25 Best Korean Movies of All Time That You Must Watch
Korean cinema has grown exponentially over the past few decades, captivating global audiences with its unique blend of riveting storytelling, stunning visuals, and top-notch acting. From heart-wrenching dramas to thrilling action flicks, Korea has produced some of the most critically acclaimed and highest-grossing films that showcase the talent and creativity of its filmmakers.
If you wish to get into Korean cinema, here are the 25 best Korean movies that you simply must watch.
1. Parasite (2019)
Undoubtedly one of the greatest Korean films of all time, Parasite made history by becoming the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Directed by auteur Bong Joon-ho, this biting social satire follows the destitute Kim family as they infiltrate the wealthy Park family by posing as qualified professionals. The film provides brilliant commentary on the class divide as the Kims manipulate their way into the Parks’ lives, leading to unexpected chaos and violence.
With its adept mix of dark comedy, suspense, and social criticism, Parasite keeps you hooked while giving you lots to ponder on long after the credits roll. The remarkable ensemble cast, creative direction, and gripping screenplay have made this Bong’s magnum opus.
2. Oldboy (2003)
The second installment in Park Chan-wook’s acclaimed Vengeance Trilogy, Oldboy is a bone-chilling thriller that’s not for the faint-hearted. It follows the story of Oh Dae-su, who is mysteriously imprisoned in a room for 15 years without knowing the identity of his captor or the reason for his capture. Once freed, he goes on a frantic search for answers, leading to several twisted revelations.
With its gritty violence, psychological trauma, and explicit content, Oldboy gives you an intense cinematic experience. The top-notch performances, unique premise, and shocking twists have cemented its position as a cult classic of Korean cinema. It also contains the iconic one-take hallway hammer fight scene, considered one of the greatest fight sequences in film history.
3. Train to Busan (2016)
Critics and audiences widely regard Train to Busan as one of the best zombie films ever made. It follows a group of passengers on a train from Seoul to Busan as a zombie outbreak spreads across the country. As the zombies invade each compartment, the motley crew of survivors must band together to fight for their lives and make it safely to Busan.
Blending heart-pounding action, social commentary, and emotional storytelling, the film provides an intensely gripping cinematic thrill ride. It depicts the zombie violence in a visceral yet poignant manner, punctuated by well-crafted characters and human relationships. The talented cast delivers compelling performances, led by Gong Yoo in the lead role.
4. The Handmaiden (2016)
Helmed by Park Chan-wook, The Handmaiden offers a sensuous and twisted spin on a Victorian tale of deception and passion. Set in Korea under Japanese rule, it follows a con man who hires a pickpocket to act as the maid of a reclusive heiress to help seduce and swindle her of her inheritance. However, the maid hatches a secret plan of her own.
The film wonderfully subverts genre conventions, entangling the characters in a web of mystery and eroticism. The lavish production design and gorgeous cinematography provide a visual treat. The Handmaiden cemented Park’s reputation for delivering risqué content in a hauntingly artistic manner.
5. Memories of Murder (2003)
One of the best crime thrillers in Korean cinema, Memories of Murder is masterfully directed by Bong Joon-ho, based on the true story of Korea’s first serial killer case. Set in the 1980s, it shows two rural detectives struggling to solve the growing number of rapes and murders in their town, hampered by lack of evidence and modern investigative tools.
The film works both as an engrossing crime drama as well as a subtle critique of incompetent policing and a repressive social order during that era in Korea. The stellar cast delivers authentic performances, conveying the desperation of the detectives as the killer keeps evading their grasp. It remains one of Bong’s best films in a celebrated filmography.
6. The Host (2006)
The Host is a monster movie like no other – a blockbuster creature feature that’s also a poignant family drama. It follows the destitute Park family who get embroiled in a disaster caused by an amphibious monster that emerges from the Han River to wreak havoc. When the creature abducts their youngest member, the family bands together to rescue her.
With nail-biting suspense, clever humor, and emotional heft, the film has all the entertainment of a B-movie along with the craft of an art film. Bong Joon-ho‘s empathetic direction and the brilliant CGI creature have made The Host an iconic film that broadened the appeal of Korean movies worldwide.
7. Joint Security Area (2000)
Joint Security Area depicts the tensions at the DMZ border between North and South Korea, through a mysterious shooting incident between soldiers on both sides. The investigation exposes the unlikely bond between the soldiers, leading to conversations on identity, ideology, and nationality.
With nuanced writing and compassionate direction by Park Chan-wook, the film humanizes people from both Koreas at a time when cinematic depictions of the North were jingoistic. It balances geopolitical insight with an intimate, emotional core exploring bonds of friendship. The film was a major hit in Korea and also gained fame internationally.
8. Poetry (2010)
Directed by renowned auteur Lee Chang-dong, Poetry tells the poignant story of an elderly woman who struggles with the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease while also battling the aftermath of a shocking crime committed by her grandson. She joins a poetry class to find inspiration and meaning amidst the chaos.
With moving performances and sensitive direction, the film explores memory, beauty, mortality, and redemption in lyrical and thought-provoking ways. Yoon Jeong-hee’s stunning lead performance as the grandmother anchors the film with emotional depth. The evocative visuals combined with themes of coping with loss have made this Lee’s most celebrated work.
9. Burning (2018)
One of the most acclaimed Korean films of recent times, Burning is a haunting psychological mystery drama directed by Lee Chang-dong. It follows an introverted young man whose chance reunion with a rich friend from childhood leads to an intertwining triangle of romance, obsession, and disappearance.
Moody and atmospheric, the film slowly builds an aura of dread and uncertainty, keeping you hooked through its ambiguities and minimalist storytelling. Steven Yeun delivers a chilling turn as the aloof, mysterious rich man, for which he became the first Korean actor to get nominated at the Golden Globes. The restrained direction and simmering tensions make this an unforgettable cinematic experience.
10. The Man from Nowhere (2010)
A rollercoaster action-thriller, The Man from Nowhere centers on a quiet pawnshop keeper whose violent past is revealed when a young neighbor girl he befriends gets kidnapped by a drug trafficking organization. He single-handedly takes on the entire gang to save her.
The film delivers one crowd-pleasing set piece after another, with top-notch fight choreography and stunts. But what elevates it is the emotional core of the loner hero bonding with the girl, leading to hardcore action fueled by heartwarming intent. Star Won Bin’s charismatic presence drives the film to soaring heights. Get ready for a riveting thrill ride.
11. The Chaser (2008)
A gritty crime drama-thriller, The Chaser revolves around a corrupt ex-cop turned pimp on a desperate search for one of his escorts who got kidnapped by a serial killer. He has to race against time to track down her whereabouts before it’s too late.
The film provides an unflinching glimpse into Seoul’s ugly urban underbelly rife with violence and crime. With shocking realism and feverish pacing, it keeps you gripped while also delivering a powerful, pro-feminist message. Kim Yoon-Seok is fantastic as the antihero pimp whose conscience awakens amidst the madness.
12. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
Spine-chilling and visually striking, A Tale of Two Sisters is one of the best Korean horror films ever made. The Gothic psychological thriller shows two sisters returning home to their unhinged father and cruel stepmother after a stint in a mental asylum. Ominous happenings lead to nightmarish consequences.
Stylishly directed by Kim Jee-woon, the film utilizes mystery, tension, and atmospherics to deliver one unsettling scene after another. It also incorporates Korean folk tales for added creepiness. The film was later adapted in Hollywood as The Uninvited but lacks all the somber beauty of the original.
13. Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013)
Get your handkerchiefs ready for this sentimental drama Miracle in Cell No. 7. It depicts the tragic tale of a caring father with an intellectual disability who gets wrongfully accused of sexual assault and the death of his cellmate’s child. His loving six-year-old daughter becomes his strongest ally and advocate.
The film is a sobfest, meaning to tug at your heartstrings at every moment. But it’s also uplifting with an important message about compassion. Ryu Seung-ryong as the innocent father delivers a soul-stirring performance conveying love, joy, and anguish through his expressions. The bittersweet story will stay with you for a long time.
14. The Housemaid (2010)
A sensual and chilling thriller, The Housemaid centers on a scheming housemaid who has an affair with her wealthy playboy employer, leading to utter mayhem in his household. With her manipulative charms, she exploits the vulnerabilities of each family member with devastating consequences.
With tantalizing eroticism and stylized visuals, director Im Sang-soo gives the 1960 Korean classic of the same name a seductively twisted modern remake. Jeon Do-Yeon enthralls in a Cannes-winning performance as the housemaid whose innocence masks sinister motives. It’s an electrifying and provocative thriller.
15. Mother (2009)
Mother tells the powerful story of a doting single mother who takes on the corrupt legal system to absolve her mentally challenged son of murder charges. She undertakes a relentless investigation by herself to find the real killer and prove her son’s innocence.
Driven by a towering performance by Kim Hye-ja in the titular role, the film explores the mother-son dynamic and the lengths a mother would go to protect her child. While thrilling and thought-provoking, the film derives great emotional impact from the unyielding maternal love depicted on-screen. Director Bong Joon-ho masterfully crafts another profound genre hybrid.
16. The Throne (2015)
A riveting historical drama, The Throne transports you to 18th-century Korea, chronicling the tragic life of Crown Prince Sado who went mad and was ordered to death by his father, King Yeongjo. The film imagines the political and familial forces that shaped his life.
The lavish period recreation visuals and furnishings transport you convincingly to the past. Song Kang-ho is magnificent as the grieving father grappling with power and conscience. The film insightfully reconstructs a system that sacrificed humanity for duty, made more poignant by the fraught father-son relationship.
17. Masquerade (2012)
Set during the Joseon dynasty, Masquerade presents a gripping fictional take on how a lowly acrobat had to temporarily act as the tyrannical King Gwanghae after discovering his assassination plans. He attempts to rule justly, gaining appreciation from citizens.
With lavish costumes and sets, the film evokes the era authentically, while the acting by Lee Byung-hun in a dual role adds to the fun dramatically. Well-paced and cleverly written, it blends palace intrigue, comedy, and ideological matters in a thoroughly entertaining package. Masquerade became one of the highest-grossing Korean films ever.
18. My Sassy Girl (2001)
A delightful romantic comedy, My Sassy Girl became an international sensation upon release, bolstering the Korean Wave. It depicts the misadventures and blossoming romance between a shy college student and the impulsive, eponymous sassy girl who turns his life upside down.
With a charming storyline, whimsical tone, and superb comic timing by its leads Jeon Ji-hyun and Cha Tae-hyun, the film mashed together different genres in an exciting blend. Both a date movie and a dramedy, My Sassy Girl captured the Korean youth culture of its time, spawning several remakes in other languages.
19. The Yellow Sea (2010)
A pulsating crime action-thriller, The Yellow Sea depicts an impoverished taxi driver accepting a high-paying job from a crime boss to assassinate Seoul. But when things go wrong, he gets pursued by gangsters and cops alike as he tries to solve the mystery.
With visceral violence and a constant air of paranoia, the film keeps you perpetually on edge as the protagonist gets caught in a spiral of mayhem. Ha Jung-woo expresses soul-searing anguish in the lead role of a good man forced to go rogue. The Yellow Sea confirmed Na Hong-jin as a virtuoso of Korean thrillers.
20. The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014)
The highest-grossing Korean film in history, The Admiral: Roaring Currents dramatizes the legendary 1597 Battle of Myeongryang where Korean admiral Yi Sun-Shin, against all odds, defeated a vastly bigger Japanese naval fleet with just 12 ships under his command.
A technical marvel recreating medieval naval warfare with sweeping action set pieces, the film evokes a great war hero valiantly fighting for his country. With charismatic performances and superb direction, it provides a rousing patriotic spectacle honoring monumental courage. The battle scenes boast entertainment and grandeur on an epic scale.
21. Bedevilled (2010)
A macabre revenge thriller, Bedevilled depicts an abused woman on a remote island taking a gruesome vengeance on the locals who tormented her for years. She is joined in her mission by her long-forgotten childhood friend who witnesses her plight during a visit.
The film shocks with eerie atmospherics and bloody violence while also providing social commentary on undying misogyny and callousness in society. Jang Chul-soo’s fierce direction and revenge storyline pack a visceral punch while highlighting pertinent gender issues. Not for the faint-hearted.
22. The Classified File (2015)
Based on true events, The Classified File is set in 1978 Busan when a local girl gets kidnapped, leading a determined detective to risk his career finding the culprit against obstruction by authorities. He forms an unlikely partnership with a fortune-teller who provides psychic help.
This underseen gem works as an absorbing period crime drama depicting the rampant corruption of the ’70s. With stylish aesthetics, sharp writing, and superb acting, the film makes the era come alive while keeping you hooked on the central abduction mystery. The ending is especially riveting and revelatory.
23. The Truth Beneath (2016)
The Truth Beneath is a haunting psychological thriller about a politician’s wife searching for clues about her teenage daughter’s sudden disappearance right before a crucial election. As sinister secrets tumble out, the mother’s sanity starts unraveling.
Son Ye-jin delivers a virtuoso performance conveying raw grief and mania. With striking visuals and an air of paranoia, the film works both as an unnerving mystery and a character study delving deep into damaged psyches. It chillingly exposes the dark facades of outwardly perfect families. The ending twists leave you gasping.
24. The Berlin File (2013)
A sleek espionage thriller, The Berlin File depicts a North Korean agent based in Berlin who gets betrayed by his own country when a lucrative weapons deal goes wrong. With both North and South Korea on his tail, he has to evade capture to prove his innocence.
Providing riveting looks at the dangerous lives of spies, the film delivers tightly staged action and bursts of gunfire and explosions. Ha Jung-woo impresses as the lean super-assassin trying to take down forces on both sides. For those fond of James Bond or Jason Bourne, this one provides enthralling spycraft twists aplenty.
25. The Spy Gone North (2018)
Based on real-life events, The Spy Gone North is set in the 1990s depicting a South Korean agent secretly infiltrating the highest North Korean echelons, with tension escalating when nuclear war seems imminent. He begins questioning his loyalty towards both sides.
Meticulously recreating key events during a fraught time, the taut thriller provides keen political insights into North-South relations. Hwang Jung-min channels charisma and gravitas in the lead, while slick action choreography excites. With urgency and intellect, the film explores ideals of patriotism and humanity.
Conclusion
Korean cinema has expanded its reach and fanbase worldwide in recent times through highlighting indigenous stories and talent, while masterfully fusing Hollywood genres and production values. With a line-up of top writers, directors, and actors, Korea continues to release cutting-edge films that break boundaries and win acclaim globally. Experiencing these remarkable movies is the best way to appreciate the creativity and innovation at the heart of Korean cinema. So grab your popcorn and get ready for a cinematic joyride.