Varun Dhawan has a reputation of making you laugh, cry and grove to a dance number in the same movie. Debuting on the big screen in 2012, it did not take long before Varun became a household name with a devoted fan base due to being the son of Bollywood heavyweight David Dhawan.

Whether you are having a scroll-down session to watch a light-hearted rom-com on Netflix or wish to see a gritting thriller, you are likely to find a Varun Dhawan Movie List that suits your mood.

And so, whether you have been wanting to make your way through his filmography or simply you know you want to watch his best examples on screen, well what follows is a complete Varun Dhawan movie list that takes you through his catalog, sprinkled with a trivia or two, IMDb ratings, and my personal thoughts.

Why Talk About Varun Dhawan Movie List?

Bollywood has so many actor children, but not many of them succeeded in getting out of the shadow of family. Varun Dhawan is among the few who did. VD as one of freshest face, he had an advantage, but his tireless energy and finely tuned comic timing, as well as his surprisingly emotional performances, made him stand apart.

He is an actor who does not mind dabbling. One movie he is dancing with Shraddha Kapoor in ABCD 2 and the other he is making you cry in October. That is precisely why the review of his movies is not merely a routine in filmography but more of a journey through his development as an actor and as an entertainer.

Varun Dhawan Movie List (From Debut to Now)

Student of the Year (2012)

IMDb: 5.5/10
Cast: Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra
The role of Rohan, being the flashy, confident young man is exactly what Varun needed as his launchpad and he captivated audiences.

My personal take: I still remember watching this and thinking, “This guy is going to be a star.” He had the moves, the attitude, and that screen presence you just can’t ignore.

Varun Dhawan Movie List: His Journey From Student to Superstar — Courtesy: Google

Main Tera Hero (2014)

IMDb: 5.6/10
A loud, colorful comedy directed by David Dhawan, the film allowed Varun to display his Govinda inspired comic abilities.

My personal take: It is too far-fetched, ridiculous, and not up everyone to laugh at it, however, I laughed a lot more pessimistically optimistic than I expected. Varun was having a blast and that is what made it fun to watch.

❤️ Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014)

IMDb: 6.0/10
A breezy rom-com with Alia Bhatt, this one felt like a modern-day DDLJ.

My personal take: To be frank one of my favourite Varun’s roles is still that of Humpty. He wasn’t the perfect person, but that is what made him likeable. Plus, the chemistry with Alia? Magic.

Badlapur (2015)

IMDb: 7.4/10
Varun went dark and intense in this revenge drama, and it shocked everyone.

My personal take: This is where I stopped seeing Varun just as a “commercial hero.” He proved he could handle layered, serious characters. Easily one of his top three performances.

ABCD 2 (2015)

IMDb: 5.3/10
A dance movie in which usually Varun and Shraddha reveled some of the best moves.

My personal take: As storytelling, it is nothing revolutionary. And being a dance lover, I could not turn away the performances of Varun. In such scenes it was impossible to stop him.

⭐ Dilwale (2015)

IMDb: 5.1/10
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol were the lead actors but even as the younger brother Varun could leave his mark with his playful attitude.

My personal take: Let’s be honest—people watched this for SRK and Kajol. But Varun added much-needed freshness and comic relief. He fit into the big-budget world seamlessly.

Dishoom (2016)

IMDb: 5.2/10
An action-comedy buddy film with John Abraham.

My personal take: It wasn’t great but I fun in the John/Varun banter. It reminded me of Bollywood’s take on a Hollywood inspired buddy cop movie — and Varun’s timing of him being funny made it lighter and fun.

Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017)

IMDb: 6.1/10
A rom-com with a social message, and the second installment after Humpty Sharma.

My personal take: I loved how this movie blended entertainment with a deeper issue. Varun’s Badri starts off immature but grows through the film—and I genuinely enjoyed that character arc.

Judwaa 2 (2017)

IMDb: 3.8/10
A double-role masala entertainer, rebooting Salman Khan’s classic.

My personal take: Honestly, this is pure guilty-pleasure cinema. The jokes are dated, but Varun’s energy as the twins carried the film. If you’re in the mood for nonsense fun, it works.

October (2018)

IMDb: 7.5/10
A quiet, poetic drama that showcased Varun in a never-seen-before avatar.

My personal take: This movie hit me hard. Varun’s subtle performance proved he didn’t need loud dialogues to make an impact. To me, this is his best film to date.

Sui Dhaaga (2018)

IMDb: 6.8/10
A heartfelt story about a tailor (Varun) and his wife (Anushka) chasing their dreams.

My personal take: I liked this film so realistic. Seeing Varun as a small time man trying to make both ends meet was refreshing. He was exceptionally plausible

Kalank (2019)

IMDb: 3.5/10
A lavish period drama that fell flat despite the stellar cast.

My personal take: The movie was beautiful to the eyes, but it was slow. This is not to say however that I liked all of Varun in his part of Zafar. This intensity did not however make me want to take off the movie.

Street Dancer 3D (2020)

IMDb: 3.8/10
A complete dance extravaganza of Shraddha Kapoor.

My personal take: Story? Weak. Dance? Phenomenal. If you watch this, watch it only for the performances. And Varun’s energy is unmatched here.

Coolie No. 1 (2020)

IMDb: 4.3/10
A remake of the Govinda classic, directed by David Dhawan.

My personal take: I didn’t love this one—it felt forced. But I’ll give it to Varun for trying to channel Govinda’s madcap energy. That’s not easy to pull off.

‍‍ Jugjugg Jeeyo (2022)

IMDb: 6.1/10
A mix of family drama, comedy, and emotions.

My personal take: I was surprised by this film. It is a light entertainer with some emotionally growing edges. Varun had got to the handle them in a mature way.

Bawaal (2023)

IMDb: 6.8/10
A love story with historical undertones, co-starring Janhvi Kapoor.

My personal take: I didn’t expect the film to take such a unique direction. It’s experimental, and Varun really leaned into the depth of the role. Definitely worth watching if you want something different.

So, Which Varun Dhawan Movie List Should You Start With?

Here’s my quick guide based on mood:

Good rom-coms: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania or Badrinath Ki Dulhania.
To watch some gut-wrenching drama: Badlapur and October are the ones you must watch.
For a family entertainer: Jugjugg Jeeyo.
For dance lovers: ABCD 2 is your go-to.

If I had to recommend just one? October (2018)—hands down. It’s moving, beautifully shot, and Varun at his absolute best.

Wrapping It Up: Varun Dhawan Movie List

Based on this Varun Dhawan Movie List, there is one thing that can be said with certainty he is not risk averse. Varun has proven to go beyond being a star-child by being able to deliver in both comedies and dramas with serious side and his comedic side. Not all of his films have been blockbusters but each has given his career another hue.

If you’re planning a Varun Dhawan binge, you now know exactly where to start. And trust me—you’ll end up appreciating not just the entertainer, but the actor he’s slowly, steadily becoming.

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