Top 10 Arabic Series: IMDb Ratings Compared (2026)

This top 10 Arabic series shortlist compares historical dramas, village comedies and modern mysteries through their IMDb user ratings. Al-Taghriba Al-Filistinia and Dayaa Dayaa share the highest score among the ten selections, but they offer very different evenings: one follows a Palestinian family’s displacement, while the other turns village life into social satire.

Use the scores to narrow your options, then choose by story and tone. For a ranking that weighs cultural impact and lasting reputation, see our guide to the best Arabic series of all time.

Top 10 Arabic series: IMDb ratings compared

How this list works: we selected ten Arabic-language dramas and comedies across different genres, each with at least 1,000 IMDb user ratings. They are ordered by the displayed series score, with the larger vote count breaking a tie. This is a comparison of the selected titles, not an exhaustive chart of every Arabic series on IMDb or an official IMDb top ten.

Checked on 14 October 2026. Scores and vote counts can change. Counts shown with K are rounded: 1.7K means approximately 1,700 ratings. Years refer to the series’ debut, not the end of its run; these are not all 2026 releases.

On small screens, scroll horizontally to see every column. Series names link to their IMDb pages.

The first two titles both score 9.4, with Al-Taghriba Al-Filistinia placed first because it has more ratings. Paranormal has the largest vote count in this selection, but that does not make its score a guarantee of quality or a better match for your taste.

What each series offers

1. Al-Taghriba Al-Filistinia — a Palestinian family epic

Written by Walid Saif and directed by Hatem Ali, this 31-episode drama follows a Palestinian family through upheaval and displacement. Its appeal lies in seeing historical events through family relationships rather than treating them as a sequence of dates. Choose it for a serious, emotionally demanding story; it is a substantial commitment rather than a light evening’s viewing. IMDb also lists it as The Palestinian Alienation.

2. Dayaa Dayaa — Syrian village satire

Set in a small Syrian village, this comedy builds its humour around neighbours, local rivalries and everyday frustrations. Bassem Yakhour and Nidal Sigri lead the cast. It is a useful change of mood from the historical dramas here, especially if you enjoy comedy rooted in a distinctive community. Regional speech is part of its character, so check subtitle options if you are unfamiliar with the dialect. Its IMDb title is A Lost Village.

3. Al-Zeer Salem — poetry, revenge and the Basus war

Hatem Ali’s historical drama follows the warrior-poet Al-Zeer and the conflict that follows his brother’s murder in pre-Islamic Arabia. Classical Arabic, poetry and tribal loyalties are central to the experience. Start here if you want a historical epic driven by revenge and dialogue. Viewers seeking a contemporary setting or casual comedy will find a closer match elsewhere in the list.

4. Omar — a historical biography

Listed on IMDb as Farouk Omar, this 31-episode series follows Umar ibn al-Khattab before and after his conversion to Islam. Hatem Ali directs, with Samer Ismail in the title role. It suits viewers interested in the people and conflicts of early Islamic history. Approach it as a dramatic interpretation of historical events, rather than a substitute for historical research.

5. Tash Ma Tash — Saudi social comedy

Nasser Al Qasabi and Abdullah Al-Sadhan lead this Saudi sketch-comedy series. Its separate stories use humour to explore social habits and everyday contradictions. The episodic format makes it easier to sample than a long continuous drama. Much of the satire draws on its local setting, so the social context can matter as much as the joke itself.

6. Zaat — one woman’s life through a changing Egypt

Adapted from Sonallah Ibrahim’s novel, Zaat follows a woman born in 1952 as Egypt changes around her. Nelly Karim stars in a story that connects private life with wider social and political shifts. Choose it for sustained character development and a view of history through the home and workplace. Look for A Girl Named Zat on IMDb.

7. Al Kabeer — village life and culture-clash comedy

Ahmed Mekky’s comedy begins with twin brothers whose different upbringings collide in an Upper Egyptian village. Their rivalry gives the series room for exaggerated characters, misunderstandings and physical comedy. It is a better fit for viewers who enjoy broad humour than for those looking for the quieter family drama of Zaat. Check the rating for the particular season before choosing it for children.

8. Grand Hotel — mystery with a romantic thread

Set in the 1950s, Grand Hotel follows Ali as he investigates his sister’s disappearance at a hotel in Aswan. Secrets among the staff and owners intertwine with a love story, making it a useful choice if you want both suspense and romance. If the relationship storyline is what interests you most, explore our romantic Arabic drama series guide for more options.

9. Family Matter — an unexpected father-daughter relationship

Ibrahim’s life changes when he becomes guardian to a daughter he has never known. With Maged El-Kidwani and Rana Raeis, Family Matter combines comedy with the awkwardness and responsibilities of building that relationship. It is a good fit when you would rather spend time with a family than follow a historical conflict or mystery.

10. Paranormal — a shorter horror option

Ahmed Amin plays Refaat Ismail, a doctor whose scientific convictions are challenged by supernatural events in 1960s Egypt. Adapted from Ahmed Khaled Tawfik’s books, its six-episode first season makes it a shorter commitment than most of the dramas above. Choose it for supernatural mystery rather than family comedy. Our best Arabic series on Netflix guide offers more recommendations for that platform.

How to choose beyond the score

A difference of a few tenths cannot tell you which story you want to spend time with. For historical drama, compare Al-Taghriba Al-Filistinia, Al-Zeer Salem and Omar. For comedy, start with Dayaa Dayaa, Tash Ma Tash or Al Kabeer. Grand Hotel brings mystery and romance together, while Paranormal is the clear horror choice.

Before committing, watch a trailer and check the episode length, available seasons and subtitle options in your country. The most useful shortlist is one that suits your mood and available time, not simply the one with the highest number beside every title.

Four more titles with fewer than 1,000 ratings

These additional selections had fewer than 1,000 user ratings when checked, so they sit outside the main table. That is an editorial threshold for this article, not an IMDb rule or a judgement that these series are less valuable.

On small screens, scroll horizontally to see every column. Series names link to their IMDb pages.

Indigenous is the Egyptian series Sohab El Ard (صحاب الأرض), starring Menna Shalabi and Eyad Nassar. For more on the current Egyptian season, see our best Egyptian series to watch guide. The other three titles broaden the selection with Kuwaiti family comedy, Syrian domestic drama and Egyptian espionage. A lower vote count is a reason to read the score with care, not a reason to dismiss the programme.

How to read IMDb ratings

IMDb uses a weighted rating rather than a simple arithmetic average. The displayed score reflects ratings submitted by IMDb users; it is not a critics’ verdict, a viewing figure or a survey of everyone who has watched the series.

• Read the score and vote count together. A score from several hundred accounts represents a different-sized group from one based on tens of thousands. Neither group necessarily represents all viewers.
• Compare the same type of rating. This article uses the score on the main series page. Individual episodes have their own scores and should not be substituted for the series rating.
• Check the date. Ratings can rise or fall as more people vote. Use the linked title pages to see the latest figures rather than treating this snapshot as permanent.

Where to check viewing options in the UAE

IMDb ratings do not establish where a series is currently available. Check the title, season, subtitles and access requirements in your local catalogue before subscribing. Our comparison of where to watch Arabic series online explains the platform options. If you already use Shahid, our Shahid VIP series guide offers a separate starting watchlist.

Frequently asked questions

Which series has the highest IMDb score in this selection?

Al-Taghriba Al-Filistinia and Dayaa Dayaa both had 9.4 out of 10 when checked on 14 October 2026. Al-Taghriba Al-Filistinia comes first here because its displayed vote count was higher: about 1,700 compared with 1,300. This does not establish that they are the two highest-rated Arabic series across IMDb’s entire database.

Why is Paranormal below series with fewer votes?

The table sorts the ten selected titles by their displayed score first. Paranormal had 7.9 from approximately 76,000 ratings, so it appears below Family Matter at 8.0 despite having many more votes. Vote count is used only to break a score tie.

Are these all new Arabic series released in 2026?

No. The year refers to when this comparison was checked. The main list includes earlier releases; the debut year appears beside each title. Indigenous (Sohab El Ard), in the additional table, debuted in 2026.

Are all ten series suitable for children?

No single age recommendation fits this list. It includes war drama, social satire, mystery and horror. Check the local platform’s age classification and content notes for the exact title and season; an IMDb score measures audience opinion, not suitability for children.

For more film and television guides, browse the DubaiPress Movies section.