Between Crazy Rich Asians, The Farewell, and Always Be My Maybe in recent years, there’s been a surge in Asian-American representation on screens of all sizes. These films are milestones in what has been a long, continuous journey to be seen and heard in theaters and at home, and we celebrate those contemporary hits and everything else that has come before them with the 100 Best Asian-American Movies.
To be Asian-American means a personal identity spread across a coalition of different countries. Under this umbrella is a wide range of Pacific Ocean cultures and histories, countries whose people have also found a new life in the United States. The movies in our guide reflect their experiences, from Korean (Columbus, Minari), Chinese (Saving Face), Singaporean (Shirkers), Japanese (To Be Takei), Filipino (The Debut), Vietnamese (Green Dragon), and more. South Asian-American films included are The Big Sick, The Namesake, and Meet the Patels.
We selected movies where the Asian-American experience drives character and story, or had a significant impact on Asian-American audiences due to its casting, the filmmakers behind it, and for breaking representational ground (Searching, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before). The Asian-American experience is sometimes about traveling to a foreign “home” country, explored in movies like Always Tomorrow in Hong Kong, Go Back to China, and Cavite. And sometimes the experience is about coming to America and becoming citizens, as in Journey From the Fall or Tigertail. These stories start overseas, but are also set and shot in America, so we included those.
The historical landmark films are here, including Chan Is Missing, The Joy Luck Club, and Better Luck Tomorrow.
A zenith was reached across 2022 and 2023, when Everything Everywhere All At Once became a box office sensation, presaging a run deep into awards seasons with an ultimate Best Picture Oscar win. Among our 2024 & 2025 updates, we’ve added several Certified Fresh films (Shortcomings, the Best Picture-nominated Past Lives, Didi, The Wedding Banquet). And we-approached our history by adding more critics reviews to get classic films over the Certified Fresh barrier, including the original ’90s Wedding Banquet, and Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.
#1
Critics Consensus: Minding the Gap draws on more than a decade of documentary footage to assemble a poignant picture of young American lives that resonates far beyond its onscreen subjects.
#2
Critics Consensus: Free Chol Soo Lee powerfully relates a story of injustice while issuing a searing indictment of the systemic racism that enabled it.
#3
Critics Consensus: Understated yet powerful, Driveways is a character study anchored in fundamental decency — and a poignant farewell to Brian Dennehy.
#4
Critics Consensus: Shirkers uses one woman’s interrogation of a pivotal personal disappointment to offer affecting observations on creativity, lost opportunity, and coming to terms with the past.
#5
Critics Consensus: Led by arresting performances from Steven Yeun and Yeri Han, Minari offers an intimate and heart-wrenching portrait of family and assimilation in 1980s America.
#6
Critics Consensus: Funny, heartfelt, and intelligent, The Big Sick uses its appealing leads and cross-cultural themes to prove the standard romcom formula still has some fresh angles left to explore.
#7
Critics Consensus: The Paper Tigers blends action, comedy, and heart to produce a fresh martial arts movie with plenty of throwback charm.
#8
Critics Consensus: The Farewell deftly captures complicated family dynamics with a poignant, well-acted drama that marries cultural specificity with universally relatable themes.
#9
Critics Consensus: For viewers in search of an uncommonly smart, tender, and funny coming-of-age story, The Half of It has everything.
#10
Critics Consensus: Wonderfully acted and artfully composed, Columbus balances the clean lines of architecture against the messiness of love, with tenderly moving results.
#11
Critics Consensus: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before plays by the teen rom-com rules, but relatable characters and a thoroughly charming cast more than make up for a lack of surprises.
#12
Critics Consensus: Lucky Grandma gives Tsai Chin a long-overdue opportunity to shine in a leading role — but it’s audiences who are the truly fortunate ones.
#13
Critics Consensus: An entertaining mystery that’s also rich in setting and character detail, Chan Is Missing suggests thrilling potential from director/co-writer Wayne Wang.
#14
Critics Consensus: With a title character as three-dimensional as its lush animation and a story that adds fresh depth to Disney’s time-tested formula, Moana is truly a family-friendly adventure for the ages.
#15
Critics Consensus: A remarkable debut for writer-director Celine Song, Past Lives uses the bonds between its sensitively sketched central characters to support trenchant observations on the human condition.
#16
Critics Consensus: Heartwarming, humorous, beautifully animated, and culturally expansive, Turning Red extends Pixar’s long list of family-friendly triumphs.
#17
Critics Consensus: A semi-autobiographical love letter to teenage angst that’s also slyly self-critical, Dìdi is a deeply moving personal statement by writer-director Sean Wang.
#18
Critics Consensus: Brought to life by a tremendously talented cast, the breezily entertaining Fire Island proves there are still fresh ways to update Austen.
#19
Critics Consensus: From its confrontational title to its striking cinematography, this raw cinematic gem uncompromisingly proves writer/director/actor Justin Chon is a filmmaker to watch.
#20
Critics Consensus: Led by an outstanding Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once lives up to its title with an expertly calibrated assault on the senses.
#21
Critics Consensus: Abacus: Small Enough to Jail transcends its less-than-dramatic trappings to present a gripping real-life legal thriller with far-reaching implications.
#22
Critics Consensus: If Be Water‘s surface level approach doesn’t quite match its subject’s depth, it still serves as an appropriate introduction to the almighty Bruce Lee.
#23
Critics Consensus: Searching‘s timely premise and original execution are further bolstered by well-rounded characters brought to life by a talented cast.
#24
Critics Consensus: Sarita Choudhury and Denzel Washington’s romantic chemistry lights up the screen in Mississippi Masala, Mira Nair’s observant and sexy tale of cultures clashing.
#25
Critics Consensus: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings isn’t entirely free of Marvel’s familiar formula, but this exciting origin story expands the MCU in more ways than one.
#26
Critics Consensus: With a terrific cast and a surfeit of visual razzle dazzle, Crazy Rich Asians takes a satisfying step forward for screen representation while deftly drawing inspiration from the classic — and still effective — rom-com formula.
#27
Critics Consensus: Joy Ride isn’t afraid to shock with its gross-out gags, but this road trip’s real surprise is how successfully it blends its raunchy humor with real heart.
#28
Critics Consensus: To Be Takei rests almost entirely on its subject’s inherent likability — and, for the most part, that’s more than enough.
#29
Critics Consensus: Although its reach occasionally exceeds its grasp, After Yang yields rich rewards for those willing to settle into its low-key wavelength.
#30
Critics Consensus: Carried by the infectious charms of Ali Wong and Randall Park, Always Be My Maybe takes familiar rom-com beats and cleverly layers in smart social commentary to find its own sweet groove.
#31
Critics Consensus: Utterly predictable and wholly of its time, but warm, sincere, and difficult to resist, due in large part to Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio’s relaxed chemistry.
#32
Critics Consensus: Thousand Pieces of Gold‘s technical deficiencies are handily outweighed by sterling work from a 24-karat cast — and a story that has a fresh perspective on the American Old West.
#33
Critics Consensus: A charming tale of a love affair that overcomes cultural taboos.
#34
Critics Consensus: Meet the Patels works on multiple levels, offering an affably entertaining documentary about one man looking for love while posing thoughtful questions about cultural assimilation and modern romance.
#35
Critics Consensus: A coming-of-age story with a timely twist, Yellow Rose offers a fresh — and sweetly rewarding — perspective on the immigrant experience.
#36
Critics Consensus: A finely layered drama with rich visal allure, Ms. Purple sifts sensitively through the emotional wreckage of a broken family.
#37
Critics Consensus: The Joy Luck Club traces the generational divide, unearthing universal truths while exploring lives through the lens of a specific cultural experience.
#38
Critics Consensus: A coming-of-age story with a uniquely crowd-pleasing touch, Marvelous and the Black Hole transcends its familiar story with fresh direction and charming performances.
#39
Critics Consensus: An ambitious exploration of the immigrant experience with a talented cast that serves the material well.
#40
Critics Consensus: Randall Park’s directorial debut has humor and heart, giving star Justin H. Min a swoonworthy starring vehicle with few Shortcomings.
#41
Critics Consensus: Uneven yet revealing, Tigertail offers a well-acted — and ultimately valuable — look at the immigrant experience in America.
#42
Critics Consensus: A promising work by Lin, the energetic Better Luck Tomorrow is disturbing and thought-provoking.
#43
Critics Consensus: Featuring an attractive young cast, Charlotte mostly shines as a portrait of the sexual frolics and hangups of L.A. Asian twentysomethings.
#44
Critics Consensus: Flower Drum Song‘s story may be somewhat skimpy, but this Rodgers and Hammerstein adaptation blooms with brilliant songs and choreography.
#45
Critics Consensus: Diminishing returns have set in for this trilogy, but To All the Boys: Always and Forever has just enough of the original’s effervescent charm to serve as a worthy conclusion.
#46
Critics Consensus: The plight of Asian refugees is sensitively rendered, and the movie builds, with the help of Nolte, to a wrenchingly poignant conclusion.
#47
Critics Consensus: To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You may feel like little more than an amiable postscript to its predecessor, but fans of the original should still find this a swoonworthy sequel.
#48
Critics Consensus: The likable leads and subversion of racial stereotypes elevate Harold and Kumar above the typical stoner comedy.
#49
Critics Consensus: Blue Bayou can be indelicate in its attempts to tug the heartstrings, but solid acting and a genuinely affecting story make this drama difficult to ignore.
#50
Critics Consensus: Take Out presents an unvarnished view of one immigrant’s experiences as a restaurant deliveryman — and leaves the audience with plenty of food for thought.
#51
Critics Consensus: A simple but engaging look at relationships, I Will Make You Mine brings the Surrogate Valentine trilogy to a fittingly poignant and perceptive close.
#52
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#53
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#54
Critics Consensus: A documentary that’s more than just a sweetly filling treat, The Donut King tells a real-life rags-to-riches story with genuine depth and breadth.
#55
Critics Consensus: Ang Lee’s funny and ultimately poignant comedy of manners, The Wedding Banquet reveals the filmmaker’s skill across genres.
#56
Critics Consensus: In the Family uses one couple’s tragedy to examine the legal meaning of parenthood – and make a persuasive argument for a more inclusive approach to family law.
#57
Critics Consensus: In depicting one man’s sexual awakening, Spa Night explores the tension between tradition and individuality with tenderness and compassion.
#58
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#59
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#60
Critics Consensus: The Grace Lee Project is a clever, humorous, and personal exploration of identity, ethnic stereotypes, and the oppressive cultural expectations placed on Asian-American women.
#61
Critics Consensus: Ham Tran’s ambitious film proves to be extremely powerful due to stunning photography and passionate performances.
#62
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#63
Critics Consensus: Three teens contemplate life after high school while singing their hearts out in this fresh musical.
#64
Critics Consensus: The Search for General Tso digs into the history of a beloved dish and uncovers a heaping helping of powerfully nourishing history along the way.
#65
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#66
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#67
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#68
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#69
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#70
Critics Consensus: A coming-of-age dramedy whose familiar outline is filled in with rewarding empathy and character detail, The Motel marks an impressive feature debut for writer-director Michael Kang.
#71
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#72
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#73
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#74
Critics Consensus: Advantageous transcends obvious budgetary limitations to pose thought-provoking questions about gender roles and family dynamics.
#75
Critics Consensus: In Between Days is a moving, artistic slice-of-life indie film.
#76
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#77
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#78
Critics Consensus: Uneven but entertaining, Go Back to China puts a refreshing cross-cultural spin on the traditional coming-of-age story arc.
#79
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#80
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#81
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#82
Critics Consensus: Smartly constructed by writer-director Gina Kim and brought to life by a strong cast led by Vera Farmiga, Never Forever is an unexpectedly engaging melodrama.
#83
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#84
Critics Consensus: Though it may not be as profound as its pacing would suggest, A Thousand Years of Good Prayers delicately examines familial issues in an earnest fashion.
#85
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#86
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#87
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#88
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#89
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#90
Critics Consensus: Although its four stories vary in quality, Robot Stories is still worth a look for Twilight Zone fans.
#91
Critics Consensus: With Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong, writer-director Emily Ting adds a modest yet enjoyable entry to the expatriate rom-com subgenre.
#92
Critics Consensus: While its impact is blunted by an overly reverential approach to its subject, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story remains a reasonably entertaining biopic of the martial arts legend.
#93
Critics Consensus: A gritty, low-budget thriller, Cavite takes us on a heart-pounding ride through the seedy Filipino underworld.
#94
Critics Consensus: Although The Debut offers few surprises, it remains an engaging and well-acted look at the multi-generational immigrant experience.
#95
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#96
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#97
Critics Consensus: Still raunchy, still irreverent, and still hit-and-miss, this Harold & Kumar outing also has a Christmas miracle: The audience gets to see the sweeter side of the duo.
#98
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#99
Critics Consensus: Linsanity offers a compelling enough look at its basketball star subject for fans and curious viewers, even if it never really delves below the surface.
#100
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
