Bollywood stepped into 2025 with a long list of sequels, each carrying massive expectations and fan curiosity.
With big stars, big budgets and even bigger marketing campaigns, many of these films were positioned as major event releases.
But the final box office results painted a different picture. While a few sequels managed to impress, a large number struggled to live up to their brand value.
Here is a detailed look at how each sequel performed and what this year taught the industry.
Bollywood Sequels In 2025 At Box Office:
The Biggest Flops of the Year
Several follow-ups, despite being part of successful franchises, failed to gain momentum at the box office. De De Pyaar De 2 opened with decent buzz but quickly lost steam, finishing with an estimated ₹65 crore in India, far below expectations.
Mastii 4 performed even worse and wrapped up around the ₹10 to ₹11 crore mark, marking it as a major underperformer.
Films such as Baaghi 4, Kesari 2, Dhadak 2 and Son of Sardaar 2 made little noise commercially.
These titles did not appear in major 2025 box office rankings and reportedly had very limited traction.
With weak word-of-mouth and lack of audience engagement, these sequels struggled from day one, reminding Bollywood that simply extending a franchise name is not enough.
Average Performers That Held Their Ground
A few sequels managed to do reasonably well, even if they didn’t emerge as blockbusters. Jolly LLB 3 earned an estimated ₹160 crore worldwide, offering moderate success with a loyal fan base.
Housefull 5, known for its comedic ensemble, collected around ₹288 crore globally. While this number is strong, it still fell short of earlier installments’ mega-hit status.
Metro In Dino had a quieter run and appears to have underperformed, despite a strong cast and promotional push.
These films proved that solid performances and music can bring audiences in, but without standout storytelling, the box office ceiling remains limited.
The Few Sequels That Truly Delivered
Among all the releases, two sequels stood out and became the shining stars of 2025.
Raid 2 delivered a gripping storyline and strong performances, helping it earn around ₹240 crore worldwide. Its tight screenplay and tense narrative connected well with audiences.
Sitaare Zameen Par performed even better, crossing the ₹250 crore mark globally.
The film benefited from heartwarming storytelling and highly positive word-of-mouth, eventually becoming one of the top-grossing films of the year.
These two films proved that when sequels bring freshness and depth, success naturally follows.
What Bollywood Learned From 2025
This year reinforced a clear message: audiences no longer accept sequels that rely only on nostalgia or star power.
They want engaging plots, relatable emotions and memorable characters. High production value alone cannot save a weak script.
As we move toward 2026, the industry is expected to become more selective with franchised content.
Writers and filmmakers now have a stronger understanding that sequels must enrich the original universe, not simply repeat it.
2025 will likely be remembered as the year Bollywood learned to reassess its relationship with sequels.
Some films soared, many sank, but the lessons will shape the future of franchise filmmaking for years to come.
Lead Image: T-Series, NGE, THRI
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