10 Malaysian films every Malaysian should watch

1/10
Sepet (2004)
Sepet, which is a Malay term referring to the signature slit-like Chinese eye, is a romantic comedy film directed by the late Yasmin Ahmad. Ahmad is notably famous for her works which focus on depicting cross-cultural barriers and defying social norms, and Sepet is not an exception. Telling the love story between a Chinese boy Jason and a Malay schoolgirl Orked, Sepet is the first in a trilogy of heartwarming films that reflect the very real social pressures that stand in the way of love.
2/10
Puteri Gunung Ledang (2004)
You rarely see local directors producing epic fantasy dramas, so when they do, you know you have to watch it. Puteri Gunung Ledang is, obviously, based on the Malay legend that goes by the same name, of a Sultan who falls in love with a Javanese-Hindu princess but has a list of conditions to fulfill. Since there are many variations to the legend, it is interesting to see which version the film will take... but, of course, we won't spoil it for you. You'll have to watch it for yourself!
3/10
The Journey (2014)
Achieving the title of the highest grossing Malaysian film in 2014, this movie should evidently have some takeaways that would explain its success. It is a film that tells the story of a Chinese daughter who returns from England with an English fiancé, to her father's disapproval. When her fiancé and father take a trip around Malaysia to send wedding invitations by hand, they learn more about each other and grow to accept each other's differences, something that we can all learn from.
4/10
Nasi Lemak 2.0 (2011)
Namewee, the director of this film, is famous for his controversial productions that he is unashamed of publicising, Nasi Lemak 2.0 included. He spent most of the time advocating for the legitimacy of this movie, but was not given much budget in the end. Nevertheless, the film became a success among the locals and received many positive reviews. This movie is the first film in Malaysia that showcased all three ethnicities but did not target a particular race as its audience, and is a huge step in promoting the unification of differences in Malaysia.
5/10
Ice Kacang Puppy Love (2010)
Directed by famous Malaysian singer Ah Niu, Ice Kacang Puppy Love is an interesting romantic comedy that has won the hearts of Malaysians nationwide. It is a heartwrenching movie that will leave you feeling for the characters as if you knew them personally. Look out for familiar faces in the movie, as there will be more than one!
6/10
Papadom (2009)
When a film talks about love, family and the struggles that come with it, you know it's going to be a heartwarming movie that you cannot miss. The award-winning Papadom showcases the difficulties of the relationship between a father and his daughter, and scenes of tears and laughter that all of us can relate to.
7/10
The Red Kebaya (2006)
A poignant, sentimental film with an amazing soundtrack and gorgeous cinematography, The Red Kebaya is a show that deserves all the praise. We love how its storyline is different from other movies you usually watch, and how the ending isn't too predictable as well. The film will trigger all sorts of emotions in you, which is exactly when you know that this is one to watch over and over again.
8/10
Munafik (2016)
Of course we couldn't miss out on everyone's favourite genre - horror! We don't usually think much of Malaysian horror films, because the real scary ones typically come from countries like Thailand or Japan. However, Syamsul Yusof has proven that he's got the skills to place his movies on par with other Asian horror blockbusters, like the work he's done with Munafik. Shot in real cemeteries, mortuaries and haunted houses, the scenes are sure to shock and haunt audiences to their wit's end!
9/10
Polis Evo (2015)
For all you action fans out there, this movie is for you. Polis Evo is filled with the necessary guns, explosions and hot cops that will make your heart beat in anticipation of what's to come. The plot is almost akin to that of a Hollywood blockbuster, and the acting by Zizan Razak and Shaheizy Sam is superb, making this film something Malaysia can truly be proud of.
10/10
BoBoiBoy: The Movie (2016)
Malaysia is really pulling all the stops to boost its film industry. We have drama, comedy, action, horror, and now even animation! BoBoiBoy is probably not new to you, since you might have seen it on TV several times while flipping the channels, but each episode is always as intriguing as the previous one, especially to the kids. It is an action film filled with adorable characters and is something the whole family can enjoy together.

There are international blockbusters that people all over the world know about months before their release, eagerly awaiting their premier date and rushing to the cinemas once they’re out. And then, there are the local films that perhaps not everybody knows about, but when they do actually choose to watch them, they realise how much more heartwarming and thought-provoking they can be compared to mainstream films. Today, we’re here to talk about these amazing movies that we think should be given a lot more attention than they probably get nowadays.

Malaysian films come in all shapes and sizes. This means that you’ll definitely be able to find something you like in the huge collection of local films out there. And we don’t see why you should be watching them any less than huge film successes like Avatar or X-Men. After all, they’re all forms of art which have different life lessons to teach.

So, let’s play a game of Do You Know Your Malaysian Films? Head up to our gallery to see if you can check them all off. If not, you’ll probably want to spend this weekend catching up on these must-watch movies.

Dione Chen

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