Movies like The Lunchbox: 20 to watch next
If you loved The Lunchbox (2013) — a drama and romance film directed by Ritesh Batra — these 20 movies are the closest matches.
The first picks are what fans of The Lunchbox most often go on to watch; the rest share its genres and themes like housewife, mumbai (bombay), india and food. 7 of them are streaming in India right now — each entry shows where.
Where to watch The Lunchbox →·Get picks for your whole taste →
- 1
The Secret: Dare to Dream 2020★ 7.4
Shares: Drama, Romance
A widow with three children hires a handyman to fix her house during a major storm. When not doing home repairs, he shares his philosophy of believing in the power of the universe to deliver what we want.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 2
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey 2025★ 6.1
Shares: Romance, Drama
Sarah and David are single strangers who meet at a mutual friend’s wedding and soon, through a surprising twist of fate, find themselves on a funny, fantastical, sweeping adventure together where they get to re-live important moments from their respective pasts, illuminating how they got to where they are in the present... and possibly getting a chance to alter their futures.
Stream in India on Netflix
- 3
Killer's Kiss 1955★ 6.3
Shares: Drama
Davey Gordon, a New York City boxer at the end of his career, falls for dancer Gloria Price. However, their budding relationship is interrupted by Gloria's violent boss, Vincent Rapallo, who has eyes for Gloria. The two decide to skip town, but before they can, Vincent and his thugs abduct Gloria, and Davey is forced to search for her among the most squalid corners of the city, with his enemy hiding in the shadows.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 4
Blind 2017★ 6.1
Shares: Drama, Romance
A novelist is blinded in a car crash that killed his wife and several years later rediscovers his passion for life and writing when he embarks on an affair with the neglected wife of an indicted businessman.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 5
Tere Naam 2003★ 6.5
Shares: Romance, Drama
A rowdy ex-college boy who, after a hazing session, loses his heart to first year student Nirjara, a traditional Brahmin girl.
Stream in India on VI movies and tv, Eros Now Select Apple TV channel, Ultraplaybox Amazon Channel
- 6
Love Everlasting 2016★ 7.4
Shares: Romance, Drama
Bridger is a young outsider who's always wanted more. He and his mother flee an abusive home, eventually finding a small town in the middle of nowhere. Once there, Bridger finds true acceptance with another misfit.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 7
Sir 2018★ 7.1
Shares: Drama, Romance
A prosperous young Indian man falls in love with his servant, a widow with the dream of becoming a fashion designer.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 8
Moonlight Mile 2002★ 6.3
Shares: Romance, Drama
As he copes with the death of his fiancee along with her parents, a young man must figure out what he wants out of life.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 9
The Color of Friendship 2000★ 6.7
Shares: Drama
Mahree Bok lives on a farm in South Africa. Her father is a policeman who cannot hide his joy when activist Steve Biko is caught by the South African authorities. Piper Dellums is the daughter of a US congressman from California and who lives in a nice home in Washington DC. When Mahree is chosen to spend a semester at the Dellums' house, she doesn't expect that her host family would be black. Nor do her hosts suspect that she is not a black South African.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 10
Save the Last Dance 2001★ 6.6
Shares: Drama, Romance
After the death of her mother, Sara moves to the South Side of Chicago to live with her father and gets transferred to a majority-black school. Her life takes a turn for the better when befriends Chenille and her brother Derek, who helps her with her dancing skills.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 11
Raajneeti 2010★ 6.3
Shares: Drama
It is the story of a fiercely fought election campaign, where money power and corruption are the accepted norms, and where treachery and manipulation are routinely used weapons. As the personal drama of these conflict-ridden characters unfolds against this gritty backdrop, love and friendship become mere baits, and relationships get sacrificed at the altar of political alignments. The darkness that rises from their souls threatens to envelope all that they hold precious. Until eventually, in the crescendo of increasing violence, the line between good and evil blurs, making it impossible to distinguish heroes from villains. Raajneeti is the story of Indian democracy. And its ugly underside. It is about politics. And beyond.
Stream in India on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, JioHotstar
- 12
Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak 1988★ 6.8
Shares: Drama, Romance
Both Dhanraj Singh and Randhir Singh are two bitter and old time enemies. They faced a disastrous situation when their children, Raj and Rashmi fall deeply in love. They openly declare their hatred for one another and will do anything in their power, even kill - but they will not accept their children's choice. But Raj and Rashmi are dedicated to their love and are not willing to accept the fact that their fathers are mutual enemies.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 13
My Name Is Khan 2010★ 8.0
Shares: Drama, Romance
Rizwan Khan, a Muslim from the Borivali section of Mumbai, has Asperger's syndrome. He marries a Hindu single mother, Mandira, in San Francisco. After 9/11, Rizwan is detained by authorities at LAX who treat him as a terrorist because of his condition and his race.
Stream in India on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- 14
Fallen Angel 1945★ 6.6
Shares: Drama, Romance
An unemployed drifter, Eric Stanton wanders into a small California town and begins hanging around the local diner. While Eric falls for the lovely waitress Stella, he also begins romancing a quiet and well-to-do woman named June Mills. Since Stella isn't interested in Eric unless he has money, the lovelorn guy comes up with a scheme to win her over, and it involves June. Before long, murder works its way into this passionate love triangle.
Stream in India on Plex
- 15
Stanley & Iris 1990★ 6.5
Shares: Drama, Romance
An illiterate cook at a company cafeteria tries for the attention of a newly widowed woman. As they get to know one another, she discovers his inability to read. When he is fired, she takes on trying to teach him to read in her kitchen each night.
Stream in India on MGM Plus Amazon Channel
- 16
The Caveman's Valentine 2001★ 5.9
Shares: Drama
Romulus, a misunderstood musician turned recluse hiding from personal demons in a New York City cave, finds the frozen body of a young drifter in a tree. The authorities, including his police officer daughter, claim the death is accidental. Romulus is convinced the man was murdered by a prominent art photographer but how can he prove he's right when everyone thinks he's insane?
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 17
All My Life 2020★ 7.7
Shares: Romance, Drama
It was a chance meeting started by one of Sol’s friends trying to chat up Jennifer. However, in the end, it was those two who hit it off. Sol enjoyed Jen’s smile, her effort, and how silly she could be. Jen enjoyed Sol’s cooking, his athleticism, and that he would join her in fun moments. As you can imagine, love bloomed, and things got serious. Jen’s investment in Sol led to her pushing him to follow his dreams and even move in to save money. Sol’s investment in Jen well, it led to him proposing. But what started as a liver tumor grew into full-on cancer, so with a diagnosis of 6 months to live, Sol and Jennifer try to make the best of it.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 18
Raja Hindustani 1996★ 6.4
Shares: Drama, Romance
Raja, a taxi driver, falls in love with Aarti, a rich girl, and marries her against her parents' wishes. Later, her stepmother tries to create a rift betweenthe couple.
Stream in India on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, ShemarooMe
- 19
One & Two 2015★ 5.8
Shares: Drama
In an isolated farmhouse, located in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by a mysterious wooden wall, Zac and Eva, two siblings gifted with extraordinary abilities, endure every day the wrath of their strict father while witnessing how a cruel sickness lurks their beloved mother.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 20
Far from Heaven 2002★ 7.1
Shares: Drama, Romance
In 1950s Connecticut, a housewife's life is upended by a marital crisis and mounting racial tensions in society.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now