Top 10 East Asian Films of 2025

2025 was an incredible year for East Asian cinema, arguably one of the strongest in recent memory, with a wealth of titles from China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan. This year brought century-defining works and new genre classics unlike any other. 2026 will have much to live up to, but before we look ahead, it’s worth pausing to reflect and determine the top 10 East Asian films of the year.

My eligibility criteria for this list are that an East Asian film must have been released in UK cinemas, on physical media, on streaming platforms, or screened at festivals in 2025. Unlike my anime list, I will not be including older titles, as it is already challenging enough to keep up with new releases, let alone the classics. That said, I must acknowledge Eureka Entertainment, 88 Films, Arrow Video, Radiance Films, and all the other boutique Blu-ray distributors who brought incredible classics to Blu-ray and 4K for the first time in 2025. Highlights include Crime Story on 4K, V-Cinema Essentials, City on Fire, Triple Threat: Three Films with Sammo Hung, and Hokuriku Proxy War. Finally, since I maintain a dedicated anime list, anime will not be featured here, as I already devote a separate space to celebrating the wonderful art of Japanese animation. Please check out the 2025 Anime list here.

Full disclosure: it is flat-out impossible for me to have seen every East Asian film, as some titles only screened at festivals, I was unable to attend, and others had sudden UK cinema releases that I simply couldn’t catch. I have done my best to watch as many as possible, but there are inevitably some I regret missing, such as A Writer’s Odyssey 2. That said, before presenting the list, let’s take a moment to highlight a few honourable mentions.

Takeshi Kitano had two films showcased in 2025: Kubi, which made its UK premiere at the Queer East Film Festival, and Broken Rage, which was released on Amazon Prime. Both are remarkable for different reasons; one is a darkly comedic samurai drama, while the other is a straight crime thriller with a unique twist in its second half.

South Korea delivered some standout releases in 2025, including the surprising gem Yadang: The Snitch, which took directions I never anticipated; the horror-action film Holy Night Demon Hunters, a showcase of why Don Lee is such an incredible performer; and the political satire Good News, which is as funny as it is gripping and politically charged.

China also released some outstanding films in 2025, including Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force, a solid follow-up to the incredible Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms. Detective Chinatown 1900 is a lively buddy-cop comedy that, while slow to start, ultimately delivers a powerful message at its core. And Jackie Chan unveiled his best film in over a decade with The Shadow’s Edge.

Hong Kong also produced some real gems in 2025. One of them is The Way We Talk, which, though only an honourable mention, is among the most important Hong Kong films in recent memory when it comes to representation. Papa is a gripping and deeply emotional drama, while Hit N Fun is a lively comedy filled with sharp, referential humour. Also want to shout out Sons of the Neon Night as I surprisingly really enjoyed that film.

Finally, Japan offered some wonderful films in 2025. The low-budget darling A Samurai in Time features a final fight scene that ranks among the best of the year. Penalty Loop is a distinctive time-loop film that explores grief and the lengths we are willing to go to for revenge. And Sakura is a thrilling, twisted crime drama that confronts cults and wrestles with the question of whether the ends justify the means.

With the honourable mentions covered, here are my top ten East Asian films of 2025.

Number 10 – The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru & Four Trails

While having a tie right off the bat might be cheating, as someone who is adamant that they are not a documentary fan, the fact that two documentaries blew my socks is a feat I would have never imagined. Unable to pick which one is best, feel highlighting both is the best course as The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru and Four Trails are complete opposites when it comes to subject matter, but there are equals in terms of quality. The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru follows director Fang Li as he explores the events surrounding the Lisbon Maru, and Four Trails follows a group of runners as they try to either finish or survive the infamous Four Trails challenge in Hong Kong.

You can read our review for The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru here – Read our Review

Number 9 – Ne Zha 2

Currently the number one film at the worldwide box office, Ne Zha 2 is a true marvel of animation. Featuring the work of over 4,000 animators, this Chinese mythology epic is grand in scale and ambition, delivering action scenes that rival many anime films released this year. Visually stunning from the opening seconds and featuring an emotionally resonant narrative that will leave you misty-eyed by its conclusion. Ne Zha 2 proves that China is a country to watch when it comes to animation coming out of East Asia. Taking place shortly after the first film, this film follows Ne Zha as he embarks on a journey to obtain an elixir that would restore the physical body of his friend Ao Bing.

You can read our review for Ne Zha 2 here – Read our Review

Number 8 – Exit 8

Video game adaptations are often divisive, but director Genki Kawamura elevates the simple premise of The Exit 8, spotting anomalies in a subway tunnel, into a commentary on Japanese work culture, social conventions, and the fear of the unknown. Exit 8 features stunning long takes that create a hypnotic sense of infinite looping, all while looking breathtaking. The film also features an incredible use of Bolero, which, combined with the craftsmanship, creates a psychological thriller like no other, one that is also surprisingly funny. Our protagonist, known as the Lost Man, learns from his ex-girlfriend that she is pregnant and unsure what to do. The news terrifies him. On his way home, he heads toward Exit 8, only to realise he may be trapped in an endless loop.

You can read our review for Exit 8 here – Read our Review]

Exit 8 is coming to UK cinemas in 2026 by Vertigo Releasing

Number 7 – Ghost Killer

The first of three films showcasing the incredible work of Kensuke Sonomura, Ghost Killer features his action direction and is directed by him as well. It’s an utterly enthralling film that blends inventive, high-energy action with a unique supernatural twist. Akari Takaishi is at her best here, nailing both the action and comedic beats; however, the real scene-stealer is Masanori Mimoto as Kudo. His performance is outstanding and delivers exactly where it matters, especially in the action. The final fight is astonishingly close to perfection and seals Sonomura as one of the best action directors working today. Ghost Killer follows Fumika, a struggling college student who begins seeing the ghost of a hitman named Kudo after discovering a bullet casing.

You can read our review for Ghost Killer here – Read our Review

You can also read our interview with Ghost Killer director Kensuke Sonomura here – Read our Interview

Ghost Killer is available now on 4k Blu-ray and Blu-ray from Well Go USA

Number 6 – Revelations

How does one justify their actions? Are they simply following orders, or are they signs from God? For our lead, Pastor Min-chan played incredibly by Ryu Jun-yeol, a Jesus-like figure appearing in his surroundings, convinces him that he is acting according to divine will. Revelations is a gripping exploration of how we rationalise our choices through faith or other belief systems that I won’t spoil here. The film features stunning cinematography, has a thematically rich and dense script, and has remained one of my favourites of the year since March. It’s easily one of Yeon Sang-ho’s best works to date, even surpassing Train to Busan. Revelations follows Pastor Min-chan and Detective Yeon-hee as they navigate their conflicting beliefs while investigating a missing-person case with the pastor.

You can read our review for Revelations here – Read our Review

Revelations is available to stream on Netflix

Number 5 – Baby Assassins 3

Baby Assassins 3 solidifies the series as one of the greatest action trilogies of the modern era. Yugo Sakamoto delivers the darkest and most hard-hitting instalment yet. Saori Izawa and Akari Takaishi are delightful as Mahiro Fukagawa and Chisato Sugimoto, embodying the film’s themes of failure being worse than death and personal growth. But without the main villain, Kaede Fuyumura, played with chilling precision by Sôsuke Ikematsu, Baby Assassins 3 simply wouldn’t be the same. Continuing his reign in action cinema, Kensuke Sonomura once again proves why he is one of the industry’s most exceptional action directors. This time, we follow assassins Mahiro and Chisato as they travel to Miyazaki Prefecture for what should be a simple job, only for things to spiral when they cross paths with the freelancer Kaede.

You can read our review for Baby Assassins 3 here – Read our Review

You can also read our interview with Baby Assassins 3 director Yugo Sakamoto here – Read our Interview

Baby Assassins 3 is available now on Blu-ray from Well Go USA

Number 4 – Dead to Rights

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. While few films explore how meaningful a single image can be, Dead to Rights, directed by Shen Ao, does so by showcasing the horrific acts of the Nanjing Massacre committed by the Japanese and how they proudly documented this atrocity. The film also beautifully explores Chinese perseverance even during the darkest of times. Dead to Rights is not for the faint of heart, but it’s a film that will leave you emotionally shaken. The film follows postman Ah Chang, who lies and says he can develop photos for the Japanese heading to the local photography studio. The owner, Jin and his family are still there, hiding in the basement. Jin teaches Ah Chang how to develop the photographs so he can survive.

Number 3 – No Other Choice

One of the greatest filmmakers working today, Park Chan-wook, returns after his masterwork, Decision to Leave, with No Other Choice. This film explores the challenges faced by the working class in a capitalist society where profits and shareholder wealth often take precedence over supporting hardworking employees. Equal parts funny and suspenseful, No Other Choice features outstanding performances, lush cinematography and is another achievement by a living maestro. Audiences have no other choice but to see this film. Yoo Man-soo is laid off after the company’s American owners cut staff by 20%, putting his 25-year dream life at risk. Desperate to land a job at a rival firm, he resolves to secure the position by any means necessary, starting with eliminating the competition.

You can read our review for No Other Choice here – Read our Review

No Other Choice is coming to UK cinemas on January 23rd 2026 from Mubi

Number 2 – The Furious

Kenji Tanigaki has directed one of the greatest action films of my lifetime, and potentially of all time. The Furious is a love letter to martial arts cinema, spanning influences from Hong Kong to Japan to Indonesia. It’s an action magnum opus unlike any other, featuring inventive choreography by the incredible Kensuke Sonomura that will redefine your perception of what martial arts can be for years to come. The Furious should be on everyone’s radar as we head into 2026; it’s an utter masterpiece of action cinema. The Furious follows a mute Chinese father on a relentless quest to rescue his kidnapped daughter. Along the way, he meets Navin, who is searching for his missing wife, Matia, last seen investigating similar abductions.

You can watch our interview with The Furious director Kenji Tanigaki here – Watch our Interview

The Furious is coming to UK cinemas in 2026 from Lionsgate

Number 1 – Resurrection

Bi Gan’s Resurrection is a transformative and hypnotic work of art, a love letter to cinema told across six unique chapters. It is a true technical marvel, brimming with meaning and subtext. Each new viewing allows the audience to uncover more layers and engage with its powerful artistry. While there is a lot to unpack, the film’s rich aesthetic makes it hard not to be entranced. Resurrection stands as one of the finest films to emerge from China and ranks among the greatest of the century. In the world of Resurrection, people can become immortal if they stop dreaming. People who do dream bring chaos to the world and are called deliriants. One deliriant is monstrous and lives in the dream world called film.

You can read our review for Resurrection here – Read our Review

Coming soon to The Peoples Movie’s is an interview with director Bi Gan.

Resurrection is coming to UK cinemas in early 2026 from Trinity CineAsia