Best Bollywood Movies of all Time - Top 10 List Updated
by B Kishwar | Updated Mar 24, 2023
Best Bollywood Movies Of All Time
Bollywood movies refer to the Hindi-language film industry that is based in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India. Bollywood movies are known for their unique mix of drama, romance, action, and music, and are widely popular not only in India but also among the Indian diaspora around the world. The term "Bollywood" is a combination of Bombay (the former name of Mumbai) and Hollywood, the iconic film industry in the United States. Bollywood movies are typically characterised by their elaborate musical numbers, colourful sets, and melodramatic plotlines.
The first Bollywood movie, Raja Harishchandra, was released in 1913. Over the years, Bollywood has produced a vast number of films, with some of the most popular ones being romantic dramas like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, action movies like Dhoom and Ghajini, and social dramas like Taare Zameen Par and 3 Idiots. Bollywood has also produced many famous actors and actresses, including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Deepika Padukone, who have become global icons. Today, Bollywood movies are watched by millions of people around the world, and they continue to be a significant cultural export for India.
Top 10 Bollywood Movies Of All Times
India is a country that boasts a wide variety of languages, subcultures, and traditions. Despite these differences, one commonality that unites the nation is their shared love for movies. The Hindi-language film industry, known as Bollywood, is among the most prolific in the world, churning out over 1,000 films each year, more than double that of Hollywood. What sets Bollywood movies apart and makes them so iconic? Some argue that each successful Bollywood film follows a formulaic pattern of swoon-worthy romance, captivating music, handsome protagonists, and predictable plot twists. Others believe that the secret to Bollywood's appeal is simply the ability to have a good time from start to finish. In order to help navigate this vast industry, we have compiled a list of the top 10 greatest Bollywood films of all time.
S. No
Bollywood Movies
Year
1
Hum Aapke Hain Koun
1994
2
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
2013
3
Veer-Zaara
2004
4
Umrao Jaan
1981
5
Swades
2004
6
Gully Boy
2019
7
Lage Raho Munna Bhai
2006
8
Hera Pheri
2000
9
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
2013
10
Dhobi Ghat
2011
-
Hum Aapke Hain Koun
Hum Aapke Hain Koun is a 1994 Indian musical romantic-comedy film directed by Sooraj Barjatya. The movie stars Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit in the lead roles and tells the story of two families who are brought together by a marriage proposal. The film is known for its elaborate dance sequences, songs, and family values, and was a blockbuster success in India and overseas.
Hum Aapke Hain Koun has been considered a landmark film in Indian cinema and is one of the highest-grossing Bollywood movies of all time. The film won five Filmfare Awards, including Best Film and Best Director, and is widely regarded as one of the best Bollywood movies ever made. The movie's popularity is attributed to its strong cast, catchy songs, and its depiction of Indian family values and traditions. Hum Aapke Hain Koun is a must-watch for anyone who loves Bollywood movies and wants to experience the magic of the Indian film industry.
-
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is a 2013 Indian romantic-drama film directed by Ayan Mukerji. The movie stars Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles and tells the story of two former classmates who meet at a wedding and decide to go on a trekking trip together. The film was a commercial success, grossing over 3.5 billion rupees (approximately 50 million USD) at the box office, and was well-received by audiences and critics alike. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is known for its beautiful locations, catchy music, and its portrayal of youth culture in India. The movie's popularity can be attributed to its relatable storyline, charming performances, and its depiction of friendship, love, and self-discovery. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys romantic dramas with a touch of adventure and exploration.
-
Veer-Zaara
Veer-Zaara is a 2004 Indian romantic-drama film directed by Yash Chopra. The movie stars Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta in the lead roles and tells the story of an Indian Air Force pilot who falls in love with a Pakistani woman. The film was a commercial and critical success, grossing over 9.4 billion rupees (approximately 132 million USD) at the box office, and winning several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Veer-Zaara is known for its powerful performances, beautiful music, and its portrayal of the complex relationship between India and Pakistan. The movie's popularity is attributed to its heartwarming storyline, its portrayal of cross-border love, and its message of peace and harmony. Veer-Zaara is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys romantic dramas with a message of hope and love.
-
Umrao Jaan
Umrao Jaan is a Bollywood film that was released in 2006, directed by J.P. Dutta. The movie is based on the novel 'Umrao Jaan Ada' by Mirza Hadi Ruswa and stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the lead role. The movie tells the story of a young girl named Amiran who is kidnapped and sold into a brothel, where she is trained to become a courtesan named Umrao Jaan. The movie was praised for its cinematography, music, and performances, with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan winning several awards for her portrayal of the titular character.
-
Swades
Swades is a Bollywood movie that was released in 2004, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. The movie stars Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role, with Gayatri Joshi and Kishori Ballal in supporting roles. The movie tells the story of a NASA scientist who returns to his hometown in India to find his childhood nanny and discovers the harsh realities of rural life. The movie was praised for its realistic portrayal of rural India, its performances, and its music, with several songs becoming popular hits.
-
Gully Boy
Gully Boy is a Bollywood movie that was released in 2019, directed by Zoya Akhtar. The movie stars Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles, with Siddhant Chaturvedi and Kalki Koechlin in supporting roles. The movie tells the story of a young man from the slums of Mumbai who dreams of becoming a rapper and his journey to achieve his dreams. The movie was praised for its portrayal of the underground hip-hop scene in Mumbai, its music, and its performances, with Ranveer Singh and Siddhant Chaturvedi receiving critical acclaim for their roles. The movie also became a commercial success, grossing over 2 billion rupees (approximately 28 million USD) at the Indian box office.
-
Lage Raho Munna Bhai
Lage Raho Munna Bhai is a Hindi-language comedy-drama film released in 2006, directed by Rajkumar Hirani. The movie stars Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Vidya Balan, and Boman Irani in pivotal roles. It is the second instalment in the Munna Bhai series, following Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. The film tells the story of Munna Bhai, a lovable goon who has a change of heart after being introduced to the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. The movie explores the concepts of non-violence, empathy, and compassion in a lighthearted and humorous way. Lage Raho Munna Bhai was a commercial and critical success, receiving widespread acclaim for its performances, direction, and screenplay. The film won several awards, including four National Film Awards and the Filmfare Award for Best Film.
-
Hera Pheri
Hera Pheri is a Hindi-language comedy film released in 2000, directed by Priyadarshan. The movie stars Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal in lead roles. It is a remake of the Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking. The film tells the story of three unemployed men who get caught up in a series of comical situations after they receive a wrong number phone call about a job opening. The movie is known for its witty one-liners, hilarious dialogues, and slapstick comedy. Hera Pheri was a box office success and is regarded as a cult classic in Indian cinema. The film has since spawned two sequels, Phir Hera Pheri and Hera Pheri 3.
-
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is a Hindi-language biographical sports drama film released in 2013, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. The movie stars Farhan Akhtar in the lead role, with Sonam Kapoor and Divya Dutta in supporting roles. The film tells the story of Milkha Singh, an Indian athlete and Olympian who overcame several obstacles and hardships to become one of India's greatest athletes. The movie explores Singh's early life, his struggles, and his eventual triumphs. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was a commercial and critical success, receiving widespread acclaim for its performances, direction, and screenplay. The film won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and the Filmfare Award for Best Film.
-
Dhobi Ghat
Dhobi Ghat is a Hindi-language drama film released in 2011, written and directed by Kiran Rao. The movie stars Aamir Khan, Prateik Babbar, Monica Dogra, and Kriti Malhotra in lead roles. The film tells the story of four characters whose lives intersect in Mumbai - a reclusive artist, a laundryman, a struggling actor, and a newly-married woman. The movie explores the themes of loneliness, urban life, and human connections. Dhobi Ghat was well-received critically, with praise being directed towards its direction, cinematography, and performances. The film also received several award nominations, including the Filmfare Award for Best Film.
Which is the No 1 Bollywood Movie of All Time?
The Dangal movie is regarded as the No 1 bollywood movie of all time. Dangal is a Hindi-language sports drama film that was released in India in 2016. The movie, which was directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is based on the true story of former wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters Geeta and Babita, who he trained to become successful wrestlers in a sport dominated by men. Dangal stars Aamir Khan as Mahavir Singh Phogat, with Sakshi Tanwar, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sanya Malhotra portraying his wife and daughters, respectively. The film explores the challenges faced by the Phogat family as they break gender stereotypes and overcome societal and familial obstacles to achieve success in wrestling.
Dangal was a critical and commercial success, grossing over 2 billion rupees (approximately 30 million USD) at the Indian box office, making it one of the highest-grossing Bollywood movies of all time. The film was also well-received internationally and became the highest-grossing Indian film ever, with a worldwide box office collection of over 3.8 billion rupees (approximately 56 million USD). The movie was praised for its performances, direction, and screenplay, and it won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues and the Filmfare Award for Best Film. Dangal's popularity has been attributed to its engaging storyline, powerful performances, and themes of female empowerment and gender equality.
What are the Other Most Popular Bollywood Movies?
Below listed are some of the bollywood movies that were released in the recent era. Have a read!
S. No
Bollywood Movies
Year
1
Black Friday
2004
2
Gangs of Wasseypu
2012
3
Dhoom
2004
4
Kahaani
2012
5
Dabangg
2010
6
Thappad
2020
7
Bandit Queen
1994
8
Udaan
2010
9
Omkara
2006
10
Chhoti Si Baat
1975
- Black Friday: Black Friday is a Hindi-language crime drama film released in 2004, directed by Anurag Kashyap. The movie is based on the 1993 Bombay bombings and follows the investigation that led to the arrests of the suspects. The film received critical acclaim for its direction, writing, and performances.
- Gangs of Wasseypur: Gangs of Wasseypur is a two-part Hindi-language crime film released in 2012, directed by Anurag Kashyap. The movie follows the coal mafia wars in the Wasseypur region of Bihar, India, spanning several decades. The film received critical acclaim for its direction, writing, and performances.
- Dhoom: Dhoom is a Hindi-language action thriller film released in 2004, directed by Sanjay Gadhvi. The movie stars John Abraham, Abhishek Bachchan, and Uday Chopra in lead roles. The film follows a gang of bikers who rob banks in Mumbai, and the police officers who try to catch them. The film was a commercial success and spawned several sequels.
- Kahaani: Kahaani is a Hindi-language mystery thriller film released in 2012, directed by Sujoy Ghosh. The movie stars Vidya Balan in the lead role, with Parambrata Chatterjee and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in supporting roles. The film follows a pregnant woman who travels to Kolkata to search for her missing husband. The film received critical acclaim for its direction, writing, and performances.
- Dabangg: Dabangg is a Hindi-language action comedy film released in 2010, directed by Abhinav Kashyap. The movie stars Salman Khan in the lead role, with Sonakshi Sinha and Arbaaz Khan in supporting roles. The film follows a corrupt police officer who takes on a local goon and his gang. The film was a commercial success and spawned several sequels.
- Thappad: Thappad is a Hindi-language drama film released in 2020, directed by Anubhav Sinha. The movie stars Taapsee Pannu in the lead role, with Pavail Gulati and Dia Mirza in supporting roles. The film follows a woman who decides to file for divorce after her husband slaps her in public. The film received critical acclaim for its direction, writing, and performances.
- Bandit Queen: Bandit Queen is a Hindi-language biographical film released in 1994, directed by Shekhar Kapur. The movie is based on the life of Phoolan Devi, a bandit who became a Member of Parliament in India. The film received critical acclaim for its direction, writing, and performances.
- Udaan: Udaan is a Hindi-language coming-of-age drama film released in 2010, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane. The movie stars Rajat Barmecha in the lead role, with Ronit Roy and Ram Kapoor in supporting roles. The film follows a teenage boy who is sent to live with his abusive father after being expelled from school. The film received critical acclaim for its direction, writing, and performances.
- Omkara: Omkara is a Hindi-language crime drama film released in 2006, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. The movie stars Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, and Kareena Kapoor in lead roles. The film is based on William Shakespeare's play Othello and follows the story of a local gangster and his wife. The film received critical acclaim for its direction, writing, and performances.
best bollywood movies of all time - FAQs
Sooraj Barjatya directed Hum Aapke Hain Koun
Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta are the lead actors in Veer-Zaara.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani tells the story of two former classmates who meet at a wedding and decide to go on a trekking trip together
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan plays the titular character in Umrao Jaan
Ashutosh Gowariker directed Swades.