Discover the best of Emirati cinema, film, and television
Discover the definitive list of popular and critically-acclaimed movies and TV shows from United Arab Emirates. Find your next binge-watch, streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!
The cinema of United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates represents one of the most exciting emerging film markets in the Middle East, transforming from a cinema-watching culture into a genuine filmmaking powerhouse. While filmmaking is a fledgling industry in the UAE, watching films in cinemas dates back to the 1940s, establishing a foundation of film appreciation that would eventually bloom into creative production. The breakthrough moment came in 2005 when "The Dream" became the first Emirati film to be distributed in cinemas across the UAE, though "Aber Sabeel" by Ali Al Abdool is considered the first Emirati feature film made in the UAE in 1989. This milestone paved the way for contemporary directors like Ali F Mostafa and Nayla Al Khaja, who have enriched Emirati culture through their distinctive storytelling approaches. Dubai has positioned itself as a regional hub through the Dubai International Film Festival, launched in 2004, and the state-of-the-art Dubai Studio City, which attracts international productions alongside nurturing local talent. The emirate's gleaming skylines and diverse landscapes have made it a favourite filming location for both regional and Hollywood productions. Television is experiencing remarkable growth, with local productions gaining international recognition. Netflix has begun commissioning UAE content, including adaptations like "Love is Blind, Habibi" and groundbreaking series featuring people of determination. The streaming revolution has also made the UAE a crucial market for global content providers. What makes UAE cinema unique is its multicultural perspective, reflecting the country's position as a global crossroads where East meets West, creating stories that resonate across diverse audiences whilst maintaining authentic Emirati voices.
Best Emirati series
Al Hayba 2017
In a village by the Lebanon-Syria border, the head of an arms-smuggling clan contends with family conflicts, power struggles and complicated love.
80
Dubai Bling 2022
Step off the private jet and into a high-flying social circle in Dubai, where lavish parties, stunning skylines and jaw-dropping fashion are the norm.
55
Love Is Blind, Habibi 2024
Celebrity couple Khaled Saqer and Elham Ali host this social experiment, where Arab singles connect and commit to marriage — before meeting face-to-face.
59
Tash Ma Tash 1993
A Saudi series that sheds light on the different issues of Saudi society in a lighthearted way, each episode with a different story.
70
Khawatir 2005
A TV show devoted to help young people to be mature in their faith, work & knowledge
75Almeerath 2020
In a toxic environment filled in hatred and deceit. Abdel Mohsen dies leaving a will that shows the true metal of everyone around him.
100
Best Emirati movies
Contagion 2011
As an epidemic of a lethal airborne virus - that kills within days - rapidly grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself.
70
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2012
British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than its advertisements, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways as the residents find new purpose in their old age.
74
Fair Game 2010
A devoted wife and mother leads a secret life as a CIA agent until her husband’s article exposes a scandal, putting her identity and loved ones at risk. As her world crumbles, she must navigate the fallout of her double life.
67
Benji 2018
Two school kids strike up a friendship with an orphaned puppy named Benji. When danger befalls them and they end up kidnapped by robbers who are in over their heads, Benji and his scruffy sidekick come to the rescue.
70
Detour 2017
A young law student, grieving for his dying mother, struggles to decide whether he should kill his unfaithful step-father.
65
Bilal: A New Breed of Hero 2016
A thousand years ago, one boy with a dream of becoming a great warrior is abducted with his sister and taken to a land far away from home. Thrown into a world where greed and injustice rule all, Bilal finds the courage to raise his voice and make a change. Inspired by true events, this is a story of a real hero who earned his remembrance in time and history.
71