Top grossing international box office movies UAE 2024

In 2024, Oppenheimer was the highest-grossing movie in the United Arab Emirates at a staggering eight billion U.S. dollars. Among the top ten movies on the list, five of them were Indian Bollywood productions. The Goat Life stood out as the lone Malayalam language film on the list, alongside Argylle, the sole Apple Original production, which added diversity to the lineup with its action-comedy genre.

Movie preferences in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates boasts a diverse movie industry thanks to its overwhelming expat population. The top-grossing films highlight a strong affinity for Indian cinema, particularly in Hindi and Malayalam languages. Action and adventure movies were by far the most preferred film genres in the UAE. In addition to local cinemas, all major online streaming platforms have a footprint in the market. Netflix was one of the most popular streaming platforms for watching action and adventure movies in the UAE.

UAE film industry investment

As a major tourist destination, the UAE invests heavily in entertainment. In 2021, the country generated the second-highest box office revenue in the Middle East, following Saudi Arabia. Dubai and Abu Dhabi currently have the highest number of cinemas in the UAE. Additionally, the country has been investing in film production. In August 2024, Abu Dhabi’s TwoFour54, a media-free zone, allocated 40 hectares to be the site of a new film studio to attract international producers.