25 Best Movies Featuring All-Asian Casts You Need to Watch

From sweeping epics to intimate family dramas, these films showcase the range of Asian cinema and Asian storytellers worldwide. You will find thrillers that keep you guessing, animated wonders that spark the imagination, and character studies that linger long after the credits. Each pick features an all-Asian ensemble, whether produced in Asia or by Asian creators abroad. Dive in to discover landmark titles, breakout performances, and stories that traveled far beyond their home countries.

‘Crazy Rich Asians’ (2018)

This romantic comedy follows a Chinese American economics professor who discovers her boyfriend comes from a wealthy Singaporean family. It features a Singapore and Malaysia setting with locations like Marina Bay Sands and CHIJMES. The cast includes Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, and Awkwafina. Jon M Chu directs, and the film became a major milestone for Asian American representation at the global box office.

‘Parasite’ (2019)

This Korean dark comedy thriller centers on two families whose lives intersect through a tutoring job. Bong Joon Ho directs with a cast led by Song Kang ho and Cho Yeo jeong. It won the top prize at Cannes and later swept major international awards including best picture honors. The film explores class divides through meticulous production design and sharp social satire.

‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ (2000)

Ang Lee directs this wuxia saga about a stolen sword and intertwining destinies. The ensemble includes Chow Yun fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, and Chang Chen. It blends martial arts choreography with romantic drama and sweeping landscapes across China. The film achieved worldwide acclaim and brought wuxia to a broad international audience.

‘In the Mood for Love’ (2000)

Wong Kar wai’s drama follows two neighbors who form a delicate bond after suspecting their spouses of infidelity. Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung lead the cast with achingly restrained performances. The cinematography by Christopher Doyle emphasizes saturated colors and slow, gliding movement. Its score and recurring motifs create a hypnotic portrait of longing.

‘Seven Samurai’ (1954)

Akira Kurosawa’s adventure epic gathers a band of masterless samurai to defend a village from bandits. Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura headline an ensemble that shaped action storytelling for decades. It introduced narrative beats later adapted in westerns and blockbusters. The production is known for large scale set pieces and groundbreaking editing.

‘Spirited Away’ (2001)

This animated fantasy from Studio Ghibli follows a girl who enters a spirit world after her parents are transformed. Hayao Miyazaki directs with voice performances from an all Japanese cast. The bathhouse setting brims with folkloric creatures and hand drawn detail. It became one of the highest grossing films in Japanese history and won major international awards.

‘Shoplifters’ (2018)

Hirokazu Kore eda’s drama focuses on a makeshift family that survives through petty theft and shared care. Ando Sakura, Lily Franky, and Mayu Matsuoka lead the cast. The film won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and drew attention to social safety nets in urban Japan. Naturalistic performances and quiet observation power its emotional impact.

‘Rashomon’ (1950)

Kurosawa’s landmark film examines a crime in the forest through conflicting testimonies. The cast features Toshiro Mifune, Machiko Kyo, and Takashi Shimura. Its multivantage structure introduced a storytelling device now known by the film’s title. Cinematography that shoots into bright skies and dappled light became a signature visual reference.

‘Train to Busan’ (2016)

This Korean thriller traps passengers on a high speed train during a viral outbreak. Gong Yoo, Jung Yu mi, and Ma Dong seok lead the ensemble. Director Yeon Sang ho uses confined spaces for inventive action beats and escalating tension. The film expanded into a broader universe with related titles from the same creative team.

‘Infernal Affairs’ (2002)

This Hong Kong crime drama follows an undercover cop inside a triad and a triad mole inside the police. Andy Lau and Tony Leung star with direction by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. It revived the local crime genre and inspired a major Hollywood remake. Tight pacing and parallel character arcs drive the narrative.

‘Oldboy’ (2003)

Park Chan wook’s neo noir thriller traces a man mysteriously imprisoned and released with a ticking deadline. Choi Min sik and Kang Hye jung deliver intense central performances. The hallway fight and twist laden plot became cultural touchstones. Meticulous framing and a memorable score support its unsettling mood.

‘The Handmaiden’ (2016)

Inspired by a British novel but transposed to colonial era Korea, this film follows a con artist plot with shifting perspectives. Kim Min hee, Kim Tae ri, and Ha Jung woo lead the cast. Park Chan wook crafts intricate set design and costuming to reflect power games. The structure reveals secrets through carefully staged reversals.

‘Hero’ (2002)

Zhang Yimou’s wuxia epic presents multiple versions of an assassination tale at the Qin court. Jet Li, Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, and Donnie Yen anchor the ensemble. Color coded chapters and large scale formations define its visual style. The score by Tan Dun and use of wuxia wire work create a lyrical spectacle.

‘House of Flying Daggers’ (2004)

Set during the Tang period, this wuxia romance follows two officers and a rebel fighter on a perilous journey. Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Andy Lau star. Zhang Yimou emphasizes seasonal color palettes and elaborate choreography. The film became a global art house hit with strong box office outside China.

‘Ip Man’ (2008)

This biographical martial arts film focuses on the Wing Chun master who later taught Bruce Lee. Donnie Yen portrays the title role under director Wilson Yip. The production features tightly staged fight scenes and period sets in Foshan and Hong Kong. Its success led to multiple sequels and related projects.

‘Dangal’ (2016)

This Indian sports drama follows a former wrestler who trains his daughters for elite competition. Aamir Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sanya Malhotra lead the cast. It became one of the highest grossing Indian films worldwide with strong reception in China. The story highlights coaching methods, training montages, and national level tournaments.

‘3 Idiots’ (2009)

Set at an engineering college, this Indian coming of age story follows three friends navigating academic pressure. Aamir Khan, R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, and Kareena Kapoor feature in key roles. The film popularized dialogue and scenes about innovation and student well being. It found success across multiple Asian markets and inspired remakes.

‘Bāhubali: The Beginning’ (2015)

S S Rajamouli directs this Telugu language epic about rival heirs and a lost prince. Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, and Tamannaah lead the cast. Massive sets, VFX heavy battles, and a sweeping score define the production. The film set new benchmarks for pan Indian releases and franchise building.

‘Pather Panchali’ (1955)

Satyajit Ray’s debut portrays a rural Bengali family facing hardship and change. Subir Banerjee and Karuna Banerjee star with music by Ravi Shankar. The film introduced the Apu trilogy and brought Indian neorealism to global attention. Location shooting and nonprofessional actors contribute to its documentary like texture.

‘A Separation’ (2011)

Asghar Farhadi’s Iranian drama follows a couple’s split and a legal dispute that spirals outward. Peyman Moaadi and Leila Hatami lead a cast that navigates family duty and class. It won major international awards including best foreign language film honors. Precise scripting and moral ambiguity earned wide critical attention.

‘The Lunchbox’ (2013)

Set in Mumbai, this drama follows a mistaken delivery that sparks an exchange of notes between two strangers. Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur headline the cast. The film showcases the dabbawala network and everyday office routines. Its festival run led to strong word of mouth and international distribution.

‘Chungking Express’ (1994)

Wong Kar wai tells two intersecting stories about love and chance in Hong Kong. Brigitte Lin, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung, and Faye Wong star. Handheld camerawork and step printing create kinetic city images. The soundtrack and midnight eatery setting became enduring cultural references.

‘Battle Royale’ (2000)

This Japanese thriller depicts a government program that forces students into a survival game. Tatsuya Fujiwara and Aki Maeda lead the ensemble under Kinji Fukasaku’s direction. The film blends social commentary with stylized violence and classroom dynamics. It influenced later survival narratives across media.

‘Farewell My Concubine’ (1993)

Chen Kaige’s historical drama spans decades in the lives of two Peking opera performers. Leslie Cheung, Zhang Fengyi, and Gong Li star. The film won the top prize at Cannes and secured wide international release. Opera training sequences and backstage politics frame a story of art and identity.

‘Raise the Red Lantern’ (1991)

Zhang Yimou’s drama follows a young woman who becomes the fourth wife of a wealthy man and faces rigid household rules. Gong Li leads a cast that navigates ritual, hierarchy, and quiet rebellion. The production design emphasizes symmetry and the symbolic red lanterns. It received global acclaim and cemented Zhang Yimou’s reputation.

Share your favorites from this list in the comments and tell us which all Asian ensemble you think more people should discover.