Gulf Moviegoers Flock to Saudi Arabia for Banned Films & Saudi Film Industry Spotlight

Gulf film fans are now traveling to Saudi Arabia to watch films that are banned in their home countries. Less than a decade ago, Saudis had to travel to neighboring countries to go to the cinema, but with the lifting of the 35-year ban on cinemas in Saudi Arabia, the country now has a growing cinema industry. In a reversal of historical cultural trends, residents of neighboring countries are now journeying to Saudi Arabia to bypass strict cinema restrictions at home. The recent ban of Warner Bros.' film Barbie in Kuwait and potential ban in Lebanon has led Kuwaiti residents to cross the border to Saudi Arabia to watch the film, highlighting the progress Saudi Arabia has made in its film industry in just a few years.