Bollywood has produced countless iconic films over the years, spanning multiple genres. of the most popular and influential Bollywood movies, based on their impact, box office success, critical acclaim, and cultural significance. These films are often considered to be among the best or most famous in Bollywood history. The Best Bollywood Movies Ever!
Director: Aditya Chopra Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol Why it's popular: A timeless romantic classic, DDLJ is one of the longest-running films in Indian cinema and remains an iconic love story. It set the standard for romantic Bollywood films.
Director: Ramesh Sippy Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Amjad Khan Why it's popular: Considered the greatest Bollywood film ever made, Sholay is a mix of action, drama, and friendship. It revolutionized Indian cinema and created unforgettable characters, especially the villain, Gabbar Singh.
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker Starring: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh Why it's popular: Lagaan combines sports with a period drama and tells a story of resistance against British colonial rule. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, it became a global phenomenon.
Director: Karan Johar Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan Why it's popular: This family drama explores themes of love, family, and relationships. It's a multigenerational story with some of the most iconic performances in Bollywood.
Director: Rajkumar Hirani Starring: Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Kareena Kapoor Why it's popular: A satire on the education system, 3 Idiots was a massive commercial success and is loved for its humor, emotional depth, and social message. It’s a film that resonates with audiences worldwide.
Director: Kabir Khan Starring: Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Nawazuddin Siddiqui Why it's popular: A heartwarming story about a man’s quest to reunite a mute Pakistani girl with her family, this film became one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
Director: Zoya Akhtar Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif Why it's popular: A road trip film that deals with themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara resonates with younger audiences for its modern take on life and relationships.
Director: K. Asif Starring: Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Prithviraj Kapoor Why it's popular: A historical epic that tells the tragic love story between Prince Salim and Anarkali, Mughal-e-Azam is one of Bollywood's greatest classics and features iconic songs and dialogues.
Director: Nitesh Tiwari Starring: Aamir Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra Why it's popular: Based on the true story of wrestler Mahavir Phogat and his daughters, Dangal is a powerful sports drama that became a huge hit both in India and internationally.
Director: Zoya Akhtar Starring: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt Why it's popular: A film about a street rapper from Mumbai’s slums, Gully Boy highlights the burgeoning hip-hop scene in India. It won several international awards and was India's official entry for the Oscars.
Director: Aamir Khan Starring: Darsheel Safary, Aamir Khan Why it's popular: This touching story about a dyslexic child and his struggles with school became a major hit for its social message and heartfelt performances.
Director: Rajkumar Hirani Starring: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma, Sushant Singh Rajput Why it's popular: PK is a satirical comedy that questions the rituals and dogmas of religion. It sparked widespread debate and became one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films ever.
Director: Karan Johar Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji Why it's popular: A romantic drama with unforgettable music and iconic scenes, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai became a cultural milestone, especially in its depiction of love and friendship.
Director: Farah Khan Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone Why it's popular: A reincarnation drama with a blend of action, comedy, and melodrama, Om Shanti Om was a major box-office success and launched Deepika Padukone's career.
Director: Sriram Raghavan Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte Why it's popular: A black comedy-thriller, Andhadhun gained critical acclaim for its innovative storytelling and engaging plot twists, making it one of the best thrillers of recent years.
Director: Karan Johar Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta Why it's popular: A bold film about extramarital affairs and relationships, it pushed the envelope in terms of the themes it explored and was widely discussed upon release.
Director: Vikas Bahl Starring: Kangana Ranaut, Rajkummar Rao Why it's popular: A refreshing and empowering story about a woman who sets off on her honeymoon alone after being jilted by her fiancé, Queen became a critical and commercial success.
Director: Vishal Bhardwaj Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Shraddha Kapoor Why it's popular: A modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet, Haider was both a critical and commercial success, and Shahid Kapoor's performance was widely praised.
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar Starring: Imran Khan, Katrina Kaif, Ali Zafar Why it's popular: A fun romantic comedy with a twist, this film became a hit thanks to its catchy music and lighthearted story about a man who falls in love with his brother's bride-to-be. It's loved for its fresh energy and performances.
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Gayatri Joshi Why it's popular: A film about an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) who returns to his village in India and helps its people, Swades is one of Shah Rukh Khan's most critically acclaimed performances. The movie's social message about development and patriotism resonates with audiences worldwide.
Director: Shimit Amin Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Vidya Malvade, Sagarika Ghatge Why it's popular: A sports drama about a former hockey player who coaches a women’s national team, Chak De! India was a revolutionary film for its portrayal of women in sports and its gripping narrative. It became a massive success both in India and abroad.
Director: Yash Chopra Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Anushka Sharma Why it's popular: The last film directed by the legendary Yash Chopra, this romantic drama features stunning visuals and memorable music. The film's poignant love story continues to captivate fans.
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra Why it's popular: A historical romance set in the 18th century, Bajirao Mastani became a cinematic masterpiece, known for its grand scale, breathtaking visuals, and outstanding performances by the lead cast. The film celebrates love and valor with a strong cultural and historical backdrop.
Director: Abhishek Kapoor Starring: Arjun Rampal, Farhan Akhtar, Hrithik Roshan Why it's popular: A modern tale of friendship and self-discovery, Rock On!! resonates with young adults for its music, relatable themes, and the portrayal of a rock band's comeback. It became a cult favorite and marked Farhan Akhtar’s debut as a director.
Director: Anurag Basu Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Ileana D'Cruz Why it's popular: A beautiful love story that explores the lives of people with disabilities, Barfi! earned widespread acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of differently-abled characters. Ranbir Kapoor's nuanced performance is widely praised.
Director: Yash Chopra Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Nirupa Roy Why it's popular: Deewaar is a classic tale of brothers torn apart by fate, crime, and duty. The film's famous dialogues and Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic portrayal of a troubled man pushed the boundaries of Bollywood cinema and solidified his “angry young man” image.
Director: Sandeep Reddy Vanga Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani Why it's popular: A remake of the Telugu film Arjun Reddy, Kabir Singh divided critics but was a huge commercial success. The film follows an emotionally turbulent doctor whose self-destructive behavior, stemming from love, captivates the audience with its raw intensity.
Director: Nishikant Kamat Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran Why it's popular: A gripping thriller about a man who goes to great lengths to protect his family, Drishyam became a huge hit due to its well-crafted suspense and twisty plot. It was later remade in multiple languages, but the original remains the most admired.
Irector: Shoojit Sircar Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Yami Gautam Why it's popular: A unique and socially relevant film about sperm donation, Vicky Donor was a sleeper hit. Its quirky humor and fresh storyline made it a groundbreaking film in the genre of lighthearted but socially aware comedy.
Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra Starring: Aamir Khan, Siddharth, Sharman Joshi, R. Madhavan, Soha Ali Khan Why it's popular: This movie, which blends the lives of contemporary youth with historical freedom fighters, became a cultural phenomenon. It spurred social awareness and political activism in young India, alongside its critically acclaimed soundtrack.
Director: Ritesh Batra Starring: Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Nawazuddin Siddiqui Why it's popular: A tender romance about a mistaken lunchbox delivery, The Lunchbox is a quiet, poignant film that explores loneliness, human connection, and love in Mumbai. It was well-received internationally and showcased Indian cinema to a global audience.
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar Starring: Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma Why it's popular: A sports drama about a wrestler’s journey to redemption, Sultan became a massive hit for its blend of intense action, emotional depth, and Salman Khan’s transformation into the titular character. It was one of the highest-grossing films of the year.
Director: Aamir Khan Starring: Darsheel Safary, Aamir Khan Why it's popular: This heartwarming film about a dyslexic child’s struggles with the education system and his eventual breakthrough is one of the most loved films in Indian cinema. It inspired discussions about learning disabilities and the traditional school system.
Director: Farhan Akhtar Starring: Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna Why it's popular: A modern take on friendship, love, and life, Dil Chahta Hai redefined Bollywood films for the younger generation and became a cultural touchstone. It’s still regarded as one of the most refreshing and relatable films for youth.
Director: Zoya Akhtar Starring: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Siddhant Chaturvedi Why it's popular: A hip-hop musical based on the lives of street rappers in Mumbai, Gully Boy broke ground in terms of its portrayal of the Indian music scene and its exploration of social issues. It received international recognition, including at the Berlin Film Festival.
Director: Hrishikesh Mukherjee Starring: Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan Why it's popular: A family comedy revolving around a practical joke, Chupke Chupke has remained a beloved classic due to its delightful performances and charming screenplay. It's one of the most cherished comedies in Bollywood history.
Director: Mehboob Khan Starring: Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar Why it's popular: A landmark film in Indian cinema, Mother India tells the story of a woman’s strength and sacrifice. It became India's first Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film and is often regarded as one of the most significant films in Indian history.
