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| By Kamal Ghazal |
In recent years, Arab television drama has witnessed a remarkable boom in series exploring the supernatural: jinn, magic, curses, and folklore. These productions, rooted in local myths and popular legends, have captivated millions of viewers across the Arab world. Below, we present 13 of the most prominent Arab paranormal series, listed from the newest to the oldest, along with a detailed overview of each show’s plot and leading cast.
1️- Al Maddah: The Legend of the Covenant (2025)
In its fifth season, “Al Maddah” follows Saber, a man resurrected from death who must face the daughters of Iblis (the devil) and new sinister forces. Armed with his spiritual powers, Saber battles jinn and demons attempting to seize control of his life.
Starring: Hamada Helal, Ghada Adel, Khaled El Sawy, Heba Magdy, Khaled Sarhan, Hanan Suleiman.
2️- Kaff wa Dfouf (2021)
Set in 1980s Kuwait, Salima leads a female musical troupe but withdraws after her husband’s death. Soon, she begins experiencing hallucinations linked to a jinn that haunts her, threatening to unravel her family life.
Starring: Huda Hussein, Khaled Al-Buraiki, Ibrahim Al-Hassawi.
3️- Valley of the Jinn (2021)
A group of university students ventures into a mysterious desert cave, only to open a portal to an underworld inhabited by jinn. Their journey becomes a terrifying struggle to escape the horrors that follow.
Starring: Youssef Othman, Engy Abu Zeid, Layla Ahmed Zaher.
4️- Jinniyah (2021)
A Kuwaiti girl falls under the grip of a passionate jinn lover, dragging her family into a harrowing sequence of supernatural events as they desperately seek to free her from this harmful entity.
Starring: Layali Dahrab, Ghadeer Al-Sabti, Mohammad Al-Dosari.
5️- The Beauty Of Harem (2020–2021)
A TV presenter finds herself ensnared in a web of sorcery and jinn after trying to save her friend, plunging her into a terrifying world of dark magic and dangerous secrets.
Starring: Nour (Lebanon), Khaled Selim, Dina Fouad.
6️- Paranormal (2020)
Based on the beloved novel series by Dr. Ahmed Khaled Tawfik, the show chronicles the adventures of Dr. Refaat Ismail, a skeptical hematologist forced to confront supernatural forces that challenge his scientific beliefs.
Starring: Ahmed Amin, Razane Jammal, Aya Samaha.
7️- Jinn (2019)
A group of Jordanian teenagers on a school trip to Petra accidentally unleashes an evil jinn. As the jinn’s powers wreak havoc, the teens find themselves in a desperate fight for survival.
Starring: Salma Malhas, Hamza Aqel, Sultan Al-Khayl.
8️- When the Moon is Full (2019–2021)
This Saudi series tells the story of a man entangled with jinn after dabbling in sorcery, leading to terrifying consequences for himself and his family.
Starring: Faisal Al-Amiri, Reem Abdullah, Maisoon Al-Ruwaili.
9️- The Street Behind Us (2018)
Nadia, a young woman, finds herself in a psychiatric hospital where her dreams transport her to a mysterious mansion haunted by lost souls. As she uncovers dangerous secrets from the past, she realizes the mansion’s residents are all trapped spirits.
Starring: Dora, Farouk Al-Fishawy, Lebleba, Ashraf Zaki.
10- Kafr Delhab (2017)
In the cursed village of Kafr Delhab, residents are tormented by dark magic and vengeful ghosts. A village doctor attempts to unravel the mystery of the curse threatening their lives.
Starring: Youssef El Sherif, Rogina, Mohamed Reyad.
11️- Red Sulfur (2016–2017)
After a massive fire in a working-class neighborhood controlled by a powerful sorcerer, Officer Moataz investigates his wife’s disappearance, uncovering a labyrinth of sorcery and black magic.
Starring: Ahmed El Saadany, Dalia Mostafa, Riham Hagag.
12️- The Witch of the South (2015–2016)
“Rouh,” a young woman from Upper Egypt, possesses supernatural abilities that allow her to interact with jinn. But when she begins using her powers for personal gain, terror and chaos descend upon her village.
Starring: Horeya Farghaly, Yasser Galal, Salah Abdullah.
13️- The Doors of Fear (2011)
A gripping series about a journalist fascinated by paranormal phenomena, who investigates chilling and mysterious stories, only to become entangled in events that defy logic and reason.
Starring: Amr Waked, Riham Ayman, Rashwan Tawfiq.
While Arab horror and supernatural series offer rich artistic and dramatic value, they also present cultural complexities. In many Arab societies, where belief in the supernatural, jinn, and magic is deeply ingrained in daily life, such shows can unintentionally reinforce fears and superstitions. Though intended as entertainment, these works sometimes deepen anxieties and widen the gap between scientific understanding and traditional beliefs.
In contrast, Western audiences often approach paranormal-themed media as imaginative fiction or speculative art, without allowing it to shape their rational thinking or worldview. This highlights the urgent need within Arab societies to foster critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and objective investigation when engaging with mysterious or unexplained phenomena. Creators and producers bear a responsibility to present these themes thoughtfully , not merely feeding into a culture of fear, but inspiring viewers to distinguish between artistic fantasy and scientific reality.
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