The 10 Best Bollywood Movies To Watch With Your Boyfriend

Bollywood has a high place in worldwide cinematography due to its unique approach to storytelling. Even when they are telling conventional stories, they are told in unconventional, often eccentric or extravagant ways.

If you want to give some Bollywood films a chance while also enjoying some romantic time with your partner, here’s a list of the ten best Bollywood movies to watch with your boyfriend/girlfriend, ranked only by the movies’ IMDb scores.

10. ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ (2016)

IMDb score: 5.8/10

What it’s about: Love changes us in all kinds of ways. We become a better person with the ones we love – or different, at least. But, that’s what makes it so beautiful, and Alizeh and Ayan depict that perfectly. Their love is fire, even heartbreak sometimes, but we watch them navigate through all of it to have their happiness together.

Why you should watch it: The movie is rather poorly rated, but I actually enjoyed it. It isn’t such a straightforward boy-meets-girl tale where everything leads to a happily-ever-after. Instead, the director takes a more realistic, grounded approach to relationships, life, and all the hardships that come with it.

9. ‘Khoobsurat’ (2014)

IMDb score: 6.4/10

What it’s about: Mili is a physiotherapist – and a hopeless romantic who dreams of meeting her ‘Prince Charming’ one day to give her a happily-ever-after. As it turns out, she does meet a Rajput prince – but he is the polar opposite. He doesn’t believe in romance, and he is already engaged to someone else. Who, and what will prevail – the pragmatic, or the romantic?

Why you should watch it: Believe it or not, this is actually a Disney production – so you can probably figure out why we’re talking about royalty here. Unlike the previous film on the list, it is somewhat of a straightforward love story, but it’s incredibly executed and beautiful, showing that love knows no boundaries, especially when it comes to social class or status.

8. ‘Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela’ (2013)

IMDb score: 6.4/10

What it’s about: Sanjay Leela Bhansali wrote and directed what is essentially an Indian adaptation of William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ The story follows Ram and Leela, two young people who are in love, but a love that is forbidden. They battle obstacles along with their lust for one another, leading to a dramatic finale…

Why you should watch it: ‘Romeo and Juliet’ might be the most popular, most well-known love story of all time, am I right? We’ve seen numerous adaptations of the theater boards, and on the big screen – but have you seen a modern adaptation of the story with an Indian twist? If you haven’t, you really should give this movie a chance. It’s quirky and off-beat – but that’s what Bollywood is all about!

7. ‘Manmarziyaan’ (2018)

IMDb score: 6.9/10

What it’s about: Rumi has an arranged marriage with Vicky, who is utterly terrified of commitment. As Rumi tries to convince her parents to let her marry her true love, in comes a third person – Robbie – who is well-settled, and completely smitten by Rumi. The love triangle gets complicated as Rumi is forced to choose what to do.

Why you should watch it: The movie’s title literally translates to ‘Husband Material’, and I absolutely loved some tropes about relationships they used throughout the movie, as well as the humor that made this film not just an endearing love story, but also a funny and relatable comedy despite showing us a realistic struggle and confusion the characters are going through

It’s also a story about the fear of commitment, and a love triangle, which might be something interesting to watch with your boyfriend. It kind of sends a message, ‘If you like it, put a ring on it.’

6. ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ (2013)

IMDb score: 7.2/10

What it’s about: Bunny and Naina fall for each other right after finishing college. But, just as they do, Bunny decides to leave India to pursue a music career dream for himself. Years later, they meet again and reconnect on a friendly basis. It’s evident that both still have feelings, but Bunny keeps putting his career before his relationships. Will love prevail?

Why you should watch it: I found ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ to be a little bit over the top – which is perfect in a Bollywood film. There’s music, dancing, romance, and laughter – what more could you possibly hope for? Also, you’ll notice that Ranbir Kapoor appears often in the main roles on this list. He is a Bollywood sweetheart, so to speak, and you know he always aces his part.

Still, in this movie, I feel like Deepika Padukone outshone him. She is incredibly sweet and delivers the role perfectly – from start to finish, the character grows and evolves just the way the director wanted it to go.

5. ‘Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na’ (2008)

IMDb score: 7.4/10

What it’s about: Jai and Aditi have been best friends for years now, and they are both single. They are so close, that their parents want them to marry, but they refuse. Convinced they have no feelings for each other, they agree to help one another find partners. As the story progresses, slowly but surely, they realize their friendship might not have been as platonic as they initially thought…

Why you should watch it: This is somewhat of an older Bollywood flick, but an awesome one nevertheless. It is perfect for couples who were friends first, but then realized their soulmate was right by their side all along. It’s a beautiful movie that is somewhat dear to my heart, as I can find a little bit of my own story in there as well. Minus the arranged marriage, of course.

4. ‘Rockstar’ (2011)

IMDb score: 7.7/10

What it’s about: Janardhan Jhakar dreams of becoming a huge rockstar. The movie takes us back and forth throughout his life and childhood, from a kid with a dream to an international music sensation. Along his way, he met Heer, and a romance with her briefly put his passion for music completely on hold.

His parents kick him out of the house, and Janardhan continues chasing his dream of becoming a rockstar. He signs a record label and tours to Prague, where he meets Heer again, but is deported back to India on trespassing charges made by – her husband. Angry and hurt, Jordan (a name he now took) continues to use his sorrow to fuel his music.

Why you should watch it: Bollywood movies are usually flashy and extravagant, but Imtiaz Ali took a different approach. ‘Rockstar’ is somewhat sad, but it is ultimately a story of triumph, even if the path to achieve it is more than rocky. Ranbir Kapoor once again did a marvelous job, and he learned how to play the guitar for this particular role, too.

3. ‘RRR’ (2022)

IMDb score: 7.8/10

What it’s about: During the British Raj in 1920, Governor Scott Buxton and his wife Catherine kidnap Malli, a talented young girl from the Gond tribe, during a visit to a forest in Adilabad. This enrages the tribe’s guardian, Komaram Bheem, who disguises himself as a Muslim named Akhtar and travels to Delhi to rescue her. The Nizamate of Hyderabad sympathizes with the Raj and warns of the impending danger, but Catherine enlists the help of A. Rama Raju, an ambitious Indian Imperial Police officer, to handle the threat. Raju pretends to support independence while attending pro-independence gatherings with his uncle Venkateswarulu.

Why you should watch it: I bet both you and your boyfriend will absolutely love this movie, especially if you generally enjoy superhero flicks. Because, in my opinion, this is the Bollywood version of that – two legendary men whose actions are borderline superheroic feats. 

The movie dabs a fine line between beautiful revolutionary sincerity, and utter ridiculousness in some of the action scenes. I absolutely love it, even though I mostly found it funny instead of deep.

2. ‘Jab We Met’ (2007)

IMDb score: 7.9/10

What it’s about: A wealthy businessman becomes depressed after losing his father, and being dumped by his girlfriend. Looking to get away from it all, he boards a random train, where he meets an interesting, free-spirited, quirky woman. They end up talking and spending the day together, and soon, their relationship starts to develop, even as she is soon-to-be betrothed…

Why you should watch it: Don’t let the movie description fool you! This is another Imtiaz Ali movie, and although the story is rather simple, there are several twists and turns in it that you’ll absolutely enjoy. It’s a cool, Bollywood-style romantic comedy that will have you laughing and crying for joy at the same time.

1. ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ (2003)

IMDb score: 7.9/10

What it’s about: Naina is a depressed, introverted, but breathtakingly gorgeous young woman. Her introverted nature starts changing when she meets Aman, but he has a life-changing secret he doesn’t tell Naina. Watching all of that closely is Rohit, Naina’s best friend who has deep feelings for her, but hides it, much like Aman hides his secret…

Why you should watch it: It would be a huge spoiler to reveal what Aman’s secret was, but despite this being the oldest film on the list, ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ is absolutely deserving of the number one spot. There are twists, sad moments, happy moments, tons of jokes, and tons of music, so if you’re into Bollywood – this is everything you could ever ask for.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!