Asian films showing in UK cinemas April 2025
It feels like cinemas are showing endless franchise sequels, films developed from licensed IP, remakes or reboots, but with the rise of A24 and with Oscar wins for Anora (and Parasite a few years ago), perhaps, just perhaps, we are starting to see a shift in what cinema programmers are now picking to show us on the big screen as films fans seek Hollywood alternatives and foreign language films.
Here’s a round up of what’s on in the UK and if you’re a programmer, or if you know of any Asian films showing next month on a screen near you, send us a mail or tag us on social or leave a comment below, to make sure we include it next month’s round-up.
TOKYO POP
CULTPLEX, MANCHESTER
7:30pm 30TH APRIL 2025
An under the radar gem of '80s American independent cinema by Fran Rubel Kuzui (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Tokyo Pop takes you on a breezy tour through bubble era Tokyo, replete with knowing nods to the city's vibrant pop culture.
Tickets available on the cultplex website.
BONG JOON-HO SEASON
BFI, LONDON
throughout April
A season of the complete features of South Korean director Bong Joon-ho are showing at the BFI London, plus shorts and talks with Bong Joon-ho collaborators.
Further info on which film is showing when check the BFI site.
CELULLOID SCREAM’S CULTURE SHOCK
SHOWROOM, SHEFFIELD
25 - 27 APRIL
A few picks of Asian films at this festival of fantastic film. The festival opens with the European Premiere of Japanese fantasy film BRUSH OF THE GOD. Experience also some kick-ass exploitation 90's Hong Kong girls-with-guns action in FATAL TERMINATION and Ishiro Honda’s TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA.
Check Celluloid Screams homepage for more info.
VARIOUS ASIAN FILMS
PRINCE CHARLES CINEMA, LONDON
THROUGHOUT APRIL
Wong Kar Wai, Katsuhiro Ôtomo, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Akira Kurosawa films are showing throughout April in at The Prince Charles Cinema, the spiritual home of the now defunct Terracotta Film Festival.
From CHUNGKING EXPRESS to HARAKIRI, from MEMORIES (pictured above) to CURE, scroll through the April what’s on page of the PCC and pick any of these to watch and you’re guaranteed a great film.
and finally…
Though not a UK event, we really must mention the Udine Far East Film Festival which takes place at the end of April, straddling into the start of May.
A small northern town in Italy, once a year, is taken over by festival goers, film lovers, directors, actors, producers, script writers, production designers all gathered to watch films from across all of Asia, listen to talks and rub shoulders in the towns bars, cafes and pizzerias.
You can catch films from 9.30am until late at night non-stop, or venture out into a restaurant and find yourself sat next to a Hong Kong actor on one side and a film fan from a far-flung country on the other side, everyone there for the love of Asian cinema.
If this sounds like your ideal event, book yourself a short-flight (Venice or Trieste are the nearest airports, Ljubljana at a stretch) to experience this wonderful festival for yourself.