What’s next after ‘Shang-Chi’?: 16 Asian-led movies and shows to look forward to in 2022
The year 2021 was a pivotal one for Asian representation in entertainment.
“Shang-Chi” kicked ass as the first Asian superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Both Laura Jean and Devi discovered young love in the Netflix hits “To All the Boys: Always and Forever” and “Never Have I Ever.” “Squid Game” led just about every viewer across the globe to lose their marbles as they discovered a new appreciation for foreign shows. And every other month, it seemed like a new K-drama was popping up on Netflix’s Top 10 list.
Still, with 42% of Americans unable to name a single prominent Asian American, and The Rock accounting for approximately a third of AAPI roles in Hollywood, there is more work that needs to be done for Asian American communities to feel represented on screen.
As we enter into this new year, here are some of the upcoming films and shows starring Asian leads that we have to look forward to.
Film & TV
Turning Red
In theaters on March 11, 2022
Directed by: Domee Shi (Pixar short film “Bao”)
Starring: Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, James Hong, Wai Ching Ho
Everything Everywhere All at Once
In theaters on March 25, 2022
Directed by: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr., James Hong, Jamie Lee Curtis
Ms. Marvel
Streaming on Disney+ in Summer 2022 (Rumored for July)
Directed by: Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Meera Menon
Starring: Iman Vellani
The Witcher: Blood Origin
Streaming on Netflix in 2022 (Exact date TBA)
Directed by: Sarah O’Gorman Vicky Jewson
Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Sophia Brown, Laurence O’Fuarain, Lenny Henry, Mirren Mack, Nathaniel Curtis, Dylan Moran
Bridgerton Season 2
Streaming on Netflix on March 25, 2022
Starring: Simone Ashley, Charitha Chandran, Shelly Conn, Calam Lynch
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One)
In theaters on October 7, 2022
Directed by: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson
Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Shameik Moore, Oscar Isaa
Easter Sunday
In theaters on April 1, 2022
Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar
Starring: Jo Koy, Jimmy O. Yang
All of Us Are Dead
Streaming on Netflix on January 28, 2022
Directed by: Lee Jae-kyoo
Starring: Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young, Cho Yi-hyun, Lomon, Yoo In-su, and Lee You-mi
Money Heist (Korean Version)
Streaming on Netflix in 2022 (Exact date TBA)
Directed by: Kim Hong-sun
Starring: Park Hae-soo
Anime
Attack on Titan Final Season
Available for streaming on January 9, 2022
Directed by: Yuichiro Hayashi and Jun Shishido
Animation studio: MAPPA
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Arc
Available for streaming on October, 2022
Directed by: Tomohisa Taguchi
Animation studio: Studio Pierrot
One Piece Film: Red
Available for streaming on August 6, 2022
Directed by: Gorō Taniguchi
Animation studio: Toei Animation
The Imaginary
Set for release in Japan in the Summer 2022 (Exact date TBA)
Directed by: Yoshiyuki Momose
Animation studio: Studio Ponoc
Bubble
Streaming on Netflix on April 28, 2022
Directed by: Tetsuro Araki
Animation studio: WIT Studio
Chainsaw Man Part 2
Available for streaming the Summer 2022 (Exact date TBA)
Animation Studio: MAPPA
Jujutsu Kaisen O (U.S. release)
Available in theaters in Winter 2022 (Exact date TBA)
Directed by: Sunghoo Park
Animation studio: MAPPA
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