close_game
close_game

India's highest-grossing film franchise made 2900 crore at box office; it's not Baahubali, Pushpa, Cop Universe, KGF

ByAbhimanyu Mathur
Jan 23, 2025 12:08 PM IST

This film franchise has earned nearly ₹3000 crore at the box office, dwarfing even the earnings of Baahubali, Pushpa, and KGF film series.

Indian cinema is new to the film franchise or cinematic universe model. In the West, sequels to films began as early as the 1930s and '40s. In India, barring the odd exception, the trend did not catch on till the 21st century. But in the 20 years since, film franchises have become a common presence among the year's top blockbusters. As universes and franchises galore in all industries, one has consistently churned out blockbusters and edged out ahead of the others. (Also read: Highest-grossing Indian film earned 4000 crore when adjusted for inflation; it's not Sholay, Dangal, Baahubali, or RRR)

A still from Tiger 3, part of the YRF Spy Universe.
A still from Tiger 3, part of the YRF Spy Universe.

India's highest-grossing film franchise

The YRF Spy Universe is the highest-grossing film franchise in India. The five released films from the series have collectively grossed around 2900 crore at the box office globally. This includes a then-record 1050 crore from Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Pathaan, alongside a combined 1366 crore from the three Tiger series films featuring Salman Khan. Hrithik Roshan-starrer War brings up the rear with a worldwide gross of 475 crore.

The YRF Spy Universe logo
The YRF Spy Universe logo

The Universe, created by Yash Raj Films' top boss, Aditya Chopra, focuses on a bunch of super spies from India, each with their own standalone film. The franchise retroactively began with Ek Tha Tiger (2012). Tiger Zinda Hai and War followed this. However, while similar in themes, the films were not connected until the pandemic. The 2023 release Pathaan brought the universe together through crossovers and cameos. Tiger 3, released later that year, carried it forward.

How Spy Universe beat other Indian franchises

Till the Spy Universe took form, the highest-grossing Indian film franchise was Baahubali, which earned over 2300 crore with just two films. The Pushpa series has joined these two, earning over 2000 crore with two films. The KGF series ( 1500 crore) and Rohit Shetty's Cop Universe ( 1430 crore) complete the top five. Among these, only the Cop Universe has more than two films. YRF Spy Universe was helped by being multi-pronged and having different standalone films as part of a universe instead of depending upon a single film and its sequels. The Cop Universe could challenge it, but the superstardom of Shah Rukh and Salman Khan helped the Spy Universe soar ahead.

The future of YRF Spy Universe

The YRF Universe will look to cross the 3000-crore and even the 4000-crore barrier this year, as it has two big releases lined up. First up is War 2, which brings back Hrithik Roshan as Kabir as he faces off against Jr NTR. The pan-India appeal of the film means it could do great business at the box office when it releases in October. On December 25, YRF Spy Universe's first female-led film - Alpha - will hit the screens. The Shiv Rawail film stars Alia Bhatt and Sharvari.

rec-icon Recommended Topics
Share this article
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!.

Get more updates from Bollywood, Taylor Swift, Hollywood, Music and Web Series along with Latest Entertainment News at Hindustan Times.
See More
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!.

Get more updates from Bollywood, Taylor Swift, Hollywood, Music and Web Series along with Latest Entertainment News at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On