Undoubtedly, the cult origins of Korean movies, which saw stars like Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook become international stars and critics’ and enthusiasts’ favourite films, have contributed to the growth of interest in the genre. With so many amazing new and classic South Korean films to be seen, movies like Parasite have elevated the genre to the top of many people’s watch lists. Thank goodness, Prime Video offers a huge library of well-known films, including an incredibly varied collection of Korean films that are sure to delight any moviegoer. We’ll look at the top Korean films available on Amazon Prime Video right now to help you narrow down the various options.
Train to Busan
Description
2016 saw the return of zombies in the horror genre; one of the 50 Greatest Zombie Films of All Time is Train to Busan. The South Korean movie centres on a parent attempting to keep his daughter safe on a train that is crowded with ferocious zombies. It combines touching family drama with thrilling popcorn entertainment, along with some original action scenes. One of the finest zombie movies of the last ten years, the movie has outstanding makeup effects and a cast of memorable, sympathetic supporting characters.
- Genre – Horror, Mystery & Thriller, Action
- Director – Yeon Sang-ho
- Actors – Gong Yoo, Ma Dong-seok, Jung Yu-mi, Kim Su-an, Kim Eui-sung
- Age Restriction – U/A 16+
Rating
IMDB: 7.6/10 (225K+ Votes)
Rotten tomato: 95% (128 Votes)
The Handmaiden
Description
The Handmaiden, a thriller by Park Chan-wook that won a BAFTA, takes place in Korea under the Japanese occupation in the 1930s. It centres on Sook-He, a pickpocket employed to serve as Lady Hideko’s handmaiden on her estate. But as they start to feel something for one another, their preparations fall apart. The movie is more than simply a love story; it’s also a historical piece with political overtones and a narrative of duplicity. Tension-filled and thoughtful, the narrative culminates in a gratifying climax that leaves just enough room for interpretation to pique readers’ interest. The Handmaiden will surprise and thrill Oldboy fans.
- Genre – Romance, Thriller
- Director – Chan-wook Park
- Actors – Min-hie Kim, Tae Ri Kim, Jung-woo Ha, Jin-woong Jo, Hae-suk Kim, So-ri Moon
- Age Restriction – A
Rating
IMDB: 8.1/10 (171K+ Votes)
Rotten tomato: 96% (225 Votes)
The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil
Description
Ma Dong-seok, Kim Mu-yeol, and Kim Sung-kyu star in Lee Won-tae’s criminal thriller The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil. The plot centres on a South Korean serial killer who tracks down a mafia leader and introduces them to a rival group. To discover the culprit and put him in jail, the team must cooperate while the main police officer, who is chasing ghosts, struggles to achieve results.
- Genre – Thriller, Action, Crime, Drama
- Director – Won-Tae Lee
- Actors – Dong-seok Ma, Mu-Yeol Kim, Sung-kyu Kim
- Age Restriction – U/A 16+
Rating
IMDB: 6.9/10 (22K+ Votes)
Rotten tomato: 97% (35 Votes)
The Last Princess
Description
A historical drama called The Last Princess is based on the life of Princess Deokhye, who was kidnapped and sent to Japan. Son Ye-jin, a childhood buddy, goes to Japan to return to Korea. The film chronicles Princess Deokhye’s challenging upbringing and her struggles with politics and how they affect her happiness. For lovers of historical Korean cinema, Son Ye-jin gives one of her greatest performances in the movie, which is a must-watch.
- Genre – Biography, Drama
- Director – Hur Jin-ho
- Actors – Son Ye-Jin, Park Hae-Il, Ra Mi-Ran, Ahn Nae-sang
- Age Restriction – U/A 13+
Rating
IMDB: 7.1/10 (2K+ Votes)
Rotten tomato: 72% (58 Votes)
Please Don’t Save Me
Description
Due to her father’s suicide, Seon Yu has a significant debt, and her mother is relocating to a new school. Both teachers and other pupils see her issues and melancholy. Jeong Guk, a practical joker, lifts her spirits. Please Don’t Save Me by Yeon-Kyung Jeong strives for realism while capturing the realities of young people dealing with variety and the struggles individuals encounter.
- Genre – Drama
- Director – Jung Yeon-Kyung
- Actors – Cho Yu-Ha, Choi Ro-Woon, Yang So-min
- Age Restriction – U/A 13+
Rating
IMDB: 7/10 (131 K+ Votes)
The Killer
Description
A semi-retired mafia assassin named Bang Ui-gang is compelled to look after a friend’s kid while she is gone in the Korean movie The Killer. The film is an exciting, fast-paced experiment with extreme action and style that will make spectators nervous. It’s not a very good movie, but it’s slick, fashionable, and enjoyable to see. Early praise for the film compared it to the Korean version of John Wick.
- Genre – Action, Mystery & thriller
- Director – Choi Jae-hun
- Actors – Jang Hyuk, Bang Eun-jung, Lee Seung-joon
- Age Restriction – U/A 16+
Rating
IMDB: 6.6/10 (4K+ Votes)
Rotten tomato: 82% (17 Votes)
The House of Us
Description
In the movie, The House of Us, a girl from a dysfunctional home finds stability and learns to deal with teenage expectations by befriending two younger girls at school. With filmmaker Ga-eun Yoon’s filmography exhibiting her genuineness and honest representation of her themes, the picture is both sorrowful and captivating. Those who value finely made films will value the film’s depiction of young hardships and the difficulties they encounter in navigating their stormy home life, even if it could be difficult for casual audiences.
- Genre – Drama
- Director – Yoon Ga-eun
- Actors – Nayeon Kim, Kim Si-ah, Ye-rim Joo
- Age Restriction – U/A 13+
Rating
IMDB: 7.1/10 (259K+ Votes)
Zombie for Sale
Description
In the 2020 Korean comedy Zombie for Sale, the Park family trains a zombie to make money when a pharmaceutical business unintentionally creates one. Zombie for Sale is an explosive film with a strong cast, making it a must-see on Prime despite the zombie craze’s stagnant position. The family perseveres through a string of setbacks despite the difficulties, demonstrating that a zombie-based company can be successful.
- Genre – Comedy, Documentary, Fantasy, Horror
- Director – Gerry Red Wilson
- Actors – Se-ah Jang, Jae-yeong Jeong, Ga-ram Jung, Nam-gil Kim
- Age Restriction – A
Rating
IMDB: 6.6/10 (2K+ Votes)
Rotten tomato: 89% (28 Votes)
The Wailing
Description
Na Hong-jin’s 2016 horror film The Wailing is set in a tiny community where there are a lot of sicknesses and murders going on. While his daughter is afflicted with one of the unexplained ailments, police officer Jong-goo (Kwak Do-won) looks into the superstitions of the area. The film strikes a balance between gorgeous cinematography and intense terror, creating a tense yet peaceful atmosphere. The Wailing is a must-watch for anybody looking for a unique and unsettling experience because of its lasting impact on viewers.
- Genre – Horror, Drama, Mystery
- Director – Na Hong-jin
- Actors – Jun Kunimura , Hwang Jung-min
- Age Restriction – U/A 16+
Rating
IMDB: 7.4/10 (81K+ Votes)
Rotten tomato: 99% (86 Votes)
Burning
Description
Based on a short tale by Haruki Murakami, Burning is a slow-burning thriller that centres on Jong-soo, an aspiring writer, and Hae-mi, a former neighbour. Hae-mi agrees to have Jong-soo take care of her cat when she travels to Africa. Hae-mi takes Ben, her cat, over to meet Jong-soo. To address issues of morality and class divide, director Lee Chang-dong combines neo-noir elements with social and economic topics. As Jong-soo, Steven Yeun gives an incredible performance. Burning takes time, but it’s well worth the wait.
- Genre – Drama, Mystery
- Director – Chang-dong Lee
- Actors – Ah-In Yoo, Steven Yeun, Jong-seo Jeon, Soo-Kyung Kim
- Age Restriction – U/A 16+
Rating
IMDB: 7.5/10 (75K+ Votes)
Rotten tomato: 95% (197 Votes)
Conclusion
Nearly every genre found in modern cinema can be found among the best Korean movies that are streaming on Amazon Prime Video. K-dramas and South Korean films have been added to Prime Video’s lineup to draw in a wider audience. There are many more excellent Korean movies available on Prime Video, even if some, like Train to Busan, have become cult favourites. Korean movies have gained international recognition on par with South Korea’s hugely successful TV shows, and a number of them have received positive reviews from reviewers throughout the globe. A wide variety of Korean movies, including comedies, romances, historical dramas, action, sci-fi, and horror, are accessible for streaming on Prime Video.
