16 Best Bollywood Comedy Movies to Lighten Your Mood

Social media has been reclaiming past cultural sensations recently, with mounts of reels and memes based on old Hindi movies or daily soaps. And with this saga of nostalgia hitting my feed, one movie that came to the forefront with its hilarious dialogues is Hera Pheri. This comedy is an absolute classic and has given situational comedy its roots. Around the time, it came as a break from Bollywood's slapstick comedies, gave us the iconic duo of Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar, and defined many careers. Babu Rao, along with his two tenants, embarks on this journey to get rich quickly, which unfolds into an epic series of events that evoke many laughs and emotions. This movie is a treat to watch and is best for movie nights with family and friends.

IDMB Rating: 8.2/10

Duration: 2h 45 min

Cast:  Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal

The beginning of the 2000s was a period when Bollywood was churning out comedies while experimenting with a number of formats. Welcome came and had everyone in splits with its very desi outline of two goons trying to secure a 'good' match for their sister. It is an amalgamation of dry humour and situational comedy, and the actor's performance was so good, that these characters became a pivotal point for their respective acting journeys. We all remember Majnu Bhai, for his 'exceptional' painting skills, the (Mama-Bhanja) bond of Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar, and Uday Shetty's iconic acting role as a "vegetable seller". This movie is always fun to watch, perfect for nightstays when you and your friends are struggling to settle on a movie.

IDMB Rating: 7.1/10

Duration: 2h 39min

Cast:  Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Paresh Rawal

A film that perfected the horror-comedy genre, Bhool Bhulaiya is a movie that has a significant place in every millenial-genz's memory. The movie aptly captures the horror bit, which is just of the right amount, and binds it beautifully with an interesting plot. The characters are very well written, and we all recognise the eccentricities of Chota Pandit. The comic bit is mainly dialogic, with a vengeful, sore heart at its core. This movie is always a delight and a complete package, with engaging story markers, shedding stereotypes, and generating great laughs.

IDMB Rating: 7.5/10

Duration: 2h 39min

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Shiney Ahuja

Stree makes every frame count! Another horror comedy, Stree is a movie that was casted and executed perfectly. The humour of the movie is dialogic, situational, and nuanced while being inspired by real folklore, and Pankaj Tripathi, like always, brings the house down. The movie revolves around a mythical Stree figure, who kidnaps men at night, and a band of friends attempting to unravel the mystery. The screenplay has to be given a special mention here, as every dialogue carries the essence of the film, with not even a single gasp wasted.

IDMB Rating: 7.5/10

Duration: 2h 9min

Cast: Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkumar Rao, Aparshakti Khurana

Bringing this OG gem to the spotlight, Bawarchi is a movie that lives rent free in every millenial's head. The movie recently celebrated 50 years and will have you smiling throughout your watching experience. A dynamic family, with tense relations is overwhelmed by their new cook, a multitalented person who shows them how life can be cherished, lived, and loved.  The humour of the movie is not over-the-top, and every comic relief comes out of a very genuine situation. Things get really interesting as the movie continuously overshadows the true intent of Rajesh Khanna, which might be just to steal the jewels. The movie created a success format that many films adapted, and although there are some caricature characters, the overall vibe of the film is really joyful.

IDMB Rating: 8.1/10

Duration: 2h 10min

Cast: Rajesh Khanna, Jaya Bachchan, Usha Kiran

A dark comedy, Delhi Belly is a well-written masterpiece that everyone should watch at least once. The movie captures three roommates who get enrolled in a messy comedy of errors situation revolving around a bag of diamonds, gangsters, and well, shit (you'll understand when you watch it). The movie was released in both English and Hindi and is a crisp watch that will constantly have you on the edge of your seat as you cannot guess what will happen next.

IDMB Rating: 7.6/10

Duration: 1h 40min

Cast:  Imran Khan, Vir Das, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Shenaz Treasury, Poorna Jagannathan, Vijay Raaz

This movie is one-of-a-kind, and it really helped Raju Hirani to come into his own. There aren't many movies, that portray the sagas of the medical community, and then a comedy based on a goon attempting to become a doctor really caught everyone off guard. The movie is a complete package with heartfelt emotions and a gripping plot, and it has introduced two very iconic characters to Bollywood: Munna Bhai and Circuit. This movie has aged pretty well too, making it perfect for family movie nights.

IDMB Rating: 8.1/10

Duration: 2h

Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Gracy Singh, Boman Irani, and Sunil Dutt

Fukrey revolves around a group of four friends who lose all their investor Bholi's money, and, as they try to make up for it, get involved in a series of hilarious situations. The dialogues are well-written as well as beautifully delivered, with all the characters retaining their individuality while contributing to the movie as a whole. Although the situations they are in are an exception, the characters are very much rooted in a typical middle-class household, giving it a relatable edge, always being a fun one to watch.  

IDMB Rating: 6.1/10

Duration: 2h 19min

Cast: Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Manjot Singh, Ali Fazal, Richa Chadha.

Dhamaal is a 2007 Indian comedy film directed by Indra Kumar. This humour filled film follows four friends, Roy, Manav, Aditya, and Boman, as they embark on a treasure hunt in Goa. Their journey then encounters with hilarious misadventures and unexpected twists, leading to a series of chaotic and comical situations. Dhamaal is known for its slapstick humor, witty dialogues, and action-packed sequences, making it a popular choice for for a good laughter with your friends.

IDMB Rating: 7.1/10

Duration: 2h 39min

Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Ashish Chaudhary

Housefull is a popular choice among the best Bollywood comedy movies known for its slapstick humor and over-the-top situations. It follows Aarush, a man who believes he's jinxed in love. To break his curse to find true love, he lies about his identity leading to a series of hilarious mishaps and mistaken identities. Housefull has now became a commercial success, spawning a popular franchise with subsequent sequels. 

IDMB Rating: 5.6/10

Duration: 2h 24min

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Ritesh Deshmukh, Lara Dutta and Arjun Rampal

Badhaai Ho is a heartwarming Bollywood comedy-drama, known for its hilarious yet emotional narrative. The movie revolves around a middle-aged couple's unexpected pregnancy. The unexpected news throws the family into a whirlwind of emotions, from initial shock and embarrassment to eventual acceptance and celebration. The film beautifully portrays the joys and challenges of family life, reminding us of the importance of love, understanding, and embracing life's unexpected twists and turns.

IDMB Rating: 7.9/10

Duration: 2h 4min

Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Sanya Malhotra, Neena Gupta, Gajraj Rao, Surekha Sikri, Ratna Pathak Shah

Tanu Weds Manu cleverly blends humor with poignant social commentary on arranged marriages and societal expectations. This romantic comedy-drama film that explores the complexities of love and marriage in modern India. The film revolves around Manu, a reserved medical student, who falls for Tanu, a free-spirited and unconventional woman. Their contrasting personalities and backgrounds create a humorous yet heartwarming clash. The film's success spawned a sequel, further setting its place as a top comedy movie in Bollywood. 

IDMB Rating: 6.8/10

Duration: 1h 59min

Cast:  R. Madhavan, Kangana Ranaut, Jimmy Shergill, Swara Bhaskar, Eijaz Khan.

Chup Chup Ke is the remake of one of the famously hilarious Malayalam movie 'Punjabi House'. The film revolves around Jeetu, a young man burdened by debt, who pretends to be deaf to escape his creditors. This leads to a series of hilarious and chaotic situations as he navigates his life and love amidst a web of lies and mistaken identities. And let's not forget how we all learned a new way to say 'I love you'. The quick witted dialogues in almost every scenes make it a masterpiece among comedy movies Bollywood has produced.

IDMB Rating: 7/10

Duration: 2h 44min

Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Neha Dhupia

Golmaal is another one of classic comedy movies in Bollywood that delivers non-stop laughter with its chaotic premise. The hilarious situations that ensue, fueled by mistaken identities, quick humor, and witty dialogues, keep the audience entertained throughout. Ajay Devgn leads a stellar cast as Gopal, a con artist who along with his friends schemes to swindle an elderly couple. While the plot might seem far-fetched, "Golmaal" succeeds in providing pure, unadulterated entertainment, leaving a lasting impression with its infectious humor and endearing characters.

IDMB Rating: 7.5/10

Duration: 2h 30min

Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tusshar Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Sharman Joshi.

This film is a timeless classic of Hindi cinema, popular for its a delightful blend of comedy and romance. The characters' impeccable comic timing shines as they navigate a series of hilarious misunderstandings and mistaken identities. The film's charm lies in its simplicity and witty dialogues. Chupke Chupke remains a must-watch for fans of classic Bollywood, offering a wholesome and entertaining cinematic experience that continues to resonate with audiences today. 

IDMB Rating: 8.3/10

Duration: 2h 26min

Cast: Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan

Dostana and its narrative uses humor to address sensitive topics, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. The film follows two childhood friends who pretend to be a gay couple to secure an apartment. Their charade leads to unexpected complications, including genuine feelings developing for the same woman. While the film's premise might seem gimmicky, it's surprisingly heartwarming. In fact, Dostana was one of the pioneers to boldly tackle the taboo of homosexuality in Indian cinema.

IMDB Rating: 6.4/10

Duration: 2h 25min

Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra.