10 Must Watch Bollywood Movies That Will Keep You Hooked

From the past few decades, Bollywood has always given us some really amazing entertaining and impactful movies. Whether you’re into action, drama, comedy, or thrillers, there is something for everyone. Some movies make us laugh, some make us cry, and some linger on our minds long after we’ve seen the final frame.

10 Must Watch Bollywood Movies of All Time

So, here are 10 must watch bollywood movies that you should watch at least once in life. These movies serve pure entertainment and a great story, an amazing performance, and a magical moment that define the essence of Bollywood movies.

1. Sholay (1975)

An iconic film that changed the face of Bollywood. In this action drama, two contract criminals, Jai and Veeru, are hired to catch the ruthless dacoit, Gabbar Singh. With memorable dialogues, strong characters and a timeless gripping story the film is a must-watch. It is a film that defined Indian cinema, and is still being referenced in pop culture to this day.

• Director: Ramesh Sippy
• Written by: Salim-Javed
• Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama

2. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

A must see if you are a romance lover. Raj and Simran’s romance was all drama, music, emotion, and became a benchmark for Bollywood romances. A beautiful representation of family values, love, and the power of following one’s heart. It still plays in theatres, decades later, a testament to its timelessness. This one is a classic, with the undeniable chemistry of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol making this one of the most loved love tales!

• Director: Aditya Chopra
• Written by: Aditya Chopra
• Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Amrish Puri, Farida Jalal
• Genre: Romance, Drama

3. Lagaan (2001)

It’s a historical drama that portrays cricket and patriotism like never, till today. Starring Aamir Khan, the film is about colonial India and a group of villagers facing British officers in a cricket match to avoid hefty taxes. It is a must-see because it is an excellent excitement story of an underdog full of feelings, tenacity, and an unmatched ending. As you lost yourself in the movie, which combines history with athletics in a manner that makes even the viewing a nail-biting experience, Aamir Khan’s further elevate the brilliance.

• Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
• Written by: Ashutosh Gowariker, Kumar Dave, Sanjay Dayma
• Starring: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, Paul Blackthorne
• Genre: Drama, Sport

4. Gangs of Wasseypur (2012)

If you like crime dramas, Gangs of Wasseypur is a work of art. The plot of this two-part film is that of power struggles and revenge set against the always so gritty and hard-hitting background of the coal mafia in India. An action-packed visual treat that makes you grab onto the edge of your seat throughout the runtime. Each character in the movie makes its mark, and the dialogues have become legendary in the Indian pop culture. It is one of the most gritty and realistic crime sagas ever made in Bollywood. It’s very popular in today’s meme culture.

• Director: Anurag Kashyap
• Written by: Anurag Kashyap, Zeishan Quadri, Sachin K. Ladia
• Starring: Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Richa Chadha, Huma Qureshi
• Genre: Action, Crime, Drama

Also Read : The Evolution of Indian Web Series: Top 5 Web Series of All Time

5. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)

A fresh angle on friendship and self-discovery. A road trip adventure of three childhood friends across Spain. You have to go and see this film, because you should know how to enjoy this life, you should face fears, you should stare life in the face and do it anyway with your friends. It is packed with humor, heartwarming moments and stunning cinematography that makes you want to grab a suitcase and hit the road. The movie isn’t just a road trip, it’s a movie about living life and making memories.

• Director: Zoya Akhtar
• Written by: Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti
• Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif
• Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama

6. Taare Zameen Par (2007)

This emotional drama is about a dyslexic child who with the help of a caring teacher, discovers his true potential. The reason this movie must be watched, is that it marks a social cause and yet has an emotional story which is hard to forget. It alters our perspective about education and childhood adversity. It promised to be surreal and left a deep emotional impact thanks to Aamir Khan’s direction and a brilliant performance by Darsheel Safary.

• Director: Aamir Khan
• Written by: Amole Gupte
• Starring: Darsheel Safary, Aamir Khan, Tanay Chheda
• Genre: Drama, Family

7. 3 Idiots (2009)

It is a flawless combination of comedy, masti, emotions and life lessons. This movie traces the life of three engineering students and takes on the traditional education system. This is a must-watch movie because it’s funny, inspiring, and comes with a strong message of following one’s passion. It’s a film that makes you laugh, and then think long and hard about life choices. It’s an enjoyable but serious-minded movie that remains an inspiration for students and practitioners till today’s date.

• Director: Rajkumar Hirani
• Written by: Rajkumar Hirani, Abhijat Joshi, Chetan Bhagat
• Starring: Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Boman Irani, Kareena Kapoor
• Genre: Comedy, Drama

8. Kahaani (2012)

A thriller that makes you wonder until the end. In a big metro city like Kolkata, Vidya Balan, a pregnant woman, is looking for her missing husband. A richly layered, deeply unsettling and beautifully emotional film every woman should see, not only for the exceptional writing, but also for its firm portrayal of a woman, played by the phenomenal Vidya Balan. With every twist, the suspense in the film keeps building which makes it one of the most smart thrillers of Bollywood.

• Director: Sujoy Ghosh
• Written by: Sujoy Ghosh, Advaita Kala
• Starring: Vidya Balan, Parambrata Chatterjee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
• Genre: Mystery, Thriller

9. Queen (2014)

A tale of self-discovery and empowerment. Queen centers on a sweet girl named Rani, who is left by her fiancé and goes on her honeymoon by herself. This movie is a bona-fide must-watch because it personifies where it is the growth and independence of a woman exploring her own personality. It’s inspiring, humorous and extremely relatable. The message of self-love and confidence is relatable to every generation and that’s what makes the movies timeless.

• Director: Vikas Bahl
• Written by: Vikas Bahl, Anvita Dutt Guptan
• Starring: Kangana Ranaut, Rajkummar Rao, Lisa Haydon
• Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama

10. Drishyam (2015)

Drishyam, remade from a Malayalam Movie, is a incredible thriller that makes you breathless. Drishyam is the story of a man who does everything that it takes to save his family from law and cops after an unfortunate event. It is a must-see for its intelligent script, surprise turns and strong performances. You will not be able to take your eyes off the film, and after it’s over you’re left with certain moral questions as to what’s right and wrong.

There’s a sequel to this movie, Drishyam 2, which was released in 2022. Its story was also adapted from the original sequel of the Malayalam movie.

• Director: Nishikant Kamat
• Written by: Upendra Sidhaye
• Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller

These movies are not just about entertainment; they leave a lasting impact. Whether you want to laugh, cry, or be thrilled, Bollywood has something special for you. So, grab some popcorn and start watching!