Well, 2020! We’ve finally made it to the end.
It’s been a tough year for cinema, with lots of movies releasing late or being delayed to 2021, and finding movies that I would consider to be the best was a bit a struggle.
So this year is a bit different. This is a list of Asian movies released in 2020 that I either really liked, or really surprised me. They aren’t all must watch movies, and I must make it clear this is a very personal list. I am not saying these movies are the best, just that I liked them and hope you get a chance to watch them
Now I am going to cheat a little bit with this list, as it contains 3 movies that hit cinemas in their home country in 2019, but were released on bluray or webstreaming in 2020.
I am doing this list in alphabetical order, but I will be saving what I consider the best movie to last.
The video below covers the list on this page if you'd prefer to watch that and see some footage of the movies. Otherwise, each movie listed below has a link to our full length review if available!
BUDDHA PALM TECHNIQUE (China)
Now this one is a surprise. Released during the start of pandemic, when a new movie was pounced on, Buddha Palm Technique debut on Chinese webstreaming back in March. I originally described this movie as “The movie you didn't know you wanted, but must see!” and I still agree, with its exciting fusion of genres that mixes sci-fi, wuxia, fantasy and action together to make one heck of fun movie.
At times there are some dodgy special effects, but with its visual flair and multiple pop culture references, this a fun movie to watch. The only problem is, there is no English subtitled version!
THE CALL (Korea)
All year I waited for a good horror, and it took right until the end until I got one. Only, this is more of a thriller with horror elements, but that won’t stop me from classing it as 2020’s Best Asian Horror movie.
And this movie has it all. An exciting storyline about parallel times and a crazy protagonist who has absolute power over her victim due to this makes for an edge of your seat movie.
This ended up premiering on Netflix in late November, and has instantly become a success. This is well worth watching.
DOUBLE WORLD (China)
A movie robbed of a cinema release, Double World found success when it premiered on webstreaming back in July, both on local Chinese services and on Netflix. And it’s not hard to see why it was another fun movie to watch.
Directed by Hong Kong’s Teddy Chan of Kung Fu Jungle and Accidental Spy fame, and with a good looking cast of International and local Chinese actors including Henry Lau, Peter Ho and Lin Chenhan, this movie is a successful example of crowdfunding based on a very popular Chinese mobile and PC game of the same name.
A sad ending doesn’t detract from the almost 2-hour spectacle this movie will put you through.
THE EIGHT HUNDRED (China)
The Eight Hundred is definitely one of my favourite movies of the year. Set just before World War 2, The Eight Hundred tells the true story of a band of ragtag soldiers, farmers and deserters who rally themselves to defend a warehouse on the banks of the Suzhou River in Shanghai from Japanese forces.
At almost 3 hours, this is a long movie to get through, and the first hour is usually make or break for a lot of people with the breakneck yet confusing pace and storytelling. But once the movie settles down and kicks in, it’s a very enjoyable experience where time flies just watching it.
This is currently the worldwide Number 1 movie for 2020, with a rough estimate of around $450 million US dollars in the worldwide Box Office.
HITMAN AGENT JUN (Korea)
This Korean action comedy movie was quite a pleasant surprise. When an elite secret agent decides he has had enough of the spy life and wants to take up a career in creating webtoons, he fakes his death and starts a new life. But 15 years later his career is going nowhere, so he decides to create a series based on his previous career as a secret agent, and instantly finds the success he was looking for.
Some tight and exciting action scenes mixed in with the usual Korean light humour makes this one of the best popcorn films you could watch this year, and the addition of the excellent 2D animated scenes used throughout the film add another dimension to an already exciting action comedy.
HONEST CANDIDATE (Korea)
Another Korean film that took me by complete surprise is this foul mouthed movie heavily inspired by the Jim Carrey comedy film Liar Liar.
A career politician, Joo Sang-sook, with a huge habit of lying about absolutely everything makes a wish to win her next election, at the same time her grandmother also makes a wish for her to stop lying. Thanks to the magic of movies, and divine intervention, Joo Sang-sook ends up getting her grandmothers wish!
If you like movies that don’t take themselves seriously, but also take a dig at real life politics, then this could be an enjoyable movie for you to watch.
KNOCKOUT (China)
I was expecting an action film about boxing, an Asian Rocky, but what I got was a captivating family drama about a boxer desperately trying to establish a relationship with a daughter he has never met, while her grandmother vindictively tries to takes custody of her.
Bring your tissues for this one, because this is a heartbreaker of a movie, but you won't be disappointed.
KUMANTHONG (Vietnam)
One of three movies on my list that premiered in cinemas in their home country in 2019, but on wider release in 2020, is this Vietnamese horror thriller based on a true story of a demonic serial killer.
Gory, chilling and exciting, this movie was an unexpected surprise from a country whose movies are usually rather bland, although 2019’s Furie started bucking that trend.
Some slight issues with censorship, which resulted in some editing to the movie that makes it a little confusing, isn’t enough to stop me recommending this creepy true story horror chiller.
LEGALLY DECLARED DEAD (Hong Kong)
Another 2019 movie that saw a wide 2020 release, this Hong Kong thriller based on the Japanese novel The Black House is one of the best movies from Hong Kong from the last few years.
Outstanding performances from veterans Anthony Wong and Karena Lam, as well as Carlos Chan, are just the tip of the iceberg for this edge-of-your-seat thriller, with a gripping storyline and some outstanding visuals.
It’s a dark and creepy thriller with a fantastic ending, so if you love Hong Kong thrillers then I would definitely recommend this one.
LOVE YOU FOREVER (China)
Not all of my surprise movies for this year are actions, thrillers or horrors. And while at it’s heart it appears it be a romantic movie, it does have some science fiction elements behind it.
Love You Forever is a delightfully charming movie about a life long romance. Anyone with even a tiny romantic bone in their body should find something here to enjoy, with an ending that might make you bawl in tears. Well worth hunting down and watching this quality sci-fi drama.
MONSTER RUN (Hong Kong/China)
A movie full of science fiction themes is this action comedy Hong Kong/Chinese co-production. Another movie that definitely would have been released into cinema, but instead premiered on webstreaming back in August, sees the return to the big screen of Hong Kong 00’s action heartthrob Shawn Yue.
Some fantastic visual effects, mixed in with some funny light humour provided by Yue’s sidekick known as Paper, top off this movie, with the only let down being the rather soft ending. But the journey there is an exciting one.
SECRET ZOO (Korea)
Another Korean comedy on my list of surprises for this year, and it was a toss up between this and Mr Zoo, with this one winning out because I found myself laughing more while watching this.
In a funny, only-in-the-movies type scenario, Secret Zoo tells the story of a young lawyer desperate to prove he can do more than just menial tasks, so he is given the role to try and turn around the fortunes of a failing zoo in order for it to be liquidated. The only problem is, the zoo has just sold its most attractive animals.
While it can at times be a little silly, especially the concept, but who cares? The movie has genuine moments of humour and is an entertaining way to spend 2 hours with a big tub of popcorn.
WE ARE CHAMPIONS (Taiwan)
The third of the three 2019 released movies is this excellent Taiwanese sports drama about two talented basketball loving brothers whose career paths diverge in opposite directions but ultimately meet up in a thrilling finale.
Some thrilling and exciting basketball action scene starring two of the latest Taiwanese entertainment heartthrobs, this movie is currently very hard to find as its still hasn’t had a wide release, but if you can find it, it’s well worth a watch.
THE WINNERS (China)
One of my guilty pleasures are silly comedy films, and The Winners definitely calls into this category.
The Winners is a crazy comedy movie about a very diligent worker in a bank who is tasked with the role of being a bank robber during a training drill with the local police force. They want to test their response times to a bank robbery, but he has other ideas.
It’s as hilarious as it is entertaining, with comedy actor Chengpeng Dong really shining in the lead role as Yan Jin, with a supporting cast of well-known Chinese actors playing along with the crazy scenario. Another movie not so easy to find, but if you can find it, it does have excellent English subtitles.
THE MAN STANDING NEXT (Korea)
And this last movie is my movie of the year.
This multiple award-winning movie stars quite a few very big and well-known Korean actors, including the excellent Byung-hun Lee in the lead role as Director Kim, the man in charge of the main Korean intelligence agency who works alongside the information provided by a whisteblower to remove the current Korean president, Park, who has taken complete authority over the country.
Based on the exciting true story about the real assassination of President Park in the 70s, this movie never holds back.
On the edge of your seat action scenes and thrilling moments as we follow Director Kim and the agents who help him, as well the men protecting President Park, in the lead up to the assassination.
The real surprise with this film has been the lack of international chatter about it, especially after the success of Parasite in 2019. With Korean cinema being the flavour of the moment, this political thriller is a definite must watch and is my choice for the best Asian movie of 2020.
Thank you for indulging me in allowing me to present to you my Top 15 2020 Favourites and Biggest Surprise Asian movies. Remember, this is a personal list, and I haven’t watched every movie so no doubt there are titles I missed. Please leave me a comment below with your selections
I hope you enjoyed this list and discovered some new movies to watch.
Author
The Arty Dans