Manipuri movies were properly made from 1972. Earlier these were mostly documentary in nature. The Manipuri movies then captured the reality through the lens of the camera and presented it to the audiences. Feature films came into vogue much later. A talented set of Manipuri directors took the film industry to the world stage. The history of Manipuri cinema has a glorious tale to narrate too.

The first Manipuri movie was Matamgi Manipur (1972). It was directed by Debkumar Kumar Bose. It was one of the Manipuri movies that received the President`s Medal in 20th National Film Festival in 1972.

Some of the other notable Manipuri movies are as follows:
Brojendragee Luhongba (1972): Directed by S.N Chand the film won the Best screenplay Award in the 1st state Film Festival in 1984.

Lamja Pasuram (1974): This flick was directed by Aribam Shyam Sharma.

Ngak-E-Ko Nangshe (1974): It was a S.N. Chand film.

Saphabee (1976): This film made the nation sit up and take notice of the Manipuri movies. Directed by Aribam Shyam Sharma it bagged Rajat Kamal for Best Regional Film at the National award ceremony in 1976.

Khutthang Lamjel was released in 1979.

Olangthagee Wangmadasu (1980): 4 years later history repeated itself with this film when it bagged Rajat Kamal for Best Regional Film in 1980. This particular Manipuri movie was directed by Aribam Shyam Sharma.

Imagi Ningthem (1981): another film by Aribam Shyam Sharma it grabbed the Rajat Kamal for Best Regional Film at the National Awards ceremony (1982), Best Feature Film Award in the 1st Manipur State Film festival, Grand Prix Award at Nantes International Film festival in France (1981) and National Award for Best Child Actor (Master Leikhendra). The film was also screened at several international film festivals.

Other Manipuri movies are Khonjel (1981), Wangma Wangma(1981), Paokhum Ama(1983), Sanakeithel(1983), Thaba(1984), Langlen Thadoi (1984), Yairipok Thambalnu(1984), Iche Sakhi(1986), Kombirei(1989), Ishanou(1990), Ingallei(1990), Paap(1991), Khonthang(1992), Sambal Wangma(1993), Thambal(1993), Madhabee(1993), Mayophygee Macha(1994), Sanamanbi Sanarei(1995), Sanabi(1995), Khamba Khamnu(1995), Kanaga Hinghouni(1996), Khamba Thoibi(1997), Chinglensana(1997), and others.

Amongst these Sanakeithel(1983), Ishanou(1990), Sambal wangma(1993), Mayophygee Macha(1994), Sanabi(1995), won National Awards (Rajat Kamal).