Best Bollywood Movies of 2026 So Far

Three months into 2026 and Bollywood has already handed us a stack of films that feel like they belong in a year-end best-of list. We're not complaining — after a patchy 2024 and a recovery-mode 2025, Hindi cinema needed this kind of energy. The kind where you walk out of a theatre and immediately text three people to go watch it.

Let's get into the films that have defined Bollywood's 2026 so far.

1. Sikandar

Salman Khan and AR Murugadoss teaming up sounded like a mismatch on paper, but Sikandar proved the doubters wrong. This isn't your typical Salman masala film — Murugadoss brought the tight screenplay discipline he's known for, and Salman delivered a performance that reminded us of his Bajrangi Bhaijaan days. The action set-pieces are inventive, the emotional core is surprisingly strong, and Rashmika Mandanna holds her own against Salman's screen presence. We'd put this among Salman's top five films, no question.

Our Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)

2. Chhaava

Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was a casting choice that had "prestige project" written all over it, and Chhaava delivered exactly that. Director Laxman Utekar shifted gears completely from his comedy comfort zone to craft a historical epic that's visually stunning and emotionally resonant. Kaushal is magnetic — there's a sequence in the Aurangzeb darbar that gave us genuine goosebumps. Rashmika Mandanna (yes, she's everywhere this year) brings quiet strength to Yesubai. The film avoids the trap of turning history into a lecture and instead makes it breathe with urgency.

Our Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)

3. Deva

Shahid Kapoor doing an action thriller with Rosshan Andrrews (the man behind Malayalam gems like Salute and How Old Are You) was a combination we didn't know we needed. Deva is slick, fast-paced, and has a central performance from Shahid that crackles with intensity. Pooja Hegde gets a role with actual substance. The second half drags slightly, but the climax makes up for it with a twist that genuinely caught us off guard.

Our Rating: ★★★½ (3.5/5)

4. Thama

Ayushmann Khurrana in a vampire horror-comedy? We were sceptical. But Amar Kaushik, riding the confidence wave of Stree 2's massive success, has built another winner in the Maddock Horror Universe. Thama is funny, creepy in equal measure, and Ayushmann sinks his teeth into the role (pun fully intended). Rashmika Mandanna — seriously, what's in her 2026 contract? — adds the right energy. It's not as tight as Stree 2, but it's wildly entertaining.

Our Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)

5. Sky Force

Akshay Kumar's much-needed comeback vehicle, Sky Force, is a war drama set against the 1965 Indo-Pak air conflict. It's patriotic without being preachy, action-packed without being mindless. Akshay is back in his element, and Sara Ali Khan surprises with a measured, emotional performance. The aerial sequences are among the best we've seen in Indian cinema. After a string of duds, this feels like the Akshay reset we were hoping for.

Our Rating: ★★★½ (3.5/5)

Honourable Mentions

• Azaad — Aaman Devgan's debut. Uneven but shows promise. The horse-riding sequences are genuinely spectacular.
• Emergency — Kangana Ranaut's passion project about Indira Gandhi. Polarising, but undeniably powerful filmmaking in parts.
• Mere Husband Ki Biwi — Arjun Kapoor, Rakul Preet, and Bhumi Pednekar in a rom-com that's funnier than it has any right to be.

The Trend We're Noticing

What stands out about 2026 so far is the willingness to take risks. Bollywood isn't playing safe anymore — vampire comedies, South Indian directors crossing over, historical epics with genuine ambition. The days of lazy remakes and formulaic sequels aren't entirely gone, but the balance has shifted. Audiences are rewarding quality, and filmmakers are responding.

The box office numbers back this up. Chhaava crossed 200 crore within its first two weeks. Sikandar opened to packed houses. Even mid-budget films like Deva are finding their audience. There's a confidence in Bollywood right now that's infectious.

What's Coming Next

April looks loaded — we've got War 2 finally arriving, plus several strong mid-budget releases. If the rest of 2026 maintains this momentum, we might be looking at Bollywood's best year in a decade. We'll keep updating this list as the year unfolds. For now, get to the theatres — Hindi cinema is having a moment.