Cover These Korean movies are available in theatres and on streaming services in 2026. ‘Husbands in Action’ stars (from left) Kim Ji-suk as Ma Do-jun, Jin Sun-kyu as Choong-sik, and Gong Myoung as Min-seok (Photo: Cho Wonjin/Netflix)
These Korean movies are available in theatres and on streaming services in 2026. ‘Husbands in Action’ stars (from left) Kim Ji-suk as Ma Do-jun, Jin Sun-kyu as Choong-sik, and Gong Myoung as Min-seok (Photo: Cho Wonjin/Netflix)
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From thrilling dramas to heartwarming comedies, here are some of the most exciting Korean movies to watch this year
The Korean entertainment industry is thriving, with no plans of stopping anytime soon. In addition to the highly anticipated new K-dramas and K-pop releases, a thrilling array of films is set to grace theatres and streaming platforms in 2026. Look forward to highly-anticipated projects ranging from gripping thrillers to heartfelt romances. On top of captivating plots, anticipate some of the biggest names in the South Korean entertainment industry on the big screen.
Below, we highlight some of the most exciting Korean movies to add to your must-watch list this year.
In case you missed it: Netflix: The exciting slate of upcoming Korean movies for 2025
Husbands in Action
Above Jin Sun-kyu as Choong-sik in Husbands in Action (Photo: Cho Wonjin/Netflix)
Jin Sun-kyu as Choong-sik in Husbands in Action (Photo: Cho Wonjin/Netflix)
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This energetic action-comedy follows the chaotic partnership between a narcotics detective, Choong-sik (Jin Sun-kyu), and a charming veterinarian, Min-seok (Gong Myoung)—the ex-husband and current husband of the same woman, Si-nae (Kang Hanna). When Si-nae and her daughter are abruptly abducted, the two rivals are forced to team up on a high-stakes rescue mission.
Directed by comedy veteran Park Gyu-tae (6/45), the film balances its tense kidnapping plot with sharp character humour and mismatched bickering. The rescue effort quickly collides with a dangerous criminal underworld, featuring a new drug kingpin (Kim Ji-suk), his calculating wife (Lee Da-hee), a vengeful former gang leader (Yoon Kyung-ho), and an intrusive journalist (Jeon So-min) who complicates the central duo's already messy dynamic.
Starring: Jin Sun-kyu, Gong Myoung, Kang Hanna, Kim Ji-suk, Lee Da-hee, Yoon Kyung-ho, Jeon So-min
Where to Watch: Netflix (Premiering June 19, 2026)
The East Palace
Above The East Palace is the story of Gu-cheon, a man who can traverse the world of ghosts, and Saeng-gang, a court lady with a secret, as they are summoned by the King to unearth the cursed palace’s secrets (Photo: Netflix)
The East Palace is the story of Gu-cheon, a man who can traverse the world of ghosts, and Saeng-gang, a court lady with a secret, as they are summoned by the King to unearth the cursed palace’s secrets (Photo: Netflix)
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Departing from traditional court protocol, this supernatural period drama delves into a world of Korean occultism and royal secrets. The narrative follows Gu-cheon (Nam Joo-hyuk), a unique swordsman who moves between the realms of the living and the dead, armed with a blade capable of cutting down ghosts. Summoned by the king to lift a terrifying curse plaguing the royal residence, he forms an uneasy alliance with Saeng-gang (Roh Yoon-seo), a secretive lady of the court whose ability to hear the voices of the deceased aids his investigation. Watching their every move from the throne is the enigmatic king (Cho Seung-woo), a ruler whose complex motives remain entirely unreadable.
The series unites director Choi Jung-kyu (The Devil Judge) with screenwriters Kwon So-ra and Seo Jea-won (Bulgasal: Immortal Souls), who bring their signature expertise in dark, folklore-driven thrillers to this haunted palace mystery.
Starring: Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo, Cho Seung-woo
Where to Watch: Netflix (Premiering July 17, 2026)
Hope
Marking a major cinematic event, this massive, 160-minute science-fiction creature feature is the highly anticipated return of visionary director Na Hong-jin (The Wailing). Set in the remote village of Hope Harbor near the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the narrative ignites when a mysterious, devastating creature appears. When intense wildfires completely sever all outside communications and cut off incoming reinforcements, local police chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung-min) and rookie officer Sung-ae (Jung Ho-yeon) struggle to defend the stranded community, while a headstrong tracker (Zo In-sung) leads a local hunting party into the mountains—only to realize they have become the prey.
The record-budget project features an exceptional cross-continental cast, incorporating English and Korean storylines to map a localized emergency that quickly escalates into a crisis of global proportions.
Starring: Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Jung Ho-yeon, Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell, Cameron Britton
Where to Watch: Theatres (Releasing July 15, 2026 in South Korea; September 9, 2026 in North America)
Salmokji: Whispering Water (살목지)
A breakout box office hit, this claustrophobic found-footage style psychological horror film centers on a crew tasked with updating an online street-view mapping database. When severe visual distortions and the unexplainable silhouette of an unrecorded figure appear in past footage of the remote Salmokji Reservoir, producer Su-in (Kim Hye-yoon) leads her production team on a tight deadline to reshoot the site. The expedition spirals into absolute chaos when a missing senior colleague (Kim Jun-han) suddenly reappears at the water's edge with no memory of his absence.
Directed by Lee Sang-min, the film subverts traditional jump-scares by relying on atmospheric, slow-burn tension, positioning romance-drama star Kim Hye-yoon in a gritty, emotionally restrained "horror queen" role.
Starring: Kim Hye-yoon, Lee Jong-won, Kim Jun-han, Jang Da-ah
Where to Watch: Released theatrically April 2026; currently expanding to localised VOD and streaming networks following its successful box office run.
Colony (군체)
Following its world premiere in the Midnight Screening section at the Cannes Film Festival, this high-octane corporate horror thriller marks a major box office triumph for genre director Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan). Co-written alongside Choi Gyu-seok (Hellbound), the narrative unfolds within a massive corporate skyscraper sealed off by authorities after a rogue, genius biologist (Koo Kyo-hwan) unleashes a rapidly mutating slime-mold bioweapon during a conference. The story tracks an unemployed biotechnology professor, Kwon Se-jeong (Jun Ji-hyun), as she utilizes her academic background to decode the hive-mind behavior of the infected in order to lead a group of isolated survivors out of the lockdown.
Supported by a heavyweight ensemble including Ji Chang-wook, Kim Shin-rok, and Go Soo, the film balances kinetic, claustrophobic set pieces with a cynical exploration of collective social hysteria.
Starring: Jun Ji-hyun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Kim Shin-rok, Shin Hyun-been, Go Soo
Where to Watch: Theatres (Premiered May 2026 in South Korea; international theatrical rollout expanding globally)
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Amanda Goh was the former senior writer for Tatler Singapore.
