#1 of 1,192 Highest-grossing Korean-language movie ever
2019 · Drama, Thriller
$262.6M worldwide
$53.8M US & Canada · 21% $208.8M elsewhere · 79%
Korean box office · All time
Highest-Grossing Korean Movies of All Time
Parasite (2019) is the highest-grossing Korean-language movie in our database, with $262.6M worldwide, ahead of Ode to My Father (2015) at $184.8M and The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014) at $138.3M. 1,192 Korean-language films in our database report a worldwide gross, $9.7B in all, 2% of it from the US & Canada. 6 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. By genre, Drama leads with $5.5B across 701 Korean releases.
- films with a reported gross
- 1,192
- combined worldwide
- $9.7B
- films crossed $100M
- 6
- earned in the US & Canada
- 2%
#1 of 1,192 Top 5
What Are the Highest-Grossing Korean Movies Ever?
Parasite (2019) leads with $262.6M, $77.8M ahead of Ode to My Father (2015). The top 5 were released between 2014 and 2019 and took $815.1M together; every one of them earned more than half of their gross outside the US & Canada.
- Number 1
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Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
All 1,192 Korean Movies, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 1,192. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada.
- 1 Oct 11, 2019 US and Canada: $53.8M Rest of the world: $208.8M Worldwide: $262.6M
- 2 Jan 9, 2015 US and Canada: $2.3M Rest of the world: $182.5M Worldwide: $184.8M
- 3 Aug 15, 2014 US and Canada: $2.6M Rest of the world: $135.8M Worldwide: $138.3M
- 4 Jan 25, 2019 US and Canada: $1.6M Rest of the world: $118.4M Worldwide: $119.9M
- 5 Dec 22, 2017 US and Canada: $1.9M Rest of the world: $107.5M Worldwide: $109.4M
- 6
May 18, 2022 US and Canada: $812.9K Rest of the world: $100.4M Worldwide: $101.2M - 7
Aug 1, 2018 US and Canada: $1.2M Rest of the world: $97.9M Worldwide: $99.1M - 8
Nov 22, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $97.5M - 9
Aug 7, 2015 US and Canada: $1.9M Rest of the world: $94.2M Worldwide: $96.1M - 10
Sep 18, 2015 US and Canada: $1.2M Rest of the world: $93.2M Worldwide: $94.4M - 11
Mar 15, 2024 US and Canada: $2.3M Rest of the world: $91.6M Worldwide: $93.9M - 12
Jul 22, 2016 US and Canada: $2.1M Rest of the world: $90.6M Worldwide: $92.8M - 13
Oct 12, 2012 US and Canada: $685.8K Rest of the world: $86.4M Worldwide: $87.1M - 14
Aug 11, 2017 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: $84.7M Worldwide: $86.3M - 15
May 31, 2023 US and Canada: $909.4K Rest of the world: $82.5M Worldwide: $83.4M - 16
Apr 28, 2010 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $82.2M - 17
Jan 23, 2013 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $82.1M - 18
Sep 3, 2004 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: $80.3M Worldwide: $81.4M - 19
May 3, 2024 US and Canada: $1.2M Rest of the world: $79.3M Worldwide: $80.4M - 20
Feb 7, 2014 US and Canada: $557.2K Rest of the world: $78M Worldwide: $78.5M - 21
Dec 29, 2005 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $74.5M - 22
2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $72.2M - 23
Jul 22, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $71.3M - 24
Apr 15, 2010 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $68.8M - 25
Feb 3, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $66.7M - 26
Sep 11, 2013 US and Canada: $515.9K Rest of the world: $61M Worldwide: $61.6M - 27
Dec 19, 2019 US and Canada: $372.6K Rest of the world: $61M Worldwide: $61.4M - 28
Jan 22, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $58.9M - 29
Jul 29, 2022 US and Canada: $865.9K Rest of the world: $56.6M Worldwide: $57.5M - 30
Jan 27, 2017 US and Canada: $475.6K Rest of the world: $55.5M Worldwide: $56M - 31
Sep 23, 2016 US and Canada: $541.7K Rest of the world: $53.9M Worldwide: $54.5M - 32
Sep 7, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $54.5M - 33
Dec 27, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $53.8M - 34
Aug 28, 2026 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: $51.7M Worldwide: $53.2M - 35
Oct 3, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $52.9M - 36
Aug 26, 2016 US and Canada: $568.9K Rest of the world: $51.9M Worldwide: $52.4M - 37
Jul 29, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $52.2M - 38
Dec 21, 2016 US and Canada: $597.3K Rest of the world: $51M Worldwide: $51.6M - 39
May 4, 2011 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $51.1M - 40
Aug 10, 2011 US and Canada: $251.2K Rest of the world: $50.3M Worldwide: $50.6M - 41
Dec 16, 2015 US and Canada: $696.7K Rest of the world: $49.8M Worldwide: $50.5M - 42
Jun 3, 2016 US and Canada: $786.6K Rest of the world: $49.1M Worldwide: $49.9M - 43
Sep 9, 2026 US and Canada: $8.1M Rest of the world: $41.3M Worldwide: $49.5M - 44
Jul 25, 2007 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $49.3M - 45
Feb 15, 2013 US and Canada: $665.2K Rest of the world: $48.3M Worldwide: $49M - 46
Oct 13, 2016 US and Canada: $466.5K Rest of the world: $48.4M Worldwide: $48.9M - 47
Oct 31, 2012 US and Canada: $342.9K Rest of the world: $45.9M Worldwide: $46.3M - 48
Aug 4, 2017 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: $45.1M Worldwide: $46.2M - 49
Aug 4, 2010 US and Canada: $528.2K Rest of the world: $44.2M Worldwide: $44.7M - 50
Jul 16, 2008 US and Canada: $128.5K Rest of the world: $44.1M Worldwide: $44.3M
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Biggest Korean Movies Make Their Money?
Of the top 10, Parasite (2019) earned the biggest share at home (21% in the US & Canada), while The Roundup (2022) made 99% of its gross abroad. Across all 1,192 films, $195.3M (2%) came from the US & Canada. 1 film of the top 10 reports no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Parasite (2019) $262.6M $53.8M US & Canada · 21% $208.8M elsewhere · 79%
- 2 Ode to My Father (2015) $184.8M $2.3M US & Canada · 1% $182.5M elsewhere · 99%
- 3 The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014) $138.3M $2.6M US & Canada · 2% $135.8M elsewhere · 98%
- 4 Extreme Job (2019) $119.9M $1.6M US & Canada · 1% $118.4M elsewhere · 99%
- 5 Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017) $109.4M $1.9M US & Canada · 2% $107.5M elsewhere · 98%
- 6 The Roundup (2022) $101.2M $812.9K US & Canada · <1% $100.4M elsewhere · 99%
- 7 Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (2018) $99.1M $1.2M US & Canada · 1% $97.9M elsewhere · 99%
- 8 12.12: The Day (2023) $97.5M No US & Canada figure reported
- 9 Assassination (2015) $96.1M $1.9M US & Canada · 2% $94.2M elsewhere · 98%
- 10 Veteran (2015) $94.4M $1.2M US & Canada · 1% $93.2M elsewhere · 99%
Gross bands
How Many Korean Movies Crossed $100 Million?
6 of 1,192 films crossed $100M and took $916.3M between them, 9% of the total. 937 films, 79% of the list, earned under $10M.
9% 71% 19%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $100M to $500M 6 films, <1% of the list $916.3M · 9% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 249 films, 21% of the list $7B · 71% of the gross
- Under $10M 937 films, 79% of the list $1.9B · 19% of the gross
By decade
Which Decade's Korean Movies Earned the Most?
Films released in the 2010s lead with $5.7B from 521 titles, led by Parasite (2019). Each column links to the decade's biggest year.
- 1960s 1960s Peak year 1961 Mother and a Guest (1961) $4.5M Mother and a Guest (1961)
- 1970s 1970s Peak year 1976 Robot Taekwon V (1976) $3.9M Robot Taekwon V (1976)
- 1980s 1980s Peak year 1986 No Mercy (1986) $12.4M No Mercy (1986)
- 1990s 1990s Peak year 1995 A Little Princess (1995) $16.3M A Little Princess (1995)
- 2000s 2000s Peak year 2005 Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004) $2.1B Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004)
- 2010s 2010s Peak year 2019 Parasite (2019) $5.7B Parasite (2019)
- 2020s 2020s Peak year 2022 The Roundup (2022) $1.7B The Roundup (2022)
Biggest years
Which Years Had the Highest-Grossing Korean Movies?
2019 releases earned the most: $835.7M from 74 films, led by Parasite (2019). The 10 biggest years, each linking to its chart.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 74 films | 74 | $835.7M | Parasite (2019) $262.6M |
| 2016 75 films | 75 | $691.3M | Train to Busan (2016) $92.8M |
| 2017 59 films | 59 | $688.3M | Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017) $109.4M |
| 2015 47 films | 47 | $665.7M | Ode to My Father (2015) $184.8M |
| 2018 67 films | 67 | $601.6M | Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (2018) $99.1M |
| 2013 36 films | 36 | $553.9M | Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013) $82.1M |
| 2014 40 films | 40 | $526.4M | The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014) $138.3M |
| 2012 40 films | 40 | $456.2M | The Thieves (2012) $87.1M |
| 2005 49 films | 49 | $451.5M | The King and the Clown (2005) $74.5M |
| 2010 45 films | 45 | $385.6M | Blades of Blood (2010) $82.2M |
By genre
Which Korean Genres Earned the Most?
Drama took $5.5B across 701 films, 57% of the total, ahead of Action ($4B) and Comedy ($3.5B). A film counts once for each of its genres.
All-Time Korean Box Office by Genre
-
Drama $5.5B701 films · #1 Parasite (2019) -
Action $4B238 films · #1 Extreme Job (2019) -
Comedy $3.5B345 films · #1 Parasite (2019) -
Thriller $3.2B247 films · #1 Parasite (2019) -
Crime $2.3B185 films · #1 The Roundup (2022) -
Romance $1.3B254 films · #1 A Werewolf Boy (2012) -
History $1.1B46 films · #1 12.12: The Day (2023) -
Mystery $866.4M112 films · #1 Exhuma (2024) -
Adventure $794.4M39 films · #1 The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014) -
Horror $774.2M96 films · #1 Exhuma (2024)
Archive
Korean Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1958 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2019 leads with $835.7M, led by Parasite (2019).
2020s 7 years · $1.7B
2010s 10 years · $5.7B
- 2019 $835.7M #1 Parasite (2019)
- 2018 $601.6M #1 Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (2018)
- 2017 $688.3M #1 Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017)
- 2016 $691.3M #1 Train to Busan (2016)
- 2015 $665.7M #1 Ode to My Father (2015)
- 2014 $526.4M #1 The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014)
- 2013 $553.9M #1 Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013)
- 2012 $456.2M #1 The Thieves (2012)
- 2011 $343.9M #1 Sunny (2011)
- 2010 $385.6M #1 Blades of Blood (2010)
2000s 10 years · $2.1B
- 2009 $310M #1 Tidal Wave (2009)
- 2008 $305.4M #1 The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008)
- 2007 $334.2M #1 May 18 (2007)
- 2006 $363.5M #1 200 Pounds Beauty (2006)
- 2005 $451.5M #1 The King and the Clown (2005)
- 2004 $160.1M #1 Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004)
- 2003 $35.3M #1 My Tutor Friend (2003)
- 2002 $172.3M #1 Sex Is Zero (2002)
- 2001 $1.8M #1 Friend (2001)
- 2000 $943.7K #1 Grass (2000)
1990s 5 years · $16.3M
1980s 3 years · $12.4M
1970s 2 years · $3.9M
1960s 3 years · $4.5M
1950s 1 year · $8M
FAQ
Korean Box Office All Time: Questions & Answers
The chart's numbers in short: the #1 film, the total, the billion-dollar hits and the US & Canada share, answered from the same 1,192 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing Korean-language movie of all time?
Parasite (2019) leads with $262.6M worldwide, $53.8M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Ode to My Father (2015) at $184.8M and The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014) at $138.3M.
How much have Korean-language movies earned at the box office?
1,192 Korean-language films in our database report a worldwide gross, $9.7B in all, or $8.2M per film on average.
How many Korean-language movies have made $1 billion?
None. 6 films crossed $100 million, led by Parasite (2019) with $262.6M.
How is the all-time Korean box office chart ranked and where do the numbers come from?
Films are ranked by lifetime worldwide gross in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation. The figures are the reported box office grosses in our database. A gross that looks misattributed, such as one figure shared by two unrelated films or a blockbuster total on an obscure title, is left out rather than shown as a fact, and so are films whose stored language is most likely wrong.
How often is the all-time Korean box office chart updated?
Grosses change while films are in theaters and whenever a new figure is reported; this chart reads the latest numbers in our database, so an older film can still move after a re-release.