Raindrops on your window, a warm cup of chai in your hand, and the perfect film to get the mood right – that’s just the ultimate monsoon vibe. Worry not, we’ve curated a monsoon watchlist just for you! Whether you’re craving something romantic or are ready to get scared by jumpscares, we’ve got you covered. And to make it even better, each film suggestion comes with exactly why it’s worth your monsoon hours.
Get that fresh masala chai, curl up in a blanket, and keep reading!
Baarish & Bollywood: 7 Films For Your Monsoon Mood!
Life In A…Metro (2007)
Why You Should Watch: For all the quintessential Mumbai vibes.
This anthology-style drama just got its spiritual sequel in the form of Metro In Dino, but the original movie still retains its irresistible charm. The movie feels like a love letter to Mumbai – as if the city is the main character itself. At its core, the movie weaves together stories of individuals – lonely hearts, broken dreams, and second chances.
These real and raw characters are searching for love and beyond in the Mumbai bustle. The grey, gloomy Mumbai skyline, the soul-stirring music, and the compelling performances truly make Life In A…Metro a must-watch on a rainy day! Watch it especially if you’re in the mood to stare out the window and question all your life choices.
Platform: Netflix
What are the vibes? Bombay. Bittersweet endings. Love, unfiltered.
Jab We Met (2007)
Why You Should Watch: A cozy, feel-good rom-com giving you all the butterflies. That’s it.
Nothing says monsoon romance like Jab We Met! The chaotic energy of Geet (Kareena Kapoor Khan) and the calm composure of Aditya (Shahid Kapoor) work together to create Bollywood magic on screen – a legacy that has given this movie a cult status. From dancing in the snow to dancing in the rain (yes, THAT iconic song), the movie successfully makes you rethink your dating decisions.
It speaks to you, indirectly, about young (often blind) love, second chances, moving on, and finally accepting the one who truly cares for you. Jab We Met is inarguably one of Imtiaz Ali’s most popular works, but what remains memorable is the music of the movie. All certified bangers in the soundtrack! Plus, the movie was a milestone in early 2010s Indian fashion – Geet made t-shirts over harem pants look 10 times cooler! Overall, watch the movie on a pouring day if you’re craving a fun yet heartwarming romantic movie.
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
What are the vibes? Geet. Aditya. More Geet.
Bombay (1995)
Why You Should Watch: A haunting interfaith romance set against all odds.
Set against the Bombay communal riots of the 90s, the movie isn’t just a movie – it’s a storm of emotions. Mani Ratnam, the master storyteller and music maestro A. R. Rahman come together to create a masterpiece that easily remains one of Hindi cinema’s best movies till date.
Both Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala deliver such awe-inspiring performances that by the end of the movie, you feel like you too are a part of their crumbling world. The film’s themes of love, courage, and resilience, all set against a politically-charged backdrop, deliver a hauntingly melodic movie. Watch the movie for its soul-stirring music, watertight writing, and stunning cinematography.
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
What are the vibes? Love. Loss. Longing.
Kaun? (1999)
Why You Should Watch: A technically brilliant suspense thriller with an incredible climax.
Enough of romance – it’s time to make things a little mysterious. And if there’s one movie that we think will be perfect on your monsoon watchlist, it has to be the 1999 Ram Gopal Varma-directed Kaun? A brilliant example of a chamber film – movies set only in one indoor setting – the movie effortlessly delivers on the brooding suspense. Urmila Matondkar, as the unnamed leading lady, is stuck in her house as she sees news of a serial killer on the spree. Then a doorbell rings and a stranger, drenched in the Bombay rains, pleads to let her in.
Is it the serial killer? Are there any more secrets to the stranger? And, does she let him in? Watch Kaun? to get all your answers! The movie, despite a lack of a soundtrack and outdoor cinematography, keeps you hooked till the very end. And it is in the end that you get to see the big reveal – one that will definitely induce goosebumps. If you’re in the mood for a rainy-night film that’ll make you triple-check your locks, this one’s it.
Platform: YouTube
What are the vibes? Suspense. Rainy nights. Strangers.
Tumbbad (2018)
Why You Should Watch: Rain-drenched, bone-chilling horror tale.
Eternally raining and perpetually gloomy skies – this is how the cursed town of Tumbbad is. This mythical, almost folk-tale-like epic movie is a genre-defying experience. It blends elements of horror, suspense, folklore, greed, and lust into a haunting tale that’s equal parts terrific and terrifying. The film’s setting already delivers eerie vibes, with the Pune of the 1800s shown in all its mud-soaked, damped-down glory.
Pair with it a haunting background score and set designs that’ll rival international productions – and you have a movie that’s easily one of the best horror movies out there! If you don’t mind going to the washroom alone at the dead of the night, Tumbbad is right up your alley.
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
What are the vibes? Epic. Haunting. Hastar.
Aashiqui 2 (2013)
Why You Should Watch: Passionate yet tragic young romance with a phenomenal soundtrack.
The soft piano tunes, haunting vocals of Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal, and two lovers drenched in the rain – Aashiqui 2 is a classic rainy-day movie, no doubts! The movie, which marked the on-screen debut of Aditya Roy Kapur and catapulted Shraddha Kapoor to overnight stardom, is often remembered for the immense craze it had amongst youngsters during its release.
More than 10 years after its release, the movie still remains memorable – mostly for its iconic soundtrack. A soundtrack with no flop song in sight, only back to back melodies. Aashiqui 2 at its core is romance laced with tragedy, but this is what makes the movie so hauntingly magnetic. Aditya and Shraddha’s iconic in-the-rain-moment might be full of cliches, but in the rain – it hits just right! It’s the perfect film to watch when you want to romanticize your heartbreak (or pretend you have one).
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
What are the vibes? Melodies. Melancholy. Monsoon Magic.
Raincoat (2004)
Why You Should Watch: An emotionally restrained, poignant tale of long-lost love.
The thought of exes returning to your life is a headache-inducing thought for many of us – but this short story adaptation of O. Henry’s work centers its plot just around that. Raincoat is a rainy-day tale about two ex-lovers meeting again after years apart. Physically restrained yet emotionally vulnerable, Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgn deliver performances that are masterclasses in nuanced acting.
Raincoat bears no drama – it’s soft, silent, and painfully heartbreaking. It is the kind of film that will make you stare at the ceiling long after you’ve finished watching it. It’s the kind of film filled with such raw realism that you can’t help but leave with a lump in your throat and an ache you never expected.
Platform: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube.
What are the vibes? Poetic. Painful. Poignant.
Summing Up
Monsoon and movies – a match made in heaven! Rain brings out something in us – from heartbreak, longing, and passion to love in its most raw form. And to feel these emotions, we’ve listed down our recommended monsoon watchlist just for you! From chaotic rom-coms to eerie suspense thrillers, we’ve listed it all. So, grab your coziest blanket, fry some pakoras, and enjoy the blissful monsoon with a movie marathon!
