The filmography of Nepal is typically categorized into its historical roots and modern commercial hits. Early Classics : The first film produced in Nepal. Parivartan

The origins of Nepali cinema trace back to , with the release of Satya Harishchandra . Produced in Kolkata, India, by D.B. Pariyar, this film was the first movie ever made in the Nepali language. Nepal produced its own first film, Aama (Mother), on October 7, 1964 , through the government's Information Department. This film, which told the story of a young man returning from foreign military service, was a subtle promotion of the monarchy and the motherland.

The Nepali film industry has produced several generations of beloved actors. Legends like and Bhuwan Chand are revered as some of the first actors to grace the Nepali screen. Following them, the 1980s and 1990s were dominated by the charismatic Rajesh Hamal and Karishma Manandhar , whose films defined an entire era of entertainment. More recently, actors like Biraj Bhatt , Dayahang Rai , Saugat Malla , and Paul Shah have become household names, drawing large audiences to theaters. Actresses such as Priyanka Karki , Smarika Dhakal , and Aana Sharma have also risen to prominence, bringing depth and versatility to their roles.

Nepali cinema did not start inside the borders of Nepal. It began as a diaspora effort before establishing its roots in Kathmandu. The Pioneers and State-Sponsored Cinema (1950s–1970s)

In Nepal, song releases often outshine the films themselves. A romantic song featuring a lead actor in a Swiss or Pokhara landscape will generate more "popular video" hits than the trailer. Artists like Trishna Gurung and Rajesh Payal Rai have fan followings larger than many Bollywood playback singers.

Nepali content has exploded online. Some of the most-watched popular videos include:

While films remain prestigious, "popular videos" dominate daily engagement, primarily via YouTube. The major categories include:

Nepal has a rich, albeit underfunded, cinematic history. For decades, the Nepali film industry struggled against the dominance of Bollywood (Indian Hindi cinema). However, the last 15 years have seen a renaissance, with films breaking box office records and music videos gaining billions of views. Simultaneously, the rise of "popular videos"—including MVs (music videos), short films, and vlogs—has democratized content creation. This paper argues that the distinction between "filmography" (formal feature films) and "popular videos" (digital content) is blurring, creating a hybrid entertainment ecosystem.