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1. Ringu (1998) - Japan
Director: Hideo Nakata
Ringu, or Ring, is a Japanese horror classic that has haunted viewers since its release. Adapted from a novel by Koji Suzuki, the film follows reporter Reiko Asakawa as she investigates a cursed videotape that kills anyone who watches it exactly one week after viewing it. The film's raw horror and eerie atmosphere make it one of the scariest Asian horror movies, and its influence is still felt today.
2. Ju-on: The Grudge (2002) - Japan
Director: Takashi Shimizu
Ju-on: The Grudge is a chilling Japanese horror film that tells the story of a social worker hired to care for an old lady in a cursed home. Once inside, she realizes that a vengeful spirit will pursue anyone who dares to enter the house. This film's brilliant and nuanced execution makes it a must-watch for fans of Asian horror.
3. Dark Water (2002) - Japan
Director: Hideo Nakata
From the director of Ringu comes another spine-chilling film, Dark Water. This movie follows a divorced mother and her daughter as they move into an old, run-down apartment. Soon, they notice a mysterious water leak from the floor above, and as the plot unfolds, they find themselves entangled in a series of supernatural events involving a missing girl.
4. Satan's Slaves (2017) - Indonesia
Director: Joko Anwar
Satan's Slaves, directed by one of Indonesia's most influential directors, Joko Anwar, is a loose remake and prequel to the 1980 cult classic of the same name. The film follows a family struggling with the death of their mother and the supernatural events that occur in their home. This haunting and slow-paced horror film is a hidden gem in the world of Asian horror.
5. Munafik (2016) - Malaysia
Director: Syamsul Yusof
Munafik is a Malaysian supernatural horror film that centers around a religious, medical practitioner named Adam who struggles to accept his wife's death. When he meets Maria, a young woman possessed by an evil spirit, he discovers a possible link to his wife's horrifying accident. This film was a commercial success and is the first in a planned trilogy.
6. The Eye (2002) - Hong Kong/Singapore
Directors: Danny Pang and Oxide Pang Chun
The Eye is a chilling Hong Kong-Singapore collaboration that tells the story of a violinist who regains sight after a corneal transplant. As she adjusts to her newfound vision, she starts seeing horrifying premonitions of death and disaster. Desperate for answers, she tracks down her donor, only to discover a dark and gruesome truth.
7. Ladda Land (2011) - Thailand
Director: Sophon Sakdaphisit
Ladda Land is a Thai horror film based on a real-life haunted property in Chiang Mai. The film follows a family that moves into a new house and begins experiencing paranormal events. Combining family drama with spine-chilling scares, Ladda Land is a must-watch for fans of Thai horror.
8. Shutter (2004) - Thailand
Directors: Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom
After a tragic accident, photographer Tun and his girlfriend Jane discover mysterious white shadows in every photograph they take. As they try to uncover the truth behind these eerie images, they find themselves entangled in a web of supernatural terror. Shutter is a cult classic that will leave your spine tingling long after the credits roll.
9. One Missed Call (2003) - Japan
Director: Takashi Miike
One Missed Call revolves around a young psychology student who receives a series of strange voicemail messages from her future self, foretelling her death. As she tries to solve the mystery behind these ominous calls, she finds herself in the crosshairs of a deadly supernatural force.
10. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) - South Korea
Director: Kim Jee-Woon
A Tale of Two Sisters is a psychological thriller that follows a young girl returning home to her father, sister, and unhinged stepmother after spending time in an asylum. As the plot unfolds, the viewer is taken on a mind-bending, spine-tingling journey filled with clever twists and turns.
11. Train to Busan (2016) - South Korea
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Train to Busan is a thrilling South Korean zombie film that follows a father and his estranged daughter as they find themselves trapped on a speeding train during a zombie outbreak. As the undead army aboard the train multiplies at an alarming rate, the passengers must fight for their survival and reach the only city left in the country where they will be safe.
12. Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018) - South Korea
Director: Jung Bum-Shik
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum is a found-footage horror film set in a real-life psychiatric hospital. The movie follows a film crew as they explore the haunted asylum for their web series, only to encounter the building's terrifying demons and ghostly inhabitants. With frequent scares and an eerie atmosphere, this film is a must-watch for fans of the found-footage genre.
13. Eerie (2018) - Philippines
Director: Mikhail Red
Where To Watch: Netflix
Eerie is a Filipino horror film that tells the story of a guidance counselor working at an all-girls Catholic school. When a student's suicide shakes the school, the counselor starts investigating the incident and finds out that the students are being haunted by a ghost. As the mystery unfolds, she must determine whether the apparition is a figment of their imagination or a genuine supernatural threat.
14. The Untold Story (1993) - Hong Kong
Director: Herman Yau
The Untold Story is a Category III-rated Hong Kong horror film inspired by the infamous Eight Immortals Restaurant Murders. After severed hands are discovered on a beach, a group of cops suspects the new owner of the restaurant, Wong Chi Hang. As they investigate, they uncover a dark and gruesome tale of murder and cannibalism.
15. Dumplings (2004) - Hong Kong
Director: Fruit Chan
Dumplings is a disturbing Hong Kong horror film that explores the boundaries of human appetites and desires. When a former actress becomes unhappy with her looks and her husband's infidelity, she seeks the help of a local chef who makes rejuvenating dumplings. As she regains her youthful appearance, she discovers the horrifying secret ingredient that makes these dumplings so effective.
16. The Wailing (2016) - South Korea
Director: Na Hong-jin
The Wailing is a South Korean mystery horror film that follows a policeman investigating a series of unexplained murders and illnesses in a remote village. As he unravels the mystery, he discovers a link to an enigmatic Japanese stranger. With its eerie atmosphere and foreboding sense of dread, The Wailing is a must-watch for fans of psychological horror.
17. Cold Fish (2010) - Japan
Director: Sion Sono
Cold Fish is a psychological thriller filled with intense violence and sexual transgressions. The film follows a socially awkward owner of a small tropical fish shop who becomes entangled with a charismatic store manager with a dark secret. Fans of Japanese thrillers like Audition (1999) and Ichi the Killer (2001) will be both amazed and nauseated by this chilling tale.
18. The Call (2021) - South Korea
Director: Lee Chung-hyun
The Call is a unique horror film that combines supernatural and slasher elements with a science-fiction twist. After finding a decades-old cordless phone in her old house, a woman receives a distressing call from a young woman claiming to be tortured by her mother. As she tries to help, she realizes the phone is connecting her to the caller from the past, and their actions have life-altering consequences.
19. Thirst (2009) - South Korea
Director: Park Chan-wook
Thirst is a gripping vampire film that explores the struggle between faith and bloodlust. A respected Catholic priest volunteers for a medical experiment and dies, only to be brought back to life as a vampire. As he tries to reconcile his faith and newfound bloodlust, he falls in love with his childhood friend's wife.
20. Wicked City (1987) - Japan
Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Wicked City is a classic Japanese body horror and retro animation film. Set in a world where humans and demons coexist, a secret police force known as the Black Guard must save their world from a radical demon organization bent on destroying the peace between the earth and the Black World.
Conclusion
With this list of the best Asian horror movies, you now have the perfect selection for a spine-chilling movie marathon. From supernatural scares to psychological thrillers and gory tales, these films showcase the best of Asian horror cinema. So, dim the lights, grab your friends and family, and get ready to dive into the eerie and haunting world of Asian horror!