2025 has been a rollercoaster year for the Hindi film industry. While some of the most anticipated big-budget spectacles struggled to meet soaring expectations, a few “dark horses” and high-concept dramas redefined the box office landscape. The year was characterized by a shifting preference in the audience, moving away from generic action toward grounded historical epics and innovative storytelling.
Here is a breakdown of the biggest Bollywood opening day grossers of 2025 and how they performed.
1. War 2
Opening Day: ₹52.5 Crore (Net India)
Leading the pack as the biggest opener of the year, War 2 was the centerpiece of the YRF Spy Universe in 2025. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film created a massive pre-release frenzy by pairing Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan with Telugu titan Jr NTR.
While the opening figure of ₹52.5 crore is staggering, it was met with mixed reactions from trade analysts. Because of the “clash of titans” casting, many expected it to shatter the records of Pathaan or Jawan. However, the film suffered from lukewarm critical reviews and a significant clash with Rajinikanth’s Coolie. Interestingly, while the Hindi version performed decently (₹29 crore), the film saw unprecedented numbers for a Bollywood production in the Telugu states (₹23.25 crore), thanks to Jr NTR’s immense pull.
2. Chhaava
Opening Day: ₹31 Crore (Net India)
Perhaps the most significant success story of the year, Chhaava proved that content-driven historical dramas are currently the gold standard for Indian audiences. Starring Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Rashmika Mandanna as Yesubai, the film opened to a thunderous ₹31 crore.
Unlike the stylized action of War 2, Chhaava relied on emotional gravitas and grand-scale period storytelling. It outperformed several “masala” entertainers, eventually becoming one of the most stable hits of the year. Vicky Kaushal’s performance was widely hailed and the film’s strong opening set the stage for it to cross the ₹600 crore mark domestically by the end of its run.
3. Dhurandhar
Opening Day: ₹28 Crore (Net India)
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar entered the year as an underdog but ended it as a “tsunami”. This spy-thriller featuring an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna and Arjun Rampal opened with a solid ₹28 crore.
While it sits third on the opening day list, its trajectory was unique. The film saw incredible “word-of-mouth” growth, maintaining steady collections throughout December. By its third week, it was outperforming even Hollywood blockbusters like Avatar: Fire and Ash in the Indian market. It eventually surpassed the lifetime collections of Pathaan to become one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of all time.
4. Sikandar
Opening Day: ₹26 Crore (Net India)
Salman Khan’s annual Eid offering Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss, secured the fourth spot with a ₹26 crore opening. The film reunited Salman with producer Sajid Nadiadwala and featured Rashmika Mandanna in the female lead.
Despite the prime holiday release, the opening was considered “underwhelming” for a Salman Khan starrer, failing to touch the heights of his previous hits like Tiger 3. While the film drew a large crowd in the mass circuits of North India, its growth was stunted by a polarized response to the screenplay. Nevertheless, the Salman Khan brand ensured a strong initial footprint on the 2025 charts.
5. Housefull 5
Opening Day: ₹24 Crore (Net India)
Rounding out the top five is the latest installment of the comedy franchise Housefull 5. Led by Akshay Kumar and a massive ensemble cast including Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh, the film opened at ₹24 crore.
As the first Indian franchise to reach a fifth installment, the “Housefull” name carried enough weight to pull families into theaters during the summer. Despite facing criticism for its slapstick humour, the film served its purpose as a commercial entertainer, proving that the comedy genre remains a reliable opening-day draw.
Which of these movies did you like the most?
