2023 is another year that has proven to revive the enigma and charm of Bollywood. 2022 brought Bollywood to the limelight and stars in 2023 are trying to ensure the industry remains in it for a long time. 2023 is seeing the return of long-lost Bollywood stars, bringing back the old glamour and appeal that Bollywood held. Moreover, they have also resorted to expanding their horizons and exploring new genres, making 2023 all the more exciting! Let’s take a look at the best Bollywood Movies of 2023 that kept us entertained throughout the year
1. Pathaan
Released in January of this year, Pathaan inaugurated the year for Bollywood with a bang. The return of King Khan to the screen after a long break along with Deepika Padukone’s role in an action film garnered a lot of attention making the film one of their highest-grossing movies! The movie has it all: action, romance, sensuality, drama and bang-on songs, and available on Amazon Prime.
2. Mission Majnu
Mission Majnu is a Netflix release that revolves around one of the most covert operations conducted by India in the 1970s. Starring Siddharth Malhotra and Rashmika Madanna, the movie was a true portrayal of the young stars’ acting abilities. A simple well-executed plotline with the right amount of patriotism and romance is what attracted the audience making Mission Majnu one of the best Bollywood movies of 2023.
3. Chhatriwali
With the dawn of several films on social issues in Bollywood, Chhatriwali stands out remarkably. With male protagonists leading this genre, Chhatriwali starring Rakul Preet Singh as a strong female lead was a breath of fresh air. No one would expect a girl to talk about condoms and the importance of sex education. The hint of comedy prevents the film from becoming preachy. It is available to watch on Zee5.
4. Gandhi Godse: Ek Yudh
The movie takes on an unexpected twist wherein Mahatma Gandhi survives the assassination and engages in a discourse with his infamous assassinator- Nathuram Godse. The fresh perspective on history granted by the story of the movie will leave you with both answers and questions to reflect upon. It is a thought-provoking movie and also one of the finest works of director Rajkumar Santoshi. The film was a critic’s favorite and had to be included in our list of Best Bollywood movies of 2023.
5. Gulmohar
Gulmohar is a family drama with a star cast of the finest Indian celebrities like Sharmila Tagore, Manoj Bajpayee, Amol Palekar, Suraj Sharma and Talat Aziz. The movie deals with how a family rediscovers their bonds as they move out of their home and uncover some secrets. The movie is an emotional rollercoaster throughout. It is the perfect portrayal of real Indian families. The actors’ performances aided by the great attention to the minutest details have made the movie one of the best Bollywood movies of 2023. It is available to watch on Hotstar.
6. Tu Jhoothi Mai Makkaar
The latest addition to the Luv-verse (Luv Ranjan universe) was a much-awaited one and proved worth all the hype. TJMM saw the return of Ranbir Kapoor in his cheeky YJHD-esque roles and of Shraddha Kapoor as the wild bubbly person she is. The deadly combo of the two proved to be a success with the film gaining ready approval from the audience. The fresh storyline and masaledar songs make the movie a delight to watch! You can watch it on Netflix.
7. Chor Nikal Ke Bhaaga
Chor Nikal Ke Bhaaga is a Netflix movie starring Yami Gautam and Sunny Kaushal. It is a suspense thriller that revolves around an air hostess and her boyfriend who plan on stealing a set of diamonds from the plane to pay off their debt. Their plan however goes awry when the same plane gets hijacked. This melange of two very riveting plots makes the movie’s plot engaging and gripping. Directed by Ajay Singh, each frame of the movie is shot with perfection making it a must-watch for all cinephiles.
8. Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery
A satire on the administrative system, Kathal: A Jackfruit is a Netflix movie starring Sanya Malhotra, Rajpal Yadav, Neha Saraf and Vijay Raaz. It tells the story of a female officer who takes it upon herself to prove her ability by helping an investigation into a politician’s missing jackfruits. This bizarre case leads her to revelations that help her solve the mysterious disappearance of a young girl. The movie subtly touches on various social issues in a very playful manner which makes the movie even more enjoyable.
9. The Kerala story
Released in May of this year amidst all the controversies around it, The Kerala Story proved to be one of the many blockbuster hits that 2023 produced. Directed by Sudipto Sen, the movie stars Adah Sharma who became an instant household name along with Yogita Bihani, Sidhhi Idnani and Sonia Balani. Although the movie is alleged to have portrayed the wrong figures, it was highly appreciated for portraying a contentious topic. It was a fan favourite for its touching story of religious conversion and fanaticism.
10. Zara Hatke Zara Bachke
With its songs gaining the most hype on social media, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke was one of the most special Bollywood movies of 2023. Starring Sara Ali Khan and Vicky Kaushal, the movie tells the simple story of a middle-class couple and their dream of owning a house. It realistically portrays the struggles faced in an Indian household and also the unwavering love and support between a couple. The songs of the movie as mentioned are catchy and complement the storytelling.
11. Satyaprem Ki Katha
Satyaprem ki katha starring Kartik Aryan and Kiara Advani Malhotra is a rom-com for all old Bollywood junkies. In this age of fast love, the movie portrays the innocence of true love and going to any extent to maintain it. The movie also carries a social message which is conveyed through the challenges the main lead faces while fighting for love. It is truly a beautiful movie and the effortless performance of the actors adds an extra layer of emotion to the plot. Overall, contrary to the reactions the movie’s songs (Pasoori nu…) received, the film in itself was welcomed by the audiences.
12. Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway
An emotionally stirring movie, Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway is a must-watch for all families. The movie, directed by Ashima Chibber represents the immeasurable strength of a mother and her ability to do everything she can in order to save her kids. This movie is based on the real-life tale of the legal fight between an immigrant mother and the Norwegian foster care system. Rani Mukherjee plays a brilliant role and expresses each emotion with an intensity that compels the viewer to give in. The movie highlights the plight of immigrants trying to adjust to new laws and systems as they move to a completely different country. Watch Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway only on Netflix.
13. Jawan
A gripping tale of a man who has faced many biases and injustices in his life and has decided to take the system into his own hands. He has started on a journey to help the poor and punish the powerful and corrupt people. He forms a group that helps him accomplish his mission. This journey of justice is filled with high-octane action, emotions, back stories, a villain, and many catchy songs- a pure masala Bollywood movie with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead! The movie was released on Netflix for online streaming at midnight on 2nd November 2023- as a birthday gift to SRK.
14. OMG 2
This comedy-drama is a sequel to the 2012 movie but has a different story to tell. It shows a devotee of Lord Shiva and a religious man living his peaceful life in a small town. His faith, moral values, and societal rules are questioned when his son’s controversial video goes viral on the internet. The movie deals with the taboo topic of sex education in India in a comic yet smart way. It stars Akshay Kumar, Pankaj Tripathi, Yami Gautam, and Aarush Varma in important roles. Watch it on Netflix today!
15. Bheed
It is a thriller drama film that shows a fictitious version of the migration of people that happened during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in 2019. When a police officer is tasked with stopping the laborers and migrants trying to cross the border. However, his fight against the people slowly changes and turns into a fight for humanity when he sees the plight of people. This gripping social thriller stars Rajkumar Rao, and Bhumi Pednekar in prominent roles among others. Available on Netflix for you to watch.
16. Dream Girl 2
It is a romcom that revolves around the life of Karam Singh, a man who has fallen madly in love with a girl named Pari. However, when he finds out that a woman is needed as a dancer in a local club- he changes into his alter ego- Pooja. His financial situation improves and it seems like his father-in-law will soon approve of him. But, the situation that he has landed in, is not so easy! Movie stars Aayshman Khurana, and Ananya Pandey in lead roles. You can watch it on Netflix.
17. Tiger 3
It is an action spy thriller starring Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, and Emraan Hashmi in the main roles. The movie shows the spy couple- Zoya and Tiger are back in the game and this time around their team needs to back them up because the fight is personal! The movie has all the actions, dialogues, and music that you would expect from the Tiger franchise movies. And the cameo of Shah Rukh Khan as Pathan is also making the viewers go crazy!
18. 12th Fail
It is a biographical drama movie based on the life of Manoj Kumar Sharma who overcame many obstacles including extreme poverty to become an IPS officer. The movie will motivate you and also bring tears to your eyes. It received great reviews from viewers as well as critics and has got a soaring 9.2 rating on IMDb! The movie stars Vikrant Massey, and Medha Shankar in the lead roles.
So far, these movies have managed to make it to our Best Bollywood Movies of 2023 List. Stay tuned to know which others get added to the list and do let us know if we missed out on any!
Also Read: 15 Best Bollywood Movies On Life To Give You A Fresh Perspective