While Bollywood got its highest-grosser year of all time this year in the form of Stree 2, which earned Rs 627 crore, in 2023 we saw Hindi cinema delivering not one or two but four Rs 500 crore films with Pathaan, Jawan, Gadar 2 and Animal

2024 is on the verge of its end and unfortunately, Bollywood failed to recreate its magic at the box office like 2023, which was one of the best years in the history of Hindi cinema.

While Bollywood got its highest-grosser year of all time this year in the form of Stree 2, which earned Rs 627 crore, in 2023 we saw Hindi cinema delivering not one or two but four Rs 500 crore films with Pathaan, Jawan, Gadar 2 and Animal.

Apart from the improper schedule of releases, which left many crucial dates empty at the box office, the unnecessary clashes also impacted the business of the movies.

Talking about 2024’s box office performance, film distributor and multiplex owner Raj Bansal told Firstpost, “We never had good ready film for theatres. Like, there was no Shah Rukh Khan film, no Salman Khan film, no Aamir Khan film and no Ranbir Kapoor film. That was the reason we suffered in 24.” When questioned whether clashes like Singham Again–Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Stree 2-Vedaa-Khel Khel Mein affect the business of the movies, he replied, “For sure, it does. It does affect by 20 %, if not more.”

Akkshay Rathie, Director, Aashirwad Theatres Pvt Ltd, also shared his thoughts about Bollywood’s disappointing performance in 2024 and said, “I think the lack of enough releases, I mean if you look at the number of releases that happened this year, months of no Hindi movies of significance releasing. Any and every Hindi movie of significance came only on the festivals and national holidays, and literally, nobody came along in the middle. So the lack of a significant number of releases has been pretty disappointing. But having said that, much like in our movies, but climax were always exciting. And this December we have Pushpa 2, Mufasa and Baby John, all of which are looking very exciting.”

When asked about clashes affecting business at the box office, Rathi replied, “Well, see it depends on what the merits of the film are. If there are 2 things that are sure short blockbusters, then they do cannibalize into each other’s business also being in the same genre like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again, they’re both mass entertainer and they definitely did cannibalize into each other’s business. But if you have something like a Khel Khel Mein and Vedaa coming with Stree 2, I think it’s okay because both the movies cater to very different audiences.”

While 2024 has not been a desirable year for Bollywood, 2025 is expected to be a winner with biggies like Sikandar, De De Pyaar De 2, Alpha, Thama, Chhava, Azaad, Dhadak 2, Jolly LLB 3, Housefull 5, War 2, Raid 2 and others arriving at the ticket windows.