In most parts of the world, Hollywood is the biggest and most influential producer of movies. However, other parts of the planet manage to create more films and sell more cinema tickets than the US, with India, Nigeria, China, and Japan all ahead in numbers. In fact, Bollywood produces 200% more films than Hollywood per year.
Although India and the US often grab headlines in movie production, Asia is a key player in the film world, with each country having its own homegrown industry that serves both local and international audiences. While it’s easy to compare their size to determine which is the biggest, it can be a little trickier to decide just which is the best.
Japan
Japanese cinema is now one of the biggest and oldest film industries in the world, after the country started movie production way back in 1897. Japanese films have changed a lot over the more than 100 years that have passed since then. The earliest movies built on the country’s tradition of “magic lantern” storytelling were silent and very simple when compared to modern productions.
In the last few decades, films based on famous TV shows have become popular, though anime is by far the biggest category in the country, making up around 60% of all movies. If you’ve ever seen a Japanese movie, it is likely animated as this genre has become a global sensation.
Some of the most notable Japanese films of recent years include Spirited Away (2001), The Sky Crawlers (2008), Shogun Assassin (1980) and Steamboy (2004).
Taiwan
Taiwan is a country that’s famous for a number of things. It’s one of the biggest exporters of electronic components and, while you may not have heard of some of its biggest companies like Pegatron, Quanta Computer, and the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, it’s likely that you own devices that contain parts made by them.
The nation is also a popular place to host major international events like a round of the APPT Open, the 2019 WBSC Premier12, and the annual Taiwan Cycling Festival.
However, Taiwan isn’t as well known for its cinema. Despite box office revenue exceeding US$10.6 billion a year, only around 7% of this is generated by home-grown productions. However, this figure has been growing in recent years thanks to big-name filmmakers like Edward Yang and Hou Hsia-Hsien.
Taiwanese movies aren’t as popular as releases from other parts of Asia. Despite this, the local studios have produced some great titles in recent years, including You Are the Apple of My Eye (2012), Cape No. 7 (2008), Zone Pro Site (2013), and The Wonderful Wedding (2015).
South Korea
Like Japan and Taiwan, South Korea has been a leading figure in the tech sector for several decades and is home to brands like Samsung and LG. One of its most famous cultural exports is K-Pop with Psy’s Gangnam Style becoming a global sensation back in 2012.
South Korean cinema isn’t as old as Japan, with production first taking place around 1945. Due to historical connections with the country, South Korean movies share many similarities with Japanese films, though there are some unique elements.
One of the biggest differences between the two is that South Korean film tends to be more grounded in reality while those from Japan are more based around manga. South Korean productions also tend to have more in common with Hollywood; they also feature less martial arts-related themes and content when compared to other parts of Asia.
Cinema is big business in South Korea, with annual box office takings of more than $1.5 billion. Additionally, the Busan International Film Festival in Haeundae-gu has grown to become one of the most important of its kind on the continent after first taking place in 1996.
Which is Best?
Each Asian region has its own style of moviemaking, and declaring one better than the other is difficult. They each excel in different areas, are a window into their respective cultures, and are all entertaining in their own ways.
