The world slows down, sweaters pop out, and your couch and bed suddenly become a million times cozier. Whether it’s the chill in the air or your inner hibernating sloth creeping out, winters are for spending the last few months of the year in the most relaxed ways possible. Think of grabbing a warm cup of hot chocolate and tuning in to watch a comforting winter movie. Worry not, we at unstumbled have curated just the perfect winter watchlist for you.
These seven Bollywood films aren’t all about snow and Christmas – these perfectly capture the winter essence, the longing, the memory, and the ache – along with that warm, fuzzy feeling in winter. So, hop on, time to get into a movie marathon!
Winter Watchlist: Bookmark These 7 Bollywood Movies This Hot Chocolate Season
Lootera (2013)
Why you should watch: A deeply poetic, evocative movie about love, longing, and everything in between.
Lootera is the cinematic equivalent of a snowflake melting in slow motion. Inspired by O. Henry’s iconic The Last Leaf, the movie narrates a story of two individuals, both from different backgrounds, who somehow come close in a turn of events. What starts as a soft, slow-burn love story turns into a haunting tale of betrayal, loneliness, and redemption. From Kolkata to Dalhousie, Lootera shooting locations feel almost postcard-worthy. The cinematography, the art direction, the costumes, and the performances truly deserve much more praise than what they get. When are you watching it?
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
What are the vibes? Restrained. Poetic. Heartwarming.
Qala (2022)
Why you should watch: You’re craving a technically brilliant movie filled with candlelight, European nostalgia, and haunting madness.
There are movies and then there are experiences. Experiences that haunt you – and Qala is one such creation. This psychological thriller is when Indian vintage meets gothic grandeur to present you a story that’s reminiscent of Black Swan, but much more disturbing. Tripti Dimri effortlessly carries the movie as a young singer battling guilt, ambition, and the haunting echoes of her past. From the picture-perfect frames of each scene to the soul-stirring soundtrack of the movie, everything is just so eerily mysterious. Add to it the snow-drenched landscape in the world of Qala and you have a perfect winter-classic that is equal parts chills and craft.
Platform: Netflix
What are the vibes? Art. Anguish. Ambition.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)
Why you should watch: You’re in the mood to watch a comforting movie with friends about friends and friendships.
If there’s one movie we’ll keep going back to every winter, it has to be Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (YJHD). Yes, those Shimla-Manali treks and bonfires still comfort us in the best ways possible. The movie isn’t just a movie – it’s an emotion for so many of us who grew up in the 2000s. It is a movie that teaches you love, patience, heartbreak, and the nuances of adulthood, all while wrapping you up in a comforting hug. Watch YJHD for the talented cast, beautiful locations, banging songs, and just pure nostalgia.
Platform: Netflix
What are the vibes? Self-Discovery. Friendships. Nostalgia.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Why you should watch: A comforting feel-good 90s romance.
Everything about this movie is just iconic. From bright mustard fields, cable-knit sweaters, that guitar, and THAT train sequence – yes, we’re talking about Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ). The 1995 movie has gained cult status, lifting Kajol and SRK to super stardom. You need no excuse to watch DDLJ, simply play it on the television or head to Maratha Mandir (if you’re in Mumbai) where it is still screened today. The movie defined feel-good romance for an entire generation, and we understand why. DDLJ fans, did you mark it on your winter watchlist?
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
What are the vibes? Classic. Cozy. Timeless Romance.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012)
Why you should watch: You like a true-blue Bollywood romance and SRK’s poetry.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan (JTHJ) is a classic Yash Chopra romance – a brooding, charming SRK and two gorgeous ladies – Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. JTHJ has it all – love, heartbreak, passion, and even patriotism, making it a cinematic experience like no other. From Kashmir and Ladakh’s snowy landscapes to London’s urban decadence, each frame in JTHJ feels like a postcard. And paired with it, you have SRK’s evocative poetry. Need we say anything else?
What are the vibes? Passionate Love. High-Octane Drama. SRK.
Laila Majnu (2018)
Why you should watch: A haunting yet passionate folklore romance with tragedy
Laila Majnu adapts the quintessential folklore story of Laila and Majnu for modern sensibilities and hits it out of the park. The movie is raw, real, and honest. It makes you laugh, cry, and haunts you by the time you reach the end-credits. Set amidst the enigmatic beauty of Kashmir, Laila Majnu is a visually delightful saga of love, longing, and heartbreak. Watch the movie for its moving performances, melodious soundtrack, and gorgeous backdrops. A classic winter romance that we think you should definitely give a watch.
Platform: Netflix
What are the vibes? Kashmir. Passion. Tragedy.
Merry Christmas (2024)
Why you should watch: You have invited your friends over for wine, cake, and cozy winter celebrations.
Worry not, we’ve included a Hindi movie that captures the essence of winter’s most iconic celebration – the Christmas! But, this movie wishes you ‘Merry Christmas’ with plenty of twists and turns. The Vijay Sethupati-Katrina Kaif movie is an edge-of-the-seat thriller noir filled with romance, deceit, and suspense. Two lonely souls meet one fateful night – only to begin a thrilling tale of hidden intentions, unsolved mysteries, and untold lies. Watch this brilliant movie for the amazing performances, captivating set design, and cinematography that transports you to 80s Bombay.
What are the vibes? Noir. Jazz. Thrills.
Summing Up
Winters and these movies are like yin and yang – perfect for each other! Whether it’s the nail-biting thrills in Merry Christmas, feel-good 90s nostalgia in DDLJ, or the comforting vibes in YJHD, each film on our winter watchlist is curated especially for you. Time to brew that hot chocolate, take the dust off comforters, and curl up for an exciting movie night!
