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What are the best Arabic series and movies on Netflix?

Netflix offers Arabic TV series and dramas (musalsal). Watch them in Arabic with English subtitles!

Last updated: 4 weeks ago

This page is regularly updated.

Watching Arabic TV series (musalalat – مُسَلْسَلات) is a decent way to study dialects. However, it used to be the situation that there were a) no English subtitles available and b) the quality was bad. Netflix has started to fix that. So, what are the best Arabic shows on Netflix to learn Arabic? Some recommendations.


Tip: Follow this link to get an overview of all Arabic series and movies on Netflix.

Arabic TV series on Netflix

The numbers are not a ranking, they are just to help you find the series.
In the end, it's all a matter of taste.
Note that some shows might not be available in all countries.

Crashing Eid

This is the second Netflix comedy series based in Saudi-Arabia and is created by Saudi filmmaker Nora Aboushousha

netflix crashing aid 1160x869 jpg
What are the best Arabic series and movies on Netflix? 78

What's the story? In the Netflix comedy Crashing Eid, Razan tries to convince her Saudi Arabian family that her British-Pakistani fiancé is the one for her. The family drama-comedy tackles social romantic taboos and tries to show the new face of Saudi Arabia (women do not necessarily have to be fully covered, etc.) The actors are from Saudi Arabia or at least have a connection to Saudi Arabia.

Dialects? Saudi Arabic.

Watch it on netflix

The Secret of the Nile

Original title: Grand Hotel. This was a big hit in Egypt and was aired during Ramadan 2016t! It is based on a Spanish show (Grand Hotel) which is also the reason that Netflix changed the title to The Secret of the Nile.

secret of the nile
Screenshot: Netflix – Secret of the Nile

What's the story? The drama follows a young man named Ali in the 1950s who visits a prestigious hotel in to search for his missing sister, who had been employed there as a maid. He didn't plan on falling in love with the owner's daughter though, but a better turn of events couldn't have happened as both try to solve the mystery of the missing sister in the mythical halls of the Grand Hotel. It is based on a Spanish drama

Secret of the Nile is, for sure, one of the best Egyptian dramas which were recently released.

Dialects? Egyptian Arabic.

Watch it on netflix

Dubai Bling

Step off the private jet and into a high-flying social circle in , where lavish parties, stunning skylines and jaw-dropping fashion are the norm.

dubai bling 1160x765 jpg
Screenshot: Netflix – Dubai Bling

Dialects? Mostly Emirate ().

Watch it on netflix

Paranormal

After a skeptical hematologist is plunged into a series of inexplicable events, he unwillingly becomes the go-to-guy for paranormal investigations.

netflix paranormal 1160x765 jpg
Screenshot: Netflix – Paranormal

Dialects? Egyptian Arabic

Watch it on netflix

The Cage

A marriage counselor tries to dissuade his warring clients from getting a divorce while juggling his own romantic dilemmas. When a couple argues over fried eggs, their marriage counselor asks them to revisit the time when they met, in the era of cassette tapes and pagers. It is Netflix's first Kuwaiti project

netflix the cage 1160x643 jpg
Screenshot: Netflix – The Cage

Genre? Dramedy

Dialects? Kuwaiti Arabic.

Watch it on Netflix

Finding Ola

The six-episode series Finding Ola (البحث عن عُلا) continues the story of pharmacist Ola Abd elSabour (علا عبد الصبور) from the comedy series Ayza Atgawez – عايزة أتجوز (I Want To Get Married) which was launched in 2010. The main character is now forty years old and faces life-altering events.

ayzaatgawwez
Screenshot: Netflix – Finding Ola

What's the story? The story follows the quest of a recently divorced housewife and mother of two to start all over in the search for a new purpose and self-discovery. You can read more about it here.

Dialects? Egyptian Arabic.

Watch it on netflix

Drama Queen

The Egyptian satire series Drama Queen, which mixes puppets and live-action, follows the adventures of diva puppet Abla Fahit.

It is love or hate it. Some people say that Drama Queen is one of the worst series ever produced by Netflix. However, there is some history about the character. Abla Fahita was also hosted on the show Bassem Youssef until the government shut it down.

ablafahita
Screenshot: Netflix – Abla Fahita

Dialects? Egyptian Arabic.

Watch it on netflix

Palestinian Stories

Netflix's Palestinian collection, titled “Palestinian Stories”, is made up of 32 award-winning films that are either directed by Palestinian filmmakers or tell Palestinian stories. The films are mainly about Palestinian life in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza.

Palestinian movies
What are the best Arabic series and movies on Netflix? 79

The collection includes the works of prominent and prolific directors such as Annemarie Jacir, Mai al-Masry, Mahdi Fleifel, Suzan Youssef, Mai Odeh, Farah al-Nabulsi, Basil Khalil, and many others.

Among the films to be aired, five have won international awards:

  • Ghost Hunting, which won the Berlinale's first Silver Bear for Best Documentary.
  • Ave Maria gave its director Basil Khalil his first Oscar nomination.
  • A World Not Ours
  • Divine Intervention, which won the Jury Prize at Cannes in 2002 and became the first Palestinian film ever to be submitted for consideration at the Oscars.
  • Maradona's Legs is a heartwarming story that shows a slice of Palestinian life in the 1990s through the eyes of two little boys.

Dialects? Palestinian Arabic.

Watch it on netflix

Farha (movie)

I wouldn't say it is a great movie based on the cast and directing. However, the movie is important as the topic of the Palestinians who were expelled in 1948 is usually only told from the Jewish side. Farha, directed by a Jordanian filmmaker, tells the story from the Palestinian side: the .

farha netflix 1160x599 jpg
Netflix – screenshot Farha

Dialects? Palestinian Arabic.

Watch it on netflix

Al Rawabi School for Girls – the second Netflix production

A Jordanian mini-series.

What's the story? At the prestigious Al Rawabi School for Girls (مدرسة الروابي للبنات), the outcasts are the ones with the daring plans to take down the bullies. It is the story of how a bullied girl gets revenge on her bullies, only to find out that no one is all bad, and no one is all good, including herself.

Should you watch it? It is Netflix's second Middle Eastern original. Although it is a rich-kid school, the dialogues are in Arabic (all main actors are Jordanian) and with the English subs it is simply great. The story is interesting, as bullying is quite universal in any culture – and the girls are really mean! I want to avoid giving you any spoiler, but the final is quite dramatic, a typical Arab drama.

al rawabi netflix
What are the best Arabic series and movies on Netflix? 80

Dialects? Mainly Jordanian Arabic.

Watch it on netflix

Takki

What's the story? With a title that's Saudi slang for relax – Takki is a drama TV series that talks about how life is in Saudi Arabia. In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a young aspiring filmmaker and his circle of friends grapple with family expectations, gender roles, romance and rivalry.

Since no cable channel would air this show, it was first put exclusively on YouTube and became a hit! With Saudi society being one of the most conservative societies in the Middle East, Takki Series depicts its monarchy and strict Wahabbism.

takki Netflix
What are the best Arabic series and movies on Netflix? 81

Dialects? Saudi-Arabian (Gulf) Arabic.

Watch it on netflix

Six Windows in the Desert

What's the story? Six Windows in the Desert is a series of short films created by Saudi-Arabian filmmakers.

The series offers an insight into stories told through a Saudi lens, tackling topics including social taboos and extremism.

What are the best Arabic series and movies on Netflix? 82

Dialects? Saudi-Arabian (Gulf) Arabic.

Watch it on netflix

Alexandria, why? (movie)

Alexandria… Why? (إسكندرية ليه) is a 1979 Egyptian drama film directed by Youssef Chahine. The film portrays the early life of the director in his home city, Alexandria.

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Netflix: Alexandria, why?
Watch it on netflix

Black Crows

What's the story? Black Crows (غرابيب سود) tells the story of women forced to live in the so-called “Islamic State”.

blackcrows
Credit: Screenshot Netflix.

Dialects? You will encounter various Arabic dialects.

Watch it on netflix

al-Hayba

Al-Hayba (الهيبة) is a Lebanese-Syrian Arabic drama series (Ramadan 2017) which is also now on Netflix. It is set in a fictional Lebanese village called al-Hayba near the Lebanese-Syrian border.

alhayba
screenshot netflix

What's the story? In a village by the Lebanon-Syria border, the head of an arms-smuggling clan contends with family conflicts, power struggles and complicated love.

Dialects? The series is in Lebanese and Syrian dialect.

Watch it on netflix

Jinn

Jinn 1
picture: secreenshot netflix

What's the story? A field trip to Petra causes two Jinns (جن) – one good, the other evil – to enter the human realm, turning high school into a supernatural battleground.

Dialects? Mainly Jordanian.

Should you watch it? This series stirred a lot of trouble in the Arab world – mainly because the young people in the series were kissing and drinking alcohol. But to be honest, I watched the series and found it really of poor quality (mainly the acting and the dialogues). Ob IMDB the rating is extremely poor: 3.4 (July 2019). So, is it worth watching? If you only want to train your Arabic, definitely yes!

Watch it on netflix
Source: youtube

Justice

What's the story? Defying pressure to join her father's firm, a determined young lawyer strikes out on her own and fights to maintain faith in Abu Dhabi's justice system.

picture credit: netflix

Dialects? Mainly Gulf Arabic.

Watch it on netflix

Dollar

What's the story? Zeina, an assistant to the CEO has no choice: in order to get a dollar bill worth 1 million dollars, she has to ally herself with Casanova Tarek, for better or worse. A Lebanese drama!

doillar
picture credit: netflix

Dialects? Mainly Lebanese and some mix.

Watch it on netflix

Whispers

When suspicions grow around the death of their patriarch, an affluent family begin to peel back the truth as dark secrets come to light.

whispers
What are the best Arabic series and movies on Netflix? 83

Dialects? Mainly Hejazi dialect.

Watch it on netflix

The Fastest

In November 2021, Netflix launched The Fastest, featuring male and female drivers from across the Arab world who go head-to-head in a car racing competition to win a cash prize.

Dialects? Mainly Lebanese and some mix.

thefastest 1160x815 jpg
Screenshot: Netflix – The Fastest

On Netflix – but NOT worldwide

Netflix is tricky. Depending on where you live, you may have access to more Arabic musalsalat. You have to try – just click on the links below, and you will see if the page will open.

Adel Karam: Live from Beirut

From Casino du Liban, Lebanese actor and comedian Adel Karam delivers earthy punchlines on kissing norms, colonoscopies and a memorable trip to Africa.

What's great: You get subtitles in Lebanese Arabic!

netflix adel karam 1160x802 jpg
Screenshot Netflix

Scattered Barriers

Scattered Barriers is the first Netflix original from Oman: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a taxi driver and his family face upheaval, unemployment and devastating personal tragedies.

scattered barriers netflix
Screenshot Netflix – Scattered Barriers

Till Death – ‘Lil Mawt'

The Lebanese drama series Lil Mawt (للموت) is about love and temptation: Amid a marriage on the rocks, Reem's husband succumbs to adulterous temptation, but this lusty encounter will change the couple's lives forever. The second season is available on Netflix.

netflix lelmawt
Screenshot: Netflix

The Platform

In The Platform (المِنَصة‎), a programming genius builds a fact-finding, truth-seeking internet portal while reckoning with trouble at home. This Syrian series (2020) revolves around Karam El Sayed (played by Maxim Khalil), a programmer, who starts a truth-finding mission.

He had a complicated youth. His brother Adam was misused by a family friend and extremist group leader. His abusive father, a carpenter, is involved in the same group. This led to him mistrusting every person he meets and eventually creating an open-source-based truth finder, which he calls “the platform.”

theplatform
Screenshot: Netflix

Cairo Class

A group of women leaves Kuwait to attend university in Cairo, embarking on personal journeys filled with romance and self-discovery. You can watch Cairo Class (دفعة القاهرة) here on Netflix.

cairo class musalsal
Screenshot: Netflix

Peasants' Rebellion

Mid-19th century Lebanon, and Maronite peasant Tanyus Shahin is leading an uprising against his feudal overlords. Peasants' Rebellion is a retelling of his struggle.

peasantsrebellion
Screenshot: Netflix

With 61 episodes on Netflix, this is a series perfect for a long-weekend or for cold winter nights.

Tayee

Tayea (طايع), a doctor from Upper Egypt, refuses to take revenge for his deceased father. He suddenly finds himself involved in a number of crimes, including antiquities smuggling. He learns that his brother is working with the biggest smuggler of ancient Egyptian artifacts.

Tayea accepts to work undercover for the police in the smuggling business, claiming that he is a “tracker” and can sense where artifacts are buried in tombs underground. Available on Netflix UK (@SalmanSiddiqui – thanks for telling me) but not on Netflix Germany.

tayee
What are the best Arabic series and movies on Netflix? 84

Arabic Nostalgia

For people in the US or UK, this link should work: https://netflix.com/ArabicNostalgia

You may get access to many Arabic movies from the 80's and 90's with English subtitles!

Mosul

Mosul (الموصل‎): After his life is saved by a rogue Iraqi squadron, a young police officer joins them in their fight against ISIS in a decimated Mosul. Starring: Suhail Dabbach, Adam Bessa, Is'haq Elias.

What are the best Arabic series and movies on Netflix? 85

The writer

The Writer (الكاتب): When accused of a murder eerily parallel to a plot in his novel, a best-selling crime writer must navigate a web of hidden enemies. Starring: Syrian actor Bassel Khayyat and Lebanese actress Daniella Rahme.

I Have a Script

I Have a Script (أنا عندي نص): After the death of a loved one, a woman decides to pursue her passion for writing by penning television scripts. Starring: Kuwaiti actress Souad Abdullah and Shujoun Al-Hajri.

Netflix Arabic
photo credit: Screenshot netflix.com

What If?

What If? (ماذا لو): Four individuals at a crossroads in life are given the chance to take both paths, and decide which road is best for them. Starring: Munther Rayhana, Khaled Amin, Aseel Omran, and Rawan Mahdi.

In the Bosom of a Thorn

In the Bosom of a Thorn (حضن الشوك): After the invasion of Kuwait, a woman's infant daughter is taken from. Now, her daughter looks to make her way back home years later. Starring: Kuwaiti actress Elham Fadala.

Hidden Worlds

Hidden Worlds (عوالم خفية): While investigating an actress's supposed suicide and her connection to the mafia, a veteran journalist discovers that corruption runs deep. Starring: Adel Imam, Salah Abdallah, Hiba Majdi.

Tango

Tango (تانغو): Shocking secrets begin to unravel when the aftermath of a car crash leaves four best friends questioning the truth of their relationships.

Can You Bypass Netflix's Geo-Blocking?

Yes, this is possible. Netflix is using different content libraries. Each one belongs to a specific geographic region. For example, if you're in Germany, you'll use the DE Netflix library. This can be pretty annoying.

Although most blockbusters are available worldwide, independent movies and Arabic series are not available in all regions. Especially Netflix in Germany lacks many good Arabic series.

The reason why Netflix catalogs differ from country to country is obvious: copyright law. Producers and distributors use different contracts for several countries; thus, it happens that one series may be available in one country but not in another.

But you can try to bypass that – with a VPN!

When you visit Netflix, the VPN server will act as a middleman between Netflix and your device. Basically, it will intercept your connection data packages, and forward them to Netflix.

Netflix now thinks that your requests are coming from the VPN server. Since requests contain IPs, Netflix only sees the VPN server's IP address. Your device's IP remains hidden.

So, all you need is a VPN provider. VPNs are tools that hide your IP address, sensitive provider data, and encrypt your traffic. Netflix uses a VPN detection system that will ban suspicious IP addresses known to belong to a VPN. But there are some VPN providers which still work, for example, Nordvpn, ExpressVPN.

I will show now what you need to do in order to watch all the Netflix stuff you like.

Check which country offers your desired film or series

Go to the website https://streamcatcher.proprivacy.com/
Search for the series. It will tell you which countries offer it on Netflix.

Adjust the country in your VPN

If you don't have a VPN subscription yet, check which VPN work well with Netflix (google “VPN Netflix”). Once you have installed the VPN, connect to a recommended server in the country you need (which you found out in step 1). That's it. You should now be able to watch the series on Netflix.

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Maya
Maya
5 years ago

Hi thanks for the post! There’s a new show called Hidden Worlds (عوالم خفية) it’s in Egyptian dialect. It’s decent quality and has subtitles

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