The year 2024 has been lacklustre for Bollywood at the box office. Movies with the biggest budgets and star cast didn't meet expectations. However, the year 2025 looks promising, at least with the lineup of films that boast of an amazing cast and director. With the right promotional strategy, there is fair opportunity for Hindi filmmakers to reclaim the box office. Here's a look at the new movies releasing in 2025 with a potential to break records and make some new ones at the box office.
Fateh: 10 January, 2025
This raw and stylish action thriller stars Sonu Sood and also marks his directorial debut. The film is the first big release of the year and the trailer has received rave reviews.
Skyforce: Republic Day, 2025
The film starring Akshay Kumar in the lead, is based on the Indo-Pak war of 1965 when India launched a retaliatory attack on Pakistan's Sargodha air base. This attack has gone down in history as India's first and deadliest airstrike. The timing is right to release a movie high on patriotism around January 26.
Deva: 31 January, 2025
This action thriller stars Shahid Kapoor and Pooja Hegde in lead roles and is directed by Rosshan Andrrews. The film marks the Malayalam director's Bollywood debut. This is not the first time Shahid Kapoor is collaborating with a director from the South and like the last time, (Kabir Singh in 2019 with Sandeep Reddy Vanga), we can expect fireworks. However, it releases just a week after Skyforce and the two films will definitely eat into each other's business.
Chhaava: 14 February, 2025
This period action drama starring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna tells the story of Maratha King Sambhaji, the eldest son of Shivaji who ruled between 1981 to 1989. This is perhaps the only period film releasing this year and the genre always manages to pull in the audience. Vicky has already proved his mettle as a fabulous actor and therefore, expectations are high.
Sikandar: Eid 2025
One of the biggest movies of 2025 and the most awaited as well. Sikandar with Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna is a high octane action entertainer directed by AR Murugadoss. The film is expected to create havoc at the box office and recreate the 'Bhai magic'. The movie is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, who is known to present Salman in the larger than life avatar that fans love him in. The teaser has already left fans curious and asking for more.
Raid 2: May 2025
Ajay Devgn returns in this sequel as Amay Patnaik who goes after another white collar crime. The first part of the film worked on word of mouth and became a commercial success and Raid 2 will benefit from the success of the previous installment.
Housefull 5: 6 June, 2025
After Skyforce earlier this year, Akshay Kumar will be back in a genre that he excels in. The film is also a part of a superhit franchise and brings with it a bigger ensemble cast. The film will be the big Bollywood summer entertainer.
War 2: 15 August, 2025
YRF's spy universe will see the sequel to War (2019). The film stars Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR and is expected to give Bollywood the biggest opening ever for a Hindi film and set new benchmarks for films to follow.
Welcome To The Jungle: Christmas 2025
This adventure comedy led by Akshay Kumar is yet another big entertainer to look forward to. Releasing during the holidays will ensure a great opening and weekend and if the reviews and word of mouth are good, then Bollywood will definitely end the year 2025 at the box office on a high note.
Alpha: Christmas 2025
After War 2, YRF will also release yet another film under its spy universe with Alia Bhatt and Sharvari. It is releasing with Akshay's Welcome To The Jungle and the clash may not hold the film in a good stead. But since it is backed by YRF, the collection may just end up surprising everyone.
There are other good films lined up for the year. Lahore 1947 and Jaat (no release date locked), both starring Sunny Deol. His action avatar, especially after the grand success of Gadar 2 is sure to shatter the box office. The actor has a loyal fan following across the country that loves him in the angry man avatar.
There is also Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par but with little details of the movie and no release date locked yet, it will be a little premature to talk about it.
Jolly LLB 3 is another film to look forward to. The previous two films were loved by the audience. This time around things get better as we get the two Jollys aka Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi together in this courtroom drama.
All in all, 2025 promises to be great at the movies. Here's hoping that the makers create the right kind of buzz around their movies and give the masses enough opportunity to know about the film and what to expect. This will be crucial to generate curiosity amongst the Hindi movie audience and make them take the step and book the tickets.
