Top 20 Asian Horror Movie Watch List!
We’re rounding towards the end of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We wanted to highlight some of our favorite Asian Horror films. There’s a specific style and voice that Asian horror movies have. They focus on story and have a unique perspective when it comes to the supernatural that American films just do not, usually dealing with an element of curses or vengeful ghosts. The tone of the films are often very ominous and never overtly sexual to get the story across and trigger a response that will linger. Asian Horror Filmmaking is unforgettable and an important part of the horror genre.
So, enjoy our top 20 list of Asian horror movies to watch streaming!
*Please note* Films are listed in alphabetical order. Streaming availability is posted according to publish date. Please check your local listings and the linked Just Watch page for streaming updates!
0.0 MHZ (2019): In this Korean horror film, a group of supernatural investigators decides to go into a haunted house and they yield results they were unprepared for.
This Shudder original film is SPOOKY! 0.0 MHZ doesn’t break any horror molds and the CG isn’t perfect but it’s just a good time.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder exclusive.
Audition (1999): A lonely widower takes an offer to screen girls for a special audition to find him a new wife. (Equivalent of dating apps today – watch out fellas.) The woman that piques his interest turns out to be not at all what she seems.
Audition comes from the incredibly talented mind of Takashi Miike. A Japanese director who is known for pushing the envelope and has attained quite a cult following. Note: This film is NOT for the faint of heart!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Tubi, Kanopy, and available for rental.
Dark Water (2002): In this Japanese horror film, a single mother and her 6-year-old daughter move into a strange apartment complex. They are shrouded in continuous dark waters.
Many of you may know of the American remake of this film by the same name, “Dark Water” starring Jennifer Connelly.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Tubi, Kanopy, and available for rental.
Detention (2019): This supernatural psychological horror film is set in 1962 Taiwan during the White Terror martial law period. Two students that belong to a book club are trapped in their high school and try to find their missing teacher Mr Chang. During their search, they are riddled with terrifying ghosts of the past. This Thai horror film is based on a successful video game of the same name.
Fun Fact: This film was not released in China by government order but still received a strong box office in multiple countries.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder, AMC+ with Amazon, and available for rental.
Dream Home (2010): In this Chinese horror film, Cheng Li-Sheung is a young woman and business professional who has been scrimping and saving. She finally is ready to invest in her first home. But when the deal falls through, she is compelled to keep her dream alive…this takes Cheng Li down a dark spiral in which there is no return.
Those in a difficult housing market will relate to this film but it’s satire so don’t take it too seriously…
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: AMC+ and Shudder with Amazon and available for rental.
The Host (2006): In this Korean horror film, a monster emerges from Seoul’s Han River and begins attacking people. A man loses his daughter to the beast. He and his loving family do what they can to rescue her from its clutches.
The Host comes from the remarkable Academy Award-winning Korean director, Bong Joon Ho (Snowpiercer, Parasite). This film is terrifying but also packed with a lot of heart. It’ll keep you at the edge of your seat!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Hoopla, Tubi, and available for rental.
House (1977): When a young schoolgirl’s Sumner plans fall through she and six of her friends go to her aunt’s country home, which turns out to be haunted AF!
If you haven’t seen House it’s a MUST SEE! In the first act, you’ll feel like you’re watching an Asian mellow drama during act one but just you wait. Throw sense to the side because this Japanese horror film is absolutely bananas in the very best ways!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: HBO Max, The Criterion Channel, and available for rental.
Ju-On: The Grudge (2002): A young female caretaker discovers there’s something very wrong with this house when a mysterious and vengeful spirit pursues anybody who enters the house in which it resides.
Gotta love a horror movie with a scary kid…this Japanese film grips anyone who watches it. Terror at every turn. Many of you know the American remake, “The Grudge“ starring scream queen Sarah Michelle Gellar. The remake did take a few story liberties that we felt were less successful than the original Japanese film but it’s still pretty good. The American version did excel in special effects comparitively.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Available for rental only.
Mon Mon Mon Monsters! (2017): A menacing group of young teens stumbles across a man-eating monster and decide to take matters into their own hands…
This Taiwanese film will leave you thinking about it days after you’ve watched it. Mon Mon Mon Monsters! is gripping in storytelling while also brutal in its device. The trailer below will lead you to be it is a horror/comedy. IT IS NOT. Looking forward to more from director Giddens Ko. Highly recommend!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder, AMC+ with Amazon, and available for rental.
Noroi: The Curse (2005): In this Japanese found footage type horror film, a documentary filmmaker explores seemingly unrelated paranormal accounts connected by the legend of an ancient demon called the “Kagutaba” and they live to regret it.
Noroi: The Curse is relatively unknown but one of the better found-footage horror movies out there!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder, AMC+ with Amazon or The Roku Channel, and available for rental.
One Missed Call (2003): In this Japanese horror film, unsuspecting people mysteriously start receiving messages from their future selves, foretelling their inevitable deaths.
This horror film also had an American remake by the same name, “One Missed Call” starring Shannyn Sossamon. Not as successful as The Grudge or The Ring but garnered over $45 million box office worldwide.
Fun Fact: Guillermo del Toro was offered to direct the remake but turned it down to do Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Wow, imagine how incredible the film could have been.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder, Tubi, AMC+ with Amazon and Roku, and available for rental.
The Pool (2018): In this Thai horror film, a couple is stranded in an abandoned 6-meter deep pool, with a deadly predator and there’s no one around to hear them scream.
The Pool is TERRIFYING! I think most of all because it’s so realistic in concept. This could happen to anyone easily. One of my worst fears is being eaten alive. Just nope, nope, nope! Highly recommend!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder, DirecTV, AMC+ with Amazon and Roku, and available for rental.
Rampant (2018): In this Chinese horror film, Lee Chung is a Prince of Joseon, but he has been taken hostage by the Qing Dynasty and must fight to stay alive surrounded by a hoard of zombies.
This film is action-packed! Zombies, swords, and martial arts…what more could you ask for?
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Fubo, Vudu, Tubi, Crackle, and available for rental.
Ringu (1998): A reporter and her ex-husband investigate a cursed videotape that is rumored to kill the viewer seven days after watching it.
This Japanese film has a well-known remake called, “The Ring“ starring Naomi Watts that garnered two sequels, The Ring Two and Rings. Ringu has inspired several horror films in its wake and the horror genre has never been the same.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder, Tubi, VIX, AMC+ with Amazon, and available for rental.
The Sadness (2022): In this Taiwanese horror film, a young couple trying to reunite amid a city ravaged by a plague that turns its victims into deranged, bloodthirsty maniacs.
This movie is utterly INSANE! The Sadness isn’t your everyday zombie movie. In a world surrounded by a virus that just won’t go away, this Thai horror movie will give you shivers to your core. You’ll be so filled with adrenaline by the end of screening you’ll need to go run around the block. Warning: This film is very graphic and gory.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder, AMC+ with Amazon, and available for rental.
Shutter (2004): In this supernatural Thai horror film, a young photographer and his partner discover a strange presence in their photographs after a dreadful accident. They soon learn that you can not escape your past.
This film is super eery and will have you checking ALL your photographs from here on out! This movie was a box office huge success in Thailand and is known worldwide. In 2008 an American remake of “Shutter” was made starring Joshua Jackson which also garnered success with a budget of $8 million and grossing over $48 million at the box office worldwide.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Vudu, Kanopy, and available for rental.
Tales of Two Sisters (2003): This Korean film is based on a Joseon Dynasty-era folktale. A young girl who comes home from a mental institution must face that the family is haunted by the tragedies of deaths and ghosts of the past.
You’re probably starting to detect a trend here but there is an American remake of this film called, “The Uninvited” starring Elizabeth Banks in 2009. The remake received mixed reviews.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder with Amazon, Kanopy.
Thirst (2009): In this Korean vampire horror film from Park Chan-wok, a desperate Catholic priest volunteers at a hospital to help create a vaccine for a deadly virus. Through a failed medical experiment, the priest is stricken with bloodthirst and is forced to abandon his religious ways.
Thirst stars Kang-ho Song (Parasite, The Host, Snowpiercer) and won the Jury Prize at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival where it was also nominated for the Palme d’Or. This film is incredibly well done!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Available for rental only.
Train to Busan (2016): In this Korean horror film, Seok-woo fights to survive and protect his daughter amidst a zombie virus that breaks out in South Korea. Other passengers struggle to stay alive on the train from Seoul to Busan where they can hopefully get to the safe zone.
Train to Busan is SO GOOD. This movie from start to finish keeps you captivated. Along with the true terror of the situation at its story base is a story of human nature. A must-watch!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Amazon Prime, Fubo, Peacock, AMC+ with Amazon, The Roku Channel, Hoopla, Vudu, Tubi, Crackle, Redbox, and available for rental.
Warning: Do Not Play AKA Amjeon (2019): In this Korean horror film, Park Mi-jung is a novice film director looking for the subject of her next project. Desperate for inspiration she looks to a banned horror project from 8 years prior. In discovering what happened in the past she’s uncovered darkness she wasn’t prepared for.
This Shudder original film is scary and meta for those in the film industry. It’s a fun watch.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder, DirecTV, AMC+ with Amazon, and available for rental.
Honorable Mention
The Eye (2002): In this Chinese horror film, a young blind woman gets a cornea transplant surgery to regain her vision. She quickly realized to her horror that she can now see spirits from the beyond and discovers she is linked to the person who gave her the eye.
I couldn’t post an Asian horror list without mentioning The Eye. The film received mixed reviews but I found the film terrifying. You ultimately expect your eyes to show you the truth. When you start seeing things you don’t expect it’s horrific. There’s one scene in particular that has stayed with me for years! The film garnered a few sequels and an American remake of the same name, “The Eye”, in 2008 starring Jessica Alba.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Unfortunately, The Eye isn’t available anywhere streaming but keep checking! That may change at some point.
Sadako vs. Kayako (2016): First announced as an April Fool’s Joke this supernatural horror film that includes a head-to-head battle between Sadako from Ringu and Kayako from Ju-on is a fun horror experience. It’s definitely nothing to take seriously and has elements of humor but if you enjoy both films it’s worth a watch.
If you’d like to check out something super hilarious check out Sadako, Kayako, and Toshio on a baseball field playing a game.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder and Shudder with Amazon, AMC+ with Amazon and Roku, and available for rental.
More from Married to Horror
Looking for more? You can find more general Married to Horror selections by checking out our recommendations and lists. Take a peek at our Master Watch List where you can find an array of horror films sorted by title, platform, rating, and more!
Did we miss any of your favorites? Comment below or email us at contact@marriedtohorror.com! Follow our Facebook group Married to Horror and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @marriedtohorror.
