Jul 23, 2026 12:48pm IST
North America vs. UK vs. Middle East: Which Overseas Market Earns Indian Films Maximum Revenue?
The Indian film industry has a huge fanbase in international markets, with almost every A-list star enjoying a dedicated country or region where their films get wide releases and earn millions of dollars. However, the question remains: among the three biggest overseas markets - North America, the UK and the Middle East, which brings more money for Indian films?
Based on the box office prospects in these international markets, it is clear that the North American market is the best overseas circuit for Indian movies. The cumulative business of the top 10 Indian grossers here stands at a staggering $180.58 (₹1738.21 crore) with “Dhurandhar 2,” “Baahubali 2,” “Kalki 2898 AD,” “Pathaan,” “RRR,” “Pushpa 2,” “Jawan,” “Animal,” “Dangal” and "Padmaavat."
On the other hand, the total business of the top 10 Indian grossers in UK (United Kingdom) comprising, “Dhurandhar 2,” “Pathaan,” “Jawan,” “Dhurandhar,” “Saiyaara” “My Name is Khan,” “Dhoom 3,” “Bajrangi Bhaijaan,” “Dangal” and “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” is just £31.6M (Rs 408.58 crore).
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In the Middle East, the total collections of the 10 biggest Indian blockbusters are $99.7 million (₹960 crore approx). The films, which made it to the list, are “Jawan,” “Pathan,” “Baahubali 2,” “Bajrangi Bhaijaan,” “Dangal,” “Dilwale,” “Sultan,” “KGF 2,” “Tiger Zinda Hai” and “Leo.”
Prominent trade experts agree that North America is the biggest market for Indian films. They explain why Indian films are widely accepted there. Ramesh Bala, industry tracker from Chennai, says, “North America is the biggest market. Our films have the potential to collect $20 million in the USA and Canada combined, which comes to roughly ₹190 crore. North America as a homogeneous market is the biggest market for Indian movies,” shares.
Veteran business analyst Taran Adarsh reveals that while the UAE-GCC (United Arab Emirates and Gulf Cooperation Council) is a massive market, North America leads by a wide margin. “North America and the UAE are massive markets. It all depends on the film. Certain films may work in one market, while some do better in another. But I think North America leads in most cases,” explains Adarsh.
On the other hand, Vishek Chauhan, Chief Executive Officer at Roopbani Cinema in Bihar, says, “I think the U.S. is probably the biggest market because it is the biggest and the widest and the most inclusive market in the world. Most foreign films also have a chance in the UK market, but Indian films largely depend on the Indian diaspora. Even by that standard, America has a huge Indian population, one of the largest in the world. And since it’s a large country, the Indian diaspora is spread across. So, the ethnic impact is also good,” opines Chauhan.
He further shares, “It is mainly the Indian diaspora watching Hindi films. In terms of the market share, the U.S. market is probably the biggest, followed by the UK because of the value of the pound and other factors, then the Middle East and after that smaller markets like Australia and Southeast Asian countries; in a few of them, like Japan, Tamil and Telugu films do really well, and some other markets. But it is primarily driven by the Indian diaspora. So, wherever the Indian population is high, you see Indian films performing well.”
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