If you fell in love with the dazzling world of Crazy Rich Asians, you’re not alone. This groundbreaking romantic comedy took audiences on a whirlwind journey through the opulent lives of Singapore’s elite, while also exploring deeper themes of family, cultural identity, and the pursuit of true love.
Crazy Rich Asians resonated with viewers for its heartfelt storytelling, memorable characters, and stunning visuals. It left many craving more movies that capture a similar magic. Well, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled a list of the 15 best movies to watch if you adored Crazy Rich Asians.
From classic rom-coms to poignant dramas, these films offer a delightful mix of romance, humor, and cultural insights. So grab some popcorn, get cozy, and prepare to be swept away by these cinematic gems.
1. The Joy Luck Club (1993)
Based on Amy Tan’s bestselling novel, The Joy Luck Club is a timeless classic that explores the complex relationships between four Chinese-American women and their immigrant mothers. Through a series of vignettes, the film weaves together their stories across generations, delving into themes of love, sacrifice, and the search for belonging.
Like Crazy Rich Asians, The Joy Luck Club celebrates the richness of Asian culture while also grappling with the challenges of straddling two worlds. It’s a moving and beautifully crafted film that will resonate long after the credits roll.
2. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
If you’re in the mood for a charming teen romance, look no further than To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Based on Jenny Han’s YA novel, this Netflix original follows Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor), a shy high schooler whose secret love letters are accidentally mailed to her crushes.
To avoid embarrassment, Lara Jean strikes a fake dating deal with popular jock Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo). But as they navigate the ups and downs of pretend romance, real feelings start to blossom. With its endearing leads, witty dialogue, and sweet storyline, To All the Boys is a feel-good rom-com that will leave you smiling.
3. The Farewell (2019)
Awkwafina stars in this poignant dramedy about a Chinese-American family grappling with their grandmother’s terminal cancer diagnosis. The catch? They’ve decided not to tell her, instead planning a wedding as an excuse to gather and say goodbye.
The Farewell is a beautifully observed exploration of cultural differences, family dynamics, and the bittersweet nature of life’s transitions. Awkwafina delivers a stunning dramatic turn, proving her versatility as an actress. Like Crazy Rich Asians, this film offers a nuanced portrayal of the Asian-American experience, balancing humor and heartbreak with grace.
4. Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Childhood friends Sasha (Ali Wong) and Marcus (Randall Park) have a falling out and don’t speak for 15 years. But when Sasha, now a celebrity chef, returns to her hometown of San Francisco to open a new restaurant, she runs into Marcus, a happily complacent musician still living at home and working for his dad.
Though the two are reluctant to reconnect, they soon find the old sparks — and maybe some new ones — are there. Always Be My Maybe is a charming friends-to-lovers rom-com that delivers laughs, heart, and a scene-stealing cameo from Keanu Reeves. It’s a delightful ode to food, family, and finding love when you least expect it.
5. Saving Face (2004)
Saving Face follows Wilhelmina (Michelle Krusiec), a young Chinese-American surgeon who is closeted to her very traditional mother (Joan Chen). Things get complicated when her mother shows up on her doorstep pregnant and unwed, having been kicked out by her own father.
As both women navigate their own romantic entanglements and family dramas, they learn to communicate and understand each other in new ways. Saving Face is a heartwarming and humorous look at the complexities of mother-daughter relationships and the courage it takes to live authentically.
6. Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), the daughter of a strict Indian couple in London, is not permitted to play organized soccer, even though she is 18. When Jess is playing for fun one day, her impressive skills are spotted by Jules Paxton (Keira Knightley), who then convinces Jess to play for her semi-pro team.
Jess uses elaborate excuses to hide her matches from her family while also dealing with her romantic feelings for her coach, Joe (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). Bend It Like Beckham is a charming coming-of-age story that tackles themes of cultural expectations, gender roles, and following your dreams. It’s a feel-good film that will leave you cheering.
7. The Big Sick (2017)
Based on the real-life romance of Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, The Big Sick follows Kumail (playing a version of himself), a Pakistani-American comedian who connects with grad student Emily (Zoe Kazan) after one of his stand-up sets. However, what they thought would be just a one-night stand blossoms into the real thing.
When Emily is beset with a mystery illness, it forces Kumail to navigate the medical crisis with her parents, Beth and Terry (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano), who he’s never met, while dealing with the emotional tug-of-war between his family and his heart. The Big Sick is a funny, moving, and refreshingly honest look at modern love and the challenges of bridging cultural divides.
8. Monsoon Wedding (2001)
Mira Nair’s Monsoon Wedding is a colorful, exuberant celebration of love, family, and tradition. Set in Delhi, the film follows the preparations for an arranged marriage between Aditi (Vasundhara Das) and Hemant (Parvin Dabas), an Indian-American.
As the wedding draws near, five stories intersect, each navigating different aspects of love — from the romantic to the familial to the forbidden. Monsoon Wedding is a joyous and moving film that embraces the complexities of modern India while also delivering a satisfying dose of Bollywood-style song and dance.
9. The Namesake (2006)
Based on Jhumpa Lahiri’s novel, The Namesake spans two generations, two countries, and two cultures to tell a poignant story of identity and belonging. The film follows the Ganguli family, from their arranged marriage in Calcutta to their new life in America, where they raise their children Gogol (Kal Penn) and Sonia (Sahira Nair).
As Gogol grows up, he grapples with his unusual name and his place between two worlds. The Namesake is a beautifully acted and deeply moving film that explores the immigrant experience, the search for self, and the unbreakable bonds of family.
10. Bride & Prejudice (2004)
This delightful Bollywood-style adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice follows the Bakshi family, who are eager to find suitable husbands for their four daughters. When wealthy American Will Darcy (Martin Henderson) comes to town for a wedding, he catches the eye of spirited Lalita (Aishwarya Rai).
However, Lalita’s prideful nature and Darcy’s prejudice against Indian culture threaten to keep them apart. With colorful musical numbers, lush locales, and a charming cast, Bride & Prejudice is a fun and frothy rom-com that pays homage to Austen while infusing the story with Bollywood flair.
11. The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)
The Kadam family leaves India for France where they open a restaurant directly across the road from Madame Mallory’s (Helen Mirren) Michelin-starred eatery. As the two establishments engage in a culinary war, young chef Hassan (Manish Dayal) finds himself torn between his family’s wishes and his desire to learn from Madame Mallory.
The Hundred-Foot Journey is a heartwarming tale of food, family, and the power of following your passion. With mouthwatering visuals and a talented ensemble cast, this film is a feast for the senses and the soul.
12. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) is living the American dream. He has a good job, a beautiful house, great children and a beautiful wife, Emily (Julianne Moore). Cal’s seemingly perfect life unravels when he learns that Emily has been unfaithful and wants a divorce.
Blindsided by the news, Cal stumbles into a local bar, where he meets smooth-talking player Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling). Jacob takes Cal under his wing and teaches him how to be a hit with the ladies. Crazy, Stupid, Love is a hilarious and heartfelt rom-com with a stellar cast and a clever script. It’s a perfect pick-me-up that will remind you of the crazy, stupid, wonderful things we do for love.
13. The Proposal (2009)
High-powered book editor Margaret (Sandra Bullock) faces deportation to her native Canada, so she declares that she’s actually engaged to her unsuspecting put-upon assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds), who she’s tormented for years. He agrees to participate in the charade, but with a few conditions of his own.
When the unlikely couple heads to Alaska to meet his quirky family, the always-in-control city girl finds herself in one comedic fish-out-of-water situation after another. With laugh-out-loud moments and undeniable chemistry between its leads, The Proposal is a charming opposites-attract rom-com that will leave you grinning.
14. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
Everyone in the Portokalos family worries about Toula (Nia Vardalos). Still unmarried at 30 years old, she works at Dancing Zorba’s, the Greek restaurant owned by her parents, Gus (Michael Constantine) and Maria (Lainie Kazan).
After taking a job at her aunt’s travel agency, she falls in love with Ian Miller (John Corbett), a teacher who is tall, handsome and definitely not Greek. Toula isn’t sure which will be more upsetting to her father, that Ian is a foreigner or that he’s a vegetarian. My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a hilarious and heartwarming look at love, family, and the importance of embracing your heritage.
15. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) meet when she gives him a ride to New York after they both graduate from the University of Chicago. The film jumps through their lives as they both search for love, but fail, bumping into each other time and time again.
Finally a close friendship blooms between them, and they both like having a friend of the opposite sex. But then they are confronted with the problem: “Can a man and a woman be friends, without sex getting in the way?” When Harry Met Sally is a classic rom-com that explores the age-old question of whether men and women can really be just friends. With iconic moments and crackling chemistry between Crystal and Ryan, this film is a must-watch for any fan of the genre.
From lavish weddings to culinary wars, from fake relationships to real romance, these 15 movies offer something for everyone who fell in love with Crazy Rich Asians. They’ll make you laugh, cry, and believe in the power of love to overcome any obstacle.
So whether you’re in the mood for a classic rom-com, a poignant drama, or a joyful celebration of culture, these films have got you covered. They prove that there are countless ways to tell a love story, each one as rich and crazy and beautiful as the last.
