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Where to Watch IGN's Favorite AANHPI Shows and Movies Currently Streaming
We asked the AANHPI community on staff what their favorite movies and TV shows to watch are, with Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander voices in mind. So, in no particular order, here are some of our favorites available to stream in the U.S. right now.
IGN is proud to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month (also known as AAPI Month), a national cultural event which recognizes the Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander community in May. In addition to celebrating this historic event each May, we also have a mission to celebrate our own Asian heritage and AANHPI people at IGN and Ziff Davis at large.
With the explosion of AANHPI representation in media from both the United States and abroad, we asked the AANHPI community on staff what their favorite movies and TV shows to watch are, with Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander voices in mind. So, in no particular order, here are some of our favorites available to stream in the U.S. right now, spanning genres and services. Take a look and help us continue to celebrate AANHPI voices all year round!
When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025)
Based on a true story and real-life couple – played by K-pop idol IU and actor Park Bo-gum – from Jeju Island in South Korea, this new Netflix show brings a sweet love story to life throughout chapters of challenges and changes.
“The show is a slow and sweet reminder about the importance and appreciation of family and love.” – Aimee Carr, Ziff Davis Sr. Manager of Client Services Although it's a longer movie clocking in at nearly 3.5 hours, this iconic sports action-comedy is filled with tons of fun special effects with hilarious fight scenes. Shaolin Soccer is a unique combination of kung fu and soccer, and if you're a fan of either of those or just great comedies in general, it's worth adding to your watch list. Another perfect watch for action-comedy fans, Kung Fu Hustle stars writer-director Stephen Chow who plays Sing, an aspiring gangster trying to be part of the Axe Gang. His fighting tactics and attempts to intimidate lead to a chain of events that will keep you entertained. Check it out on Amazon Prime to rent or buy the English subtitled version. Directed by Wim Wenders, this drama centers on Hirayama, a toilet cleaner in Tokyo whose mundane life reveals hidden depths everywhere. See how his routine is broken with new surprises and how he continues to find beauty in the world. Actor Koji Yakusho won the prestigious Cannes Award for Best Actor for his performance. Kim’s Convenience is a delightful family comedy where a Korean-Canadian family navigates the daily life of running a convenience store in downtown Toronto. The show stars Simu Liu (Marvel’s Shang-Chi) as Jung Kim, one of the actor’s first big roles, in the show. You can catch all five seasons of the sweet sitcom on Netflix in the U.S. Fun fact: Did you know the series is based on a play? Ins Choi is the writer behind it! Ne Zha is an action-packed adventure featuring a strong boy who must learn how to harness his powers, whether for good or for evil. Although the sequel was in U.S. theaters for a couple of months – and shattered global box office records – it is not yet available to stream in the U.S. Stay tuned! Directed by Soi Cheung, this neo-noir martial arts film is filled with turf war crime action. Taking place in Hong Kong’s Kowloon Walled City in the 1980s, there’s historic tension that has left the underworld on edge. The tension bursts when a fighter goes against a Triad boss, resulting in what could only be called a bloody and thrilling gang war. The Nambi Effect is a biographical film about Nambi Narayanan, an aerospace engineer at ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) who is accused of espionage after a series of strange events. The movie begins with a present-day interview diving into Narayanan's past and significant moments in his studies and career leading up to the investigation. Reply 1988 is the third installment of the Reply series, a South Korean TV drama. Following not one, not two, not three, not four, but five families who are neighbors in Seoul, the impressive cast brings these characters to life as they look back to what 1988 was like on their street. Actor Park Bo-gum from When Life Gives You Tangerines also stars in this heartfelt show. “One of my favorite K-drama series!” says Dean Kim, Software Architect from the Ookla team, while Karen Oh from Ziff Davis leadership also says: “It’s the best! I tried the other spin-offs from it (and they are worth watching), but this is still my fave.”Shaolin Soccer (2001)
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Perfect Days (2023)
Kim’s Convenience (2016-2022)
Ne Zha (2019)
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024)
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022)
Reply 1988 (2015)
Any Studio Ghibli Film
The best Studio Ghibli movies offer gorgeous hand-drawn animation and heart-tugging stories, mostly from the imagination of Hayao Miyazaki. The good news is that almost all of 25 Studio Ghibli movies are available to stream online. You can see what the IGN team at large voted as the 10 best Studio Ghibli movies ever.
One of our team members, Ziff Davis recruiter Kunie Prak’s faves include:
- Ponyo
- Howl's Moving Castle
- From Up on Poppy Hill
- Kiki's Delivery Service
- When Marnie Was There
Rescue: Hi-Surf (2024)
“Sometimes I just like the formulaic format of procedurals, but this one is unique in that it highlights the Ocean Safety Hawaiian lifeguards, which isn't commonly featured. The show stars a bunch of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander actors/actresses, which are still underrepresented even amongst other Asian heritages.” – Sarah Wang, Ziff Davis Senior Account Executive
Culinary Class Wars (2024- )
When you take 100 Korean cooks, pitting 20 celebrity chefs against 80 "unknown" chefs competing under alises, you get one fierce cooking battle called Culinary Class Wars. Exclusive to Netflix, this is an exciting show for anyone who enjoys food competition TV.
“If you want the class war of Squid Game mixed with the high-stakes kitchen contests of Top Chef, don’t miss Culinary Class Wars.” – Matt Kim, IGN Sr. Features Editor
NCIS: Hawaii (2021-2024)
If you haven’t been living under a rock, then you have heard of the CBS TV series and franchise, NCIS. With 22 seasons in the original series, NCIS: Hawaii came in 2021 as the fourth series in the police crime franchise. Although it only lasted a few seasons, this series is still worth the watch. NCIS: Hawaii has an incredible and diverse cast, starring Vanessa Lachey as Jane Tennant, the first female Special Agent-in-Charge in the Hawaii Field Office and the first female-led cast in any NCIS show at that time.
“I’m still mad this was canceled by CBS because it had the most diverse cast of the NCIS franchises, was set in Hawaii and showcased local culture, and was one of the higher rated shows for CBS." – SW
Laapataa Ladies (2023)
From IGN India’s movie synopsis from their top movies of the year in 2024: “Laapata Ladies, also known as Lost Ladies internationally, is a Hindi comedy-drama that combines humor with a sharp societal critique. Directed by Kiran Rao, the film explores the lives of women in rural India, addressing hefty themes of individuality and marriage in a light-hearted yet impactful manner. With witty dialogue and likeable characters, Laapata Ladies delivers comedy while also highlighting the struggles and resilience of women in the context of gender roles and freedom in India. It’s an important film in Indian cinema this year, effortlessly mixing poignant moments with entertainment.”
“I love the movie as it has fun take on mistaken identity and walks us through an innocent bride's journey of learning about independence and self-discovery.” – Alekhya Pulavarthy, Ookla Product Manager
Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung (2019)
CNET's Senior Producer Numi Prsarn says: “Rookie Historian on Netflix was kind of a comfort show for me (after the first watch, I'd put it on in the background while I work). Historical romance that somehow also turns into an office comedy with nice little touches of history, like Dutch being the only Western language they'd know because of traders. It's cute.”
Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)
Consider this an honorable mention because it's not currently available to stream, but it's been streamable in the past and have a good hunch it'll be available again in the future. Directed by Ang Lee, this Oscar-nominated film explores the complicated family dynamics between three women who live at home with their widowed father in Taiwan. With each character battling their own version of loneliness, self-expression, and/or survival, the family must find hope and strength in themselves and in each other. The father is an incredible (retired) master chef, giving the viewer something to drool over as he prepares fabulous meals for his family (even in the opening scene, for example). There are so many layers to this film, you may end up watching it multiple times to take it all in.
For more streaming recommendations, check out: Raya and the Last Dragon: Creating Disney's First Southeast Asian-Centered Movie, Upcoming Disney and Pixar Movies, and how to watch the Pixar Movies in Order.
