AAPI Month Watchlist for All the Feels

AAPI Month watchlist of Asian American and Pacific Islander films about humor, heart, and family. 

Credit Amazon MGM Studios

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the richness of AAPI cultures and stories. Below are some of my favorite films (and where to watch them!) that highlight Asian American and Pacific Islander experiences through history, humor, and heartfelt moments. This AAPI Month watchlist features Asian American and Pacific Islander films and movies spanning comedy, drama, and family stories. 

Chief of War (2025)

Jason Momoa has to be one of the most gorgeous men to grace our screens. He was the perfect selection to play the role of Kaʻiana in the historical drama Chief of War. This is an Apple TV+ exclusive and well worth it. There aren’t many movies about the history of Hawaii, and this one feels very authentic to the culture. This story centers on a war between the major kingdoms of Hawaii during the 18th century. If you are squeamish, just know this gets very graphic and gory at times; it really does feel authentic. 

The Wrecking Crew (2026)

Momoa makes another appearance here, and Dave Bautista joins in on the eye candy treat as his brother. Hawaii is the setting again here, but this time we are set in the modern era. This is a crime comedy movie. It gives me similar vibes to the Bad Boys franchise, except Momoa and Bautista are actual brothers and the crime that they are trying to solve is very personal for them. The balance of action and comedy is HILARIOUS, and these two make a great pair on screen together. Available on Prime Video exclusively. 

Joy Ride (2023)

The premise for Joy Ride sounds innocent enough—a group of friends travels to China to help their adopted friend find her birth mother. The journey ends up being the wildest mess ever! Drugs, sex, K-pop…it gets very random and very hilarious. I didn’t plan on laughing as hard as I did. It feels like a cross between Girls Trip and Road Trip in the best way.  

Master of None (2015)

I was obsessssed with Master of None when I first started watching it. I can’t believe we only got two seasons out of it. Yes, there are technically three, but the third season doesn’t focus on Aziz Ansari’s character Dev as the first two seasons do. Dev is an actor in his 30s just trying to figure it all out. It’s low-key giving Insecure vibes, and that’s probably why I latched on to it. A great balance of comedy and drama, and Aziz is just a natural comedian. This is a Netflix exclusive. 

Beef (Season 1) (2023)

Another Netflix exclusive, Beef (Season 1) is honestly a horror story. All of this drama between two of the pettiest people on Earth stems from a road rage incident. Ali Wong leaves me in tears all of the time, and she’s one of my favorite comedians. Fan favorite from The Walking Dead, Steven Yeun, holds his own as well. This is honestly a great cast of Asian actors, and the story just gets more chaotic with each episode. Next time you feel yourself heating up over a road incident, just simmer down. It’s not worth it. 

K-Pops! (2026)

One of the most recent watches on the list, K-Pops! fell under the radar but deserves much more recognition. I personally really enjoyed it, but I’m probably a bit biased because I love Anderson .Paak. He wrote, directed, and stars in the film with his son Soul. It’s a cute blend of Korean and Black cultures (just like .Paak himself) with mostly comedy and feel-good moments. 

The Joy Luck Club (1993)

A timeless classic that makes you laugh, cry, and reflect on family relationships. One of my favorite movies of all time, and usually my go-to when I think about Asian American culture films that dig deep into the soul. This is the story of four Chinese women and their relationships with their first-generation Chinese-American daughters. I like to watch this movie with a nice plate of Chinese takeout and a box of tissues to really immerse myself in the vibes. A beautiful story that leaves me teary-eyed on every watch.