Must-Watch Indian Movies: A Genre-Wise Guide to Cinematic Masterpieces

Looking for the best Indian movies to watch? Whether you’re in the mood for a gripping drama, a thrilling action-packed adventure, or a light-hearted comedy, this list covers all bases. Here’s a detailed guide to 50 must-watch Indian films, sorted by genre, to help you find your next favorite flick. Dive in and discover the gems of Indian cinema!

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Key Takeaway

Explore a diverse selection of top Indian movies categorized by genre, each with a brief synopsis. From heartfelt dramas to edge-of-your-seat thrillers, this guide offers a curated list to suit every taste and mood.

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Dramas

1. Natsamrat (2016)
   Duration: 2h 46m | Rating: 8.8
   After retiring, an aging theatre actor and his wife feel abandoned by their children. A poignant tale of familial bonds and estrangement.
2. Pariah Volume 1: Every Street Dog Has a Name (2024)
   Duration: 2h 18m | Rating: 7.1
   Follows the suffering of outcast native Indian dogs amidst a legal system that disregards their plight.
3. The Unvanquished (1956)
   Duration: 1h 50m | Rating: 8.2
   A boy leaves home to study in Calcutta following his father’s death, while his mother faces life alone.
4. Main Atal Hoon (2024)
   Duration: 2h 19m | Rating: 7.0
   Chronicles the extraordinary life of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, exploring his political and poetic journey.
5. Hindi Medium (2017)
   Duration: 2h 12m | Rating: 7.8
   A couple from Chandni Chowk aspires for the best education for their daughter, aiming to blend into Delhi’s elite.
6. Kaagaz (2021)
   Duration: 1h 49m | Rating: 7.3
   A satirical take on a common man’s struggle to prove his existence after being falsely declared dead.
7. Pindam (2023)
   Duration: 2h 38m | Rating: 7.7
   A speech-impaired girl becomes the vessel for a vengeful spirit bent on destruction.
8. Uunchai (2022)
   Duration: 2h 53m | Rating: 7.0
   Three friends embark on a trek to Everest Base Camp, finding personal and spiritual revelations along the way.

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Thrillers

1. Kuttey (2023)
   Duration: 1h 49m | Rating: 5.5
   Multiple gangs converge on a van carrying cash, leading to a high-stakes showdown.
2. 13B: Fear Has a New Address (2009)
   Duration: 2h 18m | Rating: 7.3
   A man’s life is turned upside down when he starts seeing his family’s future on a soap opera.
3. Zinda (2006)
   Duration: 1h 56m | Rating: 4.9
   A man, imprisoned for 14 years without reason, has four days to uncover the truth behind his captivity.
4. Manichitrathazhu (1993)
   Duration: 2h 49m | Rating: 8.7
   The release of a forbidden room’s spirit unleashes chaos in a bungalow.
5. Kalaga Thalaivan (2022)
   Duration: 2h 21m | Rating: 6.7
   A financial analyst’s life unravels when he faces off against a brutal killer.

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Comedies

1. Housefull (2010)
   Duration: 2h 24m | Rating: 5.5
   A man who believes he is jinxed tries to find love but ends up entangled in a web of lies.
2. Housefull 2 (2012)
   Duration: 2h 25m | Rating: 5.4
   Four men create chaos by deceiving their prospective fathers-in-law, leading to a comedy of errors.
3. Inga Naan Thaan Kingu (2024)
   Duration: 2h 12m | Rating: 5.3
   A family witnesses a murder and devises a scheme to profit from it, sparking hilarious mishaps.
4. Cirkus (2022)
   Duration: 2h 19m | Rating: 4.4
   Two sets of identical twins, separated at birth, create confusion when they cross paths years later.
5. Yaariyan 2 (2023)
   Duration: 2h 28m | Rating: 5.1
   Three cousins face romantic dilemmas after moving to Mumbai.

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Romances

1. Fanaa (2006)
   Duration: 2h 48m | Rating: 7.1
   A blind girl falls for a charming man, only to discover life-changing truths about him.
2. Sanam Teri Kasam (2016)
   Duration: 2h 34m | Rating: 7.6
   A librarian, disowned by her family, finds solace and love with her brooding neighbor.
3. Kushi (2023)
   Duration: 2h 43m | Rating: 5.4
   A young man raised in an atheist household falls in love with the daughter of a devout Hindu leader.
4. Heropanti (2014)
   Duration: 2h 26m | Rating: 5.2
   Two young lovers navigate their relationship amidst a violent backdrop.

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Action

1. Khakee (2004)
   Duration: 2h 54m | Rating: 7.4
   A police team must safely escort a terrorist to Mumbai while facing deadly obstacles.
2. Vinaya Vidheya Rama (2019)
   Duration: 2h 26m | Rating: 3.3
   Ram fights against a crime lord threatening his family’s happiness.
3. Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018)
   Duration: 2h 42m | Rating: 7.3
   A young man decides to end a cycle of violence in his family, leading to self-discovery.
4. Maharaja (1998)
   Duration: 2h 44m | Rating: 4.2
   Prince Kohinoor returns to seek revenge on Ranbir Singh, who killed his parents.
5. Dange (2024)
   Duration: 2h 34m | Rating: 5.4
   Explores the fierce competition between two friends during a vibrant college festival.

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Supernatural

1. Ela Veezha Poonchira (2022)
   Duration: 1h 44m | Rating: 7.3
   Two police officers investigate scattered body parts to unravel a mysterious case.
2. Toxic (2025)
   Duration: 2h 12m | Rating: Not Rated
   A tech war unfolds as truth and deception collide within a community.

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Other Notable Films

1. Jism 2 (2012)
   Duration: 2h 10m | Rating: 3.1
   An intelligence agency recruits a porn star to seduce an assassin for crucial information.
2. Housefull 5 (2025)
   Duration: Not Rated
   A new installment in the popular franchise, promising more laughs and chaos.
3. All India Rank (2023)
   Duration: 1h 37m | Rating: 6.0
   Set in the late 1990s, follows a teenager’s struggle to prepare for a competitive exam.
4. Uruttu Tech (2023)
   Duration: 1h 6m | Rating: 9.3
   The clash between technology and deception shapes the community’s fate.

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This list offers a well-rounded selection of Indian cinema, showcasing the rich diversity of genres and storytelling styles in the industry. From heart-wrenching dramas to laugh-out-loud comedies and intense thrillers, these films represent the best of what Indian cinema has to offer. Enjoy exploring these cinematic gems!