The Bollywood film industry has gifted people several blockbusters and timeless classics, which have fed families for generations. Every Indian, no matter which state they belong to, has at least one Bollywood movie etched in their memory—one they can watch over and over without ever getting tired of it. And why not? Bollywood films have a magical way of bringing smiles to faces and touching hearts so deeply that they become a part of us forever.
Besides the actors’ acting, soothing soundtracks, breathtaking cinematography, and meaningful direction, Bollywood movies have eventually become a binge-watch option. And when the talk is about binge-watching movies, why not directly stream it on arguably the most popular OTT platform, Netflix?
There are tons of Bollywood classics that you can watch here, and even watch something that has entertained your eyes. The article details the top 12 Bollywood classics that you can watch on Netflix. Let’s dive in.
3 Idiots
The first inclusion in this list of pure Bollywood classics that can be streamed on Netflix obviously had to be 3 Idiots. The Rajkumar Hirani-directed movie is one of the most popular and beloved movies in the modern era, and no matter the time you’re from, people from every age just love this movie, in terms of every aspect, including the casting, the acting, the storytelling, etc.
The trio of Rancho, Farhan, and Raju is still talked about even today, despite the movie being released more than 15 years ago. The film secured an IMDb rating of 8.4/10.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, is also one of the most iconic romantic Hindi films of the country. What makes the movie so special, especially among teens and young adults, is that it still continues to refresh people even after 12 years since its release. This romantic comedy, filled with so many emotions, will not only make you fall in love with the main characters but also relate to them. The Ayan Mukherji-directed film got a decent 7.3/10 rating on IMDb.
Kahaani
Another breathtaking Bollywood classic you can watch on Netflix comes in the form of Kahaani. The thriller-mystery genre movie gained huge popularity during its release, and it is also regarded as one of the best films in the Hindi film industry.
The movie features Bollywood stars like Vidya Balan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui and several Bengali actors, including Saswata Chatterjee, Parambrata Chatterjee, etc, making the movie even more compelling concerning the scenario, being set in Kolkata. The film achieved a whopping 8.1/10 IMDb rating for its performance.
Rang De Basanti
Talk about a cult classic and not mention Rang de Basanti? That’s seriously wrong! The Aamir Khan-starring movie is not only one of the greatest films on Netflix, but also counts among the Indian Films. The central theme of the movie revolves around freedom, mainly, and also deals with courage, priorities, relationships, etc. The movie is directed by the infamous Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, and has an IMDb rating of 8.1/10.
Haider
There’s often a saying about Shahid Kapoor that he doesn’t get the credit he actually deserves. And in case you do not agree with that, you surely need to watch Haider first. This Bollywood film is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s legendary play Hamlet, and Vishal Bhardwaj wholeheartedly justified the direction in every possible way. The film received a well-deserved 8/10 rating on IMDb.
Queen
Next in this list of Bollywood classics comes Kangana Ranaut, featuring Queen. Just like YJHD, the movie doesn’t get old, no matter how many times you’ve watched it, but you’ll want some more. The film expertly balances humor and emotion, with Kangana Ranaut delivering a stellar performance that earned her the National Award for Best Actress. This is another movie that achieved an IMDb rating of 8.1/10
Swades
When Bollywood classics are being discussed, it’s a matter of time, a movie of SRK will pop up. And here it comes in the likes of Swades. If you haven’t watched this film yet, do it now on Netflix, and you will eventually feel your feelings elevated for your nation to a whole new level.
The film powerfully explores what it means to bring reform to your own country while effortlessly shedding light on pressing issues like casteism, lack of access to education, and more. Critics highly appreciated the film, and it earned a strong rating of 8.2/10 on IMDb.
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Just like a famous trio of 3 Idiots, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara also has a famous trio, in the likes of Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, and Abhay Deol. The film primarily deals with how to live life at its fullest and come out of the monotonous rut in your life. The film received huge appraisals for the performance and the storytelling, and this Zoya Akhtar-directed movie got an 8.2/10 IMDb rating.
Talaash
Talaash is another thriller movie that is going to send chills down your spine. The multi-starrer movie featuring Aamir Khan, Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor, and others mesmerises audiences with its mysterious plot and soulful songs through its unique storytelling. As always, these superstars didn’t fail to perform at their fullest, and all the exceptional screenplay as well as cinematography, eventually led the movie to get a decent 7.3/10 IMDb rating.
Pink
If you’re looking forward to checking out some movies that deal with feminist issues, very few will be able to beat Pink. This film marks the first ever collaboration between Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu, and it primarily deals with women’s consent, which comes among the most ignored concepts in our country. Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s direction brought the film to life, garnering an 8/10 IMDb rating.
Andhadhun
People who haven’t seen this movie yet should waste no time watching it, as they are missing something big, indeed. If you’re also among them, watch it today, and witness the spectacular acting by Ayushmann Khurrana, and his fellow actresses Tabu and Radhika Apte, who have also justified their roles, in a whole-hearted way. Critics and audiences alike consider this movie a masterpiece, especially when compared to many modern films, with an impressive IMDb rating of 8.2/10 that underscores its cinematic brilliance.
Dil Chahta Hai
A classic movie featuring a popular trio again in this list comes in the form of Dil Chahta Hai. People often struggle to find out what they will do after college, and this is where the movie brings so many perspectives.
With standout performances from Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshaye Khanna, the film offers a groundbreaking portrayal of adulthood and the impact of distance on friendships, making it a trailblazer in its genre. It achieved a brilliant 8/10 IMDb rating.
Bottom Line
The list mainly draws from the popularity, critical acclaim, and preferences of young adults who grew up watching these movies. In addition, Netflix offers several other Bollywood classics like Main Hoon Na, The Sky is Pink, Lootera, and more. If you haven’t watched any of these films yet, you should definitely check them out—they promise a visual treat and will surely make your time investment worthwhile.
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