Gonjiam follows a web series crew who venture into an abandoned asylum to capture paranormal activity during a live broadcast. Photos: Handout
There's just something about Asian horror movies that resonates more with audiences.
Maybe because these films draw deeply from cultural beliefs, myths and legends that have been passed down for generations.
Or perhaps it’s because we grew up with age-old dos and don’ts – the ones whispered by our parents and grandparents about what not to do after dark.
Of course, Asian horror is rarely just about jump scares.
There’s almost always a deeper layer to uncover – a tragic backstory, an unresolved trauma or a lingering curse that ties everything together.
In much of Asia, traditions around remembering the dead and keeping them at peace – such as the Hungry Ghost Festival – continue to shape how we view the afterlife.
All these make Asian horror flicks uniquely haunting.
So while you may not be eager to revisit those films that once kept you up at night, we’ve compiled a list you might want to check out – just to see how many you’ve dared to watch.
Directed by Hideo Nakata, Ringu terrified audiences worldwide and sparked the global J-horror phenomenon.
Its chilling premise – a cursed videotape that dooms anyone who watches it unless they pass it on – turned the humble television into an object of dread.
The film’s critical and commercial success inspired countless Asian and Western horror films that followed.
A man goes berserk and brutally kills his wife before hiding her body and taking his own life. No one knows what happened to their little boy.
Now, the dead have become vengeful spirits consumed by a terrible grudge – one that dooms anyone who comes into contact with the house.
Each new visitor becomes the next victim, feeding the curse and creating an endless cycle of horror.
Really, who can forget the black-eyed boy and that eerie, slow croak made by the vengeful ghosts as they stalk their cursed victims?
Starring Malaysia’s own Lee Sinje, The Eye remains unmatched despite the many sequels and remakes it inspired.
Lee plays a blind woman who gains sight through a cornea transplant, only to discover her new eyes let her see the dead.
The film also opened our eyes to the kinds of hauntings that might exist in the world – for instance, when taking a lift alone in the middle of the night, there might just be another occupant behind you ... or above you.
Few horror films haunt the conscience quite like Shutter.
It’s a chilling reminder that guilt and wrongdoing can weigh one down – if not emotionally, then quite literally – by a vengeful spirit.
After a hit-and-run accident, a photographer begins suffering from persistent neck pain and notices strange images appearing in his photos.
A hospital checkup reveals nothing amiss – except that the weighing scale shows him heavier than he should be. And as audiences soon learn, it isn’t muscle mass.
When his girlfriend starts digging for answers, she uncovers a horrifying truth: his role in a young woman’s assault and the spirit that refuses to let him forget.
Even if you’re not a fan of supernatural horror, this movie is worth watching for its excellent songs and actress Jyothika’s outstanding dual performance.
It also stars two Indian superstars – Rajinikanth and Prabhu.
The story follows a psychiatrist living overseas who visits his brother’s new home in India after the latter purchases a mansion in a small town.
However, the visit soon takes a dark turn when he learns that the mansion has a tragic past – the spirit of a woman who was burned alive still haunts one of its rooms.
When new occupants move in, the ghost possesses a family member in her determination to kill the man who wronged her in life.
The title refers to the events that take place during a train ride from Seoul to Busan when a zombie virus breaks out across the country.
Onboard the ill-fated train is a father who must do everything he can to protect his daughter from the undead and ensure she reaches her mother in Busan safely – even if it means sacrificing himself.
By confining the chaos to a moving train, director Yeon Sang-ho turns up the suspense to the maximum while showcasing how different people react in the face of danger – some with humanity, others without.
Written and directed by and starring Syamsul Yusof, Munafik struck a deep chord with Malaysians, earning its place as the country’s top horror film.
He blends faith, morality and supernatural horror as he portrays Ustaz Adam, a religious healer confronting both demonic forces and his own inner struggles after the death of his wife and son.
Syamsul has said that his goal was to make a Malaysian horror on par with Asia’s best – he definitely succeeded.
He’s also aided by a superb performance from actress Nabila Huda, who plays a woman experiencing supernatural disturbances.
Munafik stars Syamsul Yusof, Nabila Huda and Pekin Ibrahim. Photo: Skop Productions
Director Joko Anwar knows how to spin a supernatural tale that lingers in our minds long after we’ve watched his work.
In this remake of the 1980 classic of the same name, Joko introduces a chilling blend of horror and tragedy that befalls a family.
As the story unfolds, we’re never quite sure whether the family’s house is haunted or if something far more sinister is behind the eerie happenings.
All we can say is that packing up and leaving might just be the best solution here.
Then again, as shown in the 2022 sequel ... the family still faces supernatural trouble even far away from home.
If you’re a fan of found footage horror like The Blair Witch Project or Highland Tower, this film is right up your alley.
In this gripping 91-minute feature, director Jung Bum-shik proves that true horror doesn’t need excessive violence or gore to leave a lasting impression.
The story follows a web series crew who venture into an abandoned asylum to capture paranormal activity during a live broadcast.
In an effort to boost views and hype, some members set up fake scares, but their plan backfires when they encounter real spirits lurking within the crumbling halls.
Though the story takes a while to build, the film masterfully sustains tension and atmosphere, delivering an experience that’s both chilling and unforgettable.
It also stars actors Wi Ha-joon and Park Sung-hoon, both of whom gained international fame for their roles in the award-winning series Squid Game.
Recording over NT$170mil (RM23.4mil) in box office earnings, this found footage horror flick holds the title of the highest- grossing Taiwanese horror movie – and for good reason.
It follows Li Ronan, a single mother desperate to save her possibly possessed daughter after awakening a curse and breaking a sacred taboo while exploring a shrine six years prior.
Directed by Kevin Ko, Incantation does a fantastic job at warning audiences about the dangers of meddling with the spiritual realm.
It’s a gruesome and gory ride that’s sure to leave you squirming in your seat.
The vlog-style footage also adds an extra layer of unsettling realism, while the perfectly timed jump scares keep you on edge from start to finish.
