Weird and Wonderful Cinema from the Far East
"The direction of the list is nutty fantasy, gruesome horror and eyepopping special effects"
Originally created this list on letterboxd somewhere in 2012, based pretty much on a certain "weird asia" tag that includes around 60 movies. Further expanded on with similiar ones. This list is intended to be anti-smarmy so entries are kept mainly pre-1990 with some fitting exceptions.
Feel free to copy and use on other sites. But as always, kids and ninjas, if you're going to copy someone elses work.. remember to credit the original author..
N/A: Heavenly Legend (1999), Bicheongoesu (1985), Dragon Kid (1990), Crocodile Evil (1986), Filth Eating Spirit Bites Ogre (1990), When Hell Broke Loose (1974), Pedang Naga Pasa (1990), The Five of Super Rider (1976)
Originally created this list on letterboxd somewhere in 2012, based pretty much on a certain "weird asia" tag that includes around 60 movies. Further expanded on with similiar ones. This list is intended to be anti-smarmy so entries are kept mainly pre-1990 with some fitting exceptions.
Feel free to copy and use on other sites. But as always, kids and ninjas, if you're going to copy someone elses work.. remember to credit the original author..
N/A: Heavenly Legend (1999), Bicheongoesu (1985), Dragon Kid (1990), Crocodile Evil (1986), Filth Eating Spirit Bites Ogre (1990), When Hell Broke Loose (1974), Pedang Naga Pasa (1990), The Five of Super Rider (1976)
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- DirectorLing ChangStarsLing ChangFeng ShihYu-Hsiang ChangA woman who was raised by wolves seeks revenge on Red Devil, the villain who ordered the murder of her parents.[ 狼女白魔 ]
- DirectorPeng-Yi ChangStarsAdam ChengLing ChangLan DingA Sword Master seeks to find his match and heir apparent. Thus, he challenges all comers to try and defeat him and his "empty mind," kung fu sword technique. One debonair swashbuckler attempts to defeat him and loses. Enter swordswoman supreme Pearl Cheung who masters "empty mind," sword skill and defeats the sword master!
- DirectorChung-Hsing ChaoChun-Liang ChenStarsHsiao-Lao LinTu ChinSan PengPeach Kid joins Tiny Cock, Tiny Monkey and Tiny Dog to rescue the princess from the Devil's Apple King of Monster Island.
- DirectorChung-Hsing ChaoStarsHsiao-Lao LinPao-Ming KuChing-Wei ShenPeach Boy and his mother live in a village. One day a young man comes to the village and asks Peach Boy as his teacher. At the same time, the Elder of Devil Palace kills his mother. The battle between Peach Boy and the devil is unavoidable.
- DirectorYan-Chien ChuangTso Nam LeeStarsHsiao-Lao LinChung-Chuan ChangShan CharngLittle Flying Dragon finds himself responsible for protecting a small child named Golden Boy, who reluctantly plays an important role in the ongoing battle between good and evil forces.
- DirectorChung-Hsing ChaoStarsShadow LiuAn AnHai-Yuan ChengA demon master tries to defeat a young priestess who induces archetypal forces in the Chinese zodiac, the twelve animals in the form of her companions.The Twelve Fairies
- DirectorNamio YuasaStarsYoshinobu KanekoPin-Pin WangChiang ChaoThe Magic Sword of Watari
- DirectorTso Nam LeeStarsHsiao-Lao LinYukari ÔshimaShan CharngA clan leader's spirit essence is captured by an evil wizard and it's up to the Kung fu Wonder Child and her friends to save the day.
- DirectorChung-Hsing ChaoStarsTu ChinChung-Yu HuangShadow LiuThe master of a traveling acrobatic squad is bitten off, and gets, a hopping vampire. When he begins to terrorize the city, uses Grandpa and Tien Tien master students as bait, so ghostly warriors, to eventually capture the creature.
- DirectorShi-Chen WangStarsShadow LiuAn AnChih-Han LiuA priest, a nun and a showman sneaks into the morgue and sees a dancing vampire and catches it. It all lead to an assault and abduction of Tien Tien.Hello Dracula II
- DirectorYan-Wen ChouStarsAn AnChi-Chiang ChenTu ChinGrandfather meets his match when he meets Master Flying Squirrel who captures Grandpa and transforms him into a ghost slave. Tien Tien turns to grandfathers old classmate to defeat the Flying Squirrel and absolve grandfather.Hello Dracula III
- DirectorChun-Liang ChenYang-Ming TsaiStarsChu-Ko LiangHsiao-Lao LinAn AnThe story begins when Tien Tien is about to be born. Her father was fighting the demon who has stolen lots of children. Her mother is killed and her father has taken up the fight.Hello Dracula IV: King of the Children
- DirectorWing-Cheong LawStarsDonnie YenBaoqiang WangShengyi HuangAn imperial guard and his three traitorous childhood friends ordered to hunt him down get accidentally buried and kept frozen in time. 400 years later passes and they are defrosted continuing the battle they left behind.
- DirectorHsin-Yi ChangStarsPu-Liao HsuHui-Shan YangLing-Ling HsiaA princess living in the woods falls in love with a sword-wielding prince.
- DirectorHan-Hsiang YuStarsFei MengShih LinYuan ChuanExorcising Sword [ 海魔 ]
- DirectorChu-Chin WangStarsYing Chieh ChenCynthia KhanMing-Yu ChiBoy tries to rescue the Ginseng King from an evil 3 headed king to save his mother, who has been bitten by a Nazi zombie.Ginseng King - This one has a dupe imdb entry (less correct) with more votes then this one.
- DirectorChi-Yung ChangHua-Chi MouStarsBin BinYa YaYing-Hung ChiuA boy meets a friendly forest creature named Yia Yia who appears to be related to the Ginseng King.Friendly Shock
- DirectorTien-Yung HsuStarsLing-Lung OuyangFang HuaChin Hu
- DirectorSe-Chang TsaiStarsHsiu-Shen LiangYin TingFu-Kuei TsaiA little boy, with kung-fu skills, spends his time flying around on a magic gourd battling one, two and three headed dragons, bird men, a triclops and ape men who have the ability to fire laser beams from their eyes.
- DirectorHan-Hsiang YuStarsBao LanYang YuehKuang-Chao ChiangA small child witnessing the murder of his parents at the hands of demons. The child narrowly escapes and comes under the care of a wise old master, who subjects him to a training regime that will lead to him on a mission of vengeance.
- DirectorHan-Hsiang YuStarsHsuan LiYang YuehKuang-Chao ChiangFlyer of Young Prodigal
- DirectorChun-Ku LuWen-Po TuStarsJason Piao PaiPinky De LeonLung ChanAfter being told that his uncle disappeared in Boreos jungles, Man-Ying goes there immediately on a rescue mission. He is attacked by some sort of cannibalistic zombies and soon it is clear that the evil snake-sect controls the jungle with its black magic.
- DirectorSheng-En ChinFu-Wen ChungStarsLing ChiaJieh-Wen KingChi-Ping ChangGiant Dragon fights, giant monster fights and some kung fu in this fantasy epic from Taiwan also known as Prince of the Dragon King. The dragon turns into human form early on in the movie and goes on some magical quest.
- DirectorChien TangStarsChiang ChaoChen ChiangLi-Sheng ChinYoung Flying Hero
- DirectorLei PanChien TangStarsKo PaShih ChinChiang ChaoDevil Fighter
- DirectorNan-Tu FuStarsFang ChangFeng ChangKuang ChangSilver Maid
- DirectorTit LeeStarsBo-Bo FungHsieh-Su FungKien ShihThe Little Warrior
- DirectorHung-Min ChenStarsMing-Lun KuHsin TangLing-Ling HsiehNo one is able to defend a modern metropolis against the fierce attack by laser gun-equipped giant aliens but the super-sized reincarnated General Guan Yunchang from China's ancient history.War God
- DirectorTetsuya YamanouchiStarsHiroki MatsukataTomoko OgawaRyûtarô ÔtomoIn ancient Japan, a good lord is killed and his throne is taken by the trecherous Yuki Daijo and his wizard friend Oroki-maru. The young prince Ikazuki-maru is rescued from the jaws of death by a magic bird sent by a wizard. Ten years later, Ikazuki-maru embarks on an adventure to avenge his parents and the wizard's death with his magic powers he learned from the wizard. He kills Yuki Daijo but then must battle Oroki-maru in a battle to the death.
- DirectorYun-Fei ChaoStarsSzu ShihHung-Lieh ChenChing ChengChinese Magic
- DirectorHan-Hsiang YuStarsSzu ShihSzu-Cheng MuChing ChengChinese Evil Technique
- DirectorTien-Yung HsuStarsDi LinTao-Hung LiChin Hu
- DirectorCheh ChangStarsFeng LuSheng ChiangShih ChinA troupe of traveling performers stop in a small town. However, the general who controls the town has designs on the group's leading actress. They must figure a way to get out of town before the general has his way with her.
- DirectorJen-Chieh ChangStarsKuo-Chu ChangLi ChingJoanna ChouThird Prince Na Cha
- DirectorTetsuya YamanouchiStarsLi ChingTina Chin-FeiPing AnNa Cha is sent to the land of the dead to fight the seven devils.
- DirectorCheh ChangStarsJiming ChenZhihua DongYongzhuan GuSeveral stories from the famous Chinese myth Journey to the West.Journey to the West
- DirectorMeng-Hua HoStarsDiana Chung-Wen ChangFan HoHua Yueh16th-century novel recounting the efforts of a Buddhist monk and his magical companions to travel to India and bring back Buddhist sutras.
- DirectorWan LemingGuchan WanStarsPat Ting HungFan HoHua YuehThe Monkey King and his gang are confronted by the evil Princess Iron Fan, Madam White Bone and her two sexy sisters.Princess Iron Fan
- DirectorMeng-Hua HoStarsAngela Yu ChienLiang Hua LiuMeng TienCave of Silken Web is the third installment in Shaw Brothers series from the Chinese classic tale Journey to the West. The monk Tripitaka and his three protector/companions, Monkey, Pigsy, and Sandy are trapped in the Cave of the Seven Spiders (i.e. seven swimsuit-clad seductresses) who want to eat the monk's flesh to gain immortality.
- DirectorMeng-Hua HoStarsYin FangHsiang Chun LiFan HoThe Monk, Monkey and Pigsy find themselves in the title realm, where women can only give birth to women.The Land of Many Perfumes
- DirectorCheh ChangStarsHua-Chung TingChuan-li ChangChin HuIn The Fantastic Magic Baby, director Chang Che weaves a wild and woolly yarn about how the legendary Monkey King and Goddess of Mercy battle and defeat the child god Hung Hai-erh then point him down the road to righteousness.The Fantastic Magic Baby
- DirectorChun-Liang ChenStarsKuan Tai ChenSung-Young ChenYu-Hsin ChenThe story of the Monkey King and his half man/half pig companion and their travels towards the Western Paradise.New Pilgrims to the West
- DirectorChun-Liang ChenStarsShang-Chien LiuFang-Fang FongYueh SunMonkey, Pigsy, and Sandy come across a group of people forced to build massive palatial structures for the local warlord under the auspices of a pair of Taoist wizards. The wandering Pilgrims decide to find out what the Taoists are about.
- DirectorTak-Cheung TangStarsKuang-Hung ChiPing-Ying HouKara WaiThe lute-demon Chin Mo has reappeared in the world to wreak havoc. Hsiao Feng-ling is ordered to find a special bow and arrow that can counter the demon.
- DirectorHsia HsuStarsSiu-Ho ChinKam CheungJu-Hua PeiAn evil black-magic priest unleashes some nasty Japanese ghosts on a peaceful Chinese village.Ghosts Galore
- DirectorSiu-Hung LeungStarsTe-Lo MaiSiu Chung MokKuan Tai ChenThe young antihero getting himself and his friend into all kinds of trouble and ultimate defeating the "Heavenly Demon".
- DirectorShan HuaStarsJason Piao PaiYu-Po LiuJung WangSeveral mysterious killings take place in the underworld and a war fighter is trying to find the culprit behind these murders.
- DirectorHsueh-Li PaoStarsDanny LeeNi TienChen-Chi LinA bookish young man and his sword-loving sister find themselves battling a trio of villains, one of them a beautiful but masked woman who has promised to either marry or murder the first man to see her unmasked.The Battle Wizard
- DirectorChun-Ku LuStarsLeanne LauSiu Chung MokJason Piao PaiA brother and sister seek vengeance for the death of their parents.
- DirectorYuen ChorStarsTung-Shing YeeLung TiAlex ManDefeated villain Sung Ching-Shu restarts his reign of terror, trapping a beautiful Mongolian princess. Only two swords, and two great swordsmen, stand in his way.Hidden Power of Dragon Sabre
- DirectorTaylor WongStarsTung-Shing YeeOn-On YuKara WaiThe Buddha's Palm, a technique by which an ordinary hand is transformed into a formidable force. Ku, a blind recluse living in a cave, knows its secret, which proves to be as much a blessing as a curse as it attracts all manner of mayhem.
- DirectorYuen ChorStarsTung-Shing YeeCherie ChungFei AiYuen of the celestial has gathered sun light and practiced for 500 years, and now becomes immortal. He descends to the world to prevent the black snake monster from scourging. The insidious acting king sends people to murder the virtuous princess in order to grasp at authority by himself, but the murderers are defeated by Yuen. So the acting king invites the black snake monster who transformed to human form, to fight Yuen. The well-matched two knock the hell of each other and come to even.Descendant of the Sun
- DirectorShan HuaStarsJason Piao PaiTony LiuJenny LiangAn expert swordsman is suspected of being the thief of a treasure sent to Emperor. The swordsman who has nothing to do with the theft investigates and is led on the trail of the supernatural "Bloody Parrot".
- DirectorChih-Hung KueiStarsFei AiMelvin WongFanny Fen-NiWhile possessed by an evil spirit, a man murders his daughter. A police detective investigating the case also becomes possessed. A good monk helps fight the evil spirit.Bewitched
- DirectorChih-Hung KueiStarsPhillip KoShao-Yen LinKar-Man WaiWhile in Thailand to avenge his brother who was crippled in a fight with a corrupt Thai boxer, a man gets caught up in a web of fate, Buddhism and black magic.The Boxer’s Omen
- DirectorKuen YeungStarsLeanne LauTung-Shing YeeHua YuehStory revolves around a possessed young police woman who kills everyone who gets in her way.
- DirectorKuen YeungStarsNorman ChuPhillip KoMaria JoA Hong Kong taxi driver's life horribly falls apart after accidentally hitting a sorcerer with his cab. He decides to seek the sorcerer's help to turn the curse on his enemies at the expense of his own life.
- DirectorChih-Hung KueiStarsWu Chi LiuWei-Tu LinLin TungA poor woman is mugged, losses her fiancee and gets taken advantage of before turned into a sex slave. Her spirit delivers whats coming to them, all the way back to the original muggers.
- DirectorChih-Hung KueiStarsLiang Chun TaiFei AiLily Li13 family members are murdered and then dumped in a well. 30 years later their descendants are cursed.Curse of Evil
- DirectorMeng-Hua HoStarsLung TiLieh LoNi TienAn evil magician makes a living by casting deadly spells on people's objects of desire. He gets overly ambitious, and start to go out of control.
- DirectorMeng-Hua HoStarsLung TiNi TienLieh LoAn evil magician and his zombie minions are up against a trio of doctors who are on a mission to find the cause of an outbreak of unknown diseases caused by his spells.Black Magic Part II
- DirectorLieh LoStarsKuan Tai ChenLinda ChuElaine JinThe story is about two explorers who invade a temple in the dark of a jungle. They find a mummy, remove its brain, and return to the mainland - resulting in a series of bloody murders throughout the city.Black Magic with Buddha
- DirectorHung-Chuen LauStarsEddie ChanYung-Chang ChinPak-Kwong HoA woman becomes possessed and dies after a monster is released from an antique vase she had purchased. Twelve years later the monster is re-awakened. First he possesses the family's dog, before moving on to the woman's nephew.
- DirectorMoon-Tong LauStarsCheng-Yu ChangTsui SulYau-Hau ChanThe figure of an evil genius is stolen by a photographer. At night the genius comes to life and rapes his girlfriend while both of them are drunk.The Rape After
- DirectorJen-Chieh ChangStarsShao-Tung ChouBao-Yu WangTi OuA hideously ugly witch casts spells on her victims which turns their insides into snakes and worms.
- DirectorTitus HoStarsKen TongLai-Yin PoonLun ChiaWhile filming in Malaysia, a Hong Kong documentary film crew releases the Red Dwarf ghost from her tomb. They continue on to Borneo to stay with a local tribe. It is there that the deadly ghost begins to kill them one by one.Red Spell Spells Red
- DirectorChi ChangStarsYun-Peng HsiangYuen KaoPing-Ou WeiAfter a businessman kills thousands of snakes in a pit where they are building a new apartment building, the residents of the building are attacked by thousands of snakes as vengeance.Calamity of Snakes
- DirectorKeith LiStarsTien-Lang LiMichael Kiu Wai MiuHussein Abu HassanA powerful sorcerer targets the grandchildren of the man who burnt down his village 50 years ago, by casting his deadly Centipede Spell on them.Centipede Horror
- DirectorLu-Po TuStarsChi-Mei ChinKwok-Kuen ChanYung Chan"Devil Sorcery" directed by Do Gong-Yue is an entertaining HK black magic film about a wizard who performs many hideous magic rituals.The student of a good wizard decides to get it on with his master's wife and all hell breaks loose after tragic death of his master.The ghastly events involve flying heads and graphic centipede puking.Devil Sorcery
- DirectorLing PangStarsHoi-San KwanLily ChanHei-Lai NgonThe story of demonic possession by black magic where the loyal and faithful taxi driver and husband Alan Chang is dragged into a pit of adultery and despair in his vain attempt to overthrow the bestial influences of 'brutal sorcery'.
- DirectorWen-Po TuStarsKwok-Kwong ChanLai-Ying ChangKit-Ling FungBloody Sorcery
- DirectorBiu Man ChangStarsAngela Yu ChienSzu-Ying ChienChow FongFour years after killing the leader of cult. A police inspector's sister must work with a medium and a master of the mystic arts. In a race against time to save herself and her niece from a death curse.Dead Curse
- DirectorLing PangStarsTeresa CarpioLeung-Sek HungYeh FangFury of the Heaven
- DirectorMing ChinKuang HuiStarsHsiu-Shen LiangSheng-lien LuHan-Chang HuWicked Wife
- DirectorKuo-Hsiung LiuStarsBetty Pei TiChi-Min ChinChih-Ping ChiangA Chinese village run by beautiful women turns out to be more than the local men bargained for--especially if they have any idea of seducing the local beauties, then running out on them.
- DirectorHoi-Ching CheungStarsSharla CheungVivian ChowMondi YauTwo rival Taoist schools, one all-female, the other one all-male, have to ally to fight a demon as one of the priestesses is unaware that she's the daughter of the demon and has to lose her virginity to avoid turning into a demon herself.
- DirectorMin Kan NgStarsChing-Ying LamKent ChengSiu-Fung WongA Tao Priest, Master Tien Kuei, and his family provide shelter to the spirit of a young woman, struck down by lightening, until she is ready to reincarnate. However, the ghost is forced into hiding when Tien Kuei's colleague, Master Tien Lung, known for his unforgiving disposition in capturing any ghost or demon he encounters, visits the family with his daughter after a long journey. Tien Kuei is also suspicious that his stature in the household may be jeopardized by his more-powerful colleague's over-extending stay.Spiritual Trinity
- DirectorShao-Wei MaStarsWu MaAlex FongFeng KuTwilight Siren (dupe tt0100979)
- DirectorGon ManStarsSeng KaweeSiu-Kwan LauSiu-Yuk MangA small rural village has to deal with a pesky spirit who lives in the local lake and has a habit of luring people to their deaths.Heavenly Spell
- DirectorShao-Wei MaStarsChia-Chen ChangChung-Kuei ChangMin-Hua ChenAunt and Uncle cannot stand each other. But they are forced to cooperate when a headless corpse found on their new family property turns out to be a vengeance-seeking ghost.
- DirectorYee-Hung LamStarsMark ChengChi-Ji ChinChung-You ChangGolden Venom
- DirectorChun-Ku LuStarsDonnie YenPauline YeungBen LamProfessor Shiang's female students are chewed apart by the moon monster. At first, Shiang is a police suspect, but as the corpses mount, the cops realize that there are supernatural forces at work.
- DirectorShan-Hsi TingStarsJoey WangJimmy Wang YuMonica ChanAn executioner beheads his 1000th criminal, and unleashes a demon army headed by an evil witch called the Blood Lotus.
- DirectorChih-Cheng WangStarsJack LongYu-Niang ChaiChih-Lung ChenChess Boxing Matrix
- DirectorLu-Chiang ChaoStarsSharla CheungWu MaMark ChengA magic tree spirit lady and a young monk fight a bat-head guy.
- DirectorYing WongStarsCharlie ChoTe-Lo MaiFui-On ShingThree treasure hunters inadvertently awaken a sleeping demon in a Chinese village, who then goes on a rampage aiming to obtain the souls of 49 people born in the "Hoi" times in order to ensure his immortality. However, a Taoist priest master and his disciple attempt to subdue the monster before he succeeds in his evil deed. Meanwhile, while on their mission, the crew get themselves caught in a tug-a-war between the village's bumbling police chief.Return of the Demon
- DirectorJing WongDennis ChanStarsMichelle YeohCarol 'Do Do' ChengMaggie CheungThe story of Seven Maidens who are recruited to challenge the threat posed by a Japanese swordsman of supernatural power.
- DirectorYen-Ping ChuStarsTony Ka Fai LeungSharla CheungJimmy LinTwo feuding bounty-hunter families have to team up to track down a criminal couple.
- DirectorLu-Po TuHan-Hsiang YuStarsKuan Tai ChenKuan-Chun ChiLi-Chun LiaoLittle Flying Dragon
- DirectorAndrew LauStarsAaron KwokEkin ChengShin'ichi ChibaAn evil warlord takes in 2 students (Wind & Cloud) in an effort to become invincible so he can take over the world.
- DirectorH. Tjut DjalilStarsKristin AninTonya LawsonJoseph CassanoThe Evil Queen returns to possess an American girl who she orders to go out and claim victims to sate her blood lust.
- DirectorJimmy AtmajaStarsMarisa HaqueHendra CiptaUcok HarahapKarma Punishment
- DirectorSisworo Gautama PutraStarsAlex BernardBilly ChongMurti Sari DewiCharacters fight for control over an heirloom dagger with magical properties.
- DirectorImam TantowiStarsNurul ArifinAdvent BangunEddie Garcia
- DirectorSisworo Gautama PutraStarsSuzzannaRatno TimoerAde IrawanAfter swearing an oath to marry the one who picks up her weaving stick, Dayang Sumba embarks on an unexpected romance with a royal staff member.
- DirectorSisworo Gautama PutraStarsBarry PrimaW.D. MochtarDana ChristinaJaka Sembung is the leader of the rebel and a famous fighter that inspires people to fight the Dutch Colonial Government. The Dutch representative in Java offers a reward for his death and employs another mighty warrior to go after him.
- DirectorWorod SumaStarsBarry PrimaAdvent BangunGudi SintaraDutch colonial army in West Java holds a tournament to select the best warrior to confront local freedom fighter Parmin (Jaka Sembung). The winner is a blind swordsman. Things get complicated when magician seductress Dewi Magi intervenes.The Warrior and the Blind Swordsman