Best films · Asia
2 Best Movies from Laos to Watch First
Start with films made from within Laos, then follow the country's own creative voice through the complete ranking.
Compare this list
Compare the route at a glance
Runtime, mood, and entry level help narrow the list without replacing the editorial ranking.
| Film | Runtime | Genre | Mood | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sabaidee Luang Prabang | Not verified | |||
| Chanthaly | Not verified |
2 Essential Films from Laos
Ranked native cinema in Laos’s own creative voice.
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1. Sabaidee Luang Prabang
A half-Laotian photographer based in Thailand reluctantly returns to Laos on assignment, and as he journeys through the country with a local guide, he reconnects with his roots and falls unexpectedly in love. Widely considered the first modern Lao commercial feature.
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2. Chanthaly
A frail young woman living a sheltered life begins seeing visions of her dead mother, and cannot tell whether they are a side effect of her medication or a genuine message from beyond the grave. A quietly eerie ghost story — Laos's first horror film.
The view from outside
3 Best Movies Set in or About Laos
Compare how outside filmmakers have used Laos as a sustained setting or subject.
- Samsara 2023
- River 2015
- Air America 1990
Selected by the FilmsAroundThe.World editorial desk
Ranked for craft, enduring reputation, influence, and importance within Laos cinema. Decision labels are concise editorial aids, and content notes are non-exhaustive. Read the methodology.
Editorial review: 2026-07-13
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