48 Essential Asian Horror Films
48 titles
- 1
Noroi: The CurseMovie · 2005 · 115m · Horror, Mystery, ThrillerA documentary filmmaker investigates a series of seemingly unconnected paranormal events linked by the legend of an ancient demon.Stream onIMDb 6.8TMDB 6.9
- 2
I Saw the DevilMovie · 2010 · 144m · Thriller, HorrorKyung-chul is a dangerous psychopath who kills for pleasure. Soo-hyeon, a top-secret agent, resolves to hunt down the killer personally. He vows to do whatever it takes to avenge the murders, even if it means sacrificing his own humanity.Stream onIMDb 7.8TMDB 7.8
- 3
DormMovie · 2006 · 111m · Horror, MysteryWhen twelve-year-old Ton starts at an all-boys boarding school, he faces bullying from his classmates and is frightened by their stories of ghosts within the school. He is deeply unhappy until he forms a friendship with an enigmatic classmate.Stream onIMDb 6.8TMDB 6.5
- 4
Art of the Devil 2Movie · 2005 · 102m · Horror, Mystery, ThrillerA captivating teacher is betrayed by six of her students. Driven to horrific revenge, she turns to dark magic, enacting brutal punishments upon each of them.IMDb 5.9TMDB 6.8 - 5
ThirstMovie · 2009 · 134m · Drama, Horror, ThrillerA respected priest volunteers for a risky experimental procedure intended to cure a deadly virus. He contracts the virus and dies, but is unexpectedly revived by a transfusion of blood from an unidentified source. Now alive, he struggles with conflicting desires: his faith versus a growing, unsettling bloodlust, and a powerful attraction to the wife of a childhood friend.Stream onIMDb 7.1TMDB 7.1
- 6
School Ghost Story GMovie · 1998 · 71mThis made-for-TV horror anthology features four distinct stories, with two of them providing backstory to the *Ju-on* series.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.5 - 7
The EyeMovie · 2002 · 98m · HorrorA concert violinist who is blind receives a cornea transplant and regains her sight. Unexpectedly, she begins to see ghosts. Driven to uncover the truth, she embarks on a quest to trace the cornea's origin and learn about the person it once belonged to.Stream onIMDb 6.6TMDB 6.6
- 8
HouseMovie · 1977 · 88m · Comedy, Fantasy, HorrorTo learn more about her mother's history, Gorgeous travels with six friends to visit their aunt at a historic country estate. The large, mysterious house reveals hidden secrets and stories from the past. As Gorgeous and her friends explore, they uncover connections to their own lives and relationships.
This story combines personal reflection and close friendship as Gorgeous and her companions explore the old house. It's an engaging look at discovering oneself, family, and the impact of shared experiences. This captivating story of history, friendship, and self-discovery offers a memorable film experience.Stream onIMDb 7.2TMDB 7.3
- 9
BedevilledMovie · 2010 · 117m · Thriller, Crime, DramaA woman living in Seoul, feeling lost, travels to a secluded island to see a friend from her past. There, she becomes entangled in a devastating pattern of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. As the situation intensifies, her struggle for survival transforms into a gripping story of fighting back.Stream onIMDb 7.2TMDB 7.2
- 10
CelloMovie · 2005 · 94m · Horror, MysteryAfter a car accident, a cellist begins experiencing unsettling occurrences.IMDb 5.9TMDB 6.0 - 11
The WailingMovie · 2016 · 156m · Horror, MysteryA stranger appears in a quiet village, followed by the sudden outbreak of a strange illness. A local police officer becomes involved and must unravel the mystery behind the sickness to protect his daughter.Stream onIMDb 7.4TMDB 7.4
- 12
Dream HomeMovie · 2010 · 96m · HorrorDriven by an unwavering desire for a seaside home, a woman is willing to do anything to achieve her goal. Her methods escalate to deliberately lowering property values and driving out potential neighbors, ultimately resorting to murder to secure the property for herself.Stream onIMDb 6.6TMDB 6.4
- 13
InfectionMovie · 2004 · 98m · Horror, DramaA dark, isolated hospital becomes the site of a dangerous infection, the result of a single doctor's error. Here, death is a constant threat.Stream onIMDb 6.0TMDB 6.4
- 14
OccultMovie · 2009 · 110m · Horror, Mystery, ThrillerJournalist Koji Shiraishi interviews people who survived a random attack at a tourist spot, and begins looking into the unusual things that have been happening to them.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.6 - 15
Dark WaterMovie · 2002 · 101m · Horror, Mystery, ThrillerDivorcing, a woman and her young daughter relocate to a strange apartment building. Their apartment features a persistent, ominous leak in the ceiling.Stream onIMDb 6.7TMDB 6.8
- 16
OnibabaMovie · 1964 · 105mDuring the war, a mother and daughter-in-law live in a swamp, surviving by killing samurai who wander into their territory and selling their belongings. They are heartbroken by news of their son Kichi's death. Soon after, Kichi’s wife begins an affair with Hachi, a neighbor who also survived the war. The mother disapproves of the relationship and, unable to have Hachi for herself, attempts to frighten her daughter-in-law with a strange mask taken from a deceased samurai.Stream onIMDb 7.8TMDB 7.7
- 17
Noriko's Dinner TableMovie · 2005 · 159m · Thriller, DramaNoriko Shimabara, a teenager from Toyokawa, runs away from home to connect with Kumiko, the administrator of the online bulletin board, Haikyo.com. She becomes part of Kumiko's online community, which takes a disturbing turn following the mass suicide of 54 high school girls.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.9 - 18
PulseMovie · 2001 · 119m · Horror, Thriller, MysteryIn sprawling Tokyo, some people drawn to the afterlife find solace in escaping the loneliness and unhappiness of modern life.Stream onIMDb 6.6TMDB 6.7
- 19
Tokyo Gore PoliceMovie · 2008 · 110m · Horror, Action, Science FictionIn a futuristic Tokyo, a young officer in the private police force hunts for the person who murdered her father. Her investigation puts her at odds with a group of mutant rebels called engineers.Stream onIMDb 5.9TMDB 6.0
- 20
Ju-on: The GrudgeMovie · 2002 · 92m · HorrorA social worker is assigned to assess a deeply troubled elderly woman whose family has relocated to the scene of a highly publicized murder. Her arrival inadvertently triggers a terrifying chain of events, with the horror seemingly spreading from one victim to the next.Stream onIMDb 6.7TMDB 6.7
- 21
Whispering CorridorsMovie · 1998 · 105m · Horror, Drama, MysteryIn a small Korean town, the ghost of a recently deceased high school student returns seeking justice for her death and to protect her friends. She haunts her old school, determined to uncover the truth behind her tragic fate and shield those she cared about. As she navigates the afterlife, the spirit forms a bond with her remaining classmates, helping them cope with grief and fear. This supernatural story explores friendship, justice, and the strength of the human spirit when confronting the unknown. It's a moving journey as the ghost revisits memories and strives for peace while supporting those left behind.Stream onIMDb 5.9TMDB 6.1
- 22
Ju-on: The Grudge 2Movie · 2003 · 92m · Horror, ThrillerA reality TV crew filming a paranormal show in the infamous Saeki house experiences unsettling occurrences. Strange events begin to happen at the location.Stream onIMDb 6.3TMDB 6.4
- 23
AuditionMovie · 2000 · 115m · Horror, DramaSeven years after his wife's death, widower Shigeharu asks a colleague for advice on finding a new spouse. They create an opportunity by staging an audition through their film company. While interviewing several women, Shigeharu is drawn to the reserved Asami. However, their connection takes a dark turn as Asami reveals a hidden side.Stream onIMDb 7.1TMDB 7.1
- 24
Ring 2Movie · 1999 · 95m · Horror, Mystery, Science FictionJournalist Mai Takano investigates her boyfriend's death and discovers a cursed videotape. The tape features the ghost of Sadako, a young girl, and legend says anyone who watches it will die within seven days. As Mai's boyfriend's son, Yoichi, begins to show strange psychic abilities like Sadako, she must find the truth behind these powers quickly to save herself and Yoichi from a terrifying fate.Stream onIMDb 5.8TMDB 5.8
- 25
GozuMovie · 2003 · 130m · Horror, Comedy, CrimeMinami accidentally kills Brother, a gangster associate. Shortly after, Brother's body disappears, and Minami begins searching for him. He discovers a secluded hotel and decides to stay there. The hotel staff are odd, and the atmosphere is unsettling. Minami soon realizes he's in over his head.Stream onIMDb 6.9TMDB 6.8
- 26
A Tale of Two SistersMovie · 2003 · 115m · Drama, Horror, MysteryTwo sisters come home from a mental institution and find themselves dealing with unsettling events and a difficult relationship with their stepmother. As strange things happen, long-hidden family secrets are revealed, making it hard to tell what's real and what's not.Stream onIMDb 7.1TMDB 7.1
- 27
Ring 0Movie · 2000 · 99m · Horror, Thriller, DramaSet thirty years before the events of *Ringu*, *Ringu 0* reveals the disturbing origin of the cursed video and the girl who appears on it – detailing how she transformed into a vengeful spirit.Stream onIMDb 5.9TMDB 6.1
- 28
HypnosisMovie · 1999 · 110mOn the same day in Tokyo, three seemingly unconnected people die by suicide: a young athlete, a groom at his wedding, and an elderly man celebrating his wife's birthday. A detective investigating one of the cases notices a common thread – each victim mentioned a "green monkey" right before dying. Working with a young psychiatrist, he develops a theory involving hypnosis. As more strange "suicides" occur, the mystery deepens. Who is the next target? What is really happening? And can these deaths be stopped?IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.3 - 29
KuronekoMovie · 1968 · 100m · Drama, Fantasy, HorrorSet during Japan's warring Sengoku period, this story follows a young hero tasked with restoring peace to a land ravaged by civil war. A mother and daughter were brutally murdered by soldiers, and their vengeful spirits, known as Onryō, haunt the region. Samurai are found dead with strange wounds, fueling widespread fear.
While traveling through the haunted countryside, the hero encounters the ghostly figures of the murdered woman and child, trapped between worlds and seeking justice. Their ethereal presence reveals the supernatural forces at work. To appease these spirits, the hero must undergo a spiritual purification to prepare for a final confrontation.
He faces the wrath of the Onryō in an intense climax, battling to protect the living and deliver justice to the lost souls caught in the chaos of war. The confrontation tests him physically and emotionally as he confronts the vengeful ghosts.Stream onIMDb 7.7TMDB 7.4
- 30
AloneMovie · 2007 · 90m · Horror, Mystery, DramaAfter being surgically separated, twins Pim and Ploy experience a tragic outcome: only Pim survives. However, she is then tormented by the vengeful ghost of her deceased sister.Stream onIMDb 6.4TMDB 7.2
- 31
ShutterMovie · 2004 · 96m · Horror, Mystery, ThrillerAfter a car accident involving a girl, Jane and Tun flee the scene. Soon after, Tun, a photographer, notices unsettling shadows appearing in his photographs, disturbing them both.Stream onIMDb 7.0TMDB 7.3
- 32
Strange CircusMovie · 2005 · 108m · Mystery, Horror, DramaTaeko, an erotic novelist, is crafting a dark tale of a family consumed by incest, murder, and abuse. Her assistant, Yuji, becomes determined to discover the truth behind the story, but the reality he uncovers may be deeply disturbing.Stream onIMDb 6.9TMDB 7.2
- 33
Re-cycleMovie · 2006 · 108m · Fantasy, Horror, MysteryTing-yin, a novelist known for her popular romance trilogy, faces a creative block while working on her next book. After writing the first chapter, she abruptly deletes it from her computer. Soon after, she begins experiencing unsettling, inexplicable occurrences – the very supernatural events she had written about in her story.IMDb 6.0TMDB 6.5 - 34
One Missed CallMovie · 2003 · 112m · Horror, Mystery, FantasyStrangers begin receiving unsettling voicemail messages – recordings of their future selves reacting to violent deaths. Each message includes the precise date and time of their demise. Driven by desperation, the survivors race to uncover the truth behind these cryptic warnings, hoping to find a way to avert their predicted fates.Stream onIMDb 6.2TMDB 6.2
- 35
Ichi the KillerMovie · 2001 · 129m · Action, Crime, HorrorYakuza enforcer Kakihara searches for his missing boss and encounters Ichi, a deeply repressed and dangerously disturbed killer. Ichi possesses a capacity for inflicting pain that intrigues Kakihara, offering a path to the brutal satisfaction he craves.Stream onIMDb 6.9TMDB 7.0
- 36
DumplingsMovie · 2004 · 91m · HorrorAunt Mei's dumplings are legendary for their supposed ability to make people look younger, especially among middle-aged women. But when a declining actress becomes Mei's newest customer, she's determined to uncover the secret ingredient behind the dumplings' magic.Stream onIMDb 6.7TMDB 6.7
- 37
The HostMovie · 2006 · 120m · Horror, Drama, Science FictionAfter toxic waste contaminates Seoul's Han River, a teenage girl is captured by a massive, mutated squid-like creature that emerges from the water. Her family launches a desperate search to find her.Stream onIMDb 7.1TMDB 7.0
- 38
Wild ZeroMovie · 1999 · 98m · Action, Science Fiction, HorrorEarth's survival depends on Guitar Wolf, a legendary Japanese garage rock band. An alien race is attacking, unleashing an undead army. Cities fall into chaos, and it's up to the band to use their music as a weapon against the invaders.
This action-packed adventure follows Guitar Wolf as they combine their wild performances with a new mission: saving humanity. The film explores friendship, courage, and the power of music in the face of destruction. With humanity's fate hanging in the balance, can Guitar Wolf use their instruments to save the world?IMDb 6.3TMDB 5.6 - 39
The SpiralMovie · 1998 · 97m · Fantasy, Horror, MysteryA gifted young pathologist investigates the strange death of a close friend. Their investigation leads them to a cursed videotape linked to the deaths of the friend's wife and son. The vengeful spirit of Sadako is unleashed, seeking new victims. While trying to break the curse and find justice, the protagonist must confront their own fears in this unsettling story of vengeance and redemption.Stream onIMDb 5.2TMDB 5.3
- 40
Invitation OnlyMovie · 2009 · 95m · HorrorFive friends attend a party, completely unaware that the seemingly celebratory occasion is actually a setup for a night of torture and murder.Stream onIMDb 4.8TMDB 6.1
- 41
RingMovie · 1998 · 96m · Horror, ThrillerA mysterious video has lured many to their deaths. A determined journalist becomes fascinated by the video and decides to watch it. As she watches, she unknowingly unleashes a terrifying series of events that endanger her life and draw her into a dangerous world of lies and horror. This story examines the risks of curiosity and the dark side of seeking the truth when confronted with unimaginable evil.Stream onIMDb 7.2TMDB 7.1
- 42
KwaidanMovie · 1965 · 183m · Horror, Fantasy, Drama"Kaidan: Ghost Stories" is an anthology film inspired by traditional Japanese folklore, presenting unsettling tales about human longing, the results of choices, and supernatural forces. Each story is richly detailed, transporting viewers to a chilling glimpse of Japan's past.
One story follows a poor samurai who marries for money, but his decision leads to a devastating tragedy that challenges the worth of wealth and love. Another tells of a man saved from a blizzard by the Snow Maiden, Yuki, who then demands a terrible price.
The film also features Hoichi, a blind musician whose talent brings him unwanted attention from vengeful samurai spirits, forcing him to play for an invisible audience. The final story involves an author telling a tale about a samurai who discovers a dark secret in his teacup's reflection.
"Kaidan: Ghost Stories" blends horror and tradition, offering a collection of frightening stories that make viewers reconsider their beliefs about life, death, and the supernatural.Stream onIMDb 7.9TMDB 7.7
- 43
The Forbidden DoorMovie · 2009 · 115m · Horror, Mystery, ThrillerA successful sculptor's life is disrupted when he begins receiving cryptic messages requesting his assistance. His investigation reveals a child is suffering abuse, forcing him to decide between rescuing the boy and jeopardizing his entire world.Stream onIMDb 6.6TMDB 6.5
- 44
Three... ExtremesMovie · 2004 · 125m · HorrorThis anthology explores the lives of a witch doctor, a film-maker, and a disgruntled extra seeking revenge. It also follows a novelist and her twin sister.Stream onIMDb 6.9TMDB 6.8
- 45
Train to BusanMovie · 2016 · 118m · Horror, Thriller, ActionA zombie virus outbreak forces South Korea into a national emergency. Onboard a speeding train to Busan, passengers must fight desperately to stay alive.Stream onIMDb 7.6TMDB 7.7
- 46
Ju-on: The CurseMovie · 2000 · 70m · Horror, MysteryWhen elementary school teacher Kobayashi notices a student is missing, he discovers the child's absence leads him to a secluded suburban house. Inside, he uncovers a terrifying secret that traps anyone who enters.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.8 - 47
JigokuMovie · 1960 · 99m · Horror, DramaThis drama follows a group of people connected by secrets and wrongdoing – murder, betrayal, and infidelity – as they face the consequences of their actions. Their stories intertwine, revealing how their past haunts them and leads them toward a final reckoning. The film explores themes of guilt, redemption, and fate as these characters confront the brutal price of sin.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.3 - 48
CureMovie · 1997 · 112m · Crime, Thriller, HorrorA seasoned but jaded detective in modern Tokyo investigates a series of brutal murders that have terrified the city. The killings share unsettling similarities, and as the detective investigates, he becomes increasingly consumed by guilt and paranoia. He navigates the city's dark side, confronting a disturbing blurring of predator and prey. This psychological thriller explores human depravity and the toll it takes on a man pushed to his limits. Racing against time to stop more deaths, the film blends suspense with intense emotion, delivering a chilling story that will captivate audiences.Stream onIMDb 7.5TMDB 7.5