Netflix recently unveiled its much-anticipated 2025 film lineup for the Asia-Pacific region at a special content showcase in Tokyo. With a growing focus on original regional productions, the streaming giant has continued its cultural and critical hot streak in Asia, following the success of films like Unlocked, The Call, and Bullet Train Explosion. The event highlighted an exciting mix of genre films, comedies, dramas, and anime from countries such as Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and India.
Southeast Asia: The Rise of Zombie Films
Netflix’s Southeast Asia film slate made waves with the announcement of several major productions, including The Elixir and Ziam, both of which tap into the zombie genre. The former, Indonesia’s first zombie film, is a large-scale production directed by Kimo Stamboel, following an industrialist and his family as they battle the undead. Ziam, a Thai zombie action film, stars a Muay Thai fighter as the protagonist in an intense battle for survival.
These films follow in the footsteps of the successful The Shadow Strays and Hunger, both of which found global audiences on Netflix, and continue the platform’s push to expand Southeast Asian storytelling. According to Malobika Banerji, Netflix’s senior director of content for Southeast Asia, the company is proud to be part of this cultural shift, with more region-specific narratives making their way to international screens.
Japan: Bullet Train Explosion and Beyond
Japan’s contribution to Netflix’s 2025 film slate is headlined by Bullet Train Explosion, a high-octane sequel to the 1975 disaster classic The Bullet Train, made in collaboration with the East Japan Railway Company. Directed by Shinji Higuchi, the film features thrilling action sequences involving real Shinkansen trains, setting a new bar for realism in the disaster genre.
Additionally, the ballroom dance drama 10Dance and the February hit Demon City showcased Japan’s diverse cinematic offerings. 10Dance explores the emotional journey of two competitive male dancers, while Demon City has captivated global audiences with its dark, supernatural thriller vibes. Both films add to Netflix’s growing library of high-quality Japanese content.
Korea: A Diverse Slate of Thrillers, Dramas, and Romcoms
South Korea’s Netflix offerings for 2025 are equally diverse, ranging from psychological thrillers to romantic comedies. Director Yeon Sang-ho, known for hits like Hellbound, brings a new thriller, Revelations, while Byun Sung-hyun’s Good News explores a period plane hijack drama. Meanwhile, Lost in Starlight, an animated love story by Han Ji-won, promises to be another standout.
The psychological thriller Wall to Wall by Kim Tae-joon, and Love Untangled, a period romcom directed by Namkoong Sun, are further examples of the growing range of South Korean films coming to Netflix. These titles promise to bring fresh perspectives to the genres of drama and romance, with new voices and bold concepts.
India: A Rich Tapestry of Genres
Netflix’s India slate for 2025 is perhaps the most diverse of all, with films in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu languages. Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, Netflix’s director of original films for India, highlighted the importance of Indian films for the platform, citing that nearly half of Netflix India’s content consumption comes from films.
The Indian slate includes a romcom, Aap Jaisa Koi, a tale of a middle-aged man who finds love in unexpected circumstances. The period drama Inspector Zende, based on the notorious international criminal Carl Bhojraj, is another highlight. Additionally, Toaster, a black comedy starring Rajkummar Rao, promises to be a major draw for Indian audiences, with the actor also discussing the launch of his production banner, Kampa Films.
Conclusion: A Bold Future for Asian Cinema on Netflix
The 2025 Netflix Asia-Pacific Film Showcase solidified the platform’s commitment to elevating Asian filmmakers and storytellers. With an exciting slate of films from Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, and India, Netflix continues to be at the forefront of globalizing regional content. As these films roll out in 2025, audiences can expect even more diverse, compelling, and genre-defying stories from the Asia-Pacific region.
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Which of these 2025 Netflix films are you most excited to see? Let us know in the comments below!
