AANHPI Heritage Month Film and TV Recommendations
FILMS
SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS (2021)
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton
Starring Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung Chiu-wai
Shang-Chi, the master of weaponry-based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into the Ten Rings organization
You can stream Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings on Disney+.
THE FAREWELL (2019)
Written/Directed by Lulu Wang
Starring Shuzhen Zhao, Awkwafina, X Mayo
A Chinese family discovers their grandmother has only a short while left to live and decides to keep her in the dark, scheduling a wedding to gather before she dies.
You can stream The Farewell on Max, Hulu Premium, and Prime Video Premium
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (2022)
Directed by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Written by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong, Jamie Lee Curtis
A middle-aged Chinese immigrant is swept up into an insane adventure in which she alone can save existence by exploring other universes and connecting with the lives she could have led.
You can stream Everything Everywhere All at Once on Netflix, Showtime, Hulu Premium, Prime Video Premium, and Paramount+ Premium.
JOY LUCK CLUB (1993)
Directed by Wayne Wang
Written by Amy Tan and Ronald Bass
Starring Tamlyn Tomia, Rosalind Chao, Kieu Chinh
The life histories of four East Asian women and their daughters reflect and guide each other.
You can rent Joy Luck Club from Apple TV, Prime Video, and YouTube
TURNING RED (2022)
Directed by Domee Shi
Story by Domee Shi; Julia Cho; Sarah Streicher
A thirteen-year-old girl is torn between staying her mother's dutiful daughter and the changes of adolescence. And as if the challenges were not enough, whenever she gets overly excited she transforms into a giant red panda.
You can stream Turning Red on Disney+.
LOVE IN TAIPEI (2023)
Directed by Arvin Chin
Written by Mackenzie Dorh, Charlie Oh, Abigail Hing Wen
A young woman's cultural immersion program in Taiwan turns out to be a liberating free-for-all known as "Loveboat" where unexpected romance leads her to question her future.
You can rent Love in Taipei on Prime Video.
PAST LIVES (2023)
Written/Directed by Celine Song
Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrested apart after Nora's family emigrates from South Korea. Twenty years later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront notions of love and destiny.
You can stream Past Lives on Showtime.
THE DONUT KING (2020)
Directed by Alice Gu
Written by Alice Gu and Carol Martori
This documentary tells Ted Ngoy's story that is one of fate, love, survival, hard knocks, and redemption.
You can stream The Donut King on Hulu.
KUMU HINA (2022)
Directed by Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson
Featuring Leo Anderson Akana, Haemaccelo Kalu, Ho’Onani Kamai
A transgender Native Hawaiian teacher inspires a young girl to fulfill her destiny of leading the school's male hula troupe, even as she struggles to find love and a committed relationship in her own life.
You can stream Kumu Hina on Tubi, PLEX, and Prime Video Premium.
MAK FAI INSIDER (2022)
Directed by Han Eckelberg
Featuring Sifu Royal Tan, Kathy Dao, Han Eckelberg, Mette Knutzen, Martin Lau, Johnny Nguyen, Ngoc Nguyen, and John To, members of the Mak Fai Kung Fu Dragon & Lion Dance Association.
Established by Grandmaster Mak Hin Fai in 1974, Mak Fai Kung Fu Dragon & Lion Dance Association is Seattle's premier lion dance troupe, performing hundreds of shows year-round. Highlighting members of Mak Fai, learn the importance of martial arts and lion dancing, as well as the culture and community behind it. Through these interviews, we see lion dancing as a tool to teach Asian American youth the importance of preserving tradition, appreciating culture, and building community.
You can stream Mak Fai Insider on Film Freeway or YouTube.
QUIZ LADY (2023)
Directed by Jessica Yu
Written by Jen D’Angelo
Starring Awkwafina, Sandra Oh, Will Ferrell
A game-show-obsessed woman and her estranged sister work together to help cover their mother's gambling debts.
You can steam Quiz Lady on Hulu.
TELEVISION
BLUE’S CLUES AND YOU! (2019-)
Starring Joshua Dela Cruz
Animated dog Blue is back with another live-action/computer-animated interactive educational children's television series. A revival of the 1996-2006 "Blue's Clues" series, many of the same characters, including Mailbox, Sidetable Drawer, Mr. Salt, Mrs. Pepper, and Slippery Soap, return to help preschoolers solve puzzles.
You can stream Blues Clue’s and You! on Fubo, Philo, Hulu Premium, and YouTube Premium.
THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY (2022-)
Created by Jenny Han
Starring Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno
A love triangle between one girl and two brothers. A story about first love, first heartbreak, and the magic of that one perfect summer
You can stream The Summer I Turned Pretty on Netflix.
WARRIOR (2019-2023)
Created by Jonathan Tropper
Starring Andrew Koji, Olivia Cheng, Jason Tobin
During the Tong Wars in the late 1800s, Ah Sahm, a martial arts prodigy from China, immigrates to San Francisco and becomes a hatchet man for the most powerful tong in Chinatown.
You can stream Warrior on Max and Netflix.
HOUSE OF HO (2020)
Starring Lesley Ho, Binh Ho, Washington Ho, Judy Hom Rash
Chronicling the lives of the members of a wealthy Vietnamese-American family living the American Dream in Houston, Texas.
You can stream House of Ho on Max.
BLING EMPIRE (2021-)
Created by Paris Dylan
Starring Kevin Kreider, Christine Chiu, Kelly Mi Li, Kim Lee, Kane Lim, Jamie Xie, Anna Shay
Follow L.A.'s wildly wealthy East Asian and East Asian American fun-seekers as they go all-out with fabulous parties, glamour and drama in this reality series.
You can stream Bling Empire on Netflix.
STREET FOOD: ASIA (2019)
Created by David Gelb and Brian McGinn
Featuring Philip Hersh, Caitlyn Elizabeth, Chawadee Nualkahir
Exploring the rich culture of street food in some of the world's most colorful cities
You can stream Street Food: Asia on Netflix.
NEXT IN FASHION (2020-2023)
Hosted by Tan France, Alexa Chung, and Gigi Hadid
18 budding fashion designers compete for a $250,000 prize and the opportunity to launch a clothing line with Net-a-Porter.
You can stream Next in Fashion on Netflix.
DR. PIMPLE POPPER (2018-)
Featuring Sandra Lee, Kristi Trinidad, Valeria Villa
Dermatologist Sandra Lee, aka Dr. Pimple Popper, helps patients with unique skin conditions reclaim a life free of disguise and embarrassment
You can stream Dr. Pimple Popper on Hulu, Discovery Plus, Max, and Philo