Oct 07, 2026 3:29pm IST
From Rajinikanth’s ‘Jailer 2,’ Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Ramayana’ To Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘King’: The Final 3 Months Eye 2026’s Biggest Quarter
The year 2026 has witnessed peaks and troughs in its first three quarters at the Indian box office. While “Dhurandhar: The Revenge,” “Border 2,” “Hanuman Ansh,” “Mirzapur: The Movie,” “Awarapan 2,” “Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu,” “Irumudi,” “Karuppu,” “Aadu 3,” “Vaazha II: Biopic of a Billion Bros” and “Bethlehem Kudumba Unit” emerged as blockbusters, several projects with high expectations, like “The Raja Saab,” “Ustaad Bhagat Singh,” “Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups,” “I’m Game,” “Khalifa,” “Batwara 1947” and “Haiwaan” became colossal disappointments.
The first three quarters of 2026 delivered strong overall numbers, with a significant contribution from star-driven and franchise films, along with surprise hits. However, the last three months might deliver the biggest quarter of the year; in fact, it may become the biggest quarter for the Indian film industry because of the powerful line-up headlined by the biggest stars in the country.
Hindi Cinema
The last quarter for Hindi cinema has already started on a blockbuster note with Ajay Devgn’s “Drishyam: The Conclusion” earning over ₹200 crore in just five days at the box office. While the crime-thriller drama is expected to do a minimum business of close to ₹400 crore in its theatrical run, Ranbir Kapoor-Yash’s mega Diwali release “Ramayana” and Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Christmas biggie “King” are eyeing new benchmarks at the ticket windows.
Apart from these big-budget theatrical spectacles, projects like “Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam,” “Nayyi Navelli,” “Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar,” “Udta Teer,” “Yeh Prem Mol Liya,” “Gunmaaster G9” and “Eetha” can win at the box office if their content clicks with audiences.
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Telugu Cinema
While Telugu cinema may not have had a promising beginning to the last quarter with Fahadh Faasil’s Telugu debut “Don't Trouble The Trouble” underperforming at the box office, the regional industry has an interesting line-up featuring A-listers.
Venkatesh-Srinidhi Shetty’s “Aadarsha Kutumbam House No: 47,” Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna-starrer “Ranabaali,” Dulquer Salmaan-Shruti Haasan’s “Aakasamlo Oka Tara,” Rashmika Mandanna’s “Mysaa,” Nandamuri Balakrishna’s “Dada” and Nagarjuna’s “King 100” are expected to take Telugu cinema’s box office to its peak in the last quarter of the year.
Tamil Cinema
2026 has not been a good year for Tamil cinema, with several biggies, including Thalapathy Vijay’s final film “Jana Nayagan,” underperforming at the box office. While Suriya delivered back-to-back hits with “Karuppu” and “Vishwanath & Sons,” the overall period was way below the mark.
Talking about the last quarter, Tamil cinema had a mixed start to the final quarter, with Vijay Sethupathi’s “Baththa” emerging a winner, while “Sigma” and “Anbil Avan” failing to attract audiences.
However, the upcoming release “Jailer 2,” headlined by Rajinikanth, has the potential to become the biggest grosser in the history of the Tamil industry due to the current buzz and hype around the film.
Besides this action-thriller, Suriya’s “Scene,” Nayanthara’s “Mookuthi Amman 2,” Dhanush and Mammootty’s “OM Chapter 1: Udhiram - The Blood Wood” and Keerthy Suresh’s “Sathyavan Savithiri” are on the list of potential box office hits.
Malayalam Cinema
The film industry enjoyed massive success in 2026 with films like “Bethlehem Kudumba Unit,” “Drishyam 3,” “Aadu 3” and “Vaazha II: Biopic of a Billion Bros” setting new benchmarks at the box office. With films like “Chiram” and “Titans,” the cinema is expected to end the year on a good note.
Kannada Cinema
Karnataka cinema has struggled to find its footing in 2026, with two of the anticipated movies, “Toxic” and “KD: The Devil,” bombing at the ticket windows. With Rakshit Shetty’s “Richard Anthony” eyeing the last month of the year, it can conclude the year on a high note for the industry.
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