Discovering The Rich Heritage Of Egyptian Cinema

By WatchListHQSeptember 4, 2025
Egyptian cinema has a long and storied history, with a wide range of films that showcase the country's unique culture and perspectives. From classic dramas to modern thrillers, Egyptian movies offer a fascinating glimpse into the lives and experiences of the people who call this ancient land home.

One of the most striking aspects of Egyptian cinema is its ability to balance traditional values with modern themes and ideas. Many films from the region explore the complexities of Egyptian society, delving into issues such as social justice, personal freedom, and the challenges of living in a rapidly changing world.

At the same time, Egyptian movies often possess a unique sense of humor and wit, with comedies that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. Whether you're interested in drama, romance, or adventure, there's something for everyone in the world of Egyptian cinema.

In this curated selection of films, we'll be exploring some of the most compelling and insightful movies to come out of Egypt in recent years. With a focus on quality and diversity, this list is designed to introduce viewers to the rich heritage of Egyptian cinema, and to showcase the many talented filmmakers who are helping to shape the country's cinematic landscape.
Bittersweet
View Movie

Bittersweet

#1

An Egyptian-American returns to his homeland after twenty years abroad, filled with nostalgia and high hopes. But as he reconnects with his roots, he finds himself caught between two worlds—and begins to experience the reality of a country he thought he knew.

2010131 min
ComedyDrama
7.5
81 votes
Cairo Time
View Movie

Cairo Time

#2

In Cairo on her own as she waits for her husband, Juliette finds herself caught in a whirlwind romance with his friend Tareq, a retired cop. As Tareq escorts Juliette around the city, they find themselves in the middle of a brief affair that catches them both unawares.

200988 min
DramaRomance
6.0
79 votes
The Square
View Movie

The Square

#3

The Square looks at the hard realities faced day-to-day by people working to build Egypt’s new democracy. Cairo’s Tahrir Square is the heart and soul of the film, which follows several young activists. Armed with values, determination, music, humor, an abundance of social media, and sheer obstinacy, they know that the thorny path to democracy only began with Hosni Mubarak’s fall. The life-and-death struggle between the people and the power of the state is still playing out.

201388 min
DocumentaryDramaHistory
7.6
155 votes
The Three Friends
View Movie

The Three Friends

#4

Three friends are arrested after committing an accident with their car. After finishing their sentence, they become partners with the owner of a decoration workshop. But he deceives them and spends the money in gambling. They force him to sign a waiver of his workshop but he wants to get it back.

196692 min
Drama
6.1
87 votes
Tarek's Situation
View Movie

Tarek's Situation

#5

Tarek is a young man who is working at a telecommunications company,and he fell in love with a girl when he heard her voice in a radio talk show. A customer of the company he works at asks him to spy on a girl which stole a valuable thing from him. When Tarek does his searches, he discovers that she is the girl he have dreamed about.

2006110 min
RomanceComedy
7.0
55 votes
She Made Me a Criminal
View Movie

She Made Me a Criminal

#6

The movie is about a very naive young man, who wants to fix his house before it falls, but does not have the money, and rich girl who likes to spend money uncontrollably, whose father is scrooge, who would not give her access to her trust fund. In order to force her father to give her money, she stages a kidnapping with the assistance of her best friend and the naive young man, who ends up falling in love with her.

2006104 min
RomanceComedyAdventure
6.7
51 votes
Perfect Strangers
View Movie

Perfect Strangers

#7

A dinner party unravels when a tight group of friends agree to leave their phones unlocked on the table, exposing juicy interactions and dark secrets.

202299 min
ComedyDramaThriller
6.2
75 votes
Clash
View Movie

Clash

#8

In 2013, in Cairo, a tragic fate brings together several detainees from different political and social backgrounds inside a police truck, during the turmoil that followed the ousting of president Morsi.

201695 min
ThrillerDrama
7.4
95 votes
Cairo 6,7,8
View Movie

Cairo 6,7,8

#9

Three women seek justice due to the difficult daily situation which sexual harassment causes in the streets of Cairo, Egypt.

2010100 min
Drama
7.4
70 votes
Zaki Chan
View Movie

Zaki Chan

#10

Trouble follows Zaki wherever he goes, until he finds out that his father's boss needs a bodyguard for his kids and he decides to apply for the job even though he doesn't really fit the requirements.

2005114 min
Comedy
6.7
51 votes
Cairo Station
View Movie

Cairo Station

#11

Qinawi, a physically challenged peddler who makes his living selling newspapers in the central Cairo train station, is obsessed with Hanuma, an attractive young woman who sells drinks. While she jokes with him about a possible relationship, she is actually in love with Abu Siri, a strong and respected porter at the station who is struggling to unionize his fellow workers to combat their boss' exploitative and abusive treatment.

195877 min
CrimeDramaThriller
7.4
125 votes
The Yacoubian Building
View Movie

The Yacoubian Building

#12

portrays the lives of residents in an old Cairo building "The Yacoubian Building", highlighting issues like corruption, extremism, class disparity, and sexuality. Through diverse characters, the film offers a critical examination of the Egyptian society

2006161 min
Drama
7.4
57 votes
The Blue Elephant
View Movie

The Blue Elephant

#13

After a five-year hiatus, psychiatrist Yehia returns to work at Abbasiya Hospital. He’s assigned to evaluate a patient who turns out to be his old friend. As events unfold, Yehia uncovers dark secrets that challenge his understanding of reality.

2014151 min
ThrillerDramaMystery
7.0
95 votes
122
View Movie

122

#14

During a bloody night, a young man and his lover are struggling, not to get to the hospital, but to escape and survive.

201995 min
HorrorThriller
5.8
54 votes
The Night of Counting the Years
View Movie

The Night of Counting the Years

#15

Set in 1881, a year before the start of British colonial rule, it is based on the true story of the Abd el-Rasuls, an Upper-Egyptian clan that had been robbing a cache of mummies they have discovered at tomb DB320 near the village of Kurna, and selling the artifacts on the black market. After a conflict within the clan, one of its members made a crucial decision when the Antiquities Service arrived.

1969102 min
DramaHistory
7.7
55 votes
The Attack
View Movie

The Attack

#16

An Arab surgeon living in Tel Aviv discovers a dark secret about his wife in the aftermath of a suicide bombing.

2012102 min
Drama
6.8
87 votes