NATHAN RIVAS WRITES — Perhaps you’ve found yourself scrolling through Netflix for hours on end because you’ve already binged on the Tiger King so much that you’ve begun to grow a furry mustache! If that’s you, we have a few solutions.
Amid the crisis of COVID-19, theaters have been shut down and new-movie releases have been pushed back indefinitely- a striking blow to those of us who spend a great deal of time and money to get the complete cinematic experience that movie theaters have to offer (for me, this always involves a large container of popcorn and an equally large coke). The rise of streaming services has helped many of us maintain our sanity in these dark times, but sometimes the options are so endless that you can spend more time searching for than actually enjoying the right movie.
To help you navigate, we have organized a list of our five favorite Asian and Asian-American movies now available on multiple streaming services. So roll out the buttery popcorn and ice-cold soft drinks and bring the theater experience into your home.
Here they are, in no particular order:
Crazy Rich Asians
Hulu
If you are one of the unlikely few who wasn’t able to see and then join the hype of Crazy Rich Asians upon its release in 2018, now is the time! With an all-star cast and amazing production design, this movie, which takes place in Singapore, is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. It’s sweet, funny, romantic, and wildly imaginative. Crazy Rich Asians manages to reinvigorate the tired tropes of romantic comedies and is just the type of feel-good movie you might need right now.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Hulu
Before New Zealander Taika Waititi wrote and directed smash hits like Jojo Rabbit or Thor: Ragnorok, he masterminded the wonderfully hilarious and heartfelt Hunt for the Wilderpoeple. The plot follows an orphan boy and his grizzled Uncle Hector, an unlikely pair who run from the law in the beautiful forests of New Zealand.
Hero
Hulu
This is the essential marital arts movie Hero, one of China’s highest grossing movies since its release in 2002. It is essentially a revenge movie that features mythological figures, fantastical sword-fights, and some of Jet-Li’s best work (which is really saying something). Those interested in this film might also like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon on Netflix.
Train to Busan
Tubi, Vudu, Netflix, and Crackle
Easily one of the most captivating zombie films to be released in recent years, Train to Busan is a thrilling and suspenseful story which follows a South Korean father and his child trying to survive an unexpected zombie outbreak on a train. The duo, and a number of passengers on the train, attempt to survive the harrowing journey in order to reach the only city that remains untouched by the outbreak: Busan. Here’s a warning, though: this film is not for the faint of heart.
Parasite
Hulu
Parasite shook the world when it won the Best Picture award during this year’s Oscar ceremony, and for good reason! It’s a suspenseful and eerie masterpiece-an electrifying and immensely imaginative portrayal of class conflicts in South Korea that became the first international film to win the award, and now it’s available on Hulu!
Remember, cross-continental cinematic travel may be second-best to the real thing, but it will surely save lives. End of story.