2024 was a challenging year for Bollywood, with many new genres being explored but only a few making a significant impact at the box office. While some films like Stree 2 were massive successes, many big-budget projects, such as Maidaan and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, failed to resonate with audiences. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison with the Hindi films of 2023. See Game Changer: Ram Charan’s Film Gets Special Screening for ‘God’s Special Angels’ in Delhi

2024’s Highest-Grossing Film
Despite the downturn, 2024 had its surprises. The horror-comedy genre, led by Stree 2 starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, became the audience’s favorite, emerging as the highest-grossing Hindi film of the year with ₹627.50 crores in domestic earnings. However, Pushpa 2 has now surpassed it. Other smaller-budget films like Munjya 2, Laapataa Ladies, and Article 370 also saw success, proving that even modestly budgeted films can make an impact.
Bollywood’s Struggles in 2024
Unfortunately, several big-ticket films failed to meet expectations at the box office. Akshay Kumar’s films like Sarfira, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, and Khel Khel Mein were major disappointments. Similarly, Alia Bhatt’s Jigra, Ajay Devgn’s Maidaan, and Vijay Sethupathi & Katrina Kaif’s Merry Christmas all struggled to make a mark.
2024 vs 2023 Box Office: A Steep Decline
According to a report by Ormax, Bollywood films (excluding Hindi-dubbed versions) saw a sharp 37% drop in 2024. The total box office earnings amounted to ₹3,215 crores, over ₹1,800 crores less than the ₹5,805 crores generated in 2023. In fact, Hindi films experienced the worst decline across all Indian languages.
4 Key Reasons Behind the Decline in Bollywood Box Office in 2024:
- Absence of the Khans
2023 saw Shah Rukh Khan’s three major releases contributing over ₹1,300 crores to the box office. However, in 2024, none of the Khans—SRK, Aamir, or Salman—had any releases, which significantly affected box office numbers. Their films bring in massive audiences and create a buzz, making their absence felt. - Underperformance of Big-Budget Films
Big-budget films like Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again (with an estimated ₹340 crore budget) failed to live up to expectations. Similarly, films like Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Maidaan, and Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha also struggled at the ticket counters. - The Rise of South Indian Cinema
2024 was marked by the continued dominance of South Indian films, even in Hindi markets. Movies like Pushpa 2, Devara, Kalki 2898 AD, and HanuMan became huge hits. South films are now drawing more audiences, posing strong competition to Bollywood films. - High Ticket Prices
Elevated ticket prices also contributed to the lower footfall. The average ticket price for Hindi films in 2024 was ₹203, making it the second-highest among all languages, and potentially limiting audience turnout for many films.
As 2024 progresses, films like Sikandar, Housefull 5, and Alpha are expected to revive the fortunes of Bollywood at the box office. Let’s see if these upcoming projects can turn the tide for the Hindi film industry.