It’s 2023 and there’s no reason to restrict yourself by the boundaries of borders and languages. Thanks to popular OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, we now have a rich selection of movies and shows in different foreign languages that we can watch to broaden our minds.
Our exploration into finding non-English or our native language movies led us to Arabic content that opened up a world of exciting stories for us. From heartwarming romantic comedies to unsettling tales about countries ravaged by war, there’s something for every kind of movie watcher from the region. Here are some of our favourite Arabic movies that you can watch online right now…
Best Arabic Movies To Watch Online
Alkhallat+ (2023)
This Saudi comedy thriller is based on disruptive Arabic content collective Telfaz11’s YouTube series Alkhallat (2017) that was hugely popular, garnering more than 1.5 billion views across platforms. The film tells four different stories of deception and trickery.
Watch it here
West Beirut (1998)
Set in 1975, this harrowing tale of war and its effects on humanity is told through the lens of a teenage boy named Tarek and his family. The Lebanese movie gained widespread critical acclaim and was even selected as the country’s official entry for Best Foreign Film at the 1999 Oscars.
Watch it here
Barakah Meets Barakah (2016)
If you love sweet and lighthearted rom-coms, then this one is perfect for you. Set in the conservative Saudi city of Jeddah, the story follows the unlikely romance between a government servant and a social media influencer amidst the country’s rigid social conventions.
Watch it here
The Matchmaker (2023)
Another masterpiece from Telfaz11, the movie is a psychological thriller with supernatural elements. It follows a married IT worker who becomes infatuated with an office intern. What happens next is something you must experience yourself.
Watch it here
Wadjda (2012)
The groundbreaking movie was director Haffia-Al-Mansour’s debut, making her the first female director from Saudi Arabia. The heartwarming story follows a 10-year-old girl who dreams of owning and riding a cycle, something which was considered illegal in the country up till 2013. The movie became a festival-favourite at the time of its release and even secured a BAFTA nomination.
Watch it here
