The 10 Best Romantic Bollywood Movies of the 1990s

Updated on

Anushree Arora

Anushree Arora

JustWatch Editor

With timeless songs, iconic dance moves, and a collection of emotionally charged love stories, the ‘90s were truly a defining era for romantic Bollywood films. Young directors like Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra introduced a whole new wave of culture with new-age films that brought dreamy international destinations, designer wear, and pop culture into the spotlight.

Filled with grand romantic gestures, memorable dialogues, and classic songs, there’s nothing better than a good old romantic Bollywood movie from the ‘90s when you’re in the mood for well-rounded entertainment. Whether you’re new to Bollywood or in a nostalgic mood to rewatch some of the classics, here’s our pick of the 10 best romantic Bollywood movies from the 1990s and where you can stream them online:

10. Darr (1993)

Shah Rukh Khan playing a character named Rahul might instantly remind you of his loverboy charm in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge or Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. But before he became the King of Bollywood romance, Rahul actually had a very dark, unsettling past. In a sea of idealistic rom-coms, Yash Chopra’s Darr came as a refreshing change, giving Bollywood fans a good-looking, deeply in love, and charismatic anti-hero laying the groundwork for films like Baazigar and Anjaam.

The film follows Rahul, an obsessive stalker madly in love with Kiran, who is already engaged to Sunil, a naval officer. What unfolds is a gripping love triangle between Sunil’s protective devotion and Rahul’s obsessive instincts. Equal parts romance and thriller, Darr is the perfect watch for fans who enjoy romantic-thrillers like Fatal Attraction and Tere Naam, and movies with morally grey protagonists. It’s also the darkest entry on this list, making it a good pick for anyone looking for a break from Bollywood’s sweeping romantic dramas like Hum Saath Saath Hain or Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.

9. Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999)

Directed by Sooraj Barjatya, Hum Saath Saath Hain stands tall as one of the most iconic family dramas of all time. The story is simple—family bonds are tested when three siblings and their partners deal with insecurities, misunderstandings, and inheritance issues that threaten to divide them.

Hum Saath Saath Hain is the go-to ‘90s comfort watch overflowing with melodrama, wholesome values, and enough music to fuel your wedding playlist. Sure, it may feel a little too sweet for some viewers, but for fans of epic family sagas like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Hum Aapke Hain Koun, this movie is an all out family entertainer wrapped in three hours of song, dance, and sibling love.  

8. Lamhe (1991)

Yash Chopra’s Lamhe is easily one of the most unconventional love stories Bollywood has ever attempted. At its heart, it's a sweeping romantic drama that dares to do what no other film before it had done in Indian cinema, by exploring love across generations with all the discomfort, longing, and beauty that comes with it. 

Anil Kapoor plays Viren, an NRI who falls hopelessly in love with an Indian girl, only to have his heart broken first by her rejection, and then by her tragic death soon after. Sridevi stars in a double role as both Pallavi, Viren’s unrequited love, and Pooja, Pallavi’s orphaned daughter who grows up idolising Viren. It’s confusing, conflicting, and the kind of film that leaves you questioning whether rooting for the couple is right or not like Lolita and Silsila do. If you enjoy complex romantic dramas and are tired of formulaic Bollywood movies, Lamhe is a must-watch.

7. Rangeela (1995)

Rangeela is pure Bollywood ‘90s magic. A vibrant love triangle that’s equal parts fun, glamorous, and emotional, the movie follows Mili, a small-town girl with big Bollywood dreams as she’s torn between a successful movie producer and her street-smart childhood best friend.

If you enjoy films where ambition and love collide, like Fashion or Luck By Chance, then Rangeela will be right up your alley, with its striking contrast between Aamir Khan’s scrappy, street-smart charm and Urmila Matondkar’s glamorous overnight transformation into a bonafide Bollywood starlet. Add to that A.R. Rahman’s legendary soundtrack, and you have an emotionally charged underdog love story that’s essential viewing for anyone curious about ‘90s Bollywood romance.

6. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)

Before Sanjay Leela Bhansali became synonymous with palaces, Mughal grandeur, and operatic scale in films like Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat, he gave us Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. A film that, while still rich and opulent, is far more intimate in its weaving of emotions, heartbreak, and sacrifice. Bhansali takes the familiar ‘90s Bollywood love triangle trope and flips it on its head, replacing melodramatic theatrics with a softer, more poignant lens that leaves you questioning the meaning of love, duty, and the true meaning of sacrifice. 

Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan deliver stand out performances in the film, but it’s Ajay Devgn's quiet and restrained performance as Nandini’s selfless husband Vanraj that steals the film’s emotional core. Add to this the film’s unforgettable soundtrack, and Bhansali’s extravagant sets, and you’ve got a film that’s somehow both intimate and larger than life. If you enjoy romantic dramas that explore the quieter side of love like Veer-Zaara or Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, you should give Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam a watch. 

5. Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) 

Yash Chopra’s attempt to modernise Bollywood romance for the late ‘90s, Dil To Pagal Hai, breaks away from strict families, rural settings, and traditional conflicts of romantic dramas like Raja Hindustani or Hum Saath Saath Hain, trading it for a more modern story set in a mainstream city. 

Like Rangeela, Dil To Pagal Hai also centers around a love-triangle between performing artists, but while Rangeela is a lot more grounded and realistic in its approach, Dil To Pagal Hai opts for a more glossy and theatrical approach filled with over-the-top performances, vibrant costumes, and zippier dialogue. 

Dil To Pagal Hai is a must watch for all the die-hard romantics who grew up on early 2000s Bollywood, fans of sweeping romantic musicals like La La Land and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge, and anyone who enjoys loud and cheesy romantic films.

 4. Raja Hindustani (1996)

Equal parts fairytale and melodrama, Raja Hindustani is the ultimate rags-to-riches romance that captures the magic, heartbreak, and excess of the nineties. Aamir Khan stars as a struggling cab driver who falls in love with Aarti (Karisma Kapoor), the daughter of a wealthy businessman. 

The film thrives on its clash of two worlds, small-town simplicity versus elite sophistication, which is elevated by Nadeem–Shravan’s iconic soundtrack, which still stands tall as one of the biggest musical triumphs of the decade. If you love larger-than-life romantic films with a strong background score like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and Hum Saath Saath Hain, then Raja Hindustani is a must-watch. This movie is also a great pick for fans who enjoy ‘opposite worlds collide’ romances like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Maine Pyar Kiya.

3. Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994)

Less movie, more grand Indian wedding experience, Sooraj Barjatya’s Hum Aapke Hain Koun follows Prem, a simple man who falls in love with the bride’s sister at a wedding, but is forced to choose between love and duty when tragedy strikes. 

If you enjoy grand movies with lavish sets, a big ensemble cast, and lots of melodrama, Hum Aapke Hain Koun is the way to go. Much like Sooraj Barjatya’s Hum Saath Saath Hain, Hum Aapke Hain Koun is the definition of a family-entertainer with its unabashedly wholesome storyline, colourful characters, and era defining music. Both movies celebrate the bonds of family but while Hum Saath Saath Hain focuses on everyday unity, Hum Aapke Hain Koun is more heavily  grounded in romance and festivities. But be warned the movie does run three hours long, so it’s not exactly a quick watch.

2. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)

Karan Johar’s directorial debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is a quintessential Bollywood love story. Eight-year-old Anjali sets out to reunite her widowed father with his former college best friend to fulfill her dead mother’s last wish. Blending candyfloss campus romance with a deeply emotional second half, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is a must watch if you love sweeping romances, love triangles, and a good old friends-to-lovers trope. 

Karan Johar’s debut film combines the best of Bollywood romance. You’ve got the rain-soaked dance sequences, lush sets, and grand emotional moments reminiscent of his father Yash Johar's romantic movies like Silsila and Chandnion one hand, and the pop culture references, playful banter, and modern sensibilities of more contemporary romances like Dil To Pagal Hai and the first half of DDLJ on the other. As a cultural milestone, it remains one of the defining love stories of Bollywood, best enjoyed when viewed with the grace and context of the time period in which it was released.

1. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

You can’t talk about ‘90s Bollywood without mentioning Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Marking Aditya Chopra’s debut film as a director, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), tells the story of Simran, a small town Punjabi girl who falls in love with Raj on her bachelorette trip only to have her family’s plans for an arranged wedding stand in the way. Whether it's the dreamy backdrop of Switzerland, the iconic pairing of Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan, or the catchy songs, DDLJ has transcended from being a movie to becoming a cultural phenomenon. 

It’s #1 on our list as it brings together the dreamy romance of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, the family moments of Hum Saath Saath Hain and Hum Aapke Hain Koun, and a soundtrack as memorable as Rangeela, delivering the best of Bollywood in one grand, sweeping viewing. If you’re looking for an epic romance that you can enjoy with the whole family, DDLJ checks off all the boxes. It’s also a great entry point into Bollywood movies for anyone who’s curious about the industry.

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  1. Darr

    Darr

    1993

    # 10

    A woman is caught between one man's love and another man's obsession. She fears one and fears for the other. One stands for love and the other for life. Who will she choose?

  2. Hum Saath Saath Hain

    # 9

    A wealthy businessman's traditional family celebrate their togetherness when his three sons get married, but slowly find themselves growing apart after a misunderstanding.

  3. Lamhe

    Lamhe

    1991

    # 8

    Viren falls for Pallavi, but she marries Siddharth. The couple dies, leaving behind their daughter, who grows up to look just like her mother and falls in love with Viren.

  4. Rangeela

    Rangeela

    1995

    # 7

    A poor young woman, who dreams of Bollywood fame, is caught in a love triangle between her childhood friend and a famous actor.

  5. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

    # 6

    A newly-wed man discovers that his wife is in love with another man and decides to unite them. Ignoring the ridicule he might have to face for this, he takes his wife to Italy in search of her love.

  6. Dil To Pagal Hai

    Dil To Pagal Hai

    1997

    # 5

    Rahul, the director of a successful dance troupe, considers Nisha his best friend, though secretly, she is madly in love with him. He then falls for Pooja, who is engaged to Ajay.

  7. Raja Hindustani

    Raja Hindustani

    1996

    # 4

    Raja, a taxi driver, falls in love with Aarti, a rich girl, and marries her against her parents' wishes. Later, her stepmother tries to create a rift betweenthe couple.

  8. Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!

    # 3

    Prem and Nisha meet and fall in love at the wedding of their elder siblings, but their plans to be together are put in jeopardy when Nisha's sister dies, leaving behind a baby.

  9. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

    # 2

    Per her mother's last wish, an 8 year old girl sets out to reunite her father with his college best friend who was in love with him.

  10. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

    # 1

    Raj is a rich, carefree, happy-go-lucky second generation NRI. Simran is the daughter of Chaudhary Baldev Singh, who in spite of being an NRI is very strict about adherence to Indian values. Simran has left for India to be married to her childhood fiancé. Raj leaves for India with a mission at his hands, to claim his lady love under the noses of her whole family. Thus begins a saga.