10 Asian Films That Are Way Better Than Their American Remake

The realm of cinema is filled with diverse offerings from all over the world. Many cinephiles will overcome the obstacles presented by distribution to enjoy these films in their original presentation. Casual viewers are not that committed to their viewing experience. It’s widely known that most American audiences cringe at having to read subtitles in any movie. Some feel it is distracting, while others think the effort detracts from the experience.

Regardless of the way you feel about foreign films, the fact remains that Hollywood is well aware of this market, and they try to covet as many of these people as they can by taking the original product and remaking it from scratch to present it to American audiences in a tidy package. More than often, the results are subpar, even if these movies are visually enhanced. Asian films are an unending source of remakes and adaptations in the American market.

With that said, here are ten films that are much better in their original Asian presentation

10 Ju-On (2002)

The world created by Takashi Shimizu is based on the premise of revenge and rage. In Ju-On, vengeful spirits that died violently take over a household and wreck hell in anyone who dares enter their domain. In the original film, a home care worker named Rika is tasked with assisting a family when she suddenly notices the presence of ghostly appearances. It’s revealed the ghosts are a woman named Kayako and her son Toshio, whom Kayako’s husband brutally murdered.

Each person in contact with the household carries a piece of the curse and is condemned to die or disappear. Although the same director handles the American remake and has the star power of Sarah Michelle Gellar behind it, the film is not as charming as the original. The Japanese entry would spawn a longstanding franchise with more than ten films, a TV show, and video games that is still ongoing.

9 Oldboy (2003)

Oldboy (2003)

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