20 Best Korean Movies Of All Time That Must Be On Your Watchlist

Prepare to cry, wail, and get your heartbroken while watching this 2013 gem! Hope is directed by Lee Joon-ik, who also directed the lovely K drama The King. The story is about a little girl named Hope who gets sexually molested, capturing her and her family's journey of despair, grief, and eventually moving ahead. This movie captures psychological and emotional pressure and puts forth some harsh realities of the institutions of society. The acting, the dialogues, and the cinematography are intricate throughout.

IMDB Rating: 8.2/10

Director: Lee Joon-ik

Cast:  Lee Re, Sul Kyung-gu, Uhm Ji-won

Watch On: Netflix

Based on a true case from 1990, Children is a mystery-thriller that delves into the recreation and investigation of the 'disappearance of the five children,' who went frog-hunting and never returned home. The story takes a gripping turn when a documentary filmmaker who is trying to solve the case begins to suspect one of the parents. Despite its slightly slow pace, the cinematography is captivating and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

IMDB Rating: 7.1/10

Director: Kyu-maan Lee

Cast:  Park Yong-woo, Ryu Seung-ryong, Sung Dong-il

Silenced is one of the most heartbreaking works of cinema, showcasing the brilliant acting of Gong Yoo (the beloved Goblin we all adore). The plot unravels a dark secret within the walls of a school for deaf children, triggered by the arrival of a new faculty member. Inspired by a real case of mass sexual abuse at the Gwangju Inhwa School, the film led to significant policy changes following its release. The performances are raw and powerful, leaving a lasting impact that will take time to recover from.

IMDB Rating: 8/10

Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk

Cast:  Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-miKim, Hyeon-soo

Watch On: Netflix

From the director of the critically acclaimed Parasite, Memories of Murder is a remarkable piece of cinema that no cinephile should miss. The film follows three desperate detectives as they try to catch a sadistic rapist and killer who terrorised a small province in 1980s South Korea. Through masterful direction and cinematography, Bong Joon-ho not only captures the investigation and the psychology of a killer but also delivers haunting frames that showcase his exceptional talent as a filmmaker.

IMDB Rating: 8.1/10

Director: Bong Jon Hoo

Cast:  Song Kang-ho, Kim Sang-kyung, Kim Roe-ha

Watch On: Apple TV

Based on Haruki Murakami's short story Barn Burning, Burning is a 2018 psychological drama that becomes more unpredictable with each frame. If you enjoy abstract, open-ended films, this one is perfect for you. It delves into complex dilemmas of ethics and morality, questioning the boundaries between right and wrong, all within a seemingly simple plot where two friends reconnect, leading to their lives becoming increasingly intertwined.

IMDB Rating: 7.4/10

Director: Lee Chang-dong

Cast:  Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, Jeon Jong-seo

Watch On: Prime Video

For those who enjoy action and drama, Oldboy is a must-watch, with a gripping plot that holds strong until the end. The story follows a man who, after being held captive for years, is suddenly released with resources like a cell phone, money, and new clothes. His quest to uncover the identity of his captor leads to some of the most iconic fight scenes in Korean cinema, including a legendary one-take sequence in a narrow corridor. The cinematography and direction of the action scenes are unparalleled, though be warned—some of the violence can be intense and difficult to watch.

IMDB Rating: 8.3/10

Director: Park Chan-wook

Cast:  Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jeong

Watch On: Prime Video

Falling into the same category of brilliant cinematography as Oldboy, Mother is a gut-wrenching tale of a mother who leaves no stone unturned to clear her son's name of a murder he didn't commit. The lead actress carries the film from start to finish with her outstanding performance, delivering several flawless moments that leave the audience breathless. The direction is exceptional, making this film a must-add to your watchlist, especially if you're just beginning to explore the world of Korean cinema.

IMDB Rating: 7.7/10

Director: Bong Joon Ho

Cast:  Kim Hye-ja, Won Bin, Jin Goo

Watch On: Prime Video

For folks who love horror movies, A Tale Of Two Sisters needs to be on your radar. Released in 2003, this psychological horror film is a haunting and atmospheric film that builds tension like a few others. It follows the return of two sisters to their country house from a mental facility. Both sisters start experiencing strange and unexplained events around the house, leading to a series of shocking revelations by the end of the film.

IMDB Rating: 7.1/10

Director: Kim Jee-woon

Cast:  Lim Soo-jung, Yum Jung-ah, Kim Kap-su

Watch On: Prime Video

No one does zombie movies like the Koreans, and this one is a prime example of it. Following a father and a daughter on a harrowing journey to Busan, the only safe place to be after a zombie outbreak. It checks all the boxes for a great watch with new alliances, crises, and moral dilemmas. The final frame will leave you in tears, making it the perfect choice to kick off a weekend watch party.

IMDB Rating: 7.6/10

Director: Yeon Sang-ho

Cast:  Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-seok

Watch On: Prime Video

A masterful blend of romance and mystery, Decision To Leave is regarded as a 'ravishing spin on a timeless story of romantic obsession.' A detective investigating the death of a man in the mountains ends up developing feelings for his wife. The movie explores themes of unrequited love, grief, and longing and reminisces in great complexity and intricacy, with deception, desire, and a web of lies at its core.

IMDB Rating: 7.3/10

Director: Park Chan-wook

Cast: Park Hae-il, Tang Wei, Lee Jung-hyun

Watch On: Prime Video

With four Oscars and many more prestigious awards to its name, Parasite embodies the finest cinema ever made. The dark comedy talks about the disparity between rich and poor, class discrimination, greed, and the socioeconomic reality of society in an engaging way with exceptional twists and turns that you don't want to turn from the screen for a split second. This movie makes one think and a little uncomfortable, showing the power of true cinematic storytelling. 

IMDB Rating: 8.5/10

Director: Bong Joon Ho

Cast: Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong

Watch On: Sony Liv

Much loved by famous director Bong Joon-ho, The Housemaid stands as a landmark of South Korean cinema. Director Kim Ki-young stumbled upon inspiration for this 1960 movie while reading a newspaper article about a family destabilized by a domestic worker and ideated this chilling psychological thriller. The film delves into themes of class, sexual tension, and the fragility of the family unit. And, we know, while Im Sang-soo's 2010 remake is a worthy endeavor, the original film's enduring power and artistic vision remain unparalleled. 

IMDB Rating: 7.2/10

Director: Kim Ki-young

Cast: Kim Jin-kyu, Jeung-nyeo, JuEun-shim Lee

Watch On: Youtube

In his directorial debut, acclaimed screenwriter Lee Chang-dong presents a poignant portrait of a life shattered by societal pressures. The film begins with a man's attempts at killing himself by throwing himself before an oncoming train. Through a series of fragmented flashbacks, we witness the unraveling of his past, revealing a life deeply impacted by the tumultuous events of modern Korean history. From the economic devastation of the late 1990s to the violent suppression of the Gwangju Uprising, the film masterfully interweaves personal tragedy with the collective trauma of a nation. 

IMDB Rating: 7.6/10

Director: Lee Chang-dong

Cast: Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Yeo-jin, Moon So-ri

Watch On: Prime Video

This gory supernatural thriller, the highest-grossing Korean film of its year, unfolds within the chilling confines of a girls' high school. Teachers who have cruelly mistreated their students meet gruesome and increasingly terrifying ends. As the body count rises, Eun-Young, a former student turned teacher, begins to suspect a supernatural force at work. Delving into old yearbooks, she uncovers the tragic history of a student who committed suicide, revealing a cycle of vengeance that repeats itself every few years. Apart from being laced with the genres of horror and thriller, it also poses as a powerful critique of the oppressive Korean education system, a theme that resonated deeply with audiences upon its release. 

IMDB Rating: 5.9/10

Director: Ki-hyeong Park

Cast: Kim Gyu-ri, Yun Ji-hye, Park Jin-hee

Watch On: Kanopy

A ruthless crime boss named Jang Dong-su survives a brutal attack by a mysterious serial killer. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, Dong-su and Detective Jung Tae-seok, form an unlikely alliance to hunt down the killer. Driven by a thirst for revenge and a desire to protect his territory, Dong-su uses his criminal connections and ruthless methods to track down the killer. Meanwhile, Detective Jung Tae-seok, a by-the-book cop, utilizes his investigative skills and police resources. As their pursuit intensifies, the lines between good and evil blur. Both men are forced to confront their own moral compasses and the lengths they are willing to go to bring the killer to justice. 

IMDB Rating: 7/10

Director: Lee Won-tae

Cast: Ma Dong-seok, Park Bo-kyung, Kim Mu-yeol

Watch On: Kanopy

This gripping action thriller with a surprisingly emotional core, tells the story of Cha Tae-sik, a mysterious and reclusive pawnshop owner with a shadowy past. He forms an unlikely friendship with So-mi, a young girl who lives in the neighborhood. When So-mi and her mother are kidnapped by a ruthless human organ trafficking ring, Tae-sik unleashes his deadly skills to rescue her. He transforms from a quiet observer into a relentless force of vengeance, taking down the criminal organisation with brutal efficiency. The film explores themes of friendship, protection, and the lengths a person will go to for those they care about. 

IMDB Rating: 7.7/10

Director: Lee Jeong-beom

Cast: Won Bin, Kim Sae-ron, Kim Tae-hoon

Watch On: Prime Video

This gripping South Korean crime thriller revolves around an undercover police officer named Ja-sung, who has infiltrated the biggest crime syndicate in Korea, known as "Goldmoon." When the head of Goldmoon is killed in a mysterious accident, a power vacuum ensues. Two key figures emerge as contenders for the top spot: Jung Cheong, the current second-in-command, and Lee Joong-goo, a rising rival. The police launch "Project New World," a plan to manipulate the power struggle within Goldmoon and ultimately bring the organization down. Ja-sung is a crucial part of this operation. As the internal conflict within Goldmoon intensifies, Ja-sung faces a moral dilemma. He must balance his loyalty to the police with his deep-seated loyalty to the criminal organization he has become a part of. The film unfolds as a tense game of cat and mouse, with Ja-sung navigating the treacherous world of organized crime while trying to stay one step ahead of his enemies and fulfill his mission.

IMDB Rating: 7.5/10

Director: Park Hoon-jung

Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Choi Min-sik, Hwang Jung-min

Watch On: Prime Video

This South Korean action thriller directed by Kim Jee-woon that follows NIS agent Kim Soo-hyun as he seeks revenge for the brutal murder of his fiancée, Joo-yeon and vows to track down and kill Jang Kyung-chul, the killer. After finding Jang Kyung-chul, Soo-hyun brutally beats him but spares his life, wanting to inflict prolonged suffering upon him. He then proceeds to engage in a cat-and-mouse game with the killer, torturing and killing his victims in increasingly gruesome ways. As the film progresses, Soo-hyun's obsession with revenge consumes him, blurring the lines between justice and vengeance. It is a graphic and disturbing film that delves into the depths of human depravity and leaves a strong aftertaste. 

IMDB Rating: 7.8/10

Director: Kim Jee-woon

Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Choi Min-sik, Jeon Gook-hwan

Watch On: Prime Video

This Korean erotic thriller unfolds in 1930s Japanese-occupied Korea. A con man posing as a Count plans to seduce and defraud a wealthy Japanese heiress named Lady Hideko, who lives a secluded life on a sprawling estate. He hires a young pickpocket named Sook-hee to infiltrate the household as Lady Hideko's handmaiden. Sook-hee is tasked with manipulating Lady Hideko into falling in love with the Count, enabling him to marry her and subsequently have her declared insane, allowing him to inherit her fortune. As Sook-hee spends time with Lady Hideko, she discovers that the heiress is not as innocent or helpless as she appears. This complex and layered film explores themes of female sexuality, class, colonialism, and the power dynamics between women. 

IMDB Rating: 8.1/10

Director: Park Chan-wook

Cast: Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong

Watch On: Prime Video

This thriller revolves around two women living in the same house, but 20 years apart, who connect through a mysterious old phone. Seo-yeon, living in the present, discovers an old phone in her mother's house and receives calls from Young-sook, a woman living in the same house in 1999. Initially curious, their interactions quickly turn dark as they realize they can influence each other's lives across time. Young-sook, a troubled teenager, becomes fascinated by Seo-yeon's seemingly perfect life and begins to manipulate events in the past, with unforeseen and devastating consequences for both women. The film explores the themes of fate, free will, and the consequences of meddling with the past.

IMDB Rating: 7.1/10

Director: Chung-Hyun Lee

Cast: Park Shin-hye, Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Sung-ryung

Watch On: Netflix

If you are looking for your next mushy, wholesome or even a tear-jerker korean romance drama, this guide should help you!