Daniel Dae Kim standing in night market wearing jacket and shirt in "Butterfly."

10 AA+PI projects we’re excited for this fall

From thrilling original series to K-dramas and returning film franchises, this fall is stacked in TV and film

Daniel Dae Kim as David Jung in 'Butterfly'

Prime Video

Summer might be fading, but the thrill is carrying straight into fall, with the back-to-school season serving up stories that span worlds, timelines, and genres. From heart-pounding action to swoony romance, high-stakes drama to laugh-out-loud comedy, the months ahead promise the kind of can’t-miss entertainment that keeps the screen sizzling long after the summer heat cools. Truthfully, I’ll be watching every single one.

Here are 10 projects we are most excited for.

Butterfly

Butterfly is a six-episode spy thriller starring Daniel Dae Kim (Avatar: The Last Airbender, Lost, Yellowface) as David Jung, a former U.S. intelligence operative living in South Korea whose past catches up with him when he's targeted by a covert agency and a deadly young agent, played by Reina Hardesty. The cast also features Piper Perabo (Covert Affairs, Coyote Ugly), Kim Ji-hoon, Park Hae-soo (Squid Game) and Kim Tae-hee. 

Butterfly premieres Aug. 13 on Prime Video.

Nhe Zha 2

The highest-grossing animated film of all time, Ne Zha 2 arrives in English with a star-studded voice cast led by Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once, Brothers Sun, Wicked), alongside Crystal Lee, Aleks Le, Damien Haas (The Rose of Versailles), and Vincent Rodriguez III. A collaboration between A24 and CMC Pictures, the Chinese mythological epic follows a rebellious young hero feared by gods and destined to save humanity from destruction.

Ne Zha 2 releases Aug. 22 in English-language theaters.

Bon Appetit, Your Majesty

Bon Appétit, Your Majesty stars Girls’ Generation’s Lim Yoon-a (King the Land) as a top French-trained chef who’s mysteriously transported back in time to a royal palace, where she must navigate palace politics, survive the demands of a sharp-tongued king, and serve dishes worthy of his exacting palate. Lee Chae-min (Crash Course in Romance) plays the feared monarch whose impossible standards may be matched only by his growing fascination with his new chef. Mixing time-slip fantasy, fiery romantic tension, and lavish food cinematography, the series promises a feast for both the eyes and the heart.

Bon Appetit, Your Majesty premieres Aug. 23 on Netflix.

KPOPPED

Apple TV+ has unveiled the star-packed trailer for KPOPPED, an eight-part global song battle series that pairs iconic Western artists including Megan Thee Stallion, Patti LaBelle, the Spice Girls’ Mel B and Emma Bunton, TLC, Boyz II Men, and J Balvin, with major K-pop acts including ITZY, ATEEZ, Kep1er, STAYC, and BLACKSWAN. Hosted by Soojeong Son and executive produced by Megan Thee Stallion, Lionel Richie, and Miky Lee, each episode features reimagined hit songs and high-energy live performances in Seoul, with the audience selecting the winning team.

KPOPPED premieres Aug. 29 on Apple TV+.

Love Untangled

Love Untangled is a 1990s-set YA romance movie that follows 19-year-old Park Se-ri, played by Shin Eunsoo (Twinkling Watermelon) as she schemes to confess her feelings to the school’s most popular boy, teaming up with transfer student Han Yun-seok (Gong Myoung) in what she dubs “Operation Love.” As playful mishaps and heartfelt moments unfold, Se-ri finds herself caught between old crushes, new connections, and the tangled emotions of first love. Co-starring Cha Woo-min and Youn Sang-hyun, the film brims with ’90s nostalgia, from cassette tapes to camcorders.

Love Untangled premieres Aug. 29 on Netflix.

Tempest

Tempest is a high-octane South Korean original series starring Gianna Jun, Gang Dongwon, and John Cho in a globe-spanning thriller that blends political conspiracy and espionage. The story centers on former diplomat Jun’s Seo Munju as she delves into an assassination attempt on a presidential hopeful accused of being a North Korean spy, only to find herself entangled in a deadly web of secrets and betrayal. The series also features Christopher Gorham, Sebastian Roché, and Alicia Hannah-Kim (Cobra Kai).

Tempest premieres Sept. 10 with the first three episodes on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ internationally.

Gen V

Gen V returns for a charged second season, with the first full trailer teasing a tense new chapter in which Marie (Jaz Sinclair) is reluctantly pulled back to Godolkin University, this time by The Boys’ Annie January (Erin Moriarty) in a surprise crossover moment. With Homelander now ruling the United States, the university falls under the watch of Dean Cipher (Hamish Linklater), who’s pushing a powerful, suspiciously patriotic new curriculum. The trailer hints at dark origins for the school itself, with Ethan Slater revealed as Dr. Thomas Godolkin. Derek Luh, Maddie Phillips, London Thor reprise their respective roles. 

Gen V season two premieres Sept. 17 on Prime Video.

Tron: Ares

Disney unveiled the first trailer for Tron: Ares, the long-awaited third installment in the sci-fi franchise, with Jared Leto starring as Ares, a powerful program sent into the real world on a perilous mission. Greta Lee (Past Lives, The Morning Show) joins the cast as Eve, a skilled coder caught in the chaos, complete with her own dazzling lightcycle sequence. The film also features Jeff Bridges returning to the iconic world, alongside Jodie Turner-Smith, Hasan Minhaj, and Arturo Castro.

Tron: Ares releases Oct. 10 in theaters.

Good Fortune

Good Fortune marks the directorial debut of comedian and actor Aziz Ansari (Master of None), who also stars alongside Keanu Reeves (John Wick), Seth Rogen, and Sandra Oh (Quiz Lady, The Sympathizer). The comedy centers on Gabriel (Reeves), a kind-hearted guardian angel craving more meaningful work, who sets his sights on struggling gig worker Arj (Ansari). In an attempt to help, Gabriel swaps Arj’s soul with Jeff (Rogen), an out-of-touch venture capitalist. Oh appears as another celestial being, while Keke Palmer (Nope) and Sherry Cola (Joy Ride) play supporting roles. 

Good Fortune arrives Oct. 17 in theaters.

Mortal Kombat 2 

Warner Bros. has dropped the first trailer for Mortal Kombat 2, the action-packed sequel to the 2021 video game adaptation, boasting a massive ensemble cast. Newcomers include Karl Urban as fan-favorite Johnny Cage, Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, Tati Gabrielle as Jade, Ana Thu Nguyen as Queen Sindel and Desmond Chiam as King Jerrod. They join returning cast members Lewis Tan as Cole Young, Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, Josh Lawson as Kano, Chin Han as Shang Tsung, Tadanobu Asano as Raiden, Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion, Joe Taslim as Sub-Zero, and Max Huang as Kung Lao.

Mortal Kombat 2 premieres Oct 24 in theaters.

Published on August 6, 2025

Words by Daniel Anderson

Daniel Anderson is a disabled Chinese American adoptee based in Seattle. His freelance writing specialties include K-pop, entertainment, and food. He believes that any restaurant can be a buffet, and the key to success is to take a nap each day. Follow his adventures on Instagram @danzstan.