Films Around the World

Field guide · A–Z

Asia

48 published guides across Asia, with 633 films selected and ranked by hand.

A route into Asian cinema

Asian cinema stretches from studio traditions and popular epics to formally adventurous art cinema, animation, thrillers, and independent movements. This guide keeps those histories connected to place instead of flattening them into a single canon.

The starting countries balance major film industries with distinct national voices. Follow the native route first, then compare it with stories made by visitors and outsiders.

Native voices to start with

  1. Grave of the FirefliesJapan
  2. Howl's Moving CastleJapan
  3. ParasiteSouth Korea
  4. OldboySouth Korea
  5. 3 IdiotsIndia
  6. My Name Is KhanIndia
  7. A SeparationIran
  8. Children of HeavenIran
  9. Spring in a Small TownChina
  10. Raise the Red LanternChina
  11. Ong-BakThailand
  12. Bad GeniusThailand

Outside views to compare

  1. The Last SamuraiJapan
  2. Letters from Iwo JimaJapan
  3. MASHSouth Korea
  4. Pork Chop HillSouth Korea
  5. LionIndia
  6. Life of PiIndia
  7. PersepolisIran
  8. The Stoning of Soraya M.Iran
  9. MulanChina
  10. Empire of the SunChina
  11. The Bridge on the River KwaiThailand
  12. The ImpossibleThailand

Continue with a curated route

Country film guides

48 Asia country film guides

Browse every published Asia guide. Each country pairs ranked Native Voice films with Outside View films for comparison.

48 guides

ContinentAsia guides
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Future departures

Still being charted

These destinations are on the atlas, but their film guides are not ready for travellers yet.

  • Northern CyprusAsia
  • QatarAsia