30 Best Dilip Kumar Movies and Where to Watch Them

Published on

Dilip Kumar, often celebrated as the Tragedy King of Indian cinema, stands as a colossus in the history of Bollywood. If you too miss the late acting legend, we’ve got an essential watchlist of Dilip Kumar’s best movies along with a handy guide on where to watch them.

Where can you stream Dilip Kumar’s best movies?

You can watch many of Dilip Kumar’s finest movies on Prime Video, Shemaroo, ZEE5, and Vi Movies & TV.

How Muhammad Khan became Dilip Kumar: The Tragedy King’s Career at a Glance

Born as Muhammad Yusuf Khan in 1922, in Peshawar (then India, now part of Pakistan), Dilip Kumar transcended borders and generations with his unparalleled acting prowess. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most revered actors in Indian cinema is nothing short of inspirational.

Dilip Kumar's acting style was marked by depth, intensity, and emotional resonance. He had the rare ability to portray a wide range of characters with authenticity and nuance. Whether it was the anguished lover in the romantic tragedy Devdas (1955) or the conflicted prince in the period epic Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Kumar's performances left an indelible mark on the audience's psyche. His mastery over expressions, body language, and dialogue delivery set new standards for acting in Indian cinema.

One of Dilip Kumar's most notable contributions to Indian cinema was his ability to bring realism to his characters. He eschewed melodrama for subtlety, preferring to delve deep into the psyche of his roles. This approach resonated with audiences and critics alike, earning him widespread acclaim and numerous awards, including several Filmfare Awards and the prestigious Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Awards.

Dilip Kumar's filmography is studded with gems that have stood the test of time. Mughal-e-Azam, directed by K. Asif, remains one of Indian cinema's crowning achievements. The epic tale of love and sacrifice, with Kumar portraying the iconic role of Prince Salim, captivated audiences and continues to be revered as a cinematic masterpiece.

Another milestone in Dilip Kumar's career is social drama Ganga Jamuna (1961), where he played the titular character, Ganga, a simple villager caught in the web of circumstances. The film showcased Kumar's versatility as he effortlessly portrayed the struggles and aspirations of a common man.

Dilip Kumar's collaboration with legendary filmmaker Bimal Roy resulted in cinematic marvels like Madhumati (1958) and Devdas. In Devdas, Kumar's portrayal of the tragic hero haunted by unrequited love remains etched in the annals of Indian cinema.

While his latter works in the 1970s and 1980s lacked the hard-hitting complexity of his earlier works, Kumar’s bravado and charisma as a leading man of many moods continued.

Kumar’s influence can be felt to this day with many seasoned actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Kamal Haasan, Mammootty, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui citing him as one of their acting inspirations. He continues to be revered in his birth country of Pakistan too with the Peshawar house in which he grew up being declared as a national heritage monument. He still retains the record of winning the most Filmfare Best Actors awards, a feat only equalled by Shah Rukh Khan.

Why is Mughal-e-Azam Dilip Kumar’s best movie?

K Asif’s Mughal-era epic Mughal-e-Azam is grandiose in all sense, from featuring lavish sets to staging elaborate song-and-dance numbers. But all the pomp and show aside, Mughal-e-Azam also survives as a Bollywood classic for its impactful performances, courtesy of an aged Prithviraj Kapoor playing the Mughal emperor Akbar and Kumar playing his rebellious son, the prince known as Jahangir. Thrown in the mix is an equally impressive Madhubala portraying the court dancer Anarkali, who creates a divide between father and son ever since Jahangir falls for her.

Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Apple TV Plus
Apple TV
Crunchyroll
Hotstar
Jio Cinema
Zee5
Eros Now
Google Play Movies
MUBI
Sony Liv
YouTube
GuideDoc
Netflix Kids
Tubi TV
Yupp TV
Sun Nxt
Hungama Play
Hoichoi
Alt Balaji
Curiosity Stream
EPIC ON
ShemarooMe
DOCSVILLE
Tata Play
Discovery+
ManoramaMax
Rooster Teeth
MX Player
Spamflix
aha
Spuul
Plex
WOW Presents Plus
Magellan TV
BroadwayHD
Filmzie
Lionsgate Play
MovieSaints
Dekkoo
True Story
DocAlliance Films
VI movies and tv
Eventive
ShortsTV Amazon Channel
Amazon Video
Cultpix
FilmBox+
Takflix
Classix
Amazon miniTV
AD tv
Shahid VIP
Bookmyshow
Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel
Eros Now Select Apple TV Channel
Lionsgate Play Amazon Channel
Filters
  1. Mughal-e-Azam

    Mughal-e-Azam

    1960

    IMDB 8.1 (8k)

    #1

    In the 16th century, when Prince Salim falls in love with a beautiful courtesan named Anarkali, Emperor Akbar's disapproval leads to a battle between father and son.

  2. Devdas

    Devdas

    1955

    IMDB 7.7 (2k)

    #2

    Childhood sweethearts grow up in a small village with a love-hate relationship which changes to love when they mature.

  3. Gunga Jumna

    Gunga Jumna

    1961

    IMDB 7.4

    #3

    Widowed Govindi lives a poor lifestyle in Haripur along with two sons, Gungaram and Jumna. While Jumna is studious, Gungaram is the opposite, but has a good heart and decides to use his earnings to ensure his brother gets a decent education. After her employer, Hariram, accuses Govindi of theft, the shock kills her. After her passing, Gungaram works for Hariram while Jumna goes to the city to study and becomes a police officer. His first assignment is in Haripur, where he will be forced to confront Gungaram, who is now is the leader of a dreaded band of killer bandits.

    Watch Now

    Gunga Jumna is not available for streaming.
    Let us notify you when you can watch it.

  4. Madhumati

    Madhumati

    1958

    IMDB 7.8 (1k)

    #4

    Two men take shelter in a derelict mansion situated in the countryside during a storm. One of the men suddenly becomes aware that he once visited this mansion in a past life; he recounts a story about when he was Anand, a painter, who fell in love with a tribal girl named Madhumati.

  5. Andaz

    Andaz

    1949

    IMDB 6.7

    #5

    Nina is a rich and spoiled girl. Dilip accidentally meets her and starts liking her, not knowing that she is already engaged.

  6. Ram Aur Shyam

    Ram Aur Shyam

    1967

    IMDB 7.2 (1k)

    #6

    Abused by an oppressive brother-in-law Gajendra (Pran), Ramchandra (Dilip Kumar) runs away from home, and ends up in a small village where he is mistaken for Shyamrao (also Dilip Kumar), and must accept Ganga (Leela Mishra) and his new name or face severe exorcism. Meanwhile, Shyamrao is mistaken for Ramchandra by Anjana (Waheeda Rehman) and her dad (Nazir Hussain). When Gajendra finds out, he is enraged and attempts to beat the stuffing out of the person he thinks is his brother-in-law, but Shyamrao refuses to be abused or beaten, and all of a sudden things start changing in the household as well as in the community. It is not long before Gajendra finds out about the truth, and plans an ugly death for Shyamrao, and all those opposed to him.

  7. Naya Daur

    Naya Daur

    1957

    IMDB 6.2

    #7

    Shankar lives in a remote village in rural India with his mother and sister, Manju, and drives a horse-carriage for a living. The main employer in the region is a kind-hearted businessman Maganlal. When Maganlal announces that he would like to undertake a religious pilgrimage, his son, Kundan, takes over and wants to cut back on labor and mechanize the business - thus leading to loss in jobs

  8. Daag

    Daag

    1952

    IMDB 6.7

    #8

    Shankar and Paro love each other, but their relationship is strained by his drinking problem and Paro's sudden wealth.

  9. Mashaal

    Mashaal

    1984

    IMDB 7.2

    #9

    After being dismissed from his employment as a newspaper editor, for writing against S.K. Vardhan, a influential politician and underworld don, Vinod Kumar, re-locates to the slums of Bombay, and starts his own publication. He soon runs into problems with the local street-gangs, one of which is headed by the notorious Raja. Vinod adopts a positive approach, and this brings out the best in Raja, who even manages to take Vinod's wife, Sudha, to hospital, risking his life, during a Bombay Bandh. Raja then decides to go straight, give up his gang, and study further, encouraged by girlfriend, Geeta. He leaves the slums to upgrade. Several months later, he returns back, anxious to get working with Vinod and his publication, only to find that Vinod is now a criminal don, who has no interest whatsoever in any publication, nor in Raja.

  10. Leader

    Leader

    1964

    IMDB 7.2

    #10

    Vijay Khanna is a law graduate-cum-tabloid editor he falls in love with Princess Sunita, while general election are underway. Vijay becomes a murder accused of a political leader. Gradually the couple tries to expose a criminal-politician nexus. (From wikipedia)

    Watch Now

    Leader is not available for streaming.
    Let us notify you when you can watch it.

  11. Karma

    Karma

    1986

    IMDB 7.2 (2k)

    #11

    When senior police inspector Vishwa Pratap Singh arrests Dr. Michael Dang, the leader of the international terrorist group PSO, the group blast the jail Dang is lodged in killing huge numbers of inmates including two of Vishwa's sons and his daughter-in-law; with Dang escaping in the process. Vishwa, who now calls himself Dada Thakur, is determined to put an end to Dang and his PSO gang. He enlists three death row inmates, Baiju Thakur, Johnny and former terrorist Khairuddin Kisti, Thakur personally trains to become disciplined fugitive hunters, and sets out to avenge his family's slaughter.

  12. Deedar

    Deedar

    1951

    IMDB 7.0

    #12

    A traumatized and blind young man makes a living singing, and searching for his childhood sweetheart.

  13. Kranti

    Kranti

    1981

    IMDB 7.3 (1k)

    #13

    The film takes place in 19th Century British India and is the story of the fight for independence from the British in the years spanning from 1825 to 1875. It tells the story of two men who led the war against British Rule, Sanga and Bharat both of whom call themselves Kranti.

  14. Vidhaata

    Vidhaata

    1982

    IMDB 6.8

    #14

    When a Police inspector is killed by a band of thugs, his grieving father Samsher Singh seeks justice. Pratap Singh has left behind a pregnant widow, who dies in chidbirth, leaving Samsher to bring up the child Kunal. The transformation of Samsher Singh (a locomotive engine driver) into Sobhraj, multi millionaire and owner of a vast network of business. Kunal is brought up by Abu Baba, a servant of Sobhraj to be honest, upright, and very independent minded. Durga, the daughter of a former employee of Sobhraj, who is serving time and Kunal fall in love. This not acceptable to his grandfather, though Abu Baba approves of the relationship. Disaster strikes when an attempt is made to separate the lovers. The life of Samsher Singh alias Sobhraj begins to unravel from here. How Kunal's ethical upbringing by his foster-father, and his financial and business circumstances of his grandfather meet in a titanic conscience clash and how he resolves matters is at the nexus of the plot.

  15. Aan

    Aan

    1952

    IMDB 6.8

    #15

    A poor farmer conquers the love of an Indian princess, whose brother wants to kill their father to become king.

  16. Paigham

    Paigham

    1959

    IMDB 6.7

    #16

    Widowed Mrs. Lal lives with her two sons, Ram and Ratan; an unmarried daughter, Sheela; Ram's wife, Parvati and her children. While Ram is employed in a mill, Ratan is studying engineering in Calcutta. When Ratan returns, he is offered a job at the same mill, falls in love with a Typist named Manju, much to chagrin of Malti, the daughter of the mill-owner, Sewakram. When Ratan finds out that Sewakram has been defrauding the employees, he decides to form a union, a move that is opposed by Ram, who is very devoted and loyal to Sewakram.

  17. Azaad

    Azaad

    1955

    IMDB 7.1

    #17

    After her widower dad, Kedarnath, passes away, Shobha goes to live with his friend, Charandas, and his wife, Shanta, who had their son go missing as a child. Years later Shobha is now matured and Charandas scouts for a suitable groom. A wealthy man, Sunder, would like to marry Shobha, but the family detests him.

  18. Jugnu

    Jugnu

    1973

    IMDB 6.7

    #18

    The year 1973 turned out to be one of the most remarkable years in Dharmendra's cinematic history.He proved that he had greater efficiency,electrifying charisma and a more effective star-power than the then fading superstar Rajesh Khanna by knocking him out from the number one spot.He became the hottest star at the box-office from then on delivering hits after hits that also included Yaadon ki Baarat,Kahani kismat ki and loafer.In fact out of the top ten hits for that year,six of Dharmendra's films were present.Jugnu was the second most successful film of the year after bobby earning super-duper hit status.it was extremely successful at the box office running for 50 consecutive weeks.Jugnu became one of the most thrilling entertainers of its time.Dharmendra and Hema Malini's chemistry was tagged the Awesome-twosome.This is one of few films in which almost all the songs were marvellous. Who would forget Chote Chote (performed beautifully by Dharmendra Dil Gaya Chamka and many more

  19. Amar

    Amar

    1954

    IMDB 6.9

    #19

    A delicately nuanced psychological drama, exploring a 3-way relationship between the main characters and the crisis of conscience that rocks it. A prosperous, well-respected lawyer, in love with and engaged to an educated, socially-conscious young woman, rapes a poor local village milkmaid. The rest of the story deals with the aftermath of this tragic event, with all the inevitable undercurrents of guilt, penitence and pervasive heartbreak that stem from it.

  20. Kohinoor

    Kohinoor

    1960

    IMDB 6.6

    #20

    Rajkumar Dhivendra Pratap Bahadur is the new king. Veer Singh's wife, who raised Dhivendra, wants him to marry Rajkumari Chandramukhi of Rajgarh, and her father is also for it. The trouble is, people keep falling in love with Dhivendra and with Chandramukhi, and it will take plenty of swashbuckling to untangle the mess.

    Watch Now

    Kohinoor is not available for streaming.
    Let us notify you when you can watch it.