Most of Bollywood is dominated by people from Punjab, West Bengal and Maharashtra. And these cultures are reflected in the movies. Directors of Bengal origin usually make thought-provoking movies that deal with human psychology. Directors of Punjabi origin usually have rich backdrops. Directors from UP and Bihar deal with raw themes. It’s the biggest cinema industry and has covered all the genres but received a lot of criticism for half-baked stories and less talented actors. South Indian movies (more specifically Telugu) started gaining more traction because of better stories and actors.

This list contains movies released after 2000.

Romance / Drama

I haven’t come across simple, relatable, feel-good love stories in Bollywood. Bollywood has mostly dealt with either complex characters or complex relationships. While I do understand the reality of relationships, I am inclined towards happy endings as they inspire us to live together.

  1. Kal Ho Naa Ho
  2. Veer-Zaara
  3. Aashiqui 2
  4. Jab We Met
  5. Socha Na Tha
  6. Raincoat
  7. Barfi
  8. Lootera
  9. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
  10. Om Shanti Om
  11. Bareilly Ki Barfi
  12. Love Per Square Foot

Other honorable mentions

  1. Kuch Kuch Hotha Hain
  2. Qarib Qarib Single
  3. Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
  4. Hasee toh phasee
  5. Love Aaj Kal
  6. Jaane Tu Jaane Na
  7. Meri Pyaari Bindu
  8. Life in a Metro
  9. Ludo

Comedy / Drama

  1. Munna Bhai M.B.B.S
  2. Lage Raho Munna Bhai
  3. Badhaai Ho
  4. Delhi Belly
  5. Khosla ka Ghosla
  6. Lootcase
  7. Hindi Medium
  8. Blackmail
  9. Ishqiya
  10. Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year
  11. Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!
  12. Bheja Fry
  13. Karwaan
  14. Tanu Weds Manu Returns
  15. Dum Laga Ke Haisha
  16. Do Dooni Chaar
  17. Vicky Donor
  18. Pyaar Ka Punchnama
  19. Ek Chalis Ki Last Local

Satirical Comedy

  1. OMG - Oh My God!
  2. 3 Idiots
  3. PK
  4. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
  5. Dil Dhadakne Do
  6. Phas Gaye Re Obama
  7. Kathal

Brain rot comedy

  1. Hungama
  2. Welcome
  3. Hera Pheri
  4. Phir Hera Pheri
  5. Golmaal: Fun Limited
  6. Dhamaal

Drama

  1. Bajrangi Bhaijaan
  2. Chhichhore
  3. Masaan
  4. DevD
  5. Rock On
  6. Rockstar
  7. Kai Po Che!
  8. October
  9. Kapoor & Sons
  10. Guru
  11. Udta Punjab
  12. Raanjhana
  13. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
  14. Three of Us
  15. Highway
  16. Trapped
  17. Gully Boy
  18. Monsoon Wedding
  19. Dasvidaniya
  20. Dear Zindagi
  21. Tamasha
  22. Luck by Chance

Periodic Drama

  1. Chhaava
  2. Jodhaa Akbar
  3. Bajirao Mastani
  4. Padmaavat

Social Drama

If understood and thought through, these movies could bring a new perspective.

  1. Swades: We, the people
  2. Nil battey sannata
  3. Piku
  4. Queen
  5. Dil Chanta Hai
  6. Pink
  7. Lakshya
  8. English Vinglish
  9. Wake up Sid
  10. Piku
  11. Padman
  12. Doctor G
  13. The Lunchbox
  14. Aligarh
  15. Sirf ek banda kaafi hai
  16. Jolly LLB
  17. Homebound
  18. Dor
  19. 8 A.M. Metro
  20. Laapataa Ladies
  21. Udaan

Shakespeare inspired(Vishal Bharadwaj Trilogy)

  1. Haider
  2. Omkara
  3. Maqbool

Thriller

  1. A Wednesday!
  2. Badla
  3. Section 375
  4. Kahaani
  5. Ittefaq
  6. Karthik calling karthik
  7. Taxi No. 9 2 11: Nau Do Gyarah

Crime Thriller

  1. Gangs of Wasseypur(1 & 2)
  2. Drishyam(Part 1 & 2)
  3. Ugly
  4. Gulaal
  5. Company
  6. Manorama Six Feet Under
  7. Chor Nikal Ke Baaga
  8. Black Friday
  9. Once upon a time in Mumbaai

Murder Thriller(Mostly Sriram Raghavan)

  1. Johnny Gaddar
  2. Andhadhun
  3. Badlapur
  4. Ek Hasina Thi
  5. Monica, O My Darling
  6. Merry Christmas

Biographical / Historical

  1. Shershaah
  2. Kaun Pravin Tambe
  3. Dangal
  4. Sardar Udham
  5. Padman
  6. Shahid
  7. Neerja
  8. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
  9. The legend of Bhagat singh
  10. M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story
  11. Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
  12. Srikanth
  13. Paan Singh Tomar
  14. Major
  15. Sam Bahadur
  16. Sanju

Adaptation

  1. Dhurandhar
  2. Uri: The Surgical Strike
  3. Raazi
  4. Special 26
  5. Rahasya
  6. Raid
  7. Talvar
  8. Airlift
  9. Madras Cafe
  10. 12th Fail
  11. Article 370
  12. The Kashmir Files
  13. Article 15
  14. Gangubai Kathiawadi
  15. No One Killed Jessica

Action

  1. Baby
  2. Kaminey
  3. Taish
  4. Kill

Indian superhero

  1. Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota
  2. Bhavesh Joshi

Political / Cop movies

  1. Gangajal
  2. Khakee
  3. Rajneeti
  4. Apaharan
  5. Rang De Basanti

Sports Film

  1. Chak De! India
  2. Iqbal
  3. Mukkabaaz
  4. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India

Kids friendly

Explored more than other movie industries of India.

  1. Taare zameen par
  2. Chillar Party

Horror

  1. Tumbadd
  2. Stree
  3. 13B

Animation movie

  1. Mahavatar Narsimha