As we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month throughout May, we must spotlight the contributions of AANHPI actors and filmmakers in movies and shows. It’s an understatement to say that AANHPI representation in Hollywood could be better. According to a 2021 article by The Hollywood Reporter, less than 6% of speaking roles in Hollywood movies go to AAPI actors. Recent hits like the 2023 Oscars Best Picture winner Everything Everywhere All At Once and the Emmy award-winning Netflix show Beef show a growing demand for more diverse storytelling.
I’ve gathered some AANHPI movies and shows that focus on the experiences and perspectives of AANHPI communities. From Disney classics to modern television series, these casts, shows, and films showcase the remarkable talent and cultural richness of the AANHPI community. If you need something new to watch tonight, these 28 movies and shows with AANHPI characters in leading roles are must-sees.
- Never Have I Ever (2020)
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Mindy Kaling and comedic writer Lang Fisher created Never Have I Ever. It’s hilarious and follows the life of Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), a 15-year-old American Tamil girl grieving her father, Mohan (Sendhil Ramamurthy). Devi struggles with mental health, her social status at school, and boys. NHIE also features Asian American characters of various ethnicities and identities representing diverse Asian American experiences.
Where you can watch: Netflix.
- Parasite (2019)
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As the first non-English language film to win Best Picture at the Oscars, this movie made history. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, it’s an unflinching look at class inequality in South Korea, centering on a poor family who infiltrates the home of a wealthy family by posing as their tutor, driver, and more.
Where you can watch: Max.
- Squid Game (2021)
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You’re most likely familiar with this one, as it’s the most streamed show on Netflix, with 1.65 billion hours. But if you haven’t seen it, no worries — it’s similar to the concept of The Hunger Games. Hundreds of struggling contestants accept an invitation to compete in children’s games for a cash prize, but the risk is deadly.
Where you can watch: Netflix.
- Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
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You may know this one too. Everything Everywhere All At Once did a sweep at the 2023 Oscars, including winning Best Picture. It follows an unlikely hero after an interdimensional rupture unravels reality.
Where you can watch: Netflix, Paramount+, Prime Video, Showtime.
- To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
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The To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before franchise might have revived the rom-com genre. A cult fave, Lara Jean (Lana Condor), stole the hearts of many as she wrote five soul-baring letters to her crushes. She wrote the letters without intending to send them out, but chaos ensues once they’re delivered anyway.
Where you can watch: Netflix.
- The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022)
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Based on the best-selling novel The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (who also wrote the To All The Boys books!), the TV adaptation follows the life of a girl named Belly (Lola Tung). She’s in a love triangle between her two childhood friends, and her perfect summer turns into her first love and heartbreak.
Where you can watch: Prime Video.
- Fresh Off The Boat (2015)
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Between 1995 and 2000, Fresh Off the Boat follows the Huangs, a Taiwanese American family with parents Louis (Randall Park) and Jessica (Constance Wu). The show follows the Huangs’ journey as they relocate to a suburban neighborhood in Orlando, Florida, from the Chinatown area in Washington, D.C. They all try to acclimate to their new and somewhat strange surroundings.
Where you can watch: Hulu.
- Kim’s Convenience (2016)
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This Canadian sitcom follows a convenience store run by a Korean-Canadian family in Toronto as they deal with customers and the ups and downs of life.
Where you can watch: Netflix.
- Wu Assassins (2019)
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A young Chinatown Chef, Kai Jin (Iko Uwais), becomes involved in the Chinese Triad’s hunt for dangerous ancient forces known as the “WU Xing” in modern-day San Francisco. After coming in contact with a supernatural being, Kai becomes the latest in a line of assassins chosen to keep the mystical Wu powers out of the wrong hands.
Where you can watch: Netflix.
- Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior (2006)
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A Disney classic. Wendy Wu (Brenda Song) is a teenager who seemingly has it all together. She’s one of the two candidates for Homecoming Queen, but her life is changed when Shen (Shin Koyamanda), a monk from China, shares the shocking truth that she is a reincarnated Yin Warrior who must battle the evil Yan Lo.
Where you can watch: Disney+.
- Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens (2020)
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Awkwafina plays a 20-something girl named Nora who lives in Queens and aspires to live an atypical life. She struggles to navigate young adulthood and yearns for her family’s support, but they aren’t always willing to give it.
Where you can watch: Max.
- Family Karma (2020)
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Family Karma is a reality TV show that features multiple multi-generational Indian families who are making their mark in the United States.
Where you can watch: Peacock.
- Beef (2023)
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When two strangers are involved in a road rage incident, the incident brings chaos into their lives. (Note before you watch, though, that there has been controversy surrounding the series after the resurfacing of disturbing audio from David Choe, who played Issac and created the title cards.)
Where you can watch: Netflix.
- Bling Empire (2021)
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The hit reality TV show follows the wildly wealthy Asian and Asian-American fun seekers who party in LA and have some drama.
Where you can watch: Netflix.
- Indian Matchmaking (2020)
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Sima Taparia, Mumbai’s leading matchmaker, uses her years of experience, traditional methods, and valuable insights to assist hopeful singles in finding their ideal partner.
Where you can watch: Netflix.
- Wedding Season (2022)
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Under the pressure of their parents to find partners, Asha (Pallavi Sharda) and Ravi (Suraj Sharma) pretend to date during the summer wedding season and ultimately begin actually to fall for one another.
Where you can watch: Netflix.
- Life of Pi (2012)
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Santosh (played by Adil Hussain) and Gita (played by Tabu) decide to sell their zoo in India and move to Canada with their sons and a few remaining animals. They board a freighter for the journey, but sadly, tragedy strikes the boat. Pi, their teenage son, and a Bengal tiger are the only survivors.
Where you can watch: Prime Video, Hulu, Peacock.
- Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
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Salim (Madhur Mittal) and Jamil (Dev Patel) are two brothers living on the streets since their mother’s death. The movie portrays the harsh reality of the caste system in India and follows Jamil’s decision to participate in the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. It details his journey leading up to this point.
Where you can watch: Fandango at Home, Apple TV.
- Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
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A wedding for the books, Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) looks forward to attending her longtime boyfriend Nick Young’s (Henry Golding) best friend’s wedding in Singapore. However, she soon discovers Nick’s family is incredibly wealthy, and his mother disapproves of their relationship. Rachel is suddenly thrust into the spotlight and must navigate the challenges of dealing with jealous socialites and Nick’s quirky relatives.
Where you can watch: Max, Hulu.
- Gulmohar (2023)
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This story follows a family spanning multiple generations as they prepare to leave their family home of 34 years. As they navigate this change, they discover how it will impact their lives and how it will help them rediscover their close bonds.
Where you can watch: Hulu.
- Kung Fu (2021)
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A Chinese American woman who experienced a crisis during college decides to embark on a remarkable journey to an isolated Chinese monastery. Crime and corruption hit her hometown, and saving her family from the powerful triad is up to her and a team of unlikely heroes.
Where you can watch: Max.
- Mulan (1998)
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Here’s another beloved Disney classic! In this story, the eldest daughter of a respected warrior disguises herself as a man to take her father’s place when he’s called to fight against the Rouran army in Imperial China.
Where you can watch: Disney+.
- The Underclass (2020)
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A student expelled from an elite academic program becomes involved in gang activities as she searches for her true identity.
Where you can watch: Netflix.
- RRR (2022)
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This is the story of two legendary revolutionaries who embark on an adventure far from their home, only to return and begin fighting against British colonialists in the 1920s.
Where you can watch: Netflix.
- Fire Island (2022)
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When a group of queer best friends comes together, it will be a good time and some drama. They gather for a week of love and laughter for their annual trip to Fire Island Pines when a quick change in plans throws a wrench in their summer of paradise.
Where you can watch: Hulu.
- Lilo & Stitch (2002)
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This Disney classic is a must-see! Lilo is a curious young girl who adopts what she believes to be a dog. Lilo realizes Stich is not what she expected, but her love for him teaches him the power of love and Ohana, the Hawaiian concept of family.
Where you can watch: Disney+.
- Sione’s Wedding (2006)
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This hit Pasifika movie follows four 30-something guys on a mission to find a girlfriend before they attend their best friend’s wedding. Throughout their mission, the film captures the rich culture of the Samoan community in Auckland.
Where you can watch: Prime Video, Apple TV.
- Shōgun (2024)
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Shōgun is one of the most talked-about and highly acclaimed shows of the year. The FX miniseries is a historical fiction drama inspired by a 1975 James Clavell novel of the same name. Set in 1600 feudal Japan, the tides start to change after a European ship washes up on the shores of a small village.
Where you can watch: Hulu.