Pakistani cinema has made a strong comeback in the last two decades, with films that won international awards and broke box-office records. Here are the best Pakistani movies of all time that every film lover should watch.
Quick List
| # | Movie | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bol | 2011 | Shoaib Mansoor |
| 2 | Khuda Kay Liye | 2007 | Shoaib Mansoor |
| 3 | The Legend of Maula Jatt | 2022 | Bilal Lashari |
| 4 | Joyland | 2022 | Saim Sadiq |
| 5 | Waar | 2013 | Bilal Lashari |
| 6 | Jawani Phir Nahi Ani | 2015 | Nadeem Baig |
| 7 | Punjab Nahi Jaungi | 2017 | Nadeem Baig |
| 8 | Teefa in Trouble | 2018 | Ahsan Rahim |
| 9 | Cake | 2018 | Asim Abbasi |
| 10 | Manto | 2015 | Sarmad Khoosat |
Top 10 Pakistani Movies Explained
1. Bol (2011)
A bold social drama about a family, daughters and a father’s rigid beliefs. Director: Shoaib Mansoor.
2. Khuda Kay Liye (2007)
A landmark film about extremism and identity after 9/11 that revived interest in Pakistani cinema. Director: Shoaib Mansoor.
3. The Legend of Maula Jatt (2022)
The highest-grossing Pakistani film, starring Fawad Khan and Hamza Ali Abbasi. Director: Bilal Lashari.
4. Joyland (2022)
Won the Jury Prize in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section; a sensitive family drama set in Lahore. Director: Saim Sadiq.
5. Waar (2013)
A big-budget action thriller about counter-terrorism. Director: Bilal Lashari.
6. Jawani Phir Nahi Ani (2015)
A blockbuster comedy that became a hit franchise. Director: Nadeem Baig.
7. Punjab Nahi Jaungi (2017)
A popular romantic comedy-drama starring Humayun Saeed and Mehwish Hayat. Director: Nadeem Baig.
8. Teefa in Trouble (2018)
Ali Zafar’s action-comedy debut that became a major box-office hit. Director: Ahsan Rahim.
9. Cake (2018)
A realistic family drama praised for its acting and storytelling. Director: Asim Abbasi.
10. Manto (2015)
A biopic of the famous Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto. Director: Sarmad Khoosat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is the highest-grossing Pakistani movie?
The Legend of Maula Jatt (2022) is the highest-grossing Pakistani film.
Which Pakistani movie won an award at Cannes?
Joyland (2022) won the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival.
Which Pakistani movie is best for families?
Comedies like Jawani Phir Nahi Ani and Teefa in Trouble are popular family choices, but check age ratings first.
Conclusion
From the social message of Bol to the epic action of The Legend of Maula Jatt, Pakistani cinema has something for everyone. Which Pakistani movie is your favourite?