Art & Culture

Ten Essential Iranian Films That Should Be on Everyone’s Watch List

BYMille Team

March 3, 2026

Iran has been at the center of global headlines in recent years, from the widespread protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini to the ongoing struggles of ordinary citizens living under a deeply repressive government where state violence, censorship, and brutal crackdowns on dissent have taken countless lives and left indelible marks on the nation’s collective psyche. Now, the country finds itself in the midst of a devastating new chapter: an escalating war led by the United States and Israel, marked by airstrikes and military operations across Iranian cities. In one of the deadliest reported incidents, a girls’ elementary school in the southern city of Minab was struck during an attack on Saturday, with Iranian authorities reporting that more than 150 people— many of them young students— were killed.

In the face of such profound hardship and human loss, cinema remains one of the most vital ways to understand a country beyond the headlines. Iranian film, with its poetic realism, social depth, and unflinching portrayals of life under pressure, offers a powerful lens into the lived experiences, personal struggles, and resilient humanity of its people. Through the art of storytelling on screen, audiences around the world can gain insight into the nuances of Iranian society, culture, and history in ways that news reports often cannot fully capture. Below, we explore must-see Iranian films that not only stand as cinematic achievements but also as essential windows into the heart of a nation.

Taste of Cherry (1997)

Winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes, this meditative road film directed by Abbas Kiarostami follows a man driving through the outskirts of Tehran searching for someone willing to bury him after he dies by suicide. Philosophical, and haunting, it’s one of the most important works of world cinema.

A Separation (2011)

An Oscar winner for Best International Feature, this Asghar Farhadi-directed drama unravels a middle-class Tehran family’s moral crisis after a divorce spirals into legal and ethical chaos. It’s gripping, layered, and painfully human, showing how politics and religion seep into private life.

The Circle (2000)

Directed by Jafar Panahi, this film is a searing portrait of women navigating systemic oppression in Tehran. It’s a Golden Lion winner, and was banned in Iran.

Children of Heaven (1997)

A tender story about a brother and sister who share a single pair of shoes, this film directed by Majid Majidi captures childhood innocence against the backdrop of economic hardship.

Persepolis (2007)

Based on co-director Marjane Satrapi’s graphic memoir, this animated film chronicles her coming-of-age during and after the Islamic Revolution.

The Salesman (2016)

Another Oscar winner from Asghar Farhadi, this psychological drama follows a couple whose relationship fractures after a violent incident.

Hit the Road (2021)

Directed by Panah Panahi, this film is a darkly funny yet emotional road trip about a family driving their son toward the border.

The Seed of the Sacred Fig (2024)

One of the most urgent Iranian films in recent years, The Mohammad Rasoulof-directed movie unfolds against the backdrop of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests.

The House Is Black (1962)

Directed by the legendary poet Forough Farrokhzad, this short documentary is set inside a leper colony in northern Iran, but instead of turning its subjects into symbols of suffering, the filmmaker restores their humanity through intimacy, dignity, and startling beauty.

Close-Up (1990)

Blurring documentary and fiction, Abbas Kiarostami’s film reconstructs the true story of a man who impersonated filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf with the real people involved playing themselves.