Best Korean Movies – So, you’ve binge-watched a slew of Korean dramas to the point of exhaustion. Alternatively, perhaps you were a fan of the South Korean film Parasite, which won Best Picture at the 2020 Academy Awards for the first time ever.
As a result, you’re undoubtedly seeking more amazing Korean movies to watch, from dramatic dramas and scary action flicks to the most romantic Korean films that make you drool. Here are some of the finest movies from South Korean films that have received international recognition, all of which you can see right here.
On this list, you’ll find everything from a heartfelt drama to an adrenaline-pumping psychological thriller. On this list, you’ll find many of Bong Joon Ho’s most notable works, as well as some of the most highly praised works from Korean directors of the modern age.
From comedy to horror films to zombie movies, Korean cinema offers something for everyone.
1. Minari (2020)
IMDB: 7.4
Six Academy Award nominations (including for Best Picture!) were given to the Korean-American filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung’s recent highly praised film about a family of South Korean immigrants in 1980s rural Arkansas. This is one of those moments where having a box of Kleenex on hand will come in helpful.
2. The Beauty Inside (2015)
IMDB: 7.3
As a romantic Korean film, this 2015 fantasy rom-com—based on the 2012 American social film of the same name—is about a guy who wakes up in numerous bodies every day. It’s also possible to see a K-drama version of the film afterwards!
3. Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure (2022)
IMDB: 6.0
This historical adventure film about Joseon Dynasty pirates searching for missing royal wealth at sea is one of the most recent Korean releases. One of the most anticipated Korean films of 2022, Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure offers an action-packed narrative with lots of thrills and spills.
4. Be with You (2018)
IMDB: 7.7
Another well-received romantic Korean film, this sweet melodrama dominated the box office upon its release. In Be with You, a remake of a classic Japanese film of the same name, a lady magically returns to her husband one year later after her death, but with no recollection of her life or family.
5. Space Sweepers (2021)
IMDB: 6.5
Are you a fan of sci-fi action films? One of Netflix’s most recent Korean films, Space Sweepers, is set in 2092, when the Earth has become nearly inhabitable. The film is being hailed as the first Korean space blockbuster. On a space garbage collection ship named The Victory, the narrative follows the crew as they uncover a little humanoid robot and set off on an epic journey through space.
6. The Wailing (2016)
IMDB: 7.4
The Wailing, which has a 99 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating, is a clear example of South Korean cinema’s long-standing excellence in the horror genre. To say that this critically acclaimed horror-thriller is not for the faint of heart is an understatement.
7. Memories of Murder (2003)
IMDB: 8.1
If you like Bong Joon Ho’s last film, Parasite, and want to see more of his work, Memories of Murder is a good place to start. Following two detectives as they investigate a string of killings (loosely based on the actual tale of Korea’s first proven serial murderers from the 1980s), this criminal thriller features elements of societal commentary and absurdist humor
8. My Sassy Girl (2001)
IMDB: 8.0
One of Korea’s most popular romantic comedies, My Sassy Girl was the highest-grossing comedy in the country at the time of its release. It’s easy to understand how this little gem, about a college student who falls in love with a troublemaker, became such a big hit.
9. Parasite (2019)
IMDB: 8.5
Because of its widespread recognition, this black comedic thriller has become the first foreign-language film to win Best Picture at the Oscars. All throughout Parasite the suspenseful storytelling keeps the audience on their toes — and gives a very fascinating take on major subjects like classism, brutality, and social inequity.
10. Burning (2018)
IMDB: 7.5
Haruki Murakami’s short tale Barn Burning is the inspiration for Lee Chang-critically dong’s praised psychological mystery drama about a young guy who discovers a dark truth after his boyhood buddy returns from an excursion and brings along another man who has an unusual interest with him.
11. Train to Busan (2016)
IMDB: 7.6
In Train to Busan, a Korean thriller, a guy is on a train that has been seized by a zombie epidemic and must battle for his life as he tries to get to the other side of the train. This is another must-see Korean thriller. This one is going to have you on the edge of your seat the whole time!
12. The Host (2006)
IMDB: 7.1
If you like Bong Joon Ho’s last film, Parasite, The Host is a must-see (particularly since it stars Parasite’s star Song Kang-ho). Featuring a horrifying sea creature, this movie is widely regarded as one of the best monster films ever made.
13. A Taxi Driver (2017)
IMDB: 7.9
Song Kang-ho, who starred in Parasite, stars in yet another critically acclaimed film about a Seoul cab driver who unwittingly becomes engaged in the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. Plus, the film is based on an actual true story, making it much more intriguing to see.
14. Oldboy (2003)
IMDB: 8.4
Park Chan-wook, one of Korea’s most acclaimed filmmakers, directed this dark and gritty retribution picture about a man who embarks on a revenge quest after being imprisoned for 15 years without explanation. This is not a game for the weak of heart!
15. The Handmaiden (2016)
IMDB: 8.1
Park Chan-latest wook’s film, based on Sarah Waters’ 2002 novel Fingersmith, is an erotic psychological thriller and romantic comedy. In the 1930s colonial era of Korea and Japan, a wealthy Japanese heiress and her Korean handmaiden, who is actually involved in an elaborate conspiracy with a con-man to lure the affluent woman from her fortune, are the focus of this fascinating film.
Published By : Chittajallu H S Kumar
Edited By : Kiran Maharana
