From heart-tugging family tales to pulse-pounding mysteries, these series and films bring the region’s best voices to your screen. Whether you’re a weekend binge warrior or a “just one more episode” kind of viewer, consider this your guide to the must-watch Arabic titles available on Netflix.
Ready to see why everyone’s talking about them? Let’s dive in.
CATALOG
Meet Youssef, a dad suddenly thrown into the deep end of parenting after losing his wife. But here’s the twist: he’s relying on her YouTube videos for a crash course on how to raise his kids. Cue awkward family moments, the obligatory helpful neighbor and nanny, and a messy but heartfelt journey that’s as real as it gets. If you’ve ever winged parenthood, this one will hit home.
BASMA
Back from studying abroad, Basma returns to Jeddah only to discover her family has been keeping some hard truths under wraps. This coming-of-age drama stars Fatima AlBanawi and peels back the layers of family, identity, and the uncomfortable realities women sometimes face when they step outside the expected roles. A quiet but powerful watch.
SANDCASTLE
Picture this: a family of four stranded on a deserted island, but it’s not what you think. Lebanese director Nadine Labakitakes us on a tense thriller that’s part survival story, part psychological drama. As their fight for survival intensifies, so does the unraveling of the mystery.
THE EXCHANGE
Set in the 1980s, this show follows two women who dive headfirst into the boys’ club of Kuwait’s stock market. Recently divorced, they’re on a mission for financial independence, battling patriarchy with a mix of grit and unexpected humor. It’s a sharp look at courage, ambition, and what it takes to shake up the status quo when the odds aren’t exactly in your favor.
AL RAWABI SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
High school drama just got a major upgrade. Here, the social pecking order is a battlefield, and the bullied girls aren’t taking it lying down. This series dives into the toxic side of teenage life — bullying, cliques, and the pushback that follows when the victims decide to flip the script. Created by Tima Shomali, it’s raw, real, and packed with edge-of-your-seat moments.
PARANORMAL
Step into the supernatural side of Arabic TV with this spine-tingling series. Hematologist Dr. Refaat Ismail encounters a series of eerie, otherworldly events that push him to the edge, and beyond. Blending science and suspense, ‘Paranormal’ crafts a thrilling mystery that keeps you guessing.
FINDING OLA
The sequel to the hit series Ayza Atgawez (I Want to Get Married) picks up with Ola navigating the rollercoaster of motherhood, relationships, and the societal pressures that come with them. Praised for its honest take on modern womanhood and family dynamics in Egypt, this second season digs deeper into the challenges and triumphs that shape Ola’s life.
ALSO READ: TAKE A BREAK FROM DOOMSCROLLING WITH OUR CURATED SUMMER READING LIST.
