Half of the year has already wrapped up and it’s been an exciting one so we take a look at the 10 Best Hindi Movies and Web Series of 2023 so far. Audiences are now happily flocking back to theatres after the pandemic break and the Movie-going experience is booming again. So far, we have seen several amazing Bollywood films and web shows from various genres. The performance of these has us convinced that the rest of the year too is set to be a successful one for good content.

2023 has already seen mega-blockbusters from big stars such as Ranveer Singh’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan. For the small screen, there have been impressive performances from actors such as Vijay Verma and Sonakshi Sinha in Dahaad. Also, the return of web shows such as Asur Season 2 have received praise.

10 Best Hindi Movies and Web Series of 2023 So Far

BEST BOLLYWOOD MOVIES 2023

Rocky Aur Rani Kahanii

One of the biggest movies of the year has been the Karan Johar directorial starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. The movie celebrates modern-day relationships and the meaning of marriage in today’s generation in the most refreshing way. It’s also a family entertainer that consists of a perfect blend of romance and comedy, celebrating all the quintessential elements of a Bollywood entertainer.

The film also has a strong supporting cast including Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi who showcase their powerful acting prowess and steal the scenes in crucial moments. Every Hindi movie is incomplete without a great soundtrack and this one offers some great foot-tapping numbers that have also been choreographed to perfection.

Pathaan

Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone kicked off the year with this action-packed movie and it’s impossible not to name it among the list of 10 best Hindi movies and web series of 2023. Also starring John Abraham, the film became one of the most successful films of the year. The movie starred Khan in the role of Pathaan, an ex-army man turned undercover agent. The movie with its twists and turns made for an amazing experience.

Another major selling point of this Siddharth Anand directorial is that it also consists of a cameo by Salman Khan. The palpable chemistry between SRK and Padukone is also special. Espionage thrillers aren’t always Bollywood’s stronghold but with the likes of this one it seems the industry is trying to create more globally enjoyable content.

Also Read: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Review: Karan Johar Treats Us With Immense Love, Laughter and Drama

Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway

Rani Mukerji’s moving performance struck a chord with the audience as an immigrant Indian mother who fights the Norwegian foster care system to get back the custody of her children. The movie directed by Ashima Chibber earned praises for its emotional storytelling that was inspired by a real-life incident.

The movie makes interesting observations about Western vs Indian ways of nurturing. The cross-cultural differences between the two countries and the immigrant life is also well-captured. Most of the film’s power though lies in the performances of its lead cast and particularly Mukerji who makes your heart ache with her act. The film is currently streaming on Netflix.

Kathal

This Netflix release became a surprise entertainer and particularly won everyone over with stellar performances from Sanya Malhotra, Vijay Raaz and more. The movie follows a unique case where a local politician’s prized jackfruits go missing and a young police officer takes it upon herself to solve the bizarre case. The film’s satirical nature brings laughs as well as makes for a thought-provoking watch.

Self-awareness is a great quality in a script, and in this case, that is what works wonders. Malhotra’s character of Police Inspector Mahima is written in a clever way and the actress embodies it to complete perfection. From capturing the dialect right to her comic timing, there are many moments for her to shine.

Zara Hatke Zara Bachke

With Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan’s entertaining performances as a married couple, this film turned out to be an enjoyable ride. The rom-com is breezy and ticks all the boxes for being a family entertainer. The light-hearted nature of the film makes it fairly pleasant to watch. Not all stories are meant to be preachy and have an impact, there are also films such as this one where the characters may seem over-the-top but they are also the ones that bring the laughs.

With two oddball characters at its lead, the movie consists of ample chaos that keeps you invested in the plot. Also, being set in Indore, the film captures some true local elements and picks on the right dialect to give you authentic MP feels.

BEST HINDI WEB SERIES 2023

Dahaad

There is nothing better than a captivating crime thriller when it comes to web shows and this Amazon Prime Video series turned out to be exactly that. With stellar performances from the lead cast including Sonakshi Sinha, Vijay Varma and Gulshan Devaiah, the show’s engaging nature made it thoroughly bingeable.

The web series follows an investigation surrounding the deaths of a series of women who are found dead in public bathrooms. It’s a serial killer show like no other. The taut direction of the show with a fast pace makes you hooked to it and it’s nearly impossible not to binge all the episodes in one go. Shedding light on crimes against women as well as making a strong commentary on cast, the show’s writing is highly impressive.

Scoop

A definite addition to the list of 10 best movies and web shows of 2023 is this Hansal Mehta show. The crime drama starring Karishma Tanna in the lead is based on Indian journalist, Jigna Vora’s biographical memoir Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison. Capturing the gruesome nature of Mumbai’s crime underbelly from the 90s and also making commentary on press ethics in India, this show is an absolute must-watch.

The media culture of sensationalizing news for corporate gains, the struggle of journalists to be the first to report on exclusives, everything gets detailed representation in the show. Among the most surprising elements in the show is also a brilliant performance by Harman Baweja. The series is streaming on Netflix.

Asur 2

After a successful first season, the show returned for another thrilling one this year. After a long wait since 2020, the psychological thriller made a strong comeback and this time it chronicled the pursuit of a mastermind manipulating myths and technology to manipulate people.

The series was packed with brilliant performances from Barun Sobti and Arshad Warsi who reprised their roles for Season 2. The second part also connects effectively to the first one as it ties up loose ends. Also, Amey Wagh, Meiyang Chang, Abhishek Chauhan and Ridhi Dogra deliver strong supporting performances. The suspenseful storyline also keeps you hooked to it till the last scene. The show is streaming on Jio Cinema.

Farzi

Shahid Kapoor’s web show debut was a smashing one and with this show, he once again showed how he can slip into any character with ease. The black comedy crime thriller also starred Vijay Sethupathi in the lead role. The scamster saga made for an engaging watch as it combined everything from action to comedy with crisp dialogues that left a lasting impression.

As the anti-hero Sunny, Kapoor brings the right amount of charm and mischief, enough to make you never completely hate or love him. Faced with moral and emotional dilemmas, it’s a treat to watch the characters make complicated decisions. The show is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Jubilee

Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, this Hindi web series successfully transported us to the golden era of Bombay Talkies. With the sepia-toned frames and poetically written characters, there was a lot to celebrate in this show. The ensemble cast including Aditi Rao Hydari, Aparshakti Khurana and Sidhant Gupta delivered memorable performances, thus making it a show that needed to be savoured for its lustrous elements.

There is a larger-than-life treatment to it in terms of production design as it captures the yesteryear charms. The show bares the dark truths of the film industry laden with politics and competitiveness in a raw manner. Jubilee is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

What are your picks for the best movies and web shows of 2023? Tell us in the comments below.

Also Read: 10 Upcoming Indian Movies of 2023 That Every Cinegoer Should Watch in Theatres