When was Parasite released?

Parasite was released in South Korea on 30 May 2019. In the US it had a limited theatrical release on 11 October 2019, expanded on 1 November 2019 and arrived digitally on 14 January 2020. A limited US re-release followed on 7 February 2025.

Where can I watch Parasite in the US?

You can stream Parasite on Paramount+ (Essential and Premium, including via Amazon and Roku channels) and fuboTV. You can rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home, and rent it on FlixFling.

Who is in the cast of Parasite?

Song Kang-ho stars as Kim Ki-taek, alongside Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik, Park So-dam, Jang Hye-jin, Lee Jung-eun and Park Myung-hoon. The film is directed by Bong Joon Ho.

How long is Parasite and what is it rated?

Parasite runs 133 minutes and is rated R in the US.

Is Parasite in English?

The film is primarily in Korean, with some English and German dialogue. Most English-speaking viewers watch it with subtitles.

Parasite (2019): Review, Plot, Cast & Where to Watch

Parasite plot summary (no spoilers)

In Seoul, the Kim family has hit rock bottom. Father Kim Ki-taek, mother Chung-sook, son Ki-woo and daughter Ki-jung are all unemployed. They are sharp, resourceful and short on options, and they get by on whatever odd jobs and small schemes come their way.

Then they see an opportunity in the Parks, a wealthy and polished family headed by Park Dong-ik and his wife Yeon-kyo. The Parks’ comfortable life looks like a lifeline. One by one, the Kims begin working their way into the household, playing roles and bending the truth to secure their place. Their scheme puts the two families under the same roof and makes the gap between their worlds impossible to ignore.

The arrangement seems almost too smooth. But keeping up appearances inside someone else’s home is a delicate balancing act. When an unexpected incident disrupts the household, the Kims’ plan starts to wobble in ways nobody anticipated.

The tagline sums up the attitude: “Act like you own the place.” What starts as a darkly funny con story steadily tightens into a tense psychological thriller about class, family and survival.

Parasite — Mood illustration, not a still from the film — Mood illustration, not a still from the film

What makes Parasite notable

Director: Bong Joon Ho directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Han Jin-won.
Cast: Song Kang-ho leads as Kim Ki-taek. Lee Sun-kyun plays Park Dong-ik and Cho Yeo-jeong plays Yeon-kyo. Choi Woo-shik and Park So-dam play the Kim siblings Ki-woo and Ki-jung, with Jang Hye-jin as Chung-sook. Lee Jung-eun (Moon-gwang), Park Myung-hoon (Geun-se), Jung Zi-so (Da-hye) and Jung Hyeon-jun (Da-song) round out the ensemble.
Genre: The film blends dark comedy, thriller and drama, shifting tone with real precision.
Origin: It is a South Korean production from Barunson E&A, originally titled 기생충. The film is mainly in Korean, with some English and German dialogue.
Themes: Social commentary sits at its core. It explores class differences, the struggles of the working class and the uneasy relationship between employers and domestic workers.
Audience reception: On TMDB, Parasite holds an average audience rating of 8.5/10 from more than 21,500 votes. That makes it one of the most widely appreciated films on the platform.
Runtime: 133 minutes.

Who will enjoy Parasite

Fans of dark comedy that turns sharply into suspense
Viewers who like films with pointed social commentary about wealth and class
Anyone curious about Korean cinema or the work of Bong Joon Ho
Thriller lovers who enjoy con-artist and infiltration stories
Adult audiences comfortable with an R-rated film (US)

Parasite release date & where to watch (US)

Parasite first opened in South Korea on 30 May 2019. In the US, the release unfolded in several stages:

US premiere: 30 August 2019
Limited theatrical release: 11 October 2019 (rated R)
Wider theatrical release: 1 November 2019
Digital release: 14 January 2020
Physical media: from 28 January 2020, with further editions in June and October 2020
Theatrical re-release (limited): 7 February 2025

Streaming in the US: The film is available on Paramount+ (Essential and Premium), including via the Paramount+ Amazon Channel and the Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel. It is also on fuboTV.

Rent or buy digitally: You can rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. It is also available to rent on FlixFling.

A trailer is available for anyone who wants a taste of the tone before watching. Availability can change, so check your preferred service for the latest options.

Trailer

Cast

Song Kang-hoas Kim Ki-taekSee credits →
Lee Sun-kyunas Park Dong-ikSee credits →
Cho Yeo-jeongas Yeon-kyoSee credits →
Choi Woo-shikas Ki-wooSee credits →
Park So-damas Ki-jung
Lee Jung-eunas Moon-gwangSee credits →
Jang Hye-jinas Chung-sookSee credits →
Park Myung-hoonas Geun-se

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

When was Parasite released?: Parasite was released in South Korea on 30 May 2019. In the US it had a limited theatrical release on 11 October 2019, expanded on 1 November 2019 and arrived digitally on 14 January 2020. A limited US re-release followed on 7 February 2025.
Where can I watch Parasite in the US?: You can stream Parasite on Paramount+ (Essential and Premium, including via Amazon and Roku channels) and fuboTV. You can rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home, and rent it on FlixFling.
Who is in the cast of Parasite?: Song Kang-ho stars as Kim Ki-taek, alongside Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik, Park So-dam, Jang Hye-jin, Lee Jung-eun and Park Myung-hoon. The film is directed by Bong Joon Ho.
How long is Parasite and what is it rated?: Parasite runs 133 minutes and is rated R in the US.
Is Parasite in English?: The film is primarily in Korean, with some English and German dialogue. Most English-speaking viewers watch it with subtitles.

Sources

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