The year 2024 was a whirlwind for Bollywood, with some films shattering records while others struggled to break even. The industry faced a 7% decline in box office collections, earning approximately ₹89.5 billion ($1 billion) from January to October. Several factors contributed to this downturn, including rising production costs, increased competition from streaming platforms, and a growing preference for regional South Indian films.
Despite these challenges, Bollywood delivered a mix of blockbusters, critically acclaimed films, and shocking failures. Here’s a detailed look at the biggest hits and flops of the year, along with the evolving trends in the industry.
Biggest Bollywood Hits of 2024
1. Stree 2 – ₹874.58 Crore (Worldwide)
- Release Date: August 15, 2024
- Director: Amar Kaushik
- Cast: Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee
- Genre: Horror-Comedy
The sequel to the 2018 blockbuster Stree exceeded expectations, becoming the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2024. This instalment picked up where the original left off, with the town of Chanderi once again haunted by supernatural forces. The film blended horror, comedy, and social commentary, resonating with audiences and achieving ₹874.58 crore worldwide.
2. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 – ₹423.85 Crore (Worldwide)
- Release Date: November 1, 2024
- Director: Anees Bazmee
- Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, Tabu, Rajpal Yadav
- Genre: Horror-Comedy
The Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise continued its winning streak with the third instalment, introducing fresh horror elements while maintaining the comedic charm of its predecessors. Kartik Aaryan reprised his role, but the biggest surprise was Vidya Balan’s return as Manjulika, thrilling fans of the original 2007 film. The film grossed ₹423.85 crore globally.
3. Singham Again – ₹389.64 Crore (Worldwide)
- Release Date: November 1, 2024
- Director: Rohit Shetty
- Cast: Ajay Devgn, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Tiger Shroff
- Genre: Action
The much-anticipated third instalment of the Singham franchise saw Ajay Devgn’s Bajirao Singham take on a powerful criminal empire. Deepika Padukone joined the Rohit Shetty cop universe as a fearless cop, adding a fresh dynamic. The high-octane action sequences and patriotic themes struck a chord with audiences, leading to a ₹389.64 crore global collection.
4. Shaitaan – ₹211.06 Crore (Worldwide)
- Release Date: March 8, 2024
- Director: Vikas Bahl
- Cast: Ajay Devgn, R. Madhavan, Jyothika
- Genre: Supernatural Horror
Ajay Devgn’s Shaitaan explored black magic, possession, and psychological horror, marking a significant shift from his usual action-heavy roles. The chilling storyline, combined with a gripping performance by R. Madhavan as the antagonist, made it one of the highest-grossing horror films in Bollywood history, earning ₹211.06 crore worldwide.
5. All We Imagine as Light – Art-House Triumph
- Release Date: May 2024 (Cannes Premiere)
- Director: Payal Kapadia
- Cast: Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam
- Genre: Drama
A departure from mainstream Bollywood offerings, this art-house film explored the lives of three immigrant women navigating loneliness and love in Mumbai. It won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, making Payal Kapadia the first Indian woman director to receive this honor. Despite its international success and a $2 million worldwide gross, the film struggled to find screens in India due to its niche appeal.
Biggest Bollywood Flops of 2024
1. Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha – ₹12 Crore (Worldwide)
- Release Date: August 2, 2024
- Director: Neeraj Pandey
- Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Jimmy Shergill
- Genre: Romance
Despite a promising premise and a star-studded cast, this romantic drama failed miserably at the box office, earning only ₹12 crore against a production budget of ₹160 crore. Critics cited the slow-paced narrative and weak chemistry between the leads as key reasons for its failure.
2. Crakk – ₹17.08 Crore (Worldwide)
- Release Date: February 23, 2024
- Director: Aditya Datt
- Cast: Vidyut Jammwal, Arjun Rampal, Nora Fatehi
- Genre: Sports-Action
Touted as India’s first extreme sports action film, Crakk promised adrenaline-pumping stunts but failed to deliver a compelling story. The film’s ₹45 crore budget could not be recovered, with only ₹17.08 crore earned worldwide.
3. Ishq Vishk Rebound – ₹8 Crore (Worldwide)
- Release Date: June 21, 2024
- Director: Nipun Dharmadhikari
- Cast: Rohit Saraf, Pashmina Roshan, Jibraan Khan
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
A sequel to the 2003 cult classic Ishq Vishk, this film failed to recreate the charm of the original. Newcomers failed to impress, and the film struggled to find an audience, resulting in a dismal ₹8 crore collection.
4. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan – ₹59.25 Crore (Worldwide)
- Release Date: April 2024
- Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
- Cast: Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Sonakshi Sinha
- Genre: Action
One of the biggest disappointments of the year, this big-budget action flick failed to connect with audiences, earning only ₹59.25 crore, which was far below its massive ₹200 crore budget.
5. Maidaan – ₹52.50 Crore (Worldwide)
- Release Date: April 2024
- Director: Amit Sharma
- Cast: Ajay Devgn, Priyamani
- Genre: Sports Drama
Despite a strong storyline based on Indian football legend Syed Abdul Rahim, Maidaan failed to bring audiences to theatres, grossing ₹52.50 crore worldwide.
Key Bollywood Trends in 2024
1. Declining Box Office Revenues
Bollywood box office collections declined by 7%, with high-budget films struggling to recover costs.
2. OTT vs. Theatres
Streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime gained a larger share of viewership, further reducing theatrical footfalls.
3. South Indian Cinema’s Dominance
Tamil and Telugu films continued to overshadow Bollywood, with movies like Pushpa 2 and Devara outperforming most Hindi releases.
4. Industry Exodus
Renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap announced his departure from Bollywood, citing frustration with commercial pressures stifling creativity.
Looking Ahead
With regional cinema and streaming platforms gaining ground, Bollywood must reinvent itself by prioritizing storytelling over spectacle. The success of films like Stree 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 proves that engaging content still draws audiences. The coming years will determine whether Bollywood adapts to change or continues to struggle in an evolving entertainment landscape.
