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Introduction
If you’re passionate about cinema and looking for stories that are raw, emotional, and deeply human, then this list of the Top 10 modern Iraqi films is crafted just for you. Over the past decade, modern Iraqi cinema has been steadily making its mark on the global stage—producing films that not only capture the harsh realities of conflict and displacement but also celebrate hope, resistance, and identity.
Whether you’re discovering these films for the first time or revisiting them, each one offers something meaningful. From tales of childhood dreams to harrowing journeys through war zones, these works rank among the most powerful modern Iraqi films to date .
The 10 Best Modern Iraqi Films to Watch Right Now
Each entry below includes: 🎞 Title | ⭐ Rating | 🎥 Genre | 🗓 Year | 🎬 Director | 👥 Notable Actors | 📺 Where to Watch | 🤩 Why You Should Watch It
1. Bekas (2012)
🎬 Summary: Set in Iraqi Kurdistan during the 1990s, Bekas follows two orphaned brothers who dream of traveling to America to meet Superman. Riding a donkey named Michael Jackson, their naive determination becomes an emotional journey of survival and innocence. This heartfelt story earns its place among the Top 10 modern Iraqi films for its charm and resonance.
📌 Title: Bekas
⭐ Rating: 7.4/10
🎞 Genre: Drama, Adventure
🗓 Year: 2012
🎬 Director: Karzan Kader
👥 Notable Actors: Zamand Taha, Sarwar Fazil
📺 Where to Watch: YouTube, Amazon Prime
✅ Why Watch: It’s a warm, funny, and heartbreaking glimpse into a child’s view of a troubled world—one of the most popular Iraqi films globally 🤩🎬
2. Hanging Gardens (2022)
🎬 Summary: In war-torn Baghdad, a boy discovers a discarded sex doll in a landfill, sparking a coming-of-age journey that tests cultural taboos and social norms. Hanging Gardens is bold, poetic, and deeply provocative, showcasing the richness of modern Iraqi films.
📌 Title: Hanging Gardens
⭐ Rating: 6.9/10
🎞 Genre: Drama
🗓 Year: 2022
🎬 Director: Ahmed Yassin Al-Daraji
👥 Notable Actors: Hussain Muhammad, Akram Mazin
📺 Where to Watch: Venice Film Festival, VOD
✅ Why Watch: It’s one of the best Iraqi movies to challenge conventional narratives with sensitivity and originality 📽🗓
3. Europa (2021)
🎬 Summary: A young Iraqi refugee tries to cross into Europe but finds himself hunted by armed vigilantes. Set almost entirely in a dense forest, this tense survival thriller speaks volumes with minimal dialogue, placing it firmly among the most powerful modern Iraqi films.
📌 Title: Europa
⭐ Rating: 7.2/10
🎞 Genre: Thriller, Drama
🗓 Year: 2021
🎬 Director: Haider Rashid
👥 Notable Actors: Adam Ali
📺 Where to Watch: MUBI, Cannes Festival
✅ Why Watch: A gripping and timely exploration of the refugee crisis from an Iraqi perspective 🔥🎬
4. The Journey (2017)
🎬 Summary: On the day of her planned suicide bombing in a Baghdad train station, a young woman encounters a man whose humanity slowly causes her to question everything. The Journey is a psychological drama that dives into personal and political transformation.
📌 Title: The Journey
⭐ Rating: 7.1/10
🎞 Genre: Drama, Psychological
🗓 Year: 2017
🎬 Director: Mohamed Al-Daradji
👥 Notable Actors: Zahraa Ghandour, Ameer Ali Jabarah
📺 Where to Watch: Iraqi theaters, VOD
✅ Why Watch: It’s one of the top 10 modern Iraqi films that portray radicalization from a rarely seen angle 🤯🕊️
5. Haifa Street (2019)
🎬 Summary: In the heart of Baghdad, a sniper terrorizes a street during the U.S. occupation, turning a wedding day into chaos. Gritty and realistic, Haifa Street immerses you in a specific time and place with masterful tension.
📌 Title: Haifa Street
⭐ Rating: 7.0/10
🎞 Genre: War Drama
🗓 Year: 2019
🎬 Director: Mohanad Hayal
👥 Notable Actors: Asaad Abdul Majeed, Ali Thamer
📺 Where to Watch: Arab festivals, Vimeo On Demand
✅ Why Watch: A brutally honest and popular Iraqi film praised for its unflinching narrative 💣📺
6. Mosul (2019)
🎬 Summary: Based on a true story, Mosul follows a SWAT team fighting ISIS to reclaim their city. Produced by the Russo Brothers, this action-heavy film brings Western-scale production to a local story.
📌 Title: Mosul
⭐ Rating: 7.1/10
🎞 Genre: Action, War
🗓 Year: 2019
🎬 Director: Matthew Michael Carnahan
👥 Notable Actors: Suhail Dabbach, Adam Bessa
📺 Where to Watch: Netflix
✅ Why Watch: It’s one of the best Iraqi movies with international reach and hard-hitting realism 🔫📽
7. Baghdad Messi (2013)
🎬 Summary: A boy who lost his leg in a bombing still dreams of becoming a football star like Messi. Heartwarming and devastating, this short film speaks volumes about resilience and hope.
📌 Title: Baghdad Messi
⭐ Rating: 7.4/10
🎞 Genre: Short Drama
🗓 Year: 2013
🎬 Director: Sahim Omar Kalifa
👥 Notable Actors: Ahmed Ali
📺 Where to Watch: YouTube, Festivals
✅ Why Watch: A moving and popular Iraqi film with international acclaim ⚽🎬
8. The Deminer (2017)
🎬 Summary: This documentary follows an Iraqi colonel who disarms thousands of mines by hand. It’s tense, raw, and incredibly real, showing everyday heroism at its most dangerous.
📌 Title: The Deminer
⭐ Rating: 7.4/10
🎞 Genre: Documentary
🗓 Year: 2017
🎬 Director: Hogir Hirori, Shinwar Kamal
👥 Notable Figures: Colonel Fakhir
📺 Where to Watch: Festivals, VOD
✅ Why Watch: Because it’s one of the most powerful modern Iraqi films ever made 🎥🧨
9. Son of Babylon (2010)
🎬 Summary: A boy and his grandmother journey through post-Saddam Iraq in search of the boy’s missing father. Son of Babylon is poetic and tragic, documenting a country in flux.
📌 Title: Son of Babylon
⭐ Rating: 7.2/10
🎞 Genre: Drama, Political
🗓 Year: 2010
🎬 Director: Mohamed Al-Daradji
👥 Notable Actors: Shaza Amari, Yasser Talib
📺 Where to Watch: DVD, Berlinale
✅ Why Watch: A must-see among modern Iraqi films, packed with emotion and history 🕊️🗓️
10. Under the Ashes (2024)
🎬 Summary: In post-ISIS Mosul, a teenage girl searches for her missing sister amid ruins. Directed by a rising female voice in Iraqi cinema, this film shines with emotional intensity.
📌 Title: Under the Ashes
⭐ Rating: N/A
🎞 Genre: Drama
🗓 Year: 2024
🎬 Director: Zainab Abbas
👥 Notable Actors: Fatima Al-Hasani, Ali Kadhim
📺 Where to Watch: Arab festivals
✅ Why Watch: It’s a fresh voice in modern Iraqi cinema, told with nuance and courage 🎬🔥
Conclusion
These top 10 modern Iraqi films represent the voices of a country that has endured, resisted, and now reimagines its identity through cinema. Each film here is a testament to the resilience and creativity of Iraqi filmmakers—and a window into lives too often overlooked. If you’re craving stories that matter, that move you, and that challenge your perspective, these are the best Iraqi movies to start with 🎬🤩
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best modern Iraqi movie to watch first?
Start with Bekas for a heartwarming experience or Europa for something intense and cinematic.
Are Iraqi films available on global streaming platforms?
Yes! Some popular Iraqi films like Mosul are on Netflix, and others are on YouTube or festival platforms.
Do these films have English subtitles?
Most of the modern Iraqi films listed here come with English subtitles, especially those featured in international festivals.
Want more Iraqi cinema recommendations or need images for each film? Just let me know and I’ll help you curate or visualize it 🎥✨
