The year 2025 proved to be a defining one for Hindi cinema, delivering both massive theatrical triumphs and high-profile disappointments. From record-breaking blockbusters to costly misfires, the year clearly revealed what resonated with audiences -- and what no longer did at the box office.
The year 2025 delivered thunderous blockbusters that reaffirmed faith in theatrical cinema, as well as expensive misfires that exposed the risks of scale without substance.
From record-shattering action spectacles to socially driven dramas and franchise fatigue, Hindi cinema's hits and misses this year painted a brutally honest picture of what works and what no longer does.
Films that ruled the box office
Dhurandhar emerged as the undisputed commercial phenomenon of the year. Ranveer Singh's comeback couldn't have been louder. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the nationalist spy thriller combined scale, aggression, and political undertones with slick execution. Akshaye Khanna's menacing antagonist added gravitas, while the film's relentless pacing kept audiences hooked. The film crossed Rs 450 crore in India within two weeks and raced past Rs 870 crore globally. The film continues to screen in theatres.
Close behind was Chhaava. Vicky Kaushal's portrayal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj brought intensity and dignity to the historical epic. Director Laxman Utekar balanced emotional depth with scale, while Akshaye Khanna's Aurangzeb gave the narrative a chilling counterweight. The film earned Rs 601 crore nett in India and Rs 808 crore worldwide over a 13-week run.
In a year saturated with action, Saiyaara stood out for doing the opposite. Featuring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the romantic musical connected strongly with younger audiences. Its emotional honesty and chart-topping soundtrack turned it into a word-of-mouth success, pushing its global earnings close to Rs 570 crore and making it one of the year's biggest surprises.
Sitaare Zameen Par showcased a different kind of triumph. Aamir Khan's socially conscious drama addressed the lives of specially-abled children with empathy and restraint. Despite debates around its unconventional OTT strategy and eventual YouTube release, the film resonated deeply and crossed Rs 267 crore worldwide.
Sequels also found redemption when done right. Raid 2 saw Ajay Devgn reprise Amay Patnaik with calm authority, earning Rs 237 crore globally across a strong 50-day theatrical run. Meanwhile, Thamma, the fifth film in the Maddock Horror Cinematic Universe, reinforced the brand's consistency. Starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, the film collected over Rs 191 crore worldwide.
Where things went wrong
Not every star vehicle found its audience. Sikandar, mounted as a Salman Khan mass entertainer, collapsed under the weight of predictability. Despite a Rs 200 crore budget and a globally recognisable director in AR Murugadoss, the film managed only Rs 182.7 crore worldwide, far below break-even, It signalled clear fatigue with formula-driven spectacle.
Son of Sardaar 2 was another casualty of misplaced nostalgia. Despite a large ensemble and franchise recall, weak writing and inconsistent humour dragged the sequel down to Rs 65.8 crore worldwide on a Rs 100 crore budget, making it one of the year's biggest disappointments.
The action genre took further hits with Baaghi 4, as Tiger Shroff's once-reliable franchise ran out of momentum. Even high-energy stunts couldn't prevent the film from stalling at under Rs 80 crore globally.
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Perhaps the most telling cautionary tale was War 2. Despite earning a massive Rs 365 crore worldwide, its reported Rs 400 crore budget turned it into a financial underperformer.
At the other extreme, Emergency, Kangana Ranaut's politically charged biopic, struggled to convert controversy into ticket sales. With just Rs 22 crore worldwide on a Rs 50 crore budget, it became one of 2025's most severe financial failures.
As the year draws to a close, the industry's attention now turns to what lies ahead. One of the most awaited films, Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday's Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, released this Christmas but has failed to impress the audiences. The film has managed to collect only Rs 24.05 crore nett in India over its first five days at the box office.