spreading. Starring popular actors Gong Yoo, Jung Yu mi, and Ma Dong seok, the film uses the close quarters to create exciting and suspenseful action. It’s part of a larger series, with other related projects created by the same team.

‘Infernal Affairs’ (2002)

As a huge movie fan, I recently watched this incredible Hong Kong crime thriller. It’s a really clever story about a cop going undercover to infiltrate a dangerous triad, while simultaneously a triad member is secretly working as a mole within the police force. Andy Lau and Tony Leung are fantastic in it, and the directing duo of Andrew Lau and Alan Mak really nailed the atmosphere. It basically brought the Hong Kong crime genre back to life and even led to a big Hollywood remake! What I loved most was how quickly the story moved and how the two main characters’ journeys mirrored each other – it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

‘Oldboy’ (2003)

As a huge cinema fan, I’m always recommending Park Chan-wook’s film. It’s a really gripping neo-noir thriller about a man who’s imprisoned for reasons unknown, then suddenly let go with a very limited time to figure things out. Choi Min-sik and Kang Hye-jung are absolutely incredible in their roles – they really pull you in. That hallway fight scene is iconic, and the plot just keeps throwing curveballs at you. It’s a film that really stayed with me, thanks to the director’s precise visual style and a score that perfectly builds this incredibly unsettling atmosphere.

‘The Handmaiden’ (2016)

This movie, loosely based on a British novel and set in Korea during the colonial period, centers around a clever con and tells the story from multiple viewpoints. Starring Kim Min hee, Kim Tae ri, and Ha Jung woo, the film features stunning visuals and costumes designed by Park Chan wook to highlight the characters’ struggles for control. The story unfolds with unexpected twists and reveals its secrets through carefully planned reversals.

‘Hero’ (2002)

Zhang Yimou’s sweeping martial arts film tells the story of an assassination attempt at the Qin Dynasty court, but from several different perspectives. The film features a stellar cast including Jet Li, Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, and Donnie Yen. Visually, it’s striking, using different colors for each section and showcasing impressive large-scale battle formations. The beautiful music by Tan Dun and dynamic wire work add to the film’s spectacular and poetic feel.

‘House of Flying Daggers’ (2004)

This wuxia romance, set in ancient China’s Tang dynasty, tells the story of a dangerous journey undertaken by two soldiers and a rebel. Starring Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Andy Lau, the film is directed by Zhang Yimou, who is known for its beautiful use of color and impressive fight scenes. It became a critically and commercially successful art house film internationally, performing very well outside of China.

‘Ip Man’ (2008)

This movie is a biography about the Wing Chun master who became Bruce Lee’s teacher. Donnie Yen stars as the master, and Wilson Yip directed the film. It’s known for its well-choreographed fight scenes and authentic settings in Foshan and Hong Kong. The film was popular and led to several follow-up movies and other related projects.

‘Dangal’ (2016)

This inspiring Indian film tells the story of a former wrestler who dedicates himself to training his daughters to become champion athletes. Starring Aamir Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sanya Malhotra, the movie was a huge success both in India and internationally, particularly in China. It focuses on the dedication of coaching, intense training, and the excitement of competing in national tournaments.

‘3 Idiots’ (2009)

This Indian film is a coming-of-age story centered around three friends and their experiences with the challenges of engineering college. Starring Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, and Kareena Kapoor, the movie became well-known for its memorable scenes and dialogue focusing on creativity and student life. It was a hit throughout Asia and led to several remakes.

‘Bāhubali: The Beginning’ (2015)

Okay, so I recently checked out this Telugu epic directed by S.S. Rajamouli, and wow, it’s a ride! It’s all about these two cousins vying for a kingdom and a long-lost prince who comes into the mix. The cast is fantastic – Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, and Tamannaah are all incredible. Honestly, the scale of this movie is just insane. The sets are huge, the battle scenes are packed with visual effects, and the music is epic. It really changed the game for Indian cinema, showing everyone how to do a massive, nationwide release and build a whole franchise around a film.

‘Pather Panchali’ (1955)

As a huge film fan, I always recommend Satyajit Ray’s first film. It’s a beautiful and moving story about a family in rural Bengal struggling with life’s challenges and adapting to a changing world. The performances by Subir Banerjee and Karuna Banerjee are incredible, and the score by Ravi Shankar is just unforgettable. It really launched Ray’s famous Apu trilogy and, for many Western audiences, was their first introduction to the powerful style of Indian neorealism. What struck me most was how authentic it felt – filmed on location with mostly non-actors, it has this wonderfully documentary-like quality that really draws you in.

‘A Separation’ (2011)

Asghar Farhadi’s Iranian film centers on a couple going through a divorce and the complex legal battle that follows. Starring Peyman Moaadi and Leila Hatami, the story explores themes of family obligation and social class. The film received numerous prestigious international awards, including recognition as the best foreign language film, and was praised for its realistic dialogue and nuanced portrayal of difficult moral questions.

‘The Lunchbox’ (2013)

This Mumbai-based drama centers around a misdelivered lunchbox, which unexpectedly connects two strangers through handwritten notes. Starring Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur, the film offers a glimpse into the lives of the city’s unique dabbawala delivery system and the routines of office workers. Positive reviews from film festivals helped it gain popularity and distribution worldwide.

‘Chungking Express’ (1994)

Wong Kar-wai’s film weaves together two love stories set in Hong Kong, exploring the roles of fate and coincidence. The film features performances by Brigitte Lin, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung, and Faye Wong. Its energetic visuals are achieved through the use of handheld cameras and a unique filming technique, while the film’s music and scenes filmed in late-night restaurants have become iconic parts of popular culture.

‘Battle Royale’ (2000)

This Japanese thriller centers around a controversial government experiment where students are pitted against each other in a deadly game of survival. Starring Tatsuya Fujiwara and Aki Maeda, and directed by Kinji Fukasaku, the film combines sharp social criticism with intense, visually striking violence and explores the complex relationships within a classroom setting. It has since become a major influence on the survival genre in film, television, and other media.

‘Farewell My Concubine’ (1993)

Chen Kaige’s film follows two Peking opera performers over many years. Starring Leslie Cheung, Zhang Fengyi, and Gong Li, it won the highest award at the Cannes Film Festival and was shown around the world. The movie explores themes of art and personal identity, set against the backdrop of rigorous opera training and the complex world behind the scenes.

‘Raise the Red Lantern’ (1991)

Zhang Yimou’s film tells the story of a young woman who enters a wealthy household as the fourth wife and must adapt to its strict traditions. Starring Gong Li, the movie explores themes of ritual, social order, and subtle acts of defiance. Visually striking, the film makes powerful use of symmetrical compositions and the color red. It was a critical success worldwide and further established Zhang Yimou as a renowned director.

Let us know your favorite groups from this list in the comments, and tell us which Asian ensemble you think deserves more attention!

2025-10-22 20:48