But over the years, we've seen plenty of good local movies hitting the cinemas and some even on the international stage.

These five movies are perfect example.

A fine selection

The New Straits Times reported that five made-in-Malaysia movies have been recognised in a best-in-Southeast-Asia list.

The five movies were given recognition in entertainment website Asian Movie Pulse's 'Southeast Asia's 20 Best For Year 2020' list.

The movie portal made the selection based on a movie's quality and potential, as well as its global reach.

The five movies are:

'Geran'

Directed by: Areel Abu Bakar A film focusing on martial arts, 'Geran' tells the story of two siblings, Ali and Fatimah, who are frustrated with their younger brother, Mat Arip, as he fails to return home with the grant of their inherited land. As Mat Arip gets entangled with loan shark Haji Daud, it is up to Ali and Fatimah to bring Mat Arip home and defend their name and honour.

'Malu'

Directed by: Edmund Yeo 'Malu' tells the story of two sisters, Hong and Lan, who are separated after their grandmother kidnaps the former to keep her from their unstable and destructive mother. When the two are reunited for a day, as strangers, when their mother dies twenty years later, they try to reconnect through their shared memories, but discover they are only that. Lan later disappears before the sun rises, now free from obligation to seek her fortune in Japan. Hong then receives a call a few years later and goes back to Japan to seek out her sister’s ghost.

'Roh'

Directed by: Emir Ezwan A local horror movie that's recently been submitted for Oscars consideration, 'Roh' follows two children who find a young girl roaming around their family's backyard, and take her into their home near an isolated wood. The following morning, the young girl makes a horrifying prediction: everyone in their family will die.

'Victim(s)'

Directed by: Layla Zhuqing Ji 'Victim(s)' tells the story of the mothers of the victim and suspect of a horrific murder, who later discovers the unknown sides of their sons. Faced with the truth, both mothers have some tough decisions to make.

'Sometime, Sometime'

Directed by: Jacky Yeap 'Sometime, Sometime' follows the journey of a mother and his son, who feels neglected when his mom starts dating a new man. After a series of incidents, both mother and son soon discovers that they both have each other as they navigate through their unpredictable life.

If you're looking for some great local movies to watch, you'll never go wrong with any of the five above.