For horror movie buffs and scaredy cats alike, this freaky film binge list brings the best from Asia – because nobody does superstition and horror like we do.
You’ve heard the ghost stories, you know the urban legends. Let’s face it – there’s no other part of the world that excels in the genre of superstition and horror like Asia. For your viewing pleasure, we’ve found the creepiest Asian horror movies from Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, India and right here in Singapore… can you handle it?
Best Asian horror movies to watch
1. Dark Water (Japan)
If you’re still traumatised by the iconic Japanese horror film, Ringu, this flick by the same director will be right up your alley. The premise follows a divorced mum, who moves into a shabby apartment with her daughter. They soon notice a persistent leak on the ceiling and a red bag that keeps popping up. Soon enough, a string of eerie moments occurs as they discover a supernatural mystery connected to the apartment building’s past. The film keeps you on edge with atmospheric tension, psychological horror, and a poignant ending.
Rent on Amazon
2. Dumplings (Hong Kong)
Mrs Li is a middle-aged retired actress who pines for her husband’s attention though he’s having an affair with a younger woman. Desperate to save her marriage and looks, she turns to Aunt Mei, a local chef. Aunt Mei whips up some dumplings that are said to keep Mrs Li rejuvenated. But what’s the secret ingredient?
We’ll leave out spoilers but let’s just say it’s far from appetising. Mrs. Li has the dumplings despite knowing the secret ingredient and true enough, she receives her husband’s attention. But where do we draw the line when it comes to vanity and eternal youth? Watch the film to find out.
Watch on MovieSphere via Amazon
3. Satan’s Slaves (Indonesia)
If this Indonesian horror film sounds familiar, you might have caught the original 1980 flick with the same title. The 2017 version of Satan’s Slaves is a modern remake delving into Indonesian folklore and psychological horror. It revolves around the Sumbung family who deal with financial struggles after the death of their mother, Mawarni, a famous singer. Odd events occur as the family discovers disturbing secrets about the mum’s past involvement in a cult.
Rent on Amazon
4. Bulbbul (India)
This haunting tale set in 19th-century Bengal follows the story of Bulbbul. She’s a victim of child marriage and has a significant age gap with her husband. She grows fond of his younger brother who’s closer to her age. They bond over stories of folklore including a certain demon woman. Sadly, he’s sent to boarding school, leaving Bulbbul alone. Years later, he returns to a bold Bulbbul who’s now head of the mansion after her husband left the village due to undisclosed reasons. Co-currently, strange and spooky stuff happens in the mansion and village. This haunting tale isn’t filled with jump scares but weaves together elements of folklore and feminism, along with stunning visuals.
Watch on Netflix
5. Forgotten (Korea)
When Jin-seok’s kidnapped brother comes back acting all strange with no memory of the 19 days, Jin-seok goes on a quest to figure out what happened. He’s soon caught in a web of secrets and, of course, psychological terror. Brace yourself: this film will keep you enticed with suspenseful plot twists.
Watch on Netflix
6. I Saw the Devil (Korea)
This isn’t really your supernatural horror film but still ticks the box for a chilling watch. The premise follows a gruesome cat-and-mouse chase between a sadistic killer and a secret agent, whose fiancee is murdered by the killer. Fair warning: this film is not for the faint-hearted with some visceral violent scenes.
Watch on YouTube
7. Audition (Japan)
A widower’s friend suggests he holds an audition to find a new lady love. He’s intrigued by a certain woman but, low and behold, she’s not exactly who she says she is. As they delve deeper into their relationship, the film takes a dark and twisted turn that might make you a bit wary about dating a stranger in the future. On a serious note, this is another gruesome and unsettling watch so tread lightly.
Watch on Amazon Prime
8. Pisaasu
A young man witnesses a car accident where a young girl is injured badly. He brings her to the hospital but unfortunately, she dies in his arms. He then experiences supernatural occurrences when he returns to his apartment. Disturbed by the girl’s haunting, he goes in search to find the girl’s family. Mysterious events continue to unfold as he tries to find the owner of the car that hit the girl. The practical effects used in the movie really give you spine-tingling moments. Also, look out for the scene when the girl’s father cries for his dead daughter – it’s both heart-wrenching and eerie.
Rent on Amazon
9. The Maid (Singapore)
Set during Hungry Ghost Month in Singapore, this flick hits a little too close to home. Domestic helper Rosa Dimaano sets foot in Singapore to work for an elderly couple and their mentally handicapped adult son. She adjusts to the superstitious customs with a few scares along the way. But the real horror lies in her employer’s shophouse as she stumbles upon a terrifying secret. Side note: Kudos to the director for capturing the ever-cheery Joo Chiat shophouses in a different light.
Watch on Netflix
10. Ratsasan (India)
This is not an Asian horror movie per se, but the screenplay will keep you hooked. Ratsasan (translates to demon in Tamil) follows a cat-and-mouse chase between a policeman and a serial killer. Schoolgirls are brutally murdered and wrapped in polythene bags and it’s up to the policeman and his team to capture the gruesome murderer. The film is filled with edge-of-your-seat twists. Though it drags a little towards the end, it’s an overall great watch.
Watch on meWatch
11. Folklore (6 countries)
Movie marathon in the cards? You might as well binge-watch this six-episode TV series that’s based on Asian myths and supernatural beings. The series takes place across Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, each helmed by a director in its city. So don’t expect anything less than the unadulterated horror stories we grew up listening to.
Watch on HBO GO
12. Kingdom (Korea)
Set in the Joseon dynasty, Korea is hit with a mysterious epidemic that turns people into zombies. It starts off with a rumour that the king in Hanyang is dead, but the queen and her subjects claim he is recovering from chickenpox. However, things take a turn when the prince, who is next in line for the throne, discovers something sinister inside the palace and heads down south to seek answers. With only 12 episodes, you can easily finish this series over the weekend.
Watch on Netflix
13. Sumpah Pontianak (Singapore)
Its title means ‘The Curse of the Pontianak’ – a vampiric female ghost. This classic black and white film is a local flick made during the late 50s, during Singapore’s golden age of film. It’s not only a glimpse into why this monster is one of the country’s most famous ghouls, but also a look at Singapore’s past.
Watch on YouTube
14. Aval (India)
A couple’s life takes a turn for the worse when a family moves in next door. Aval, which translates to “her” in Tamil, is probably one of the best Tamil language horror movies in recent times. There’s a good mix of scary staples – creepy hallways, an exorcism scene and a chill-down-your-spine flashback that comes together nicely in the climax.
Watch on Apple TV
15. Ringu (Japan)
When her cousin Tomoko is killed, reporter Reiko gets to the bottom of a mysterious videotape that kills anyone seven days after watching it. She teams up with her ex-husband to solve the mystery and unveils some shocking discoveries. This one’s an oldie, but boy is it a terror. Ringu was rated one of the best horror films upon its release in 1998. In fact, the J-horror genre received international recognition thanks to it.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
16. The Wailing (South Korea)
A small village in South Korea goes into hysteria when a mysterious disease with deadly side effects hits the village. A policeman does everything to solve the mystery but things get personal when his daughter is infected. It’s not all sinister though – there are some comedy elements to balance the scare factor. *Insert nervous laughter here*
Watch on Apple TV
17. 4bia (Thailand)
Remember the surge of Thai horror films that came after Shutter? Well, there were some crappy ones but Phobia is worth a watch. The anthology horror flick comes with four stories that also play with horror-comedy subgenres. Our fave? Flight 244, a spine-chilling story about an air stewardess, who’s stuck with the horrific task of escorting the body of a princess on a flight. Yikes.
Watch on Apple TV
18. Jelangkung (Indonesia)
Four thrill-seekers find satisfaction in locating spirits at haunted places. They decide to travel to a village that’s infamous for spooky happenings. Despite locating a nameless grave, they fail to get what they want – until one of them performs the supernatural ritual, jelangkung. The traditional ritual is said to summon spirits that are incarnated through dolls made from coconut shells and wooden sticks. Freaky! Things take a turn for the worse when they encounter a series of strange events after.
Watch on Youtube
19. Train to Busan (South Korea)
Train to Busan is a harrowing tale of a zombie outbreak in South Korea. It follows a group of train passengers as they make their way to the ‘safe zone’ in the country. While it is thrilling as a horror film, there are also other themes we can all appreciate such as family, sacrifice and non-stop action-packed zombie sequences.
Watch on Apple TV
20. Battle Royale (Japan)
As part of some Draconian law aimed to prevent delinquency, 42 high school students are dragged to a deserted island where they must battle to the death – and the last one standing gets to live. Sometimes, humanity is the biggest horror movie there is. Sounds familiar? You might say the Hunger Games franchise is a mild rip-off.
Watch on Apple TV
21. KL Zombi (Malaysia)
A field hockey-playing pizza delivery boy finds himself transformed from slacker to zombie slayer during an outbreak of the undead in Kuala Lumpur. More comedy than creepy, it’s no serious horror movie but one for the LOLs.
Watch on Netflix
22. Three… Extremes (Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan)
This movie anthology of Asian horror plays on a lot of things close to Asian culture: Food, family and pride. It will make you squeamish, and perhaps change the way you think of dumplings…
Watch on Apple TV
23. Shutter (Thailand)
Everything about this movie is relatable. Person who loves taking photos of everyday life and loved ones – check. Southeast Asian superstitions – check. Creepy female ghosts stalking your every move – wait, what? We shan’t reveal anything else…
Watch on iTunes
24. The Host (South Korea)
Although it has all the trappings of a classic monster movie about a mutant creature that developed as a result of toxic chemical dumping in the river, this Asian horror movie gives us the thrills. Filled with incident after incident, alternately terrifying, ridiculous, suspenseful and wry, it’s a wild ride.
Watch on Apple TV
Which of these Asian horror movies give you the spooks? We can’t pick just one!
