Train to Busan Movie Series
The Train to Busan film series consists of South Korean action horror zombie films directed by Yeon Sang-ho. The series includes three films: Train to Busan (2016), its prequel Seoul Station (2016), and its standalone sequel Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula (2020). Based on an original story by Park Joo-suk, the Train to Busan series centers around a zombie epidemic outbreak originating in South Korea. Each installment details the primary characters’ struggles to withstand the advances of the undead and survive the events to make their escape.
The first film, Train to Busan, follows a father and daughter’s harrowing journey on a high-speed train during a sudden zombie outbreak, receiving widespread acclaim for its intense action and emotional depth. The prequel, Seoul Station, explores how the zombie epidemic began in South Korea before the events of Train to Busan. The standalone sequel, Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula, takes place four years after the first film, continuing the narrative in a post-apocalyptic world.
The Train to Busan movie series has achieved significant success, both critically and commercially. The first film, Train to Busan (2016), garnered widespread acclaim for its gripping narrative, intense action sequences, and emotional depth. It was praised for its innovative approach to the zombie genre, combining horror with social commentary. The film was a major box office hit, grossing over $98.5 million worldwide and becoming one of the highest-grossing films in South Korea.
The prequel, Seoul Station (2016), though not as widely recognized as Train to Busan, received positive reviews for its exploration of the origins of the zombie outbreak and its animation style. The film was awarded the Best Animated Feature Film at the 10th edition of the Asian Pacific Screen Awards in 2016.
The standalone sequel, Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula also known as Peninsula (2020), set four years after the original, also performed well commercially, grossing over $42.7 million worldwide. While it received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its action and special effects but others feeling it lacked the emotional impact of its predecessor, it solidified the series’ reputation and expanded its fan base.
Overall, the Train to Busan series is celebrated for its unique blend of horror, action, and emotional storytelling, making a significant impact on the zombie genre and cementing its place in popular culture.
Films
| Title | Korean title | Release date | Director | Writer(s) | Main cast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train to Busan | 부산행 | May 13, 2016 | Yeon Sang-ho | Park Joo-suk | Gong Yoo, Ma Dong-seok, Jung Yu-mi, Kim Su-an |
| Seoul Station | 서울역 | August 18, 2016 | Yeon Sang-ho | Yeon Sang-ho | Shim Eun-kyung, Ryu Seung-ryong, Lee Joon |
| Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula | 반도 | July 5, 2020 | Yeon Sang-ho | Park Joo-Suk & Yeon Sang-ho | Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Kwon Hae-hyo |
| Untitled Peninsula sequel | TBA | TBA | Yeon Sang-ho | TBA |
Train to Busan Movie Series Storyline:
Train to Busan (2016)
The film follows the story of Seok-woo, a workaholic and selfish fund manager who is divorced and estranged from his young daughter, Su-an. For Su-an’s birthday, she wishes to visit her mother in Busan, and Seok-woo reluctantly agrees to take her on a high-speed train from Seoul to Busan. As the train departs, a zombie outbreak suddenly erupts across South Korea, caused by a leak at a biotech plant. An infected woman boards the train, quickly turning into a zombie and spreading the infection to other passengers. The infection rapidly spreads through the train, leading to chaos and panic.
Seoul Station (2016)
The film explores how the zombie epidemic began in South Korea before the events of Train to Busan. It begins with an elderly, homeless man showing signs of severe illness as he stumbles through the streets near Seoul Station. He eventually collapses, and his condition rapidly deteriorates, turning him into a zombie. As he attacks others, the infection quickly spreads among the homeless population and commuters.
Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula (2020)
The film takes place four years after the first film Train to Busan. The story follows Jung-seok, a soldier who previously escaped the diseased wasteland, who relives the horror when assigned to a covert operation with two simple objectives: retrieve and survive. When his team unexpectedly stumbles upon survivors, their lives will depend on whether the best or worst of human nature prevails in the direst of circumstances.
Train to Busan Movie Series Box Office Collection:
| Film | Budget | Domestic Collection | International Collection | Total Collection | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train to Busan | $8.5 million | $80.5 million | $18 million | $98.5 million | Positive |
| Seoul Station | $575,000 | N/A | N/A | $2.02 million | Positive |
| Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula | $16 million | $28.7 million | $14 million | $42.7 million | mixed |
Train to Busan Movie Series Watching Order:
To watch the Train to Busan Movie series in the order that provides the best understanding of the storyline and its development, follow this sequence:
1. Seoul Station (2016): This animated prequel explores the origins of the zombie outbreak in South Korea and provides background context for the events that unfold in the later films.
2. Train to Busan (2016): The main film in the series, follows a group of passengers on a high-speed train from Seoul to Busan during the zombie outbreak.
3. Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula (2020): This standalone sequel is set four years after the events of Train to Busan and follows a new group of characters as they navigate the zombie-infested Korean peninsula.
By watching the series in this order, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the timeline and the progression of the zombie outbreak in the “Train to Busan” universe.