123 Bollywood Movies Best May 2026
The era of the superstar. Amitabh Bachchan stormed onto the screen, and the "Masala" film—a blend of action, comedy, and drama—was born.
6. Sholay (1975) It is impossible to talk about Bollywood without Sholay. A curry western that gave us iconic villains (Gabbar Singh), iconic friendships (Jai-Veeru), and dialogue that is quoted to this day.
7. Deewaar (1975) The film that cemented Amitabh Bachchan as the "Angry Young Man." A gritty crime drama about two brothers on opposite sides of the law.
8. Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) The ultimate masala entertainer. Three brothers separated at birth, raised in three different religions, unite to fight evil. Pure joy.
9. Don (1978) A slick crime thriller that showed Bachchan in a double role. The legacy of Don continues to influence remakes today.
10. Mr. India (1987) Sci-fi met Bollywood in this Shekhar Kapur directorial. "Mogambo khush hua" remains one of the most iconic lines in cinema history.
In the sprawling universe of Hindi cinema, the number 123 is a curious cipher. It is not a round century (100) nor a celebratory golden jubilee (125). It is a number that suggests both completion and chaos—perhaps representing the 100 essentials, plus 23 wildcards that defy logic. To compile a list of the "123 Bollywood Movies Best" is less a task of curation and more an act of cartography, mapping the shifting tectonic plates of Indian culture, emotion, and spectacle.
Bollywood is more than just an industry; it is a kaleidoscope of emotions, a riot of colors, and a mirror to Indian society. From the golden era of black-and-white masterpieces to the modern, content-driven cinema of today, Hindi cinema has produced thousands of films.
But if you had to curate the absolute essentials—the films that defined generations, broke box office records, and touched the soul—where would you start?
We have undertaken the monumental task of compiling the 123 Best Bollywood Movies. This list isn't just about box office numbers; it is a celebration of storytelling, acting prowess, and musical genius. Whether you are a seasoned cinephile or a newcomer looking for where to begin, here is your definitive guide to the best of Bollywood. 123 bollywood movies best
The era of Switzerland shoots, family values, and Shah Rukh Khan. Bollywood went global.
11. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) DDLJ didn’t just break records; it rewrote the rules of romance. Raj and Simran became the benchmark for every lover that followed.
12. Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) A film that felt like a wedding invitation. It brought families back to theaters with its clean, celebratory vibe.
13. Rangeela (1995) Ram Gopal Varma’s colorful, stylish film that showcased Aamir Khan in a completely new light and introduced India to a modern sound.
14. Judwaa (1997) The quintessential 90s comedy. David Dhawan’s brand of nonsensical fun, centered on twin brothers, became a genre in itself.
15. Satya (1998) Often cited as the "Godfather" of Indian gang
The search for "123 Bollywood movies" most commonly refers to the 2008 Hindi comedy film titled One Two Three, which is a remake of the 1992 American film Blame It on the Bellboy. Plot Summary of One Two Three (2008)
The story revolves around three men who share the same name, Laxmi Narayan, and end up at the same hotel in Pondicherry, leading to a series of comedic misunderstandings:
Laxmi Narayan 1 (Tusshar Kapoor): A wannabe gangster whose mother wants him to follow in his late father's footsteps. He is sent to Pondicherry to carry out his first "hit". The era of the superstar
Laxmi Narayan 2 (Suniel Shetty): A clumsy and literal-minded secretary sent by his boss to buy a vintage car from a dealer named Laila.
Laxmi Narayan 3 (Paresh Rawal): A simple lingerie salesman (owner of "Bulbul Lingerie") traveling to meet a new supplier.
Chaos ensues when the hitman is mistaken for the car buyer, the car buyer is mistaken for the lingerie salesman, and the salesman is targeted by gangsters. The film features an ensemble cast including Esha Deol, Sameera Reddy, and Neetu Chandra. Top Bollywood Movies with Great Stories
If you are looking for the "best" Bollywood films known specifically for their storytelling, critics often highlight these titles: One Two Three (2008) - Plot - IMDb
The request "123 Bollywood movies best" can be interpreted in two ways: a report on the 2008 comedy film One Two Three or a collection of the top-rated Bollywood movies often found on lists of "100+ best" films. 1. Movie Report: One Two Three One Two Three
is a madcap Hindi comedy of errors directed by Ashwani Dhir. It is known for its "confusion-based" humor.
: The story revolves around three men, all named Laxminarayan, who arrive at the same hotel for entirely different reasons: one is a criminal on the run, one is a cop on a secret mission, and one is a middle-class man. : The film features an ensemble cast including Suniel Shetty , Paresh Rawal, and Tusshar Kapoor.
: It received an IMDb rating of 5.2/10. While critics noted flaws in the script, it is often cited as a "superhit" comedy for its illogical but effective laughter-inducing scenes. Box Office
: The film performed moderately well, particularly in rural and suburban areas. 2. Top-Rated Bollywood Movie Collections The era of Switzerland shoots, family values, and
For those seeking a curated list of the absolute best in Bollywood, critical and audience consensus frequently highlights these titles: My Top 150 Bollywood Movies - IMDb
Movies 109 to 85
The 1970s saw the rise of Amitabh Bachchan, the "Angry Young Man" who fought for the common man against corrupt systems. The "masala" film (action, comedy, romance, drama all in one) was born.
109. Sholay (1975) – The greatest action adventure bromance. 108. Deewar (1975) – "Mere paas maa hai." The most iconic dialogue ever. 107. Zanjeer (1973) – The film that invented Bachchan’s persona. 106. Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) – A madcap religious harmony musical. 105. Don (1978) – The thriller that started the "Don" franchise. 104. Trishul (1978) – Corporate revenge done right. 103. Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) – Unrequited love and sacrifice. 102. Kabhie Kabhie (1976) – Poetry and generational romance. 101. Julie (1975) – A bold look at premarital pregnancy. 100. Anand (1971) – "Babumoshai, zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi." 99. Mili (1975) – Optimistic tragedy. 98. Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1970) – The basic necessities of life. 97. Kala Patthar (1979) – A coal mine worker’s redemption. 96. Gol Maal (1979) – The original hilarious mistaken-identity comedy. 95. Chupke Chupke (1975) – Gentle, intellectual comedy.
If you came looking for a ranking list, here is an informative review of how these lists usually stack up and what films consistently appear in the top spots.
The Consensus Top 5: Most critics and audience polls (IMDb, Filmfare, Time Out) generally agree on these titles appearing in the top 5 of any "Best Bollywood Movies" list:
The "Hidden Gems" Often Missed in Top Lists: While "Top 123" lists often favor commercial hits, the informed reviewer should seek out:
Movies 44 to 20
This decade proved that "content is king." Biopics, social dramas, and tight thrillers outranks mindless masala. The rise of Kumar (Akshay) as the social activist and the arrival of streaming giants changed the rules.
44. Queen (2014) – Kangana Ranaut’s honeymoon alone in Paris. 43. PK (2014) – An alien questions God – and box office records. 42. Haider (2014) – Vishal Bhardwaj’s Shakespearean Kashmir tragedy. 41. Baby (2015) – A no-nonsense counter-terrorism operation. 40. Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) – A Hanuman devotee takes a mute girl to Pakistan. 39. Piku (2015) – Amitabh Bachchan’s constipation and a road trip. 38. Talvar (2015) – The unbiased retelling of the Aarushi murder case. 37. Neerja (2016) – The bravery of a flight purser. 36. Dangal (2016) – Aamir Khan as Mahavir Phogat. Highest grosser ever. 35. Hindi Medium (2017) – Class divide and school admissions. 34. Raees (2017) – A bootlegger with a heart. 33. Tumhari Sulu (2017) – A housewife becomes a late-night radio jockey. 32. Andhadhun (2018) – A blind pianist, a murder, and ten twists. 31. Padmaavat (2018) – Bhansali’s extreme opulence and controversy. 30. Raazi (2018) – Alia Bhatt as a Kashmiri spy married to a Pakistani. 29. Hichki (2018) – Rani Mukerji as a teacher with Tourette’s syndrome. 28. Badhaai Ho (2018) – A couple gets pregnant at 50. Awkward comedy. 27. Sanju (2018) – Ranbir Kapoor’s transformation into Sanjay Dutt. 26. Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) – "How’s the josh?" Patriotic mania. 25. Gully Boy (2019) – Street rappers from the slums of Mumbai. 24. Mission Mangal (2019) – The women behind the Mars mission. 23. Article 15 (2019) – A cop investigates caste-based rape. 22. Chhichhore (2019) – Hostel pressures and college nostalgia. 21. War (2019) – The slickest action thriller (Hrithik vs. Tiger). 20. Good Newwz (2019) – IVF mix-up comedy.
