Palestinian Movies: Top 25 Award-Winning Films from Palestine

The landscape of Palestinian movies is one of the most emotionally powerful in world cinema. Rooted in cultural heritage and shaped by decades of history, these films tell stories of love, loss, resilience, and identity. From deeply moving family dramas to gripping thrillers and groundbreaking documentaries, Palestinian cinema blends artistry with truth, offering audiences a rare and essential perspective.

This list of the top 25 Palestinian movies, ranked by IMDb rating and critical acclaim, reflects the diversity and strength of Palestinian storytelling. Whether you are exploring this cinema for the first time or deepening your appreciation, these works are essential viewing for anyone interested in films that speak both to the heart and to the human condition.

Top 25 Palestinian Movies Ranked by IMDb Rating

25. Chronicle of a Disappearance (1996)

• Starring: Elia Suleiman, Ula Tabari

• Director: Elia Suleiman

• Genre: Drama

• Runtime: 88 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.0

This is a landmark in Palestinian movies, directed by the acclaimed Elia Suleiman. Told through fragmented vignettes, the film captures moments of everyday life with quiet humor and political undertones. It reflects the confusion, resilience, and adaptability of Palestinians living within complex social realities. Suleiman uses minimal dialogue and striking visuals to evoke deep emotion, making this an unforgettable debut that resonates far beyond its runtime.

24. Salt of this Sea (2008)

• Starring: Suheir Hammad, Saleh Bakri

• Director: Annemarie Jacir

• Genre: Drama

• Runtime: 109 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.0

In this bold feature debut, Annemarie Jacir delivers one of the most poignant Palestinian movies of the 21st century. The story follows Soraya, a Brooklyn-born Palestinian who travels to reclaim her family’s stolen heritage. Her journey becomes a powerful exploration of identity, belonging, and personal resistance. The film seamlessly blends romance, political commentary, and social realism, capturing the emotional pull of home and the pain of displacement in a way few films dare to attempt.

23. Pomegranates and Myrrh (2008)

• Starring: Yasmine Al-Massri, Ali Suliman, Hiam Abbass

• Director: Najwa Najjar

• Genre: Romantic Drama

• Runtime: 95 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.1

One of the most visually striking Palestinian movies, this romantic drama tells the story of Kamar, a spirited dancer whose husband is arrested shortly after their wedding. While she struggles with loneliness and injustice, dance becomes her form of rebellion and self-expression. The lush cinematography and heartfelt performances reflect both the tenderness of love and the determination to keep living fully, even under the shadow of political oppression.

22. The Time That Remains (2009)

• Starring: Elia Suleiman, Ali Suliman, Saleh Bakri

• Director: Elia Suleiman

• Genre: Drama

• Runtime: 109 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.1

This semi-autobiographical masterpiece is among the most personal Palestinian movies ever made. Spanning decades from 1948 to the present, it chronicles Suleiman’s family life against the backdrop of occupation. The film masterfully mixes dry humor with moments of profound sadness, capturing the absurdities and heartbreaks of everyday existence. It’s a quiet, contemplative journey that speaks volumes about identity, memory, and the persistence of hope.

21. Wajib (2017)

• Starring: Mohammad Bakri, Saleh Bakri

• Director: Annemarie Jacir

• Genre: Drama

• Runtime: 96 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.2

Set in Nazareth, Wajib offers a rare and intimate glimpse into Palestinian family life. A father and son drive through town delivering wedding invitations, a tradition known as “wajib” or duty. What seems like a simple errand becomes a deeply layered exploration of generational divides, love, and unspoken tensions. One of the most celebrated Palestinian movies in recent years, it combines warmth, humor, and subtle political commentary into a beautifully acted road movie.

20. Gaza Mon Amour (2020)

• Starring: Salim Daw, Hiam Abbass

• Directors: Tarzan Nasser, Arab Nasser

• Genre: Romantic Comedy-Drama

• Runtime: 87 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.2

This charming and unconventional romance stands out in the world of Palestinian movies. It follows Issa, a 60-year-old fisherman who discovers an ancient statue and decides to finally confess his love to Siham, a local dressmaker. The film blends gentle humor with a touch of magical realism, while subtly addressing the political climate of Gaza. It’s a story about finding love and joy even in the most challenging circumstances.

19. When I Saw You (2012)

• Starring: Mahmoud Asfa, Ruba Blal, Saleh Bakri

• Director: Annemarie Jacir

• Genre: Drama

• Runtime: 93 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.3

One of the most heartfelt Palestinian movies, this coming-of-age drama is set in 1967 and follows an 11-year-old boy living in a refugee camp with his mother. Determined to find his father, he sets off on an adventure that becomes a journey of self-discovery. The film’s hopeful tone, even in the face of hardship, makes it a deeply moving portrayal of innocence, courage, and the search for freedom.

18. 200 Meters (2020)

• Starring: Ali Suliman, Anna Unterberger

• Director: Ameen Nayfeh

• Genre: Drama

• Runtime: 96 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.4

This gripping drama tells the story of a man separated from his wife and children by a mere 200 meters, with an Israeli wall between them. When his son is hospitalized, he embarks on a risky journey to reach him, crossing checkpoints and facing unexpected dangers. As one of the most intense recent Palestinian movies, it’s both a thrilling narrative and a commentary on the barriers—both physical and emotional—that shape lives.

17. Omar (2013)

• Starring: Adam Bakri, Waleed Zuaiter, Leem Lubany

• Director: Hany Abu-Assad

• Genre: Thriller / Drama

• Runtime: 98 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.5

One of the most internationally acclaimed Palestinian movies, Omar is a taut thriller about love, betrayal, and survival under occupation. Omar regularly risks his life to see Nadia, the woman he loves, but his world is shattered when he’s captured by the authorities and forced into a dangerous game of loyalty and deception. With its intense pacing and emotional depth, this film leaves a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.

16. The Wanted 18 (2014)

• Starring: Voices of various actors

• Directors: Amer Shomali, Paul Cowan

• Genre: Documentary / Animation

• Runtime: 75 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.5

A unique entry in the world of Palestinian movies, The Wanted 18 blends animation, live-action documentary footage, and interviews to tell an extraordinary true story from the First Intifada. When the residents of Beit Sahour decide to start their own dairy farm to become self-sufficient, they purchase 18 cows. The Israeli military deems these cows a security threat, leading to a bizarre and humorous chase. The film uses its whimsical style to highlight serious themes of civil disobedience, community resilience, and grassroots resistance. It’s both an engaging history lesson and a testament to the creativity that often defines Palestinian movies, showing how everyday acts can become symbols of defiance.

15. Private (2004)

• Starring: Mohammad Bakri, Lior Miller, Areen Omari

• Director: Saverio Costanzo

• Genre: Drama

• Runtime: 90 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.6

Few Palestinian movies capture the tension of occupation as intensely as Private. Inspired by true events, the film centers on a Palestinian family whose home is seized by Israeli soldiers. Refusing to leave, the father insists on nonviolent resistance, creating a daily standoff within the house’s walls. The film’s minimal set design amplifies the suffocating atmosphere, with every creak of the floorboards and slam of a door heightening the psychological strain. This intimate drama examines moral conviction, courage, and the price of standing one’s ground. It is a stark reminder that Palestinian movies often find their most powerful moments in the smallest, most personal of settings.

14. Jenin, Jenin (2002)

• Starring: Documentary participants

• Director: Mohammad Bakri

• Genre: Documentary

• Runtime: 54 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.6

One of the most controversial yet vital Palestinian movies, Jenin, Jenin presents raw, first-hand accounts from the survivors of the 2002 Battle of Jenin. With unflinching honesty, it captures the destruction, grief, and resilience of a community that endured one of the most intense military assaults in recent history. The absence of narration allows the voices of the townspeople to dominate, turning the film into a powerful oral history. It challenges official narratives and insists on the importance of self-representation. Despite being banned in Israel, it has traveled the globe, becoming a landmark in the fight for narrative sovereignty in Palestinian movies.

13. 5 Broken Cameras (2011)

• Starring: Emad Burnat, family members, local villagers

• Directors: Emad Burnat, Guy Davidi

• Genre: Documentary

• Runtime: 94 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.7

Among the most internationally celebrated Palestinian movies, 5 Broken Cameras is both a personal diary and a political document. Emad Burnat, a Palestinian farmer, begins filming his village’s peaceful protests against Israeli settlement expansion. Over several years, five of his cameras are destroyed—each marking a different chapter in his family’s life and the resistance movement. The film’s intimacy makes it deeply moving; audiences witness the laughter of children, the pain of loss, and the unyielding hope that fuels the villagers’ struggle. It’s an extraordinary example of how Palestinian movies can bridge personal storytelling with broader human rights advocacy.

12. The Present (2020)

• Starring: Saleh Bakri, Mariam Kanj

• Director: Farah Nabulsi

• Genre: Short Drama

• Runtime: 24 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.7

Though only 24 minutes long, The Present demonstrates that some Palestinian movies can leave a lasting impact without a feature-length runtime. The story follows a father and his young daughter as they set out to buy a gift for his wife, navigating checkpoints and the daily indignities of occupation. The bond between father and daughter gives the film emotional warmth, while the tense encounters highlight the obstacles that have become routine in Palestinian life. Winner of a BAFTA and nominated for an Academy Award, it is proof that Palestinian movies can deliver both heart and political commentary with remarkable efficiency.

11. It Must Be Heaven (2019)

• Starring: Elia Suleiman, Gael García Bernal

• Director: Elia Suleiman

• Genre: Comedy / Drama

• Runtime: 97 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.8

Witty, observant, and quietly subversive, It Must Be Heaven is a refreshing addition to modern Palestinian movies. In this semi-autobiographical comedy, director Elia Suleiman plays himself as he travels from Palestine to Paris and New York, encountering absurd situations that remind him of home. With minimal dialogue and carefully composed visuals, the film becomes a universal exploration of displacement and identity. The humor is understated but pointed, and the visuals speak volumes about cultural differences and similarities. It is a testament to the versatility of Palestinian movies, proving they can be as playful as they are profound.

10. The Idol (2015)

• Starring: Tawfeek Barhom, Hiba Attalah

• Director: Hany Abu-Assad

• Genre: Drama / Music

• Runtime: 100 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.9

One of the most uplifting Palestinian movies, The Idol recounts the real-life story of Mohammed Assaf, a young singer from Gaza who rose to fame by winning Arab Idol. The film follows his journey from performing at weddings to captivating a television audience of millions. Along the way, it captures the spirit of hope and determination that defines much of Palestinian life. The music, humor, and heartfelt performances create a film that’s as entertaining as it is inspiring. It stands as proof that Palestinian movies are not limited to political narratives—they can also celebrate triumphs against all odds.

9. Paradise Now (2005)

• Starring: Kais Nashif, Ali Suliman, Lubna Azabal

• Director: Hany Abu-Assad

• Genre: Drama / Thriller

• Runtime: 90 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 7.9

A Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominee, Paradise Now is a tense and thought-provoking thriller that has secured its place among the most significant Palestinian movies. It follows two childhood friends recruited for a suicide bombing mission, chronicling the moral and emotional turmoil that ensues. By focusing on their humanity rather than political rhetoric, the film invites audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about conflict, loyalty, and choice. It’s a prime example of how Palestinian movies can approach controversial topics with both empathy and unflinching honesty.

8. Laila’s Birthday (2008)

• Starring: Mohammad Bakri, Areen Omari

• Director: Rashid Masharawi

• Genre: Drama / Comedy

• Runtime: 71 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 8.0

One of the more lighthearted yet socially aware Palestinian movies, Laila’s Birthday follows a former judge now working as a taxi driver. His mission for the day is simple: get home in time for his daughter’s birthday party. But between navigating checkpoints, bureaucratic red tape, and eccentric passengers, nothing goes as planned. The humor serves as a coping mechanism, showing that even amid hardship, everyday joys remain important. It’s a charming reminder that Palestinian movies can use comedy to address serious realities.

7. In Vitro (2019)

• Starring: Hiam Abbass, Maisa Abd Elhadi

• Director: Larissa Sansour

• Genre: Sci-Fi / Drama

• Runtime: 28 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 8.1

Bold and visually stunning, In Vitro is a rare example of science fiction in Palestinian movies. Set in a post-apocalyptic Bethlehem, the story unfolds as an aging scientist in an underground bunker converses with her young successor about memory, legacy, and the environment. The black-and-white cinematography and philosophical dialogue create a haunting, almost dreamlike atmosphere. It’s a daring experiment that proves Palestinian movies can push genre boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in cultural reflection.

6. Eyes of a Thief (2014)

• Starring: Khaled Abol Naga, Souad Massi

• Director: Najwa Najjar

• Genre: Drama / Thriller

• Runtime: 98 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 8.1

Suspenseful and emotionally charged, Eyes of a Thief blends mystery with human drama, making it one of the most gripping Palestinian movies of the past decade. After serving ten years in prison, a man returns to his West Bank town searching for his daughter, uncovering secrets that challenge his perception of justice and morality. With strong performances and a tense atmosphere, it’s a powerful exploration of redemption and the consequences of one’s past.

5. Amal (2017)

• Starring: Amal

• Director: Mohamed Siam

• Genre: Documentary

• Runtime: 80 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 8.2

Following its protagonist over several formative years, Amal is one of the most personal and moving Palestinian movies. The film tracks Amal’s life from adolescence into adulthood, set against the backdrop of political unrest. It captures her hopes, frustrations, and the unique challenges of growing up in a world where personal freedom is constantly negotiated. The documentary’s intimacy allows viewers to feel a direct connection to its subject, embodying the raw emotional power that defines Palestinian movies.

4. Marooned in Iraq (2002)

• Starring: Shahab Ebrahimi, Faegh Mohammadi

• Director: Bahman Ghobadi

• Genre: Drama

• Runtime: 108 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 8.3

Though created by an Iranian-Kurdish director, Marooned in Iraq resonates with themes common in Palestinian movies—displacement, perseverance, and the redemptive nature of art. It follows a group of musicians on a dangerous journey to find a missing loved one, facing hardship and conflict along the way. The film’s poetic visuals and heartfelt storytelling make it a poignant addition to this list, reflecting struggles that transcend borders.

3. Ticket to Jerusalem (2002)

• Starring: Mohammad Bakri, Areen Omari, Basel Natour

• Director: Rashid Masharawi

• Genre: Drama

• Runtime: 85 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 8.4

A love letter to cinema itself, Ticket to Jerusalem is one of the most inspiring Palestinian movies ever made. It follows a man determined to bring films to remote villages using a mobile cinema, facing countless obstacles along the way. His journey becomes a metaphor for cultural preservation and the belief that stories can unite people. The film is deeply moving, celebrating both the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of art.

2. No Other Land (2024)

• Starring: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

• Directors: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

• Genre: Documentary

• Runtime: 105 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 8.5

One of the most urgent and internationally recognized Palestinian movies of recent years, No Other Land documents the forced displacement of villagers in Masafer Yatta. With raw footage and heartfelt testimonies, it draws global attention to a story that might otherwise go unheard. The collaboration between Palestinian and Israeli activists adds another layer of depth, making it a powerful testament to solidarity and resistance.

1. The Idol (2015)

• Starring: Tawfeek Barhom, Hiba Attalah

• Director: Hany Abu-Assad

• Genre: Drama / Music

• Runtime: 100 minutes

• IMDb Rating: 8.6

At the very top of the list of Palestinian movies, The Idol captures the inspirational true story of Mohammed Assaf’s rise from the streets of Gaza to the stage of Arab Idol. It’s a film that transcends politics, focusing on hope, perseverance, and the universal power of music. Beautifully acted and emotionally stirring, it is both a crowd-pleaser and a symbol of what is possible when dreams refuse to be silenced.

Conclusion – The Enduring Impact of Palestinian Movies

The legacy of Palestinian movies is one of resilience, creativity, and unflinching truth-telling. These films carry the voices of everyday people and the heartbeat of a culture that has endured through decades of challenge and change. They invite viewers around the world to step into the streets of Ramallah, the alleys of Gaza, and the homes of families whose love, humor, and humanity shine despite the difficulties they face.

By blending compelling narratives with authentic cultural insight, Palestinian filmmakers have ensured their work stands proudly alongside global cinema’s finest. The power of Palestinian movies lies in their ability to make local stories resonate universally, turning deeply personal experiences into shared human truths.

For those eager to explore further, the American Film Institute offers resources and programs highlighting diverse international cinema, while Film Comment provides in-depth critical essays and interviews with filmmakers from around the world. Supporting and engaging with these films is more than just enjoying art—it’s contributing to the preservation and amplification of stories that matter.

FAQ About Palestinian Movies