Whether you’re lounging at home or spending time with your friends, there’s nothing better to do during Merdeka than getting your patriotism on. From strutting your favourite local brands to hitting your favourite cafes, one of the best ways to feel nostalgic and truly Malaysian is by watching top-rated local films.
From romance to comedy and action, scroll below to see some of our favourite Malaysian films to watch.
Here are all the Malaysian films you need to watch this Merdeka day:
Mat Kilau: Kebangkitan Pahlawan
Full of action, this Malaysian film is one to watch this month. The story is set after the British armies invade Pahang, and when a legendary warrior leads his people into guerilla warfare to protect their home from the threat of colonisation.
Pulang
Get your tissue box ready for this drama film, because it will get you sobbing for dear life. Pulang tells the story of a man who sails around the world to seek fortune for himself and his spouse, however, the man never returns to the village – leaving the wife with his son all alone. 61 years later, Thom tells her grandson about his grandfather and asks him to find out what had happened to her spouse.
Paskal
Filled with action-packed scenes and a tinge of love, this film follows an elite unit in the Royal Malaysian Navy as they embark on a mission to rescue a tanker that was taken over by Somalian pirates.
Mukhsin
This Yasmin Ahmad gem follows the budding romantic relationship of Orked and her best friend Mukhsin, and how they tackle it. Starring the late Adibah Noor and Sharifah Aryana, this film is full of singing, comical scenes and love.
Puteri Gunung Ledang
This classic period film is one to watch this coming Independence Day. This fantasy film is based on the Malay legend of the Gunung Ledang princess who is said to have lived on top of Gunung Ledang, and a Malaccan sultan’s effort to woo her.
Talentime
Another classic by Yasmin Ahmad, Talentime sees a group of talented young musicians facing off for an inter-school talent competition. It’s a story full of laughter, hope, joy and pain.
Sepet
Made for the hopeless romantic, Sepet is a story about two young adults who fall in love with each other despite their different backgrounds.
Sam
Marrying romance, mystery and thriller together, this film has unexpected twists that will catch you off guard. Keeping you on your toes, this film follows Sam and the love of his life, Lisa who is constantly harassed by Haikal until they are both kidnapped and hidden in an old printing factory. And that’s when everything goes haywire. Trust us, you won’t want to stop watching once you’ve started.
Pisau Cukur
If you need something light-hearted, comical and fun to watch, then Pisau Cukur should be your go-to. This comedy-drama revolves around two best friends, Bella and Intan who go on a vacation on a cruise ship. During the vacation, Bella searches for a rich husband, while Intan works with an investigator to solve a murder case. Starring Aaron Aziz, Maya Karin and Nur Fazura, this film will get you laughing.
