Bollywood's 2025: A Year of Sequel Failures and Creative Stagnation

The year 2025 proved to be a challenging one for Bollywood, as numerous sequels failed to resonate with audiences, highlighting a significant shift in the industry. Despite high expectations and star-studded casts, films like War 2, Housefull 5, and Baaghi 4 underperformed at the box office, revealing that nostalgia and brand recognition are no longer enough to guarantee success. This year has underscored the importance of creativity and originality in filmmaking, as audiences grow weary of repetitive storylines. Dive into the details of these cinematic disappointments and discover what went wrong in Bollywood's sequel strategy.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 18, 2025, 09:18 IST

The Reliance on Sequels

For an extended period, Bollywood has leaned heavily on sequels as a dependable strategy. While many established franchises ensure a strong box office opening, they also diminish the chances of a film's failure. Additionally, these sequels often evoke nostalgia among fans, leading to a reduced need for innovative storytelling.

The Reality Check of 2025

Failed Franchises
However, 2025 exposed the harsh truth. As franchises were produced at an alarming rate, the year demanded originality from filmmakers. Despite the hype and extravagant budgets associated with these sequels, audiences began to lose interest.

Unveiling the Failures

Shattered Illusions
The films released in 2025 not only underperformed but also highlighted a troubling trend in their failures. Many films that generated buzz ended up incurring significant losses. Some completely flopped, demonstrating that mere brand recognition is insufficient to guarantee a film's success.

Box office data consistently reported by industry sources indicate that 2025 was the year that dismantled the myth of sequel success. Let's delve into some notable examples.

Notable Failures of 2025

War 2
The sequel to the hit film War was launched with considerable star power, featuring South Indian actor Jr. NTR in his Bollywood debut alongside Kiara Advani. Hrithik Roshan reprised his role as Kabir, but the film ultimately fell short. With a production budget of 400 crore, it only managed to gross 365 crore globally, failing to surpass the original War's lifetime earnings from 2019, as reported by industry sources.

Housefull 5
Similarly, Housefull 5, a multi-starrer comedy, appeared promising on paper, grossing ₹364.35 crore worldwide. However, its ₹250 crore budget made profitability elusive. Despite efforts to attract audiences with Akshay Kumar's return to comedy and a grand cruise ship sequence, the lackluster storyline and inappropriate humor led to audience disengagement.

Baaghi 4
Tiger Shroff's Baaghi 4 turned out to be the weakest entry in the franchise. While Baaghi 3 performed decently during the pandemic in 2020, the fourth installment only managed to earn ₹77 crore globally, according to industry reports.

Son of Sardaar 2
The sequel to Son of Sardaar fared even worse. The original was a hit due to its modest budget, but the sequel, released after a 13-year hiatus, had a budget of ₹130 crore and only grossed ₹65.75 crore worldwide.

Masti 4
The adult comedy genre also struggled, with Masti 4 earning a mere ₹15 crore against a budget of around ₹40 crore, reflecting the disappointing performance of its predecessor, Great Grand Masti. This once-popular genre has evidently lost its audience, and 2025 confirmed that the franchise model is not a foolproof strategy.

The Decline of New Stories

Dhadak 2
Dhadak 2, a social drama featuring newcomers Siddhant Chaturvedi and Tripti Dimri, received praise for its portrayal of caste issues and performances. However, it only managed to earn ₹31.5 crore globally, failing to draw significant audiences to theaters.

PC Social Media