Ever wondered how Faten Hamama and Omar Sharif fell in love? It was on the set of Youssef Chahine’s The Blazing Sun. The 1954 film still stands as one of Arab world’s most legendary love stories, having led to the couple’s marriage a year after its release.
And in the decades that followed Arab cinema hasn’t let us down when it comes to romance, perfecting the art of love tales that left us swooning after some of the most iconic on-screen couples, from Egyptian classic rom-coms to modern Tunisian dramas.
We’ve rounded up the best romantic Arab films for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, need an escape, or are simply in the mood for a heartwarming love story, these movies will make you want to return to them time and time again.
Inhebek Hedi, 2016
Hedi, caught up in an arranged marriage, falls in love with Rim, a woman he meets while away on business one week before his wedding. The duo begin a passionate affair as the wedding preparations continue back home.
When Monaliza Smiled, 2012
Monaliza, a Jordanian woman, who sees no reason to smile, falls for an Egyptian man living in the country’s capital. The classic rom-com tackles the issues surrounding multi-ethnic couples.
Abi Foq Al Shagara, 1969
Iconic Egyptian actress Nadia Lutfi plays the lead alongside Abdel Halim Hafez in his final film appearance. Hafez’s character falls in love with a dancer, played by Lutfi, only to be shunned by his friends.
The Blazing Sun, 1954
If you’re a fan of the great Sharif-Hamama pairing, then this is the perfect film for you. The Youssef Chahine-directed production marked Omar Sharif’s acting debut, starring alongside Faten Hamama as the lead. It tells the story of an agricultural engineer who falls for the daughter of a greedy landlord.
The Light of My Eyes, 2010
The Egyptian romantic comedy-drama film directed by Wael Ihsan stars Egyptian heartthrob Tamer Hosny as a composer who’s still madly in love with his formerly blind ex. When she returns to Egypt engaged to his childhood friend, the doctor who restored her sight, things start to escalate.
The Empty Pillow, 1957
Salah, a young college student played by Abdel Halim Hafez, spends his nights dreaming about Samiha, his first love, envisioning her face in the “empty pillow” beside him. She then goes on to marry someone else leaving him forever haunted by her memory.
The Lady of the Palace, 1958
The great Faten Hamama as a working-class girl, and Omar Sharif playing the role of an heir to a huge fortune, have a meet-cute at an auction that leads to a whirlwind marriage.
Cairo Station, 1958
The list would not be complete without ‘Bab El Hadid’. The Youssef Chahine film, set in Cairo’s central train station, follows Kinawi, a newspaper vendor obsessed with Hannouma, a beautiful attention-seeking woman illegally selling drinks at the same station.
Habibi Da’iman (Always My Love), 1980
For those in search of a bittersweet love story, Habibi Da’iman is an ideal choice. The film follows the tragic romance of Farida and Ibrahim, torn apart when Farida succumbs to her father’s wishes and marries an older man. Living a miserable life in Paris, Farida returns to Egypt, where fate reunites her with Ibrahim, only for illness to separate them again. This film captures the essence of impossible love and enduring passion despite distance.
Rud Qalbi (Return My Heart), 195
Rud Qalbi tells a timeless love story between a poor gardener’s son, Ali, and a wealthy princess, Inji. Starring Shukri Sarhan and Mariam Fakhr Eddine, it is one of the most tragic love tales in Arab cinema. The film explores how social class and family pressures keep the lovers apart, even as their bond remains strong through life’s changes.
Aghla Min Hayati (Dearer Than My Life), 1965
A standout romantic classic, Aghla Min Hayati tells the story of Ahmed and Mona, who share a childhood love. When Ahmed proposes, Mona’s father refuses, forcing them apart. Years later, fate reunites them, capturing a love that persists through the trials of life and time.
Nahr Al-Hob (The River of Love), 1960
For fans of Omar Sharif and Faten Hamama, Nahr Al-Hob is a symbol of classic romance. The film follows Nawal, who is forced to marry a powerful man to protect her brother’s future, living a life devoid of love. But when she meets Khaled, she discovers a deep love that changes everything.
An Al-Eshq wal Hawa (About Love and Passion), 2006
A contemporary love story, An Al-Eshq wal Hawa explores the relationship between Omar and Alia, torn apart by circumstances. When Omar discovers Alia’s sister works in a place of ill repute, he distances himself and enters into a traditional marriage. Alia marries her childhood admirer, yet memories of their love continue to haunt them both.
Qissat Hob (Love Story), 2019
Starring Ahmed Fahmy and Hana Al Zahed, Qissat Hob is filled with romance and moving moments. The story follows Youssef, an engineer who loses his sight in an accident and finds care and love in Jamila, a devoted young woman. As challenges arise, their relationship faces a test of true devotion.
Hepta, 2016
Curious about how love begins and grows? Hepta offers an answer. The film explores seven stages of love through four intertwined stories, each facing its own challenges and transformations. From young love to complex relationships, Hepta resonates deeply, symbolizing modern romance in Egyptian cinema.
Barakah Meets Barakah, 2016
A unique romantic comedy from Saudi Arabia, Barakah Meets Barakah follows the unconventional love story between Barakah, a civil servant, and Bibi, a social media star from a liberal family. The two face the challenges of forming a relationship in a conservative society, highlighting the creative ways young Saudis navigate dating restrictions.
West Beirut, 1998
A Lebanese film by Ziad Doueiri, West Beirut combines romance with themes of hope, politics, and adolescence during the Lebanese Civil War. Set in 1975, it follows Tamer, a teenager in West Beirut, isolated from East Beirut by sectarian barriers. Alongside his friend Omar and classmate May, Tamer navigates love and friendship in a divided world.
Al-Burtuqala Al-Murra (Bitter Orange), 2007
A beloved Moroccan romance, Al-Burtuqala Al-Murra tells the tragic love story of a young couple whose passion is stifled by family and social restrictions. The film poignantly captures the conflict between longing for freedom and conforming to family duties.
Eqab (Punishment), 2006
For a romantic Gulf film, Eqab from the UAE tells a story of love challenged by social expectations. The film centers on a couple from different backgrounds who must contend with traditions and customs, their love constantly pressured by society’s disapproval.
Volubilis, 2017
A stirring Moroccan romance, Volubilis tells the heartfelt story of Abdelkader and Malika, a young couple dreaming of a life together despite the struggles they face. The film highlights the social and economic barriers threatening their relationship, presenting a powerful take on how class differences affect love.
