The Biggest Bollywood Releases of 2025

With 2025 well underway, Bollywood has already served up a variety of films, from grand historical dramas and spy thrillers to courtroom comedies and star-driven spectacles. Some lived up to the hype, others sparked debate, but all helped shape the cinematic landscape of the year. Here’s a look at six of the biggest and most anticipated releases.

1. War 2

Arguably the most talked-about release of the year, War 2 brought together Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR in a high-stakes battle within the YRF Spy Universe. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film delivered on its promise of explosive action and big-screen spectacle. Kiara Advani joined the franchise as a new lead, though some visual effects in the teaser drew mixed reactions online. Released on 14 August 2025, the film became a box office juggernaut, reaffirming the franchise’s place at the top of the spy genre.

2. Sikandar

Salman Khan’s Sikandar, released over the Eid 2025 weekend, opened strong but ultimately fell short of commercial and critical expectations. Directed by AR Murugadoss and co-starring Rashmika Mandanna, the film was packed with action but criticized for its thin plot and uneven screenplay. Despite a promising start, it closed with disappointing numbers at the box office and was quickly released on Netflix by May 25. Still, its scale and anticipation made it one of the year’s biggest headline-makers.

3. Alpha

A bold addition to the YRF Spy Universe, Alpha placed Alia Bhatt at the center of an espionage thriller, one of the rare mainstream Bollywood entries to feature a female spy lead. Sharvari Wagh and Bobby Deol rounded out the cast in this Shiv Rawail-directed film. Released on 25 December 2025, Alpha earned praise for its performances and production value, marking a progressive step forward for commercial Hindi cinema.

4. Chhaava

This historical biopic starring Vicky Kaushal as Maratha emperor Sambhaji Maharaj hit screens on 14 February 2025. Directed by Laxman Utekar and co-starring Rashmika Mandanna, Chhaava was lauded for its visual richness and emotional weight. Though it took a modest start at the box office, strong word of mouth helped it gain momentum and solidify its place among the year’s standout films.

5. Jolly LLB 3

The third installment of this courtroom comedy-drama reunited Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi in a legal face-off that fans of the franchise were eager to see. Released on 10 April 2025, the film balanced humor with biting social commentary, earning strong reviews and performing well at the box office. It reaffirmed the series’ appeal and proved there’s still plenty of steam left in this fan-favorite format.

6. Housefull 5

Loud, chaotic, and unapologetically silly, Housefull 5 delivered exactly what its fanbase expected. With Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, and Sanjay Dutt in key roles, and Tarun Mansukhani directing, this fifth installment carried the franchise’s signature madcap energy. Released on 6 June 2025, it was a reliable crowd-puller, especially for family audiences seeking breezy, comic entertainment.

Honorable Mentions

• Sitaare Zameen Par: Aamir Khan’s emotional drama and spiritual follow-up to Taare Zameen Par is expected to release by year-end.
  
• Lahore 1947: The Sunny Deol–Aamir Khan collaboration was originally slated for Republic Day but has been pushed to a later date, possibly Diwali.
  

Final Take

From blockbuster sequels like War 2 and Housefull 5 to genre-defining entries like Alpha and Chhaava, Bollywood’s 2025 output has already delivered a diverse cinematic mix. With several promising titles still in the pipeline, the year has shaped up to be one of the industry’s most dynamic in recent memory, offering something for fans of every kind of film.