The year 2025 promised a massive cinematic spectacle with a lineup of highly anticipated Bollywood sequels. However, the box office results paint a mixed picture, showing that riding on a franchise name isn't always a guaranteed path to success. From 'Super Hits' that set the screen on fire to a disappointing number of 'Flops' and even a 'Disaster,' let’s break down how the big sequels of 2025 performed.
The Sequels That Struck Gold: 'Super Hits'
Two films truly dominated the box office and proved the power of their respective franchises:
- Raid 2: Following the success of the original, Ajay Devgn's return as the no-nonsense income tax officer delivered on all fronts, becoming a certified Super Hit. It proved that compelling storytelling and strong performances are still the winning formula.
- Sitaare Zameen Par: Aamir Khan’s emotional and thought-provoking sequel resonated deeply with audiences, achieving Super Hit status. This film's success reinforces the public's appetite for cinema with a heart and a strong social message.
Mixed Fortunes: The 'Average' Performers
Some sequels managed to break even and found moderate success, landing in the 'Average' category, suggesting they satisfied a core audience but perhaps failed to capture the broader imagination:
- Jolly LLB 3: Akshay Kumar's third outing as the witty lawyer managed an Average rating. While the franchise remains popular, the film's performance suggests it might have lacked the freshness of its predecessors.
- Housefull 5: The continuation of this ensemble comedy series was also an Average success. The movie likely relied on its established brand of slapstick humor to draw crowds.
- Metro In Dino: This sequel starring Ranbir Kapoor finished with an Average rating. It indicates a solid film that didn't quite become the blockbuster many had predicted.
Box Office Blues: The Films That Stumbled ('Flops' and 'Disaster')
The vast majority of sequels in 2025 unfortunately failed to meet expectations, resulting in significant commercial disappointment. This highlights a growing trend where audiences are becoming increasingly selective:
- De De Pyaar De 2, Masti 4, Baaghi 4, War 2, Kesari 2, and Dhadak 2 were all labelled as Flops. This is a shocking outcome for big-budget, star-studded projects like War 2 and Kesari 2. It suggests that audiences may have found these sequels either unnecessary, lacking in quality, or simply too similar to what they’ve seen before. The underperformance of multiple star vehicles is a clear signal of changing audience tastes.
- Son of Sardaar 2 faced the biggest commercial blow of the year, categorized as a Disaster. This performance shows that even established action-comedy formulas need a significant update and strong content to succeed in the competitive modern market.
The Big Takeaway
The 2025 sequel report card serves as a wake-up call for Bollywood. Audiences are no longer flocking to the cinemas based solely on brand names or the promise of a sequel. While Raid 2 and Sitaare Zameen Par proved that genuinely good, engaging, and well-made content is rewarded, the string of Flops demonstrates that a sequel must offer something truly new and compelling to escape the mediocrity of an 'Average' tag or, worse, a box office defeat.
What do you think was the biggest surprise on this list? Share your thoughts!
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