Minari

"A timeless story of what roots us."

2021 1h 55m EN

👍

7.3

SOLID

★7.3TMDB · 1,938

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A Korean American family moves to an Arkansas farm in search of its own American dream. Amidst the challenges of this new life in the strange and rugged Ozarks, they discover the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.

“A timeless story of what roots us.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Steven Yeun
Jacob
Han Ye-ri
Monica
Youn Yuh-jung
Soonja
Will Patton
Paul
Alan Kim
David
Noel Kate Cho
Anne
Darryl Cox
Mr. Harlan
Esther Moon
Mrs. Oh

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Writers: Lee Isaac Chung
Languages: English, Korean
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Shot for just $2.0M — micro-budget by Hollywood standards.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Made its money back 6.5× over at the box office.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 5 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Korean.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, shot by Lachlan Milne. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Emile Mosseri. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Harry Yoon shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Steven Yeun and Han Ye-ri and Youn Yuh-jung carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Lee Isaac Chung directs. Lachlan Milne behind the camera. Emile Mosseri scores. Harry Yoon cuts. Made its budget back several times over at the box office. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English, Korean.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Shot for just $2.0M — micro-budget by Hollywood standards.
2Made its money back 6.5× over at the box office.
3Released 5 years ago.
4Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Korean.
5Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, shot by Lachlan Milne. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Emile Mosseri. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Harry Yoon shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Steven Yeun and Han Ye-ri and Youn Yuh-jung carry the top of the cast.
9Marketing tagline: "A timeless story of what roots us.".
10IMDB entry: tt10633456 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
11Classified under 25 themes, including "american dream", "affectation", "arkansas", "church".

The technical file

Cinematography: Lachlan Milne
Original score: Emile Mosseri
Editing: Harry Yoon
Production design: Lee Yong-ok
Costume design: Susanna Song
Makeup / hair: Krista Perry
VFX supervisor: Mike Uguccioni
Sound: Kent Sparling
Stunt coordinator: Kent Shelton
Runtime: 115 min · 1h 55m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $2,000,000
Box office: $12,900,000
Return: 645% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG-13
IMDB: Minari (2021)

Awards

Sundance Film Festival U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize Award
Sundance Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic

Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.

Also by

Lee Isaac Chung

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Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

SWITCH.2021-02-04
★ 8/10
'Minari' is an emotionally beautiful film. For me personally, the only downfall are very small parts of its narrative. Some things are brought up but never really touched on again, which didn't bug me in the moment but after the film, I asked myself what happened with those threads. It's such a small issue, but that doesn't stop me from saying that the film is a breathtaking delight. Soon-ja sang it best: “Minari, minari... wonderful, wonderful.“ - Chris dos Santos Read Chris' full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-minari-equal-parts-heartwarming-and-heartbreaking
Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots2021-03-09
“Minari” is an absolutely beautiful gem of a movie that is delightful on all levels. The highly personal film, written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung, tells the story of a struggling Korean-American family searching for a better life when they move to rural Arkansas from California. Jacob (Steven Yeun) dreams of starting his own farm and selling Korean vegetables to serve the growing immigrant population, while his wife Monica (Yeri Han) quietly internalizes her anxiety. Their two kids (Alan S. Kim, Noel Cho) adapt a bit more quickly, but things are turned upside down when their firecracker of a grandma (Yuh-jung Youn) arrives. Set in the 1980s, the film depicts a fresh look at the immigrant experience in America, capturing what it must be like to face unfamiliar surroundings while clinging to the promise of a happy future. Jacob has a desire and drive that’s enviable, even if he’s draining the family’s savings with his pie-in-the-sky dreams. It’s rare that almost all of the best performances of the year are concentrated in one movie, but here we are. The cast is pitch-perfect, from Will Patton‘s supporting role as a religious Korean War veteran to Han’s understated turn as a disappointed wife who is embarrassed to be living in a mobile home in the middle of nowhere. The performances are excellent all around, but Kim and Youn steal the film. All of the actors achieve something to be proud of here. I instantly felt a powerful connection with every character, each of them a person I would gladly root for until the end. I contend that if you aren’t all-in and crossing your fingers for this likeable family’s success, there’s something deeply rotten in your soul. The narrative explores the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows with a charming, admirable authenticity and eye-opening insight. The story’s appeal is universal with a hopeful sentiment, even when tragedy strikes. “Minari” may not escape a few chestnut platitudes (like even when you come close to losing everything, a new day will dawn and things will be brighter because you still have each other), but this comforting underdog story about immigrants with a dream is wrapped in an absolutely beautiful film that’s delightful on all levels. By: Louisa Moore / SCREEN ZEALOTS
Alunauwie2025-09-22
★ 8/10
Minari is a beautifully crafted semi-autobiographical film set in the 1980s that explores the struggles and hopes of a Korean immigrant family in the US, symbolized by the resilient minari plant. The performances, especially by Youn Yuh-Jung, bring depth and authenticity to the story, earning her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. With consistent conflict and a philosophically rich happy ending, the film offers a touching reflection on survival, family, and cultural identity, making it a must-watch for those who appreciate heartfelt dramas. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com)