Asian horror movies always push the boundaries of fear and create unforgettable nightmares. If you’re searching for the latest and most terrifying releases, we’ve compiled a list of the best Asian horror movies.
Get ready to go through the darkest corners of Asian horror cinema, where the scares are fresh, chilling, and guaranteed to haunt your dreams.
Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula
| Director | Yeon Sang-ho |
|---|---|
| Cast | Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun |
| Duration | 1h 56min |
| Genre | Action, Horror, Thriller |
| Release Date | July 15, 2020 |
| IMDb Rating | 5.5/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 51% |
This highly anticipated Korean zombie thriller is a standalone sequel to the 2016 hit movie Train to Busan. Peninsula is the story of a post-apocalyptic world overrun by bloodthirsty zombies, delivering heart-stopping action, intense suspense, and emotional drama as survivors battle for survival against the undead hordes.
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Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum
| Director | Jung Bum-shik |
|---|---|
| Cast | Wi Ha-jun, Park Ji-hyun |
| Duration | 1h 34min |
| Genre | Horror, Mystery, Drama |
| Release Date | March 28, 2018 |
| IMDb Rating | 6.1/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 90% |
Although released in 2018, this South Korean found-footage horror movie deserves a mention for its spine-chilling scares. Inspired by a real haunted location, Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum takes viewers on a terrifying journey as a group of YouTubers decide to explore an abandoned mental asylum, undergoing so many paranormal horrors that will leave you breathless.
The Call
| Director | Lee Chung-hyun |
|---|---|
| Cast | Park Shin-Hye, Jeon Jong-Seo |
| Duration | 1h 52min |
| Genre | Mystery, Thriller |
| Release Date | November 27, 2020 |
| IMDb Rating | 7.1/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 100% |
This South Korean thriller combines horror and time travel. The Call shows us two women living in different periods who connect through a phone call, uncovering a dark secret that leads to a battle against fate.
The movie has such nice, gripping storytelling and atmospheric tension that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
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The Strangers: Prey at Night
| Director | Johannes Roberts |
|---|---|
| Cast | Christina Hendricks, Bailee Madison |
| Duration | 1h 25min |
| Genre | Horror, Thriller |
| Release Date | March 9, 2018 |
| IMDb Rating | 5.2/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 40% |
While not a pure Asian production, this American movie is directed by Johannes Roberts and takes inspiration from classic Asian horror. The sequel to the 2008 movie The Strangers: Prey at Night is a story of a family who encounters a trio of masked strangers at an isolated mobile home park, resulting in a fight for survival.
The Medium
| Director | Banjong Pisanthanakun |
|---|---|
| Cast | Narilya Gulmongkol, Sirani Yankittikan |
| Duration | 2h 11min |
| Genre | Horror, Mystery |
| Release Date | March 4, 2021 |
| IMDb Rating | 6.3/10 |
The Medium is a supernatural horror movie from Thailand. It tells the story of a shaman’s daughter who is haunted by evil spirits and needs to confront her family’s dark past.
With its eerie atmosphere, stunning visuals, and chilling scares, this movie provides a unique and terrifying presentation of Thai folklore.
Read More: 9 Best Horror Movies on Tubi for Thrilling Chills and Scares
Impetigore
| Director | Joko Anwar |
|---|---|
| Cast | Tara Basro, Ario Bayu |
| Duration | 1h 47min |
| Genre | Horror, Mystery, Thriller |
| Release Date | October 17, 2019 |
| IMDb Rating | 6.5/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 83% |
Directed by Joko Anwar, Impetigore is an Indonesian horror movie that centers around a woman who returns to her ancestral village only to discover a horrific secret that threatens her life.
This movie combines scares with social commentary, creating an interesting and thought-provoking viewing experience.
Jallikkattu
| Director | Lijo Jose Pellissery |
|---|---|
| Cast | Antony Varghese, Chemban Vinod Jose |
| Duration | 1h 35min |
| Genre | Drama, Thriller |
| Release Date | September 6, 2019 |
| IMDb Rating | 7.1/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 86% |
This Indian Malayalam-language movie offers a unique take on horror. The movie is set in a rural village called Jallikkatt and explores the chaos that happens when a buffalo escapes right before a traditional bull-taming event.
As the villagers fall into madness, primal instincts and feelings of terror are everywhere, making this movie an intense and visually stunning experience.
Read More: 9 Best Supernatural Horror Movies to Watch
The Closet
| Director | Kim Kwang-bin |
|---|---|
| Cast | Ha Jung-woo, Kim Nam-gil |
| Duration | 1h 37min |
| Genre | Horror, Thriller |
| Release Date | February 5, 2020 |
| IMDb Rating | 5.6/10 |
A South Korean supernatural horror movie, The Closet, revolves around a man who moves into a new house with his daughter and discovers a hidden closet that frees some evil forces.
With its twists, atmospheric scares, and emotional deepness, this movie will leave you sleepless long after it ends.
One Cut of the Dead
| Director | Shinichiro Ueda |
|---|---|
| Cast | Takayuki Hamatsu, Yuzuki Akiyama |
| Duration | 1h 36min |
| Genre | Comedy, Horror |
| Release Date | November 4, 2017 |
| IMDb Rating | 7.7/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 100% |
While slightly older, this Japanese zombie comedy-horror film gained worldwide praise and deserves a place on this list. One Cut of the Dead combines humor with scares as it takes the audience behind the scenes of a low-budget zombie movie.
With its creative storytelling, unexpected twists, and nice acting, this film is a fun and refreshing addition to the Asian horror genre.
Read More: 9 Best Horror Movies on Peacock to Keep You Up at Night
Conclusion
So, my friends, these were some of the best Asian horror movies offering an array of frights and chills. If you’re a fan of supernatural tales, found-footage horrors, or psychological narratives, these recent releases will leave you with plenty of nightmares.
So, dim the lights, grab some popcorn, and prepare for a terrifying ride through Asian horror cinema.
