Asia has one of the strongest and most profitable movie industries outside of the United States. For years, countries like China, India, and Japan have been producing top-tier films for both local and international audiences. From horror to drama, there is no shortage of great Asian movies to watch.
While Hollywood has remade some of Asia’s biggest hits, there are plenty of films from the Far East that would not work in the West. Many stories simply wouldn’t translate to foreign audiences, as they on culturally-specific premises and customs. As a result, there are dozens of Asian films that have never been remade for American audiences. So, let’s take a look at 10 Asian movies that would be impossible to remake in America:
In the Mood for Love
In the Mood for Love tells the story of two married people in 1960’s Hong Kong. They live in the same apartment building and frequently find themselves alone in their rooms, as their respective spouses often work overtime shifts.
Eventually, they start having an affair with each other. Over time, their casual encounters turn into something more. Wong Kar-Wai’s masterful film uses universal themes of loneliness, love, and betrayal, yet it remains distinct in its style and emotional resonance.
House of Flying Daggers
Almost all of the best martial arts films come from Asia, and House of Flying Daggers is no exception. This Chinese film chronicles the last days of the Tang Dynasty, a time when various groups (including the House of Flying Daggers) rebel against the oppressive government.
In addition to the brilliant fight scenes and top-notch cinematography, the film also tells a beautiful and tragic love story.
Spirited Away
Most people agree that Japanese anime films are in a class of their own. They often tackle complex themes that Western animated filmmakers would never touch. Such is the case with Hayao Miyazaki’s 2001 masterpiece, Spirited Away.
After moving into a new neighborhood with her parents, 10-year-old Chihiro accidentally stumbles upon a spirit world from Japanese folklore. A witch from the spirit world turns Chihiro’s parents into pigs, forcing her to stay in the spirit world in order to find a way to free her parents and return home. Spirited Away is often regarded as one of the best films (anime or otherwise) of all time.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Ang Lee’s wuxia film was nominated for dozens of awards and became a surprise international success upon its release in 2000. It tells the story of Li Mu Bai, a master swordsman whose sword, “Green Destiny,” is stolen by a rival from his past. In his quest to reclaim Green Destiny, Li Mu Bai must also protect his one true love, Yu Shu Lien.
With dialogue in Mandarin Chinese, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was originally intended for the local market. However, the film became an international phenomenon, thanks in large part to its larger-than-life fight scenes and excellent direction. To this day, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon remains one of the highest-grossing non-English films of all time.
Grave of the Fireflies
Grave of the Fireflies is easily one of the most heart-rending stories ever told. Based on the real-life experiences of famed Japanese novelist, Akiyuki Nosaka, toward the end of World War II. The story follows a teenage boy, Seita and his young sister, Setsuko, as they flee from their home in Kobe, Japan following a firebombing.
Isolated from their parents, Seita struggles to find food and shelter for his young sister. As resources become scarce, Setsuko’s health rapidly declines. The film deals with themes of guilt and victimization in post-war Japanese culture.
Raise the Red Lantern
While Raise the Red Lantern was critically-acclaimed worldwide, it was actually banned for a short period in China, the country of its production.
Nonetheless, the film became a huge success. Raise the Red Lantern follows a young woman forced to work as a concubine in 1920’s China. Critics and audiences praised the film for its daring use of color and aesthetic design.
Farewell My Concubine
Just like Raise the Red Lantern, Farewell My Concubine was initially banned in China. However, the film went on to be a huge international success and helped bring attention to the talent of the Chinese film industry. In Farewell My Concubine, two opera actors have a tumultuous relationship in which they struggle to separate their life from the events onstage.
Like many “Fifth Generation” Chinese films, Farewell My Concubine uses the backdrop of 20th century China to address political turmoil in the country. Due to its indirect critique of the country’s political system, as well as depictions of homosexuality, the film was not well-received by the Chinese government. In any case, Farewell My Concubine is a beautiful love story set during a time of upheaval and political unrest in China.
Ichi the Killer
As the name implies, Ichi the Killer is not for the faint of heart. The film is an adaption of an ultra-violent manga series of the same name. Ichi the Killer became highly controversial among critics and audiences alike for its graphic torture scenes and ostensibly neutral view of extreme violence.
In the film, the titular character, Ichi, is a disturbed man who is manipulated into killing rival gang members. Despite the controversy, Takashi Miike’s direction is frequently praised by critics.
Akira
Set in a dystopian, cyberpunk world, this 1988 film set the standard for a generation of anime films. While it did not find success upon its initial release, Akira, eventually became an international success. The story focuses on the leader of a biker gang and his friend who acquires telekinetic abilities after a motorcycle accident.
Even though an American live-action remake has been in talks for decades, the project was postponed indefinitely due to various production issues. Additionally, Akira will never be remade as an American animated film, as its visual style is distinctly Japanese.
