14 Films Celebrating the Holiday Season
14 titles
- 1
PersepolisMovie · 2007 · 95m · Animation, DramaIn 1970s Iran, young Marjane "Marji" Satrapi experiences the Iranian Revolution of 1979 as a hopeful moment for her family, who had long desired the overthrow of the Shah. But as Marji matures, she witnesses firsthand how the new Iran, governed by Islamic fundamentalists, transforms into a repressive and tyrannical regime.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.9 - 2
Journey to MeccaMovie · 2009 · 45mIn 1325, the 20-year-old Muslim law student Ibn Battuta embarked on a 3,000-mile pilgrimage from Tangier, Morocco, to Mecca. The 18-month journey was fraught with hardship: he faced attacks by bandits, was rescued by Bedouins, endured brutal sandstorms, and battled dehydration.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.4 - 3
MousaMovie · 2021 · 101m · Action, Adventure, Science FictionA Middle Eastern engineering student builds a groundbreaking robot to avenge his father's death and seek justice. His actions draw the attention of the authorities, who then begin pursuing him.IMDb 6.0TMDB 6.7 - 4
Bilal: A New Breed of HeroMovie · 2016 · 109m · Animation, Action, AdventureA thousand years ago, a young boy with aspirations of becoming a great warrior is taken from his home along with his sister and brought to a distant land. He finds himself in a world dominated by greed and injustice, where he discovers the courage to speak out and fight for change. Based on true events, this is the story of a remarkable hero who earned his place in history.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.8 - 5
Conquest 1453Movie · 2012 · 160m · Adventure, Drama, ActionFollowing his father Murat II's death, the young Mehmet II becomes the new Ottoman Sultan. Overcoming challenges from within and threats from outside, he resolves to fulfill his predetermined destiny: the conquest of Constantinople.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.0 - 6
Bhool BhulaiyaaMovie · 2007 · 158m · Comedy, Horror, ThrillerNRI Siddharth Chaturvedi and his wife Avni go to Varanasi to visit Siddharth's family palace, ignoring warnings about a curse and strange occurrences. Unexplained events quickly start happening, leading Siddharth to seek help from the unusual psychiatrist, Aditya Shrivastav, to unravel the mystery.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.7 - 7
The Hidden HalfMovie · 2001 · 103mA government official travels from Tehran to deliver a final appeal to a woman on death row, a political prisoner. Before he arrives at the hotel, his wife of nearly twenty years, Fereshteh Samimi, writes him a letter detailing her experiences as a student during the 1978 Iranian Revolution. The letter unfolds as flashbacks, revealing her journey: leaving her home for a scholarship, joining a Communist youth group, evading capture, and becoming involved with Roozbeh Javid, a charismatic literary editor. As Fereshteh recounts this hidden part of her life to her husband, she urges him to listen to the woman facing execution – a woman who represents a hidden side of Iran.IMDb 6.8TMDB 4.6 - 8
Muhammad: The Messenger of GodMovie · 2015 · 178m · History, DramaMuhammad: The Messenger of God is a 2015 Iranian film directed by Majid Majidi. The story follows the childhood of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It is Iran's largest-budget film production to date and the first in a planned trilogy about the Prophet's life. Filmed primarily on a large set near Tehran, with a few scenes shot in South Africa, production was completed by 2013 after the film was officially announced in October 2011. Vittorio Storaro handled the cinematography, and A. R. Rahman composed the film score. The film was nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards in 2016 but was not selected for the final shortlist.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.6 - 9
Koran by HeartMovie · 2011 · 90mThis 80-minute documentary follows three 10-year-old children as they travel from their homes to compete in the International Holy Koran Competition, a renowned test of memory and recitation within the Islamic world. Facing older competitors, these children have memorized the entire 600-page Koran and will showcase their skills to prominent figures from the global Muslim community in Cairo, Egypt. Amidst this high-stakes competition, the three young participants – two boys from Senegal and Tajikistan, and a girl from the Maldives – grapple with uncertain futures, navigating the divide between fundamentalist and moderate interpretations of Islam. The film captures their recitation techniques, incorporating improvised melodies, and reveals their emotions as they prepare for and participate in the competition before a panel of judges.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.0 - 10
The MessageMovie · 1976 · 178m · Adventure, Drama, ActionThis historically accurate epic explores the origins of Islam in ancient Arabia. The film follows the life of Prophet Muhammad and the key events that formed his legacy. It reveals the complexities of religious and cultural change, and the spiritual awakening that dramatically reshaped history. The story offers a compelling look at a pivotal figure and invites viewers to consider the origins of a faith that continues to influence millions worldwide.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.2 - 11
Malcolm XMovie · 1992 · 202mThis is a look at the life of the controversial Black activist and key figure in the fight for Black liberation. Facing a low point during his imprisonment in the 1950s, he embraced the Black Muslim faith and rose to prominence within the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 cemented a legacy of self-reliance and racial pride.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.5 - 12
Bajrangi BhaijaanMovie · 2015 · 159m · Comedy, Drama, ActionA young, non-speaking girl from Pakistan becomes lost in India, with no means of returning home. A kind-hearted man resolves to help her find her way back to Pakistan and reunite her with her family.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.8 - 13
Chennai ExpressMovie · 2013 · 141m · Romance, Comedy, ActionRahul travels to a town in Tamil Nadu to honor his grandfather's final wish: scattering his ashes in the waters of Rameshwaram. During the trip, he meets a woman from a distinctive family in Southern India. As they fall in love amidst the vibrant landscapes, they face an unexpected challenge.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.5 - 14
Inside MeccaMovie · 2003 · 56mThe hajj, a deeply spiritual journey, has traditionally been hidden from outsiders, with non-Muslims barred from entering Mecca. For the first time, a team of Muslim filmmakers gains unprecedented access to Islam's holiest site during the annual pilgrimage. They are documenting this significant event for National Geographic Television.IMDb 7.7TMDB 6.6
