Best films · Asia
3 Best Movies from North Korea to Watch First
Start with films made from within North Korea, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Gil-dong | Not verified | |||
| The Flower Girl | Not verified | |||
| Comrade Kim Goes Flying | Not verified |
3 Essential Films from North Korea
Ranked native cinema in North Korea’s own creative voice.
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1. Hong Gil-dong
This North Korean action-adventure retells the legend of Hong Gil-dong, the noble outlaw of 15th-century Korea — a Robin Hood figure who champions the poor against corrupt officials. A martial-arts folk epic.
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2. The Flower Girl
Under Japanese occupation, a poor girl sells flowers to buy medicine for her dying mother while her family suffers under the colonial yoke, in a tale of hardship and awakening class consciousness. A revered North Korean revolutionary classic.
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3. Comrade Kim Goes Flying
A spirited North Korean coal miner refuses to give up her childhood dream of becoming a trapeze artist, defying doubters to pursue a life in the circus. A rare, sunny North Korean romantic comedy made with foreign collaborators.
The view from outside
10 Best Movies Set in or About North Korea
Compare how outside filmmakers have used North Korea as a sustained setting or subject.
- Joint Security Area 2000
- The Spy Gone North 2018
- A State of Mind 2004
Selected by the FilmsAroundThe.World editorial desk
Ranked for craft, enduring reputation, influence, and importance within North Korea 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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