Viewing movies on OTT platforms has become one of the leading ways for audiences to catch a film from the comfort of their homes. Long gone are the days when the public queued up to ticketing counters to catch the latest releases; today it is far easier to watch and rewatch them even if their theatrical runs are long over.
These Bollywood films on Netflix, have generated awe-inspiring viewership which has pushed them to the top of the charts – going toe-to-toe with some of the biggest films globally. With OTT platforms also introducing these films to newer, more-varied audiences, the shelf-life of these films have extended long beyond what a theatrical run would have done for them. Without further adieu, these are the most watched Bollywood films on Netflix of all time.
Jawan (Extended Cut)
Views: 33.7 Million
Shah Rukh Khan’s massive hit takes the top spot, mostly because Netflix released an exclusive version with extra scenes which audiences in theatres missed during its theatrical release. It has everything people expect from a big commercial entertainer – action, multiple roles for the lead, a strong social message and all the entertainment that comes part and parcel with being a Bollywood blockbuster. The Extended Cut gave fans a reason to watch it again, helping it reach a huge audience across different countries.
Animal
Views: 31.4 Million
Animal was easily the most talked-about release of its year. Even though it had a massive screen time of 3 hours and 21 minutes and was controversial for its gory violence and reductive themes, avid film watchers were incredibly curious about it. Ranbir Kapoor’s performance became a huge topic of conversation on social media, which drove millions of people to check it out on Netflix just to see what everyone was arguing about.
Gangubai Kathiawadi
Views: 31.14 Million
It isn’t often that a period drama centered on a woman in a red-light district becomes a worldwide hit, but Alia Bhatt’s turn as Gangubai did exactly that. The film performed exceptionally well in non-Indian markets, even trending in the top charts in countries like Thailand. It’s a great example of a story that feels very local to India but has an emotional pull that translates across borders.
Laapataa Ladies
Views: 31.1 Million
Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies is probably the most impressive and heartwarming entry on the list because of its spunky, underdog energy. With no A-listers leading the cast or an expansive budget, the film’s simple, funny story about two brides who get mixed up on a train journey won over audiences in its entirety. The film grew almost entirely through word of mouth and highly positive reviews, eventually pulling in numbers that rivaled the biggest action blockbusters.
Crew
Views: 28.8 Million
Crew, starring Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon as flight attendants caught up in a gold-smuggling scheme was one of the surprise hits that caught audiences off-guard. The movie succeeded by being unapologetically fun and stylish. It avoided the heavy-handed drama often found in Bollywood and instead leaned into the natural chemistry of its three stars. The film has remained a consistent performer because it’s the perfect easy watch, that is, it doesn’t ask too much of the viewer – making it a frequent choice for casual weekend viewing or family movie nights.
Fighter
Views: 27.5 Million
Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone star in this high-budget production centered on the lives of elite air force pilots. While the movie was originally designed for the large cinema screen, the quality of the aerial combat scenes and the intense dogfights made it a massive hit for home viewers as well. Many people tuned in to see the high-level visual effects that were used to recreate military events. The story also hit a chord because of its focus on national pride, which helped it stay in the top charts for several months.
Jaane Jaan
Views: 24.2 Million
This mystery skipped theaters and went straight to Netflix, becoming one of the most successful Indian originals on the platform. The plot is based on the famous book The Devotion of Suspect X and follows a mother, played by Kareena Kapoor Khan, who is trying to cover up a crime in a foggy town. Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma also give standout performances that make the cat-and-mouse game between the characters feel very tense. Because it relies on a slow-burning mystery rather than big stunts, it became a favorite for viewers who enjoy trying to solve a puzzle along with the characters.
Shaitaan
Views: 24.0 Million
Shaitaan, a supernatural thriller starring Ajay Devgn and R. Madhavan, brought its chilling atmosphere to Netflix with great success. Its gripping plot, which experiments with and dives into themes of black magic and family protection, created a sense of unease and suspense that resonated strongly with viewers. The film’s ability to create genuine scares and maintain tension made it a popular choice for thriller fans who want to get their adrenaline jumping.
Darlings
Views: 23.4 Million
Darlings was Alia Bhatt’s debut film as a producer and all the more special for it. The film tackled the heavy subject of domestic abuse but did so by using a dark sense of humor that is rarely seen in Indian cinema, if ever. Alia Bhatt and Shefali Shah played a mother-daughter duo who decide to kidnap and humiliate an abusive husband to teach him a lesson. This film was one of the first major examples of a direct-to-streaming hit that skipped theaters entirely and found its audience purely through the Netflix algorithm and social media buzz.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2
Views: 21.6 Million
While this sequel featured a new cast, it brought back the spirit of Manjulika to haunt a massive, abandoned mansion in Rajasthan. The story followed Ruhaan (Kartik Aaryan), a traveler who pretended to be a psychic named “Rooh Baba” to help his friend Reet hide from her family. Things took a turn when he accidentally released an entity that had been locked away for nearly two decades. The film became a massive hit because of a huge twist involving twin sisters, both played by Tabu, which completely changed the direction of the plot.