The cinematic landscape of 2025 will be remembered not for fleeting opening weekends, but for films that ignited lasting dialogues. This year, success was measured by a movie's ability to captivate audiences in theatres, sustain momentum on streaming platforms, and spark debates and admiration across social media long after its release. From high-octane spy thrillers to rooted folklore and groundbreaking animation, here are the eleven films that dominated conversations and defined the year in Indian cinema.
The Box Office Titans and Streaming Juggernauts
Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar and featuring Ranveer Singh, emerged as the undisputed commercial champion of 2025. This espionage thriller rewrote the rules for the genre in India with its gritty realism and became the first film of the year to smash past the ₹1,100 crore mark worldwide. Domestically, it collected approximately ₹741.9 crore, with a stellar ₹11.2 crore haul on its fourth Monday alone. The film's meticulously crafted script, prioritizing character depth, has cemented its status as a modern classic. A sequel, 'Dhurandhar Part 1: The Revenge', is scheduled for release on 19 March, 2026, while the original is rumoured for a Netflix debut on 30 January, 2026.
Proving the enduring power of regional storytelling, Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, Rishab Shetty's prequel to the 2022 blockbuster, grossed over ₹850 crore. It spectacularly defied prequel fatigue, enthralling audiences nationwide with its deep dive into ancient folklore and breathtaking visuals, making it an IMAX must-watch. Its digital premiere on Amazon Prime Video shattered all previous viewership records for Kannada cinema, maintaining a top trending position for months.
In the historical epic space, Chhaava struck a powerful chord. Vicky Kaushal's portrayal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj led the film to an impressive ₹808 crore theatrical run, praised for its historical accuracy and emotional resonance. The film found a robust second life on Netflix, where high completion rates showed audiences were fully engaged with its expansive narrative. Veteran actor Akshaye Khanna's masterful and understated performance as Aurangzeb was hailed as a definitive acting comeback, providing a chilling counterpoint to Kaushal's energy.
Surprise Hits and Genre-Defining Successes
The year's most profitable film in terms of Return on Investment (ROI) was the musical romance Saiyaara. Made on a modest budget of ₹45 crore and starring newcomer Ahaan Panday, it grossed nearly ₹580 crore. Its success was fuelled by a viral soundtrack that dominated social media reels, translating into some of the highest watch hours for a romantic drama on Netflix.
The much-anticipated collaboration between Rajinikanth and director Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie, delivered a high-energy action spectacle that grossed over ₹500 crore. It ruled the Tamil market and performed strongly overseas. Its digital premiere on Amazon Prime Video was one of the year's biggest, with millions of views in the first 48 hours, and it held a spot in the platform's Global Top 10 for weeks.
The Girlfriend, starring Rashmika Mandanna, marked a significant career turn for the actor. This psychological thriller, directed by Rahul Ravindran, subverted romantic tropes and showcased Rashmika's nuanced performance. Defying industry myths about female-led films, it saw its screen count double in the first week due to word-of-mouth and concluded its theatrical run with ₹29.2 crore globally.
Breaking Barriers in Animation and Regional Cinema
A historic moment for Indian animation arrived with Mahavatar Narsimha. Shattering the notion that animated features are only for children, it grossed a monumental ₹326 crore, becoming the highest-grossing Indian animated film ever. Its blend of world-class CGI and traditional Indian aesthetics drew families to theatres. In a watershed moment, it was submitted as India's official entry for the Best Animated Feature Film at the Oscars.
The Malayalam industry celebrated a milestone with Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, starring Kalyani Priyadarshan. This grounded superhero film became the first female-led Malayalam production to cross the ₹300 crore threshold (₹303 crore globally). Its 'human-first' approach resonated widely, especially on Amazon Prime Video, where it recorded the highest 'first-time' viewership for a Malayalam film in non-South Indian markets. Its journey from a ₹30 crore production to a global hit is now a case study in organic marketing.
The critically adored Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and starring Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa, premiered at Cannes to a nine-minute standing ovation. It won the International People’s Choice Award at TIFF and was selected as India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. The film's powerful portrayal of rural India found a deep connection with audiences on Netflix, sustaining significant cultural discussion.
Celebrating grassroots filmmaking, Superboys of Malegaon, directed by Reema Kagti, won hearts globally. It earned an 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes, was featured in Letterboxd’s Top 50 Films of 2025, and won Best Feature Film at the National Indian Film Festival of Australia. Its engaging narrative about amateur filmmakers, featuring Adarsh Gourav and Vineet Kumar Singh, continued to attract strong viewership on Prime Video post its theatrical run.
In Telugu cinema, Court: State v/s A Nobody, presented by Nani and starring Pawan Kalyan, became a major content-driven success. It opened strong and grew through word-of-mouth, collecting around ₹14.8 crore domestically by its third day. The film secured a lucrative Netflix deal worth approximately ₹8 crore, highlighting the commercial viability of strong, socially relevant storytelling.
In conclusion, 2025 proved that for Indian cinema, true success is a multi-platform journey. It is forged at the box office, amplified on streaming services, and cemented in the public consciousness through genuine audience connection and conversation.
