25 Best Bollywood Movies of All Time (Ranked)

Bollywood has created many iconic movies – from timeless classics to modern favorites – that have influenced how the world sees Hindi cinema. This list highlights well-known films that have had a significant impact, winning awards, shaping culture, and connecting with audiences for years. For each film, you’ll find details like the director, main actors, what the movie is about, and why it’s so memorable.

‘Andaz Apna Apna’ (1994)

Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, this funny movie features a star-studded cast including Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Raveena Tandon, and Karisma Kapoor. The film centers around two carefree men who both try to win the affection of a wealthy woman, and accidentally get mixed up with a clumsy criminal. While it didn’t do huge numbers in theaters, it became a beloved classic thanks to frequent showings on TV and video. Many of the lines, character traits, and performances by actors like Shakti Kapoor and Paresh Rawal are still famous and often quoted today.

‘Pakeezah’ (1972)

Kamal Amrohi’s historical drama features Meena Kumari and Raaj Kumar, and is famous for its stunning sets and beautiful classical dances. It took over ten years to make, with music by Ghulam Mohammed and a score by Naushad. The story follows a woman trying to find love and respect despite the limitations placed on her by society. The film’s costumes, design, and songs—including the memorable “Chalte Chalte”—have become classics that continue to resonate with audiences.

‘Mughal-e-Azam’ (1960)

Directed by K. Asif, the historical film Mughal-e-Azam stars Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, and Prithviraj Kapoor. The story centers on a conflict between Prince Salim and his father, Emperor Akbar, caused by Salim’s love for a dancer named Anarkali. The film is famous for its lavish sets, the huge number of performers used, and the beautifully colorized song “Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya.” A re-release in 2004 brought the film to a new generation of viewers and solidified its place as a landmark achievement in Hindi filmmaking, known for its large scale and production values.

‘Mother India’ (1957)

Mehboob Khan’s film tells the story of a woman in a village who works tirelessly to support her sons while burdened by debt. It’s a reimagining of Khan’s previous film, ‘Aurat,’ and offers a realistic look at farming life, highlighting both its difficulties and the strength of those who live it. The film gained international recognition, even receiving an Academy Award nomination, and its visuals and story became highly influential in how rural life was depicted in Bollywood movies.

‘Deewaar’ (1975)

Directed by Yash Chopra and written by Salim-Javed, this 1970s crime drama features Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, and Parveen Babi. The story centers around two brothers who find themselves on opposing sides of the law in Bombay. It’s famous for its memorable lines, gritty dockyard scenes, and helped establish Amitabh Bachchan as a leading action star. The film was a huge commercial hit and inspired many similar crime stories in the years that followed.

‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’ (1983)

Kundan Shah’s satirical film stars Naseeruddin Shah, Ravi Baswani, and a talented supporting cast including Om Puri and Satish Shah. The story centers on two down-on-their-luck photographers who stumble upon evidence of corruption within the local government and a suspicious cover-up of a murder. Despite being made with limited funds, the film became well-known for its dramatic, theatrical climax inspired by the epic story of the ‘Mahabharata.’ It gained a dedicated following through film festivals and television broadcasts, and essentially defined the genre of political satire in Hindi cinema.

‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ (2011)

Zoya Akhtar’s film features Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, and Abhay Deol on a road trip through Spain. The story follows three friends fulfilling a promise to have exciting adventures together before one of them gets married. The movie became popular in India, inspiring people to visit places like Costa Brava and try activities like skydiving and the tomato fight festival. Its music, beautiful scenery, and product placements all helped it succeed in theaters and continue to be enjoyed online.

‘Queen’ (2014)

Vikas Bahl’s film features Kangana Ranaut as a woman who decides to take her planned European honeymoon trip alone after her engagement falls apart. Filmed in Delhi, Paris, and Amsterdam, the movie is a funny and heartwarming story about a woman finding her independence. It received several awards for its acting and writing, and helped pave the way for more films in Hindi cinema with strong female leads.

‘Barfi!’ (2012)

Directed by Anurag Basu, this film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, and Ileana D’Cruz in a story set in the 1970s. It’s a heartwarming and dramatic film that centers on a character who is both deaf and unable to speak, and explores his connections with others over time, relying heavily on visuals rather than dialogue. Primarily filmed in Darjeeling and Kolkata, the movie stands out for its authentic 1970s look and feel, as well as its memorable music by Pritam. India chose it as its entry for the Academy Awards that year.

‘Haider’ (2014)

Vishal Bhardwaj reimagines Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ in the turbulent setting of Kashmir, starring Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, and Kay Kay Menon. The film is set against the backdrop of local locations, including the city of Srinagar and the snowy mountains, to create a realistic story. It won National Film Awards for its performances, writing, and music, with the soundtrack – featuring the song ‘Bismil’ – blending traditional Kashmiri sounds with Bhardwaj’s distinctive musical style.

‘Kahaani’ (2012)

Vidya Balan plays a pregnant woman desperately looking for her husband in Kolkata in Sujoy Ghosh’s thrilling film. The movie was famously shot during the lively Durga Puja festival, using the real crowds and processions as a backdrop. A surprising twist at the end makes you see everything differently, and it’s been a hit with audiences. The film’s popularity led to more movies being filmed in Kolkata and even a follow-up story.

‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (1995)

Aditya Chopra’s first film stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in a love story that spans from London to the countryside of Punjab. The movie played for an exceptionally long time in Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir theater, breaking box office records. Its music, composed by Jatin–Lalit, and the beautiful Swiss scenery helped encourage more Indian tourists to visit Switzerland. The film also became the standard for how stories about Indians living abroad were portrayed in popular cinema.

‘Guide’ (1965)

Directed by Vijay Anand and starring Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman, this film is based on a novel by R. K. Narayan. It tells the story of a tour guide whose connection with a married dancer causes significant changes in his life and beliefs. The movie’s music, composed by S. D. Burman and featuring the popular song “Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai,” is still well-known today. At the time of its release, the film was praised for its innovative editing, dance sequences, and use of color.

‘Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India’ (2001)

Lagaan, a historical sports drama directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, features Aamir Khan and Gracy Singh in a story set in a village suffering from drought during British rule. To avoid paying taxes, the villagers challenge their British rulers to a game of cricket. The film then follows their journey as they learn to play and prepare for the big match. Lagaan was recognized internationally with an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. Filming took place in Bhuj, Gujarat, and required building large village sets and employing many extras to recreate the cricket scenes.

‘Chak De! India’ (2007)

Shimit Amin’s film stars Shah Rukh Khan as a coach guiding India’s women’s national hockey team. The story shows the team preparing through tryouts and practice, and then follows their journey through a major international championship. To make the hockey scenes realistic, the filmmakers used actual stadiums and players, focusing on believable sports action. The film helped generate more excitement for women’s field hockey and similar team-based stories in Bollywood.

‘Swades’ (2004)

Ashutosh Gowariker’s film tells the story of a NASA engineer, played by Shah Rukh Khan, who comes back to his hometown in India. Filmed both in the village of Wai and at the real NASA centers, the movie explores themes of Indians living abroad, while also tackling issues like bringing electricity and progress to rural areas. A.R. Rahman’s music and the director’s choice to use local people instead of professional actors helped create a realistic and authentic feel. The film sparked conversations about people returning to their home countries and starting businesses that benefit their communities.

‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ (2012)

Anurag Kashyap’s crime film was released in two parts, with the first focusing on the conflicts between coal mafia groups in Dhanbad over many years. The movie features a blend of well-known and stage actors, including Manoj Bajpayee and Richa Chadha. It’s praised for being filmed on location, its accurate period costumes, and its expansive soundtrack which incorporates folk music. The film’s success at festivals and with audiences in India helped pave the way for more gangster stories told in multiple parts.

‘Sholay’ (1975)

Directed by Ramesh Sippy, this classic action film features Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, and Amjad Khan. The story takes place in the made-up village of Ramgarh and centers around two former prisoners who are tasked with catching a dangerous outlaw. Notably, the movie was made using advanced 70mm film and stereophonic sound for its time. It went on to become a huge box office success and a popular choice for holiday TV viewing.

‘Andhadhun’ (2018)

Sriram Raghavan’s thrilling film stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, and Radhika Apte. The plot follows a pianist who pretends to be blind and gets caught up in a criminal conspiracy. The director creates suspense through techniques like extended shots, music that’s part of the film’s world, and filming in and around Pune. The movie was recognized with National Film Awards and has been remade in several other Indian languages.

‘Drishyam’ (2015)

Nishikant Kamat directed the Hindi film, a remake of a Malayalam movie, featuring Ajay Devgn, Tabu, and Shriya Saran. The story centers around a family man who creates a false alibi after a fight unexpectedly leads to a police investigation. Filmed primarily in Goa, the movie uses details like dates on media and receipts to track the timeline. A sequel, with the original stars, continued the story several years later.

‘Pyaasa’ (1957)

Directed by Guru Dutt, who also stars alongside Waheeda Rehman and Mala Sinha, this film tells the story of a struggling poet in India after it gained independence. The music, composed by S. D. Burman and featuring songs like “Jaane Woh Kaise,” is deeply connected to the film’s plot. The beautiful black and white cinematography by V. K. Murthy uses lighting to powerfully convey a sense of loneliness and disconnection in the city. Thanks to ongoing restorations and screenings at film festivals and archives, the film continues to be appreciated today.

‘Anand’ (1971)

Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s film features Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan in a touching story about the bond between a doctor and a patient facing a terminal illness. The story is told through diary entries and recordings, and is beautifully enhanced by Salil Chowdhury’s music and Gulzar’s writing. The film was a critical success, winning several Filmfare Awards, including Best Film and Best Actor.

‘Taare Zameen Par’ (2007)

I was deeply moved by this film where Aamir Khan directed Darsheel Safary in a story about a young boy struggling with dyslexia. What really struck me was how realistically it showed his challenges and how a dedicated teacher understood what he needed to learn. The movie didn’t just talk about learning differences, it showed specific teaching techniques, used art in a beautiful way, and even highlighted the importance of parents understanding their child’s needs. It really made a difference, sparking conversations and even workshops in schools all over India. And the music, by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, was perfect – it included sounds of kids learning and had these gentle, comforting melodies.

‘Dangal’ (2016)

Dangal, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, tells the inspiring true story of the Phogat family and their journey in the world of wrestling. Aamir Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sanya Malhotra star in the film, which follows their rigorous training, competition in various weight classes, and rise from national to international tournaments. Dangal was a massive success, breaking box office records in countries like China and becoming one of India’s highest-earning films. The actors’ performances were enhanced by realistic wrestling choreography and coaching in the Haryanvi dialect.

‘3 Idiots’ (2009)

Rajkumar Hirani’s latest film stars Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi, with a significant role for Kareena Kapoor. It tells a story that jumps between the characters’ college years and a present-day quest, focusing on life as engineering students, their participation in innovation competitions, and the bonds of friendship. The movie was filmed at various Indian Institutes of Management and included a memorable reunion scene shot at Pangong Tso lake. It was a major box office hit and sparked conversations about the pressures of school and the importance of fostering creativity.

Let us know your favorite Bollywood movies in the comments! We’d love to see what everyone’s watching and get some new recommendations.

2025-11-09 01:18