W2TCH

116 Essential Iranian Films

116 titles

Default order ↑PopularityIMDb ratingTMDB ratingRelease dateRuntimeTitleBudgetBox office
  1. 101The Next Morning posterThe Next MorningMovie · 1992 · 85mThe film explores the life of Majid through three interconnected stories, focusing on his experiences with misunderstanding and feeling unseen at school. It depicts his fear of a rosary and his attempts to do good deeds, which are complicated by a series of unforeseen challenges.IMDb 7.3TMDB 5.0
  2. 102To Be or Not to Be posterTo Be or Not to BeMovie · 1998 · 91mA young woman with a serious heart condition seeks a donor for a heart transplant.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.0
  3. 103Beautiful City posterBeautiful CityMovie · 2004 · 101m · DramaEighteen-year-old Akbar, who committed murder at sixteen, is moved from a rehabilitation center to prison, awaiting his scheduled execution. A'la, a friend of Akbar's, works tirelessly to persuade the victim's family to halt the impending sentence.Stream onFilm Movement Plus Amazon ChannelFilm Movement PlusHooplaIMDb 7.6TMDB 7.8
  4. 104Ballad of Tara posterBallad of TaraMovie · 1979 · 110m · Fantasy, DramaTara, a young widow, returns to her village with her children after her grandfather's death. There, she discovers an old sword among his belongings that no one wants. While adjusting to life back home and grieving her loss, Tara meets a mysterious warrior who has traveled through time to find the sword. He is unexpectedly captivated by Tara and finds himself bound to her by love when he presents the weapon. This story explores family history, loss, and the power of connection to overcome obstacles, even time itself. As Tara and the warrior develop feelings for each other, they must face their pasts and futures in a blend of history, romance, and personal growth.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.0
  5. 105The Lead posterThe LeadMovie · 1989 · 130mTehran, 1948. A young Jewish couple, Danial and Munes, plan to immigrate to the new state of Israel. Their application is denied due to accusations against Danial's uncle, Yaghub, who is suspected of betrayal. A Zionist agent, Yezghel, murders Yaghub. A neighbor who witnessed the crime is wrongly accused of murder. Fearing for their safety, Munes and Danial flee to northern Iran. The neighbor’s brother, Nuri, a journalist, follows them to bring them back to testify for his brother's innocence.IMDb 6.3TMDB 5.8
  6. 106Prince Ehtejab posterPrince EhtejabMovie · 1975 · 93mPrince Ehtejab, a final heir to the Qajar dynasty, is dying of tuberculosis. In the cold, empty rooms of his palace, he reflects on his family's past – both its grandeur and its shame. He remembers the brutal murder of his mother and brother by his grandfather, and his own role in the death of his wife.IMDb 6.8TMDB 5.3
  7. 107Hamoon posterHamoonMovie · 1990 · 120m · DramaThis character-driven story follows Hamoon as his life unravels: his wife leaves him, and he struggles to finish his Ph.D. thesis. The film explores his emotional journey through vivid flashbacks and dreamlike sequences, as he confronts questions of who he is, what he owes, and what love means. As memories and reality intertwine, we see Hamoon's desperate attempt to overcome despair and find his way forward. The movie offers a deeply honest look at his turbulent thoughts, reflecting on the challenges of relationships and the difficult path to understanding oneself.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.1
  8. 108Bita posterBitaMovie · 1972 · 95m"Bita," Hajir Darioush's only commercially successful film, tells the story of a young woman navigating societal obstacles. The film stars Googoosh.IMDb 6.5TMDB 5.0
  9. 109The Traveler posterThe TravelerMovie · 1974 · 73m · DramaIn a small Iranian village, ten-year-old Hassan Darabi is clever but often acts impulsively. His strong love for the national football team leads him to secretly plan a trip to Tehran to see a major game. To make his dream happen, Hassan devises a series of playful schemes involving his friends and neighbors. This story about growing up shows both the joy of childhood and the complicated relationships within family, friendship, and community as Hassan tries to achieve an unforgettable experience.Stream onCriterion ChannelIMDb 7.5TMDB 7.2
  10. 110Beyond the Fire posterBeyond the FireMovie · 1987 · 98mNowzar and Abdulhamid, brothers in southern Iran, clash over compensation money owed to them by the National Iranian Oil Company for the seizure of their home. Complicating their dispute is Nowzar’s developing affection for Asieh, a saleswoman who is deaf. Winner of Golden Plate for Best Sound Mixing and Golden Plate for Best Director.IMDb 6.8TMDB 5.5
  11. 111Death of Yazdgerd posterDeath of YazdgerdMovie · 1982 · 113mBahram Beyzai's work explores the events surrounding the death of Yazdgerd III, the final Sassanid king of Persia. Yazdgerd's death in 651, amidst the Arab invasions that brought Islam to the region, remains shrouded in mystery. His body was found in a mill, but the precise cause of death and the location of his remains are still unknown.IMDb 8.3TMDB 7.8
  12. 112Fireworks Wednesday posterFireworks WednesdayMovie · 2006 · 102m · DramaIn Tehran, Rouhi, a young woman about to be married, takes a job as a maid for a wealthy family. She's immediately caught in the middle of a volatile domestic situation. The wife believes her husband is cheating and asks Rouhi to secretly follow him and gather evidence. What Rouhi uncovers, though, has devastating consequences, jeopardizing not only the couple's marriage but also her own.Stream onBrewFandorHooplaIMDb 7.6TMDB 7.4
  13. 113The Stranger and the Fog posterThe Stranger and the FogMovie · 1975 · 140mA quiet village by the sea is disturbed when a strange boat washes ashore. The villagers pull a wounded stranger named Ayat from the vessel – he has no memory of who he is or how he arrived, only that he was attacked and barely escaped. As Ayat struggles to piece together his identity and uncover his past, he draws both fascination and distrust from the close-knit community.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.5
  14. 114The Music Man posterThe Music ManMovie · 2007 · 107mAli comes from a wealthy family but is ostracized for pursuing his passion as a santoor player, despite some acclaim for his concerts and teaching. He finds love with a student, but their happiness is short-lived. As life throws challenges his way, Ali struggles with addiction, facing a desperate fight for redemption.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.8
  15. 115Gabbeh posterGabbehMovie · 1996 · 72m · Drama, Mystery, RomanceAn elderly couple carefully cleans their handwoven gabbeh rug, a traditional practice in their community. Their peaceful routine is interrupted by a young woman who helps with the cleaning and shares a personal connection to the rug's design. It turns out she belongs to the family whose heritage is depicted in the intricate artwork, and the rug tells a story of love between her and a man from their community. As the couple cleans the rug with her help, they discover its rich history and the way it connects generations through a tale of love, tradition, and unity.Stream onYouTubeGoogle Play MoviesIMDb 6.9TMDB 6.6
  16. 116The Deer posterThe DeerMovie · 1976 · 120mAfter a bank robbery leaves him wounded, an urban guerrilla seeks shelter with his childhood friend. He finds his friend struggling with addiction. While hiding out, the guerrilla slowly begins to encourage him, helping him rediscover his resolve. Finally, he gives his friend the stolen money.IMDb 7.8TMDB 6.8