Blockbusters to flops: India's entertainment hits and misses of 2024

From hits like Stree 2 to big-budget flops, this year's movies brought blockbusters, surprises, and lessons in what works and what doesn't

2024 proved to be a roller-coaster year for Bollywood. Following the blockbuster-filled 2023, expectations soared, but the industry found itself struggling to deliver consistent hits. While some films soared to record-breaking heights, others stumbled, leaving audiences and producers disappointed. This year saw the rise of pan-India films, a trend that is starting to redefine the Indian box office and bringing audiences together like never before.

 

Here’s an in-depth analysis of the hits, flops, and trends that defined Bollywood in 2024.  

 

Bollywood hits of 2024: The bright spots in a dull year  

 

While the first half of the year struggled to produce notable successes, the second half reignited Bollywood’s box office fortunes. Leading the charge were crowd-pullers like Stree 2, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and Singham Again, which brought audiences back to theatres.  

 

 

Stree 2

 

Releasing on Independence Day, Stree 2 emerged as the year’s biggest hit, raking in Rs 627.02 crore at the box office. The much-anticipated sequel to the 2018 horror-comedy not only shattered records but also reinforced Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao’s bankability. The movie’s mix of humour and scares connected with audiences across the country, turning it into a cultural sensation.

 

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3

 

Kartik Aaryan’s return to the horror-comedy genre was met with roaring applause. With Vidya Balan reprising her iconic role and Madhuri Dixit joining the cast, the film delivered a stellar Rs 278.42 crore. Its clash with Singham Again didn’t dent its performance, proving the popularity of the franchise.  

 

Singham Again

 

Ajay Devgn returned to his most iconic role as Bajirao Singham in this Rohit Shetty-directed cop drama. Packed with star power, including Kareena Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, and Deepika Padukone, Singham Again held its ground during the Diwali weekend, collecting Rs 268.35 crore.

 

Fighter

 

Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s aerial action thriller lived up to the hype, amassing Rs 205.55 crore. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film set a new benchmark for action choreography in Bollywood.  

 

Bollywood's top 10 hits of 2024

 

Movie name	Release date	Lifetime box office collection
Stree 2	August 15	Rs 627.02 crore
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3	November 1	Rs 278.42 crore
Singham Again	November 1	Rs 268.35 crore
Fighter	January 25	Rs 205.55 crore
Shaitaan	March 8	Rs 149.49 crore
Munjya	June 7	Rs 107.48 crore
Crew	March 29	Rs 89.92 crore
Article 370	February 23	Rs 82.37 crore
Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya	February 9	Rs 80.88 crore
Bad Newz	July 19	Rs 66.28 crore

 

Bollywood’s biggest flops of 2024

 

2024 was a tough year for big-screen releases, proving that even star power and massive budgets can’t guarantee success. Films like Akshay Kumar’s Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Alia Bhatt’s Jigra struggled to make a mark at the box office, reminding everyone that a strong, engaging story matters more than a glittering cast or a hefty production budget.

 

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan

 

One of the year’s most expensive productions, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan brought together Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff but failed to translate the star power into box office numbers. Poor storytelling and lacklustre execution led to its downfall.  

 

Jigra

 

Alia Bhatt’s much-hyped Jigra became a cautionary tale for filmmakers, grossing Rs 30.69 crore despite claims of box office fraud. Despite Alia's outstanding performance, the film failed to resonate with audiences due to poor plot and execution.

 

Sarfira

 

Akshay Kumar’s performance in Sarfira was praised, but weak marketing and stiff competition from Stree 2 limited its earnings to just Rs 22.13 crore.

 

Bollywood’s top 10 flops of 2024

Movie name	Release date	Lifetime box office collection
Do Aur Do Pyaar	April 19	Rs 4.63 crore
Savi	May 31	Rs 7.97 crore
Ulajh	August 2	Rs 8.30 crore
Main Atal Hoon	January 19	Rs 8.65 crore
The Buckingham Murders	September 13	Rs 9.27 crore
Bhaiyya Ji	May 24	Rs 9.60 crore
Sarfira	August 15	Rs 22.13 crore
Jigra	October 11	Rs 30.69 crore
Yodha	March 15	Rs 32.45 crore
Mr & Mrs Mahi	May 31	Rs 36.28 crore

 

 

 

South film takes centre stage

 

The year 2024 was the big year for South Indian cinema, especially Telugu films. These films not only wowed audiences in their home states, but they also dominated the Hindi-speaking market, frequently exceeding Bollywood's biggest blockbusters and proving that great storytelling transcends language barriers.

 

Pushpa 2: The Rule

 

Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2 was a juggernaut, with the movie collecting Rs 618.50 crore. Its gripping storyline, mass appeal, and chart-topping music made it an unstoppable force at the box office.  

 

Kalki, 2898 AD

 

This sci-fi epic starring Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan defied expectations with its pan-India appeal. The film grossed Rs 294.25 crore, setting new standards for the genre.  

 

What was the reason for Bollywood's struggles in 2024?

 

The superstar gap

 

Unlike 2023, which saw Shah Rukh Khan, Sunny Deol, and Ranbir Kapoor deliver enormous hits, 2024 lacked a continuous superstar-driven blockbuster.  

 

Weak scripts

 

Audiences rejected films that failed to offer compelling narratives, regardless of star power. 

 

Re-releases shine

 

Movies like Rockstar and Tumbbad surprisingly outshined the latest releases, proving that audiences are still craving powerful, well-told stories over flashy new titles.

 

Bollywood in 2025

 

The upcoming year holds promise with an exciting lineup, including:  

 

- Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi’s Jolly LLB 3

 

- Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s War 2

 

- Sunny Deol’s Lahore 1947

 

- Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2  

 

- The multi-starrer Housefull 5