Bollywood, the most significant film industry around the globe, has witnessed many blockbusters throughout the years. These movies have superbly managed to delight their audiences with intriguing plotlines, larger-than-life characters, captured terrific songs, and broken box office records simultaneously. The most successful Bollywood films comprise an assortment of genres, from action-packed thrillers to emotional dramas, but all have one element in ordinary – huge earnings at the box office.
The highest-grossing Bollywood movies of all time are set apart because of the monumental success and the indelible impact that they left behind. This article explores some of the highest-grossing Bollywood films of all time and how they achieved iconic status.
The Growth of Top-Earning Bollywood Films
Over the years, the Bollywood box office has modified significantly, especially now that global distribution and digital streaming have become commonplace and international audiences are on the rise. Movies once deemed hits based on their collections from a single territory are now enjoying worldwide accolades and domination in markets like China, the Middle East, and The United States.
Bollywood’s highest-grossing films broke records within the country and went on to succeed internationally as well. The integration of markets has enabled many Bollywood films to showcase their content internationally, resulting in massive revenues and greater fame.
Most Profitable Bollywood Movies – Top 10
Given below is a list of the top ten Indian films in terms of earnings globally:
| 1. Dangal (2016) | Total Box Office Collection: $321 million |
Dangal is Aamir Khan’s most commercially successful film. Dangal was based on the acclaimed wrestlers Mahavir Singh Phogat and his two daughters, Geeta and Babita, who evolved into elite female wrestlers. No wonder this movie went viral – it is one of China’s highest box-office non-Western films. Its gripping story, emotional appeal, and Aamir Khan’s performance attenuated Dangal well.
| 2. Pushpa 2: The Rule (2024) | Estimated Global Box Office Collection: ₹ 1,850+ crore* |
Fans of Pushpa: The Rise can’t wait for Pushpa 2: The Rule, which already has a lot of buzz surrounding it. The movie, which has been directed by Sukumar and features Allu Arjun as the lead, depicts the life of Pushpa Raj, a red sandalwood smuggler who has gotten into much deeper trouble. The blend of new action sequences, captivating plot, and Allu Arjun’s astonishing performance makes Pushpa 2 one of the most sought-after films of 2024. Like the first film, its target collection is also expected to be ₹1,500 crore or more globally.
| 3. Bahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) | Total Earnings at Worldwide Box Office: ₹1,810 crore |
Baahubali 2: The Conclusion was directed by S.S. Rajamouli. The movie is noted for its breathtaking visuals and enormous action scenes and provides a new scope for Indian cinema. This sequel is the next chapter in the Baahubali franchise and shows Amarendra Baahubali’s story and his struggles with betrayal and conspiracy. The movie became a global sensation and was a great hit in the entire Indian subcontinent, earning record-breaking earnings in multiple markets, making it one of the highest-grossing films in the world.
| 4. RRR (2022) | Worldwide Box Office Collection: ₹1,200+ crore |
S.S. Rajamouli is known for extraordinary films, which is precisely why RRR shocked the world with remarkable emotional story narration and action sequences bigger than life. In the pre-independence period of India, the film revolves around two Indian revolutionaries who fought against the British Colonial power. Revolving around Indian history, RRR made waves globally, specifically in Japanese, American, and Middle Eastern markets due to its astounding action scenes, epic breathtaking battles, and phenomenal performances by N.T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan.
| 5. KGF: Chapter 2 (2022) | Worldwide Box Office Collection: Over ₹1,250 Crores |
Prashanth Neel has delivered another remarkable box office success with KGF: Chapter 2 by telling the story of Rocky, an underprivileged man who is an infamous gangster in a gold mining domain. With its high-octane action, Yash’s powerful performance, and Yash’s gripping driving storyline, KGF: Chapter 2 was a celebrated success not only in India but throughout the world, earning KGF: Chapter 2 a spot amongst the highest Indian profiting movies ever made. This epic film is Rocky’s KGF chapter 2, which has created waves in India and around the globe.
| 6. Jawan (2023) | Worldwide Box Office Collection (Projected): Over ₹1,100 Crores |
Atlee has released a new movie with Shah Rukh Khan titled “Jawan.” It is a brilliant concoction of various genres, such as action, soap, and tragedy, and it has even conveyed a worrying social concern. The film was a significant sensation primarily because of the remarkable work done by Shah Rukh Khan, along with the high-octane sequence and gripping story. Shah Rukh Khan’s impressive set of skills propelled the movie to become one of the major successes of 2023. It continues to flourish in the global box office, especially in the Middle East and South Asia.
| 7. Pathaan (2023) | Global Box Office Collection: ₹1,050+ crore |
The movie became an instant worldwide hit, and Shah Rukh Khan fans rejoiced when he returned to the silver screen with Pathaan. An action thriller directed by Siddharth Anand, the film showcases King Khan as an Indian spy on a mission to thwart an international terrorist’s plans. Pathaan became the most celebrated Bollywood movie worldwide for its record-breaking box office collection and Bollywood’s waning popularity alongside breathtaking action, catchy music, and undoubtedly the great Shah Rukh Khan himself that redefined Bollywood’s popularity on the global platform.
| 8. Kalki 2898 AD (2025) | Global Box Office Collection: ₹1,000+ crore |
Kalki 2898 AD is creating a stir in the industry even before the filming begins because of the massive buzz surrounding its futuristic story concept and star-studded cast comprising Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and Prabhas. Nag Ashwin, the director, claims it to be a sci-fi epic set to be released in 2898 AD, boasting high-end visual effects and a heart thrilling tale at its core. The buzz is already off the roof, and everyone expects it to become a box office sensation, significantly since it’s predicted to take over 1,000 crores after release.
| 9. Animal (2024) | Worldwide Box Office Collection (Projected): ₹700+ crore |
“Animal,” directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Ranbir Kapoor in a deeply nuanced and intense movie, is one of the most keenly awaited films set to release in Bollywood. The film combines action, crime, and family drama, with Ranbir portraying a destructive figure. The movie is still in the works. However, the early buzz suggests that Animal will become a commercial success alongside its dark Indian theme and sound and deep narrative that will easily charm an Indian audience and that of the world. It is said that the focus of this movie will be a masterpiece and blend of several genres with the actor’s performance.
| 10. Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) | Worldwide Box Office Collection: ₹969 crore |
This film, which features Salman Khan as the lead, tells the touching story of a man who assists a mute Pakistani girl reunite with her family across the borders. Directed by Kabir Khan, the film was a hit right from the word go, mainly because of the story. Khan plays a man whose simplicity and big heart make him memorable. Bajrangi’s story highlighted him as a romance to a crying baby. It topped the ticket sales in Indian markets effortlessly, waiting to be a household name across Pakistan during the film’s arrival. Due to the combination of the two cultures and the deep storyline, Bajrangi is among the greatest givers of Bollywood cinema history.
Conclusion
The Indian film industry has been set a new standard by Bollywood’s highest-grossing films regarding storytelling, visual effects, and star power. These movies made jaw-dropping sums of profit and shifted the cultural landscape by achieving unprecedented resonance and acceptance in many countries. Furthermore, with the growing reach of scaffolds catering to digital distribution and the increasing popularity of Indian films globally, the prospects of Bollywood films have never been so promising. Undoubtedly, many more films can be anticipated to make this elite list of Bollywood films in the coming years.
