Bollywood isn’t a movie business—it’s a cultural phenomenon, packed with music, feeling, color, and over-the-top storytelling. From Mumbai to Manhattan, these films have won hearts and defied borders. But what is “Bollywood,” exactly? Technically, it’s Hindi-language movies made in Mumbai, but the name has come to stand for the broader, dazzling world of Indian film.
It’s not easy to try and declare the “best” of Bollywood. There’s so much variety in Indian cinema—so many languages, so many genres, so many styles—to encompass the multi-million-dollar Telugu blockbusters of Hyderabad, the subtle masterpieces of Kolkata. Yet, some films have transcended the rest—not only because they ran at the box office, but because they changed culture, initiated conversations, and helped establish what Indian cinema was capable of being.
So what is it about a Bollywood movie that makes it a classic, then? Think unforgettable music, wildly improbable plot turns, stunning costumes, and a high-impact emotional core that pretty much gravitates around family, love, and self-discovery. These movies can be lengthy, melodramatic to a fault, and full of tonal whiplash—but it’s exactly where the magic is.
Here are ten of the greatest Bollywood movies ever. All ten are worth watching, and all ten have left an irreversible mark on Indian cinema and the rest of the world.
1. Sholay (1975)
Hyped as the greatest Bollywood blockbuster, Sholay blends action, drama, and comedy in a story of two robbers hired by a village to protect it from a vicious robber. Legendary performances and dialogues, now incorporated into pop culture, made Sholay the gold standard for screen spectacle in India.
3. Lagaan (2001)
In this crowd-pleasing blockbuster, colonial Indian villagers need to beat the British at a cricket game to be released from an unfair tax. Lagaan mixes sports, history, music, and national pride into a thrilling underdog story that received an Oscar nomination and international acclaim.
4. Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
This modern definition of adulthood and friendship struck a chord with an entire generation. Following the lives of three intimate friends through love, career, and the passage of life, Dil Chahta Hai revolutionized the way youth is portrayed in Bollywood today.
5. Mughal-e-Azam (1960)
An epic romance set against the majesty of the Mughal era, Mughal-e-Azam is a visual and emotional treat. The prince and courtesan romance between Prince Salim and Anarkali is brought to life with stunning sets, stunning costumes, and unforgettable music.
6. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
Part road journey, part journey of self-discovery, this film depicts three friends road-tripping in Spain, shattering their fears and reconnecting with themselves. Its blend of laughter, introspection, and visual grandeur has made it a hit film worldwide.
7. Chak De! India (2007)
Shah Rukh Khan plays a discredited hockey player who becomes captain of the Indian women’s team to redeem his country and himself. Strong in its message of unification and grit, Chak De! India dishes out inspiration galore.
8. Ardh Satya (1983)
It is a tense cop thriller that delves into the mind of an upright cop fighting against systemic corruption. Ardh Satya’s uncompromising exploration of power and morality ushered in a new era of socially aware Indian cinema.
Bollywood has matured. From the melodramatic black-and-white movies of the 1950s to today’s high-tech blockbusters such as 2.0 (2018), Indian cinema continues to evolve. That movie, with its enormous budget and state-of-the-art visuals, introduced the world to how bold Indian filmmakers can be—and how wide their audience has become.
The silver lining? You don’t need to rummage through old DVDs or wait for film festivals to see these classics. Streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and Zee5 present a rich catalog of Bollywood’s finest. Niche services like Bollyflix and others also provide fans with access to mainstream as well as regional cinema, just to make sure that you use authorized platforms to ensure your viewing is safe and seamless.
At its core, Bollywood is about connection. Its stories—of love, loss, triumph, and transformation—resonate across cultures and languages. Whether you’re revisiting a childhood favorite or diving in for the first time, these ten films offer a powerful introduction to the heart and soul of Indian cinema.