2023 was a spectacular year for Bollywood, delivering a mix of action-packed blockbusters, emotional dramas, and thought-provoking stories. From Shah Rukh Khan’s grand comeback to small gems like 12th Fail, Indian cinema had something for everyone. Here’s the ultimate list of the 10 best Bollywood movies of 2023, ranked based on box office success, IMDb ratings, and audience love.
List of Top 10 Best Movies of 2023 Bollywood
- Jawan
- Pathaan
- Gadar 2
- Animal
- Dunki
- 12th Fail
- OMG 2
- Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
- Sam Bahadur
- Mission Raniganj
Best Bollywood Movies 2023 Review
1. Jawan
- Release Date: 07-09-2023
- Genre: Action, Thriller
- Director: Atlee
- Lead Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi
- IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹1,148 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Blockbuster
- Watch Now on OTT: Netflix
Review of Jawan (2023):
Jawan was the biggest Bollywood hit of 2023, blending mass entertainment with social messaging. Shah Rukh Khan‘s dual role, high-octane action, and Atlee’s gripping direction made it a cinematic spectacle. The film’s emotional depth and whistle-worthy moments kept audiences hooked.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights:
The climax was shot in a real prison for authenticity. Shah Rukh Khan trained extensively for his action scenes, performing many stunts himself. The film’s success cemented SRK’s dominance in Indian cinema after Pathaan.
2. Pathaan
- Release Date: 25-01-2023
- Genre: Action, Spy Thriller
- Director: Siddharth Anand
- Lead Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham
- IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹1,050 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Blockbuster
- Watch Now on OTT: Amazon Prime Video
Review of Pathaan (2023):
Pathaan marked Shah Rukh Khan’s explosive return as an action hero. With breathtaking stunts, Deepika Padukone’s glamour, and John Abraham’s menacing villainy, the film set the stage for YRF’s spy universe. The “Besharam Rang” controversy only added to its hype.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights:
The Dubai helicopter chase sequence cost ₹50 crore alone. John Abraham underwent intense physical training to play the antagonist. The film’s success revived Bollywood’s post-pandemic box office.
3. Gadar 2
- Release Date: 11-08-2023
- Genre: Action, Drama
- Director: Anil Sharma
- Lead Cast: Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel, Utkarsh Sharma
- IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹686 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Super Hit
- Watch Now on OTT: Zee5
Review of Gadar 2 (2023):
A nostalgic sequel to the 2001 classic, Gadar 2 brought back Sunny Deol’s iconic “Hindustan Zindabad” rage. The film’s patriotic fervor and mass appeal made it a box office juggernaut, especially in single-screen theaters.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights:
Sunny Deol performed all his stunts at 65, including the famous hand-pump scene. The film’s dialogue “Dhai kilo ka haath” became a viral meme.
4. Animal
- Release Date: 01-12-2023
- Genre: Action, Crime Drama
- Director: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
- Lead Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Bobby Deol
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹900 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Blockbuster
- Watch Now on OTT: Netflix
Review of Animal (2023):
Animal was the most controversial yet commercially successful film of 2023. Ranbir Kapoor’s intense performance and Sandeep Vanga’s raw storytelling divided audiences but created massive buzz. The film’s violence and complex characters sparked nationwide debates.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights:
Ranbir Kapoor gained 15kg muscle for his role. Bobby Deol’s silent villain act was shot in just 15 days but became iconic. The 3-hour-21-minute runtime is the longest for a Bollywood hit in recent years.
5. Dunki
- Release Date: 21-12-2023
- Genre: Comedy-Drama
- Director: Rajkumar Hirani
- Lead Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹470 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Hit
- Watch Now on OTT: Netflix
Review of Dunki (2023):
Dunki combined Rajkumar Hirani’s signature humor with a heartfelt take on illegal immigration. Shah Rukh Khan delivered one of his most natural performances, while Vicky Kaushal’s cameo stole the show. The film’s emotional second half resonated deeply with NRI audiences.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights:
The “Donkey Flight” method shown in the film is based on real immigrant stories. Shooting across Europe posed visa challenges for the crew. This was SRK’s first collaboration with Hirani after 20 years of planning.
6. 12th Fail
- Release Date: 27-10-2023
- Genre: Biographical Drama
- Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra
- Lead Cast: Vikrant Massey, Medha Shankr
- IMDb Rating: 9.2/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹70 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Sleeper Hit
- Watch Now on OTT: Disney+ Hotstar
Review of 12th Fail (2023):
This small-budget gem became 2023’s highest-rated Indian film on IMDb. Vikrant Massey’s portrayal of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma’s struggle moved audiences to tears. The film’s authentic depiction of UPSC aspirants’ lives struck a chord nationwide.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights:
Vidhu Vinod Chopra shot in real UPSC coaching centers of Mukherjee Nagar. Vikrant Massey lived with real aspirants to prepare. The film’s climax was rewritten 27 times to perfect the emotional impact.
7. OMG 2
- Release Date: 11-08-2023
- Genre: Comedy-Drama
- Director: Amit Rai
- Lead Cast: Akshay Kumar, Pankaj Tripathi, Yami Gautam
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹220 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Hit
- Watch Now on OTT: Netflix
Review of OMG 2 (2023):
This spiritual sequel to OMG tackled sex education in schools with humor and sensitivity. Pankaj Tripathi’s stellar performance as a conflicted father outshone even Akshay Kumar’s divine cameo. The film’s bold subject matter faced 27 CBFC cuts before release.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights:
The courtroom scenes were shot in a real Lucknow court. Akshay Kumar shot his entire role in just 7 days. The script was revised 15 times to balance humor with social messaging.
8. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
- Release Date: 28-07-2023
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Director: Karan Johar
- Lead Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹355 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Hit
- Watch Now on OTT: Amazon Prime Video
Review of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023):
Karan Johar’s comeback film blended old-school romance with modern sensibilities. Ranveer-Alia’s crackling chemistry and the film’s progressive take on gender roles made it 2023’s most stylish love story. The “What Jhumka?” song became the year’s biggest dance anthem.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights:
The iconic Kathak sequence took 22 days to shoot. Ranveer improvised many of Rocky’s quirky mannerisms. The Delhi-Punjabi cultural clash scenes were based on Johar’s personal observations.
9. Sam Bahadur
- Release Date: 01-12-2023
- Genre: Biographical War Drama
- Director: Meghna Gulzar
- Lead Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹128 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Semi-Hit
- Watch Now on OTT: Zee5
Review of Sam Bahadur (2023):
Vicky Kaushal’s transformative performance as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw anchored this classy biopic. The film’s crisp storytelling and authentic period details made it stand out despite clashing with Animal. The 1971 war sequences were particularly impactful.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights:
Vicky spent 6 months studying Manekshaw’s mannerisms and voice. Real Indian Army personnel were used as extras. The famous “I’m not a yes man” dialogue was taken verbatim from historical records.
10. Mission Raniganj
- Release Date: 06-10-2023
- Genre: Disaster Thriller
- Director: Tinu Suresh Desai
- Lead Cast: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹45 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Average
- Watch Now on OTT: Netflix
Review of Mission Raniganj (2023):
Based on the real 1989 coal mine rescue, this underrated thriller featured Akshay Kumar’s best performance in years. The claustrophobic mine sequences created genuine tension, though the film suffered from poor marketing and release timing.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights:
The mine sets were built at actual depth (200 feet). Real miners were consulted for technical accuracy. Akshay insisted on doing all underground scenes without body doubles.
Conclusion
2023 proved Bollywood’s incredible range – from Jawan’s mass appeal to 12th Fail’s emotional depth. Shah Rukh Khan dominated with three diverse hits, while smaller films like OMG 2 showed content is king. Whether you prefer action (Pathaan), romance (Rocky Aur Rani), or biopics (Sam Bahadur), this list has 2023’s absolute best.
These movies are now available on OTT platforms – perfect for your next movie night! Which of these was your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
FAQs – Top 10 Bollywood Movies of 2023
A. Jawan (₹1,148 crore), followed by Pathaan (₹1,050 crore).
A. Yes—Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki—all blockbusters.
A. 12th Fail (IPS Manoj Sharma) and Mission Raniganj (coal mine rescue).
A. Streaming on Netflix.
A. Jawan (train sequence) and Pathaan (helicopter chase).
A. Super Hit (₹686 crore worldwide).
A. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (Tum Kya Mile).
A. Not announced yet, but 12th Fail is a strong contender.
A. Rajkumar Hirani.
A. Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
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