20 Best Korean Movies of All Time Ranked

The Villainess has some of the most jaw-dropping action sequences in recent memory. The standout sequence is most likely the motorcycle swordfight, which was lovingly homaged in John Wick Chapter 3.

While the plot is more than a little convoluted and the story as a whole is more secondary, The Villainess is worth watching for the bloody action sequences alone.

Good Korean movies

19. The Wailing (2016)

Set in a rainy, little village where a strange illness is spreading, and evil is afoot, The Wailing is a creepy horror/thriller that is absolutely dripping with atmosphere. The film also blends together a compelling mystery, goofy comedy, and shamanistic mysticism, and somehow manages to perfectly tie all of these disparate elements together.

This is a film that does not spell things out and may leave you scratching your head by the end, but you are likely to enjoy the ride.

Best Korean movies of all time

18. No Tears for the Dead (2014)

From kick-ass action director Jeong-beom Lee, No Tears for the Dead tells a cliche story you’ve undoubtedly seen before, but tells it through creative and stunning action set-pieces and with style to spare. Dong-gun Jang is effortlessly badass in the lead role, and the film boasts a memorable trio of baddies for him to square off against.

Keep an eye out for the shootout that makes impressive use of three high-rise buildings and the razor-sharp knife fight in the middle of the film.

Top Korean movies

17. Burning (2018)

On its surface, Burning is a mystery-thriller but unlike any other you have seen before. Burning presents you with a potential answer to a mystery, then makes you question whether there really is any mystery to unravel at all. It is layered, complex, and bolstered by a trio of strong performances.

The sense of place, atmosphere, score, and cinematography are all incredibly powerful. Burning was a favorite at prestigious film festivals and awards shows throughout the international film community.

Korean movies to watch

16. A Bittersweet Life (2005)

Amongst the still thriving genre of South Korean gangster films,
A Bittersweet Life remains one of the most effective even 15 years after its release. From director Jee-woon Kim, A Bittersweet Life tells a straightforward story in as stylish a manner as possible.

The excellent Byung-hun Lee elevates the main character and provides a good sense of heart to hang all of the badass blood-shed upon. Standout scenes are the handgun-assembly race and the incredible ending shootout.

Famous Korean movies

15. The Host (2006)

Not to be confused with the 2009 YA film The Host. Before introducing new audiences to South Korean cinema with Parasite, and before his English-language debut, Snowpiercer, director Joon-ho Bong made a number of top-notch, genre-hopping films.

One of these is the excellent monster movie The Host. The film stands head and shoulders above most monster movies by offering insightful social commentary and telling the story through deeper characters and with more emotion than most entries in this sub-genre typically receive.

Top Korean films

14. The Man From Nowhere (2010)

Another action showcase from director Jeong-beom Lee. The Man From Nowhere is, unfortunately, another stock, cliche script, but features stunning action set-pieces, a badass protagonist, and just enough heart to keep you invested in the rehashed story.

If you’ve seen Leon the Professional or Man on Fire or even Lee’s own No Tears for the Dead, then you know exactly where the plot is going but the ride to get there remains incredibly satisfying.

Best Korean movies of all time

13. Joint Security Area (2000)

Joint Security Area, also known simply as JSA, is a story of forbidden friendship and understanding through differences masquerading as a tense DMZ thriller.

An early film from one of South Korea’s masters of cinema, Chan-wook Park, JSA shows a strong grasp of the style he would later refine to perfection. A biting script provides good material for Byung-hun Lee and the always excellent Kang-ho Song to play off of each other.

Famous Korean movies

12. Train to Busan (2016)

The perfect blend of horror and action? Perhaps. Train to Busan is an exhilarating zombie film that delivers everything you want from the genre. Memorable characters, creative set-pieces, and impressive stunt work all add greatly to Train to Busan.

The zombies are performed in a particularly aggressive manner that is a joy to watch. The recently released sequel, Train to Busan: Peninsula, doesn’t impress quite as much so stick with the original and you are guaranteed to have a great time.

Top Korean movies

11. The Handmaiden (2016)

The latest feature film from master filmmaker Chan-wook Park. The Handmaiden is a beautifully presented and masterfully performed story of love and deception.

The story is full of twists and turns and more than earns its 2.5-hour runtime which breezes right by while you’re caught up in the intrigue.

Best Korean Movies of All Time

10. I Saw the Devil (2010)

I Saw the Devil is a pitch-black thriller from seasoned director Jee-woon Kim. The excellent Min-sik Choi and Byung-hun Lee square off in a heated battle of layered vengeance.

There are so many twists throughout this action-thriller that I Saw the Devil breathes new life into old revenge-movie tropes.

Top Korean films

9. Parasite (2019)

If there’s a single South Korean film on everyone’s lips, it is undoubtedly Joon-ho Bong’s Parasite. The film broke out to worldwide audiences in a way no South Korean movies had done before and made history as the first foreign-language film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

Parasite deserves all of the love and admiration that has been heaped upon it. This is an expertly constructed film with laughs, thrills, and biting social commentary in equal measure.

For further reading, take a look at our deep dive into the set dressing of Parasite or a complete breakdown of Parasite's themes.

Korean movies to watch

8. My Way (2011)

My Way is one of two excellent World War II films from South Korean director Je-kyu Kang. The film is inspired by the true story of two friends, one Japanese and one Korean, who were photographed in France wearing German uniforms.

My Way is a gripping war film that sees our protagonists, through a wild series of events, forced to fight in battle for the Japanese, the Russians, and eventually the Germans. It’s a war film with a powerful message; that no matter which side you’re on, everyone loses in war.

Top Korean movies

7. Mother (2009)

Not to be confused with Mother!, one of Darren Aronofsky's best movies, Joon-ho Bong’s Mother is a tightly wound mystery-thriller with a killer story, great characters, and clear directorial vision. Bong’s work behind the camera is stunning, as always, and the dark plot continues to twist in just the right way all throughout.

The lead performance is magnetic, and the supporting cast are all given their times to shine. The non-chronological opening does a wonderful job of crafting atmosphere and setting up a sense of intrigue even before the crime elements have been introduced. Mother is a masterfully made thriller in all regards.

Best Korean Movies of All Time

6. Memories of Murder (2003)

Yet another Joon-ho Bong film on this list, the guy has really been crushing it for years. Memories of Murder is a sweeping, serial-killer epic and stands amongst the absolute best the thriller genre has to offer and can easily go toe-to-toe with the best crime films of the genre.

Kang-ho Song is, again, excellent in the lead role, and the entire supporting cast are pitch-perfect in their parts.

Best Korean Movies of All Time

5. Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004)

Je-kyu Kang’s other World War II epic. Tae Guk Gi rivals or exceeds all of the best WWII films. The two protagonists, brothers played excellently by Dong-gun Jang, who also starred in No Tears for the Dead seen previously on this list, and Won Bin, both have incredible arcs and leave lasting impacts long after the credits have rolled.

The battle sequences are likely the most chaotic and intense you will find in any war film. You can see every dollar of the budget up on the screen and the spectacle of Tae Guk Gi is unmatched.

Best Korean Movies of All Time

4. 3-Iron (2004)

In the loosest terms, 3-Iron could be classified as a romance film but unlike any you’ve seen before. There is not a single word exchanged between our two leads, yet you feel their love so passionately and so completely that it stands tall as one of the most romantic films ever made despite the lack of dialogue.

3-Iron is a unique film with a wildly inventive presentation. The film’s director, Kim Ki-duk, specializes in this unique, neo-silent-film style of filmmaking.
3-Iron takes visual storytelling to the literal extreme and presents a deeply engrossing story without the need for language.

This is one foreign film you won’t need subtitles to watch.

Good Korean movies

3. The Good, the Bad, and the Weird (2008)

The final Jee-woon Kim film to make our list. The Good, the Bad, and the Weird is an endlessly entertaining western/comedy with a breakneck pace and massive, explosive action setpieces. As inspired by Tarantino’s Kill Bill as it is by its namesake The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Kim's film venerates all of the best spaghetti westerns.

Kang-ho Song, Byung-hun Lee, and Woo-sung Jung make the perfect trio of western archetypes to follow on a wild treasure/bounty hunt across 1940s Manchuria.

Good Korean movies

2. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring (2003)

The second film from director Ki-duk Kim to make the top five, and another unique cinematic experience. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring is a beautiful film that offers a slow, thoughtful meditation on life and all that surrounds it.

The film is light on dialogue but heavy on themes and symbolism. 

This is a film with a lot to say that requires reflection and critical thinking to understand all that it has to offer. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring is a film that can be easily recommended to absolutely everyone.

Best Korean Movies of All Time

1. Oldboy (2003)

Chan-wook Park’s Oldboy is just about as perfect as a film can get. Do NOT confuse this with Spike Lee’s abysmal 2013 remake. Oldboy is adapted from a manga and is actually the middle film of Chan-wook Park’s Vengeance trilogy alongside Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Lady Vengeance. 

The films in the trilogy are disconnected and can be watched in any order; all three are excellent and you can consider them sharing this spot on the list. Min-sik Choi gives one of the best performances of all time in the lead role and the rest of the cast all play their parts to perfection. 

Chan-wook Park’s directorial vision is stunning and the script gives everyone incredible material to work with… and that’s without even getting into how good the hammer fight is!