20 MOVIES THAT WILL MAKE YOU WANT TO TRAVEL TO ASIA

WHAT ARE THE BEST MOVIES ABOUT ASIA? ANY ROMANTIC ASIAN MOVIE? AND CULTURAL ASIAN MOVIE?

Dreaming about your next destination? Thinking about Asia? Why not watch any of these great movies about Asia? You would want to go right NOW!

Before going on a trip to a new country, we always try to watch a few movies whose story takes place there. It allows us to have a quick overview of the culture and landscapes.

There are many amazing movies filmed in Asia,

Here is our selection of the 20 best movies about Asia! Feel free to recommend some more in the comment below.

BEST MOVIES ABOUT ASIA

1. EAT, PRAY, LOVE

Impossible not to mention this movie! Eat Pray Love is the adaptation of the novel of the same title. The main actress is Julia Roberts.

At a crossroads in her life, Liz Gilbert decides to step out of her comfort zone and take a year for herself. Her journey begins in Italy (Eat), continues in India (Pray), and ends on the magnificent island of Bali (Love).

You will definitely want to go for a bike ride in Bali after watching this movie!

READ: MOST INCREDIBLE HOTELS IN BALI

2. Life of PI

After a terrible storm that destroys the ship he was sailing on, a teenager finds himself stuck on a boat with a Bengal tiger.

A series of adventures on the open sea followed, putting the boy’s courage and hope to the test.

We all clearly fell in love with the landscapes of India and the beauties of the ocean.

3. THE BEACH

The limestone cliffs and turquoise waters of southwest Thailand!

Leonardo DiCaprio will make you dream of paradise in Southeast Asia! This is such a legendary movie for travelers in their twenties/thirties. This is probably one of our favorite movies of all time! We watched it countless times!

THIS IS A MUST-WATCH BEFORE TRAVELING TO SOUTH EAST ASIA!

4. LION

Adopted by Australians as a child, a man returns to India in the hope of reuniting with his family and his roots.

Inspired by a true story, this quest, led by the memories of the boy, takes us on a journey through the streets and landscapes of modern India.

The main actor is the famous Dev Patel! We love him!

Lion is one of the best movies about Asia,

5. LOST IN TRANSLATION

This story of humor and reflections transports you to the beautiful city of Tokyo. The escapade of the two characters in the city also makes us want to go and get lost in the streets of Tokyo.

The main actors are the gorgeous Scarlett Johansson and the famous Bill Murray!

Make sure to watch this movie before going to Japan!

READ: MORE POSTS ABOUT TOKYO HERE

6. SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET

Seven Years in Tibet is a film for adventure lovers!

Based on a true story, this film starring Brad Pitt makes us discover the facets of the Himalayas. We love this movie A LOT!

7. THE LAST SAMURAI

The Last Samurai depicts a real historical event, the last great revolt of the samurai order which eventually disappeared at the end of the conflict.

The main character is played by Tom Cruise!

If you are planning a trip to Japan, watch this movie!

8. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Another amazing film about India!

The story is a real reality check on the problems of poverty in this country. You would definitely want to travel to India after watching this!! And make sure you watch the movie until the end for the superb Bollywood dance!

The movie is starred by Dev Patel, one of our favorite Indian actors.

9. MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

Another fantastic movie about Japan and the Geishas in particular.

Welcome to Japan! Through the eyes of Chiyo, a young Japanese girl sold to a geisha housekeeper, we discover a fascinating culture and the whole (sometimes dark) universe of the geisha. To review to immerse yourself in the music, history and art so special of this country.

If you plan to travel to Kyoto, it would be a great idea to watch this movie.

10. THE DARJEELING LIMITED

In this crazy adventure story, three brothers decide to cross India by train to recreate the bond they had before the death of their father. A comedy film that tackles spirituality in Indian settings.

11. CRAZY RICH ASIANS

Set in the very luxurious city of Singapore, the story follows Rachel Chu, a Chinese born in the United States, who travels for the first time with her boyfriend for the occasion of a friend’s wedding.

Once in Asia, she realizes the clash of cultures and discovers that her beautiful family is one of the richest in the city.

Some scenes of the movie were actually filmed in Penang (Malaysia) in the famous Mansion of Cheong Fatt Tze.

12. HANGOVER PART 2

The Hangover madness continues in this film and this time is for Stu getting married in Thailand.

The trio find themselves once again in the morning not knowing what happened in the last hours. Through the streets of Bangkok, the group once again goes through a series of incredible adventures that will certainly make you laugh out loud!

13. HIMALAYA

Set in the mountains of Tibet in a remote village in the Himalayas, this film is described more as a work of art than a work of cinematography.

In this wisdom-filled adventure story, the beautiful and arid nature of Tibet can be felt throughout this movie.

14. BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

This is one of our favorite movies of all time!

For some going on retirement means time for travel.

This is what several Britons decide to do when they are going to spend a few weeks in India. Getting used to the traditions and customs will take some time, especially since their hotel is nothing like their expectations.

It is not more serious for Graham who leaves in search of a love of youth. Meanwhile, Douglas and Jean seek to save their marriage, Evelyn slowly recovers from the death of her husband and Muriel learns that happiness can always knock at the door.

15. PARASITES

Time to explore a bit more the culture in Korea.

Ki-taek’s entire family is unemployed and is very interested in the lifestyle of the wealthy Park family. One day, their son manages to get recommended to give private English lessons to the Parks. This is the beginning of an uncontrollable spiral, from which no one will truly emerge unscathed.

Planning a trip to Korea, check all our articles about Korea here. For those who are reading this blog for the first time, we actually lived in South Korea for almost 4 years.

16. THE LADY

Very interesting to watch if you are planning a trip to Myanmar.

The Lady tells the true story of Aung San Suu Kyi (played by Michelle Yeoh), an opponent of her country’s military dictatorship and placed under house arrest for several years.

The story of the film mainly revolves around her relationship with her husband and family.

16. INDOCHINE

A drama/love story that takes place in Indochina (in Vietnam more exactly) during French colonization, from the 1920s until independence (1954).

A good part of the film takes place in Halong Bay and shows magnificent landscapes. The soundtrack is also very beautiful. It received an Oscar for Best Foreign Film.

Although the movie is a bit old, it is still really worth watching, especially if you are planning a trip to Vietnam.

17. TICKET TO PARADISE

Two divorced parents, David (George Clooney) and Georgia (Julia Roberts), travel to Bali after learning that their daughter, Lily, is planning to marry a man named Gede, whom she has just met.

They decide to work together to sabotage the wedding to prevent Lily from making the same mistake they made twenty-five years ago.

The movie is fairly recent as it just came out in 2022!

18. SHANG-CHI

Actor Simu Liu, embodies a reluctant hero who discovers his past at the heart of Chinese legends in this film packed with action and twists, one of the most successful produced by Marvel!

Traveling to China sometime soon? watch this great movie!

19. KARATE KID

When his mother’s career takes him to Beijing in China, young Dr. Parker faces drastic changes. After a few days, he finds himself embroiled in an altercation within his school, involving Cheng, one of the most gifted boys in Kung Fu which makes him permanently lose the respect of his classmates.

Witness to this confrontation, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), a retired karate teacher, hired by the Parkers as a driver and assistant, decides to help Dre regain the respect of those around him.

A great movie to watch if you are planning a trip to Beijing!

20. THE FAST AND FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT

Sean Boswell is a daredevil whose immoderate passion for sports cars has already landed him in serious trouble with the California police. Sentenced after an accident, his only alternative to prison is to accept the guardianship of his father, a career soldier based in Tokyo.

Gaijin (foreigner) in the most modern city in the world, TOKYO, the young man feels more excluded than ever until the day when a new friend, Twinkie, introduces him to the secret world of drifting – the ultimate ultra-urban rodeos.

A clandestine sport where audacity, elegance and fluidity of driving are even more appreciated than mere speed.

The movie will make you discover the amazing city of Tokyo!

20 MOVIES THAT WILL MAKE YOU WANT TO TRAVEL TO ASIA