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!


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.


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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!