It’s always so fascinating to research a country’s filmography, in a way, and see what shines through in the medium of film. Looking at films set in Thailand, that’s holidays for westerners, underground criminal activities and Muay Thai boxing. Is anyone surprised?

There are actually more Hollywood and western films set in Thailand than I first realised. Obviously, I was aware of the huge success of The Hangover Part II (2011) in Bangkok. But, how did I forget that Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) shot a few key scenes in Thailand? And how did I miss the fact that there are three versions of Anna and the King (1999)?!

Though I’ve included it on this list, maybe skip over Anna and the King of Siam (1946). I’ve not watched it myself, but Rex Harrison (an English actor) portrays the Asian King of Siam (now Thailand). I don’t know how this was anything other than wildly racist. It’s included because I like to present the whole picture, not because it’s an actual recommendation.

But if you’re visiting Thailand in the near future, there are plenty of films, both western and Thai, that you can watch to get you excited about your trip. Here are the top films set in Thailand to watch before you visit…

30 Films set in Thailand you MUST watch

1. Anna and The King of Siam (1946)

Director: John Cromwell

Language: English

2. The King and I (1956)

Director: Walter Lang

Language: English

3. Around the World in 80 Days (1956)

Director: Michael Anderson

Language: English

4. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Director: David Lean

Language: English

5. The Ugly American (1963)

Director: George Englund

Language: English

6. The Big Boss (1971)

Director: Lo Wei

Language: Mandarin/Cantonese/Thai

7. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

Director: Guy Hamilton

Language: English/Thai

8. Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)

Director: George P. Cosmatos

Language: English

9. Kickboxer (1989)

Director: Mark DiSalle and David Worth

Language: English

10. Brokedown Palace (1999)

Director: Jonathan Kaplan

Language: English/Thai

11. Anna and the King (1999)

Director: Andy Tennant

Language: English

12. Bangkok Dangerous (2000) Thai Original

Director: The Pang Brothers

Language: Thai

13. The Beach (2000)

Director: Danny Boyle

Language: English

14. City of Ghosts (2002)

Director: Matt Dillon

Language: English/French/Khmer/Russian

15. Beautiful Boxer (2003)

Director: Ekachai Uekrongtham

Language: Thai/English/Japanese

16. Belly of the Beast (2003)

Director: Ching Siu Tung

Language: English/Thai

17. Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2003)

Director: Prachya Pinkaew

Language: Thai

18. Last Life in the Universe (2003)

Director: Pen-Ek Ratanaruang

Language: Thai/Japanese/English

19. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)

Director: Beeban Kidron

Language: English/German/Thai

20. Stealth (2005)

Director: Rob Cohen

Language: English

21. American Gangster (2007)

Director: Ridley Scott

Language: English

22. Bangkok Dangerous (2008) English Remake

Director: The Pang Brothers

Language: English/Thai

23. Rambo (2008)

Director: Sylvester Stallone

Language: English

24. Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010)

Director: Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Language: Isan/Thai

25. The Hangover Part II (2011)

Director: Todd Phillips

Language: English

26. The Impossible (2012)

Director: J. A. Bayona

Language: English

27. Only God Forgives (2013)

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn

Language: English/Thai

28. The Railway Man (2013)

Director: Jonathan Teplitzky

Language: English

29. No Escape (2015)

Director: John Erick Dowdle

Language: English/Thai

30. Till We Meet Again (2016)

Director: Bank Tangjaitrong

Language: English/Thai

Those are the top 30 films set in Thailand you should watch before you go! Or prolong the magic of an awesome trip. Have you watched any of these films set in Thailand? Let me know in the comments below!

Read next: 

The Hangover Part II Filming Locations in Bangkok