8 Malaysian Movies on Netflix You Must Watch

Time, we’ve been passing time, watching trains go by. Well, probably not. But we DO have time on our hands with the current ongoing movement restriction order. So, what can we do? Well, if you’re getting paid to work from home, you do your work – no cheating! For the rest, it’s time to binge on your favourite things, including Netflix. And if you’ve spent hundreds of hours on edgy crime procedurals and stand-up skits, it’s time to appreciate some of our own finest flicks.

Gendang presents the 8 Malaysian movies you must watch on Netflix (in no order of preference):

Jagat

Cast: Jibrail Rajhula, Harvind Raj, Kuben Mahadevan, Tinesh Sarathi Krishnan, Senthil Kumaran
Muniandy
Director: Shanjhey Kumar Perumal
If you’re looking for a thought-provoking watch, you can’t go wrong with ‘Jagat’. A boy grows up in poor conditions but wants to make something for himself. Is there hope, or are you limited by your surroundings? A truly compelling watch, this.

Polis Evo

Cast: Shaheizy Sam, Zizan Razak, Nora Danish, Mimi Ernida, Harun Salim Bachik, Wan Hanafi Su
Director: Ghaz Abu Bakar
The movie that lifted Malaysian action films (or rather, the action comedy genre) to a new standard. The set pieces are memorable and the chemistry between the two main characters (played by Zizan and Sam) really works. And do turn up the speakers with this one – if your neighbours don’t mind, that is.

Paskal

Cast: Hairul Azreen, Ammar Alfian, Henley Hii
Director: Adrian Teh
Another action flick that followed through the standards set by ‘Polis Evo’. The performances are a bit theatrical in this movie, but it makes up for it in its patriotic feels.

Pekak

Cast: Zahiril Adzim, Sharifah Amani, Iedil Putra, Sharifah Sakinah, Amerul Affendi
Director: Mohd Khairul Azri Md Noor
You won’t find another unorthodox Malaysian love story like ‘Pekak’ on Netflix. It features brilliant performances by the lead ensemble, while the subject matter is so apt for this medium. The soundtrack is not too shabby either.

Fly By Night

Cast: Sunny Pang, Eric Chen, Fabian Loo, Jack Tan, Frederick Lee, Bront Palarae
Director: Zahid Omar
A family tale with a twist. A group of criminals using their taxi service as an extortion racket faces challenges with rival gangs and a not-so-clean cop (you read that right, it is a Malaysian movie). Memorable performances all around uplift this story right to its climactic ending.

Istanbul Aku Datang

Cast: Lisa Surihani, Tomok, Beto Kusyairy
Director: Bernard Chauly
One of the best Malaysian romantic comedies of recent times is worth a watch on Netflix. Perfect for a romantic night in with your loved one.

One Two Jaga

Cast: Zahiril Adzim, Ario Bayu, Rosdeen Suboh
Director: Namron
Another film that’s perfect for this medium. It tackles the issues of immigrants, corrupt cops (uhuh) and is one of the few Malaysian films with grey characters that make you feel unsure whether to root for them, or otherwise.

Bunohan

Cast: Faizal Hussein, Zahiril Adzim, Pekin Ibrahim, Bront Palarae, Nam Ron
Director: Dain Iskandar Said
We ranked this as the best Malaysian film of the 2010s, and now you can see why thanks to Netflix. ‘Bunohan’ is an Intricate and rich family story about modernity and lust for power, versus traditional values. Go on, watch it already…

Other worthy mentions:

Romantic night-ins – ‘Mission: Destroy Love’ (or ‘Sejoli’), ‘Pulang’
Horror movie nights – ‘Munafik 2’, ‘Highland Tower’
Stoner flicks – ‘KL Zombi’, ‘Hantu Kak Limah’
Testosterone trips – ‘Sangkar’, ‘J Revolusi’
Family friendly – ‘Geng: Pengembaraan Bermula’, ‘The Kid from the Big Apple’