Bollywood’s Blockbuster Year: Top 5 Films of 2024 That Conquered the Box Office
The year 2024 has been a remarkable one for Bollywood, with a mix of action, thrillers, horror-comedies, and hard-hitting dramas dominating the box office. Filmmakers raised the bar in terms of storytelling, technical brilliance, and star power. From sequels of beloved franchises to fresh cinematic experiences, Bollywood has had a stellar run this year.
Here’s a look at the top 5 Bollywood films of 2024 that captured the audience’s attention, set cash registers ringing, and left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
1. Stree 2
- Genre: Horror-Comedy
- Director: Amar Kaushik
- Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana
The long-awaited sequel to the 2018 hit Stree, this horror-comedy lived up to its predecessor’s legacy. Blending spine-chilling horror with laugh-out-loud comedy, Stree 2 became the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2024, amassing a massive ₹874.58 crore at the worldwide box office. The story continues with the mysterious “Stree” returning to haunt Chanderi, and Rajkummar Rao’s character once again finds himself entangled in the supernatural chaos.
With stellar performances, sharp humor, and unexpected twists, Stree 2 not only entertained audiences but also solidified its place as one of Bollywood’s most successful horror-comedy franchises.
2. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3
- Genre: Horror-Comedy, Psychological Thriller
- Director: Anees Bazmee
- Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Madhuri Dixit, Vidhya Balan, Tripti Dimri
The third installment in the Bhool Bhulaiyaa series continued its legacy of psychological thrills laced with comedy. After the massive success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, expectations were high, and the filmmakers delivered. Kartik Aaryan reprised his role, bringing his signature charm and wit, while the eerie presence of “Manjulika” sent chills down the audience’s spine.
With a worldwide gross of ₹417.51 crore, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 became a box-office juggernaut. It struck a perfect balance between horror, humor, and mystery, making it one of the most entertaining cinematic experiences of 2024.
3. Singham Again
- Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
- Director: Rohit Shetty
- Cast: Ajay Devgn, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor
Rohit Shetty’s cop universe just got bigger and more action-packed with Singham Again. This high-octane action drama saw Ajay Devgn returning as Bajirao Singham, with Deepika Padukone joining the cast as the first female cop in Shetty’s universe.
Packed with jaw-dropping action sequences, intense drama, and Shetty’s trademark car-smashing stunts, Singham Again became a crowd-puller, grossing ₹389.64 crore worldwide. It also saw crossovers with Shetty’s other cop-universe characters, including Ranveer Singh’s Simmba and Akshay Kumar’s Sooryavanshi, making it a cinematic spectacle. The film resonated with both die-hard action lovers and the masses, reaffirming the power of Bollywood’s “blockbuster formula.”
4. Fighter
- Genre: Action, Thriller, Drama
- Director: Siddharth Anand
- Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor
Siddharth Anand, who previously delivered the mega-hit Pathaan in 2023, returned with India’s first aerial action film, Fighter. Featuring a high-stakes storyline with fighter jets, thrilling dogfights, and adrenaline-pumping action, the film lived up to the hype. Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone shared screen space for the first time, and their chemistry became one of the film’s major highlights.
With stunning cinematography and state-of-the-art VFX, Fighter redefined action sequences in Bollywood. The film grossed ₹344.46 crore worldwide, setting a new benchmark for Indian action films. Hrithik’s portrayal of an Air Force pilot was widely praised, and Fighter further solidified his position as the “Action King” of Bollywood.
5. Shaitaan
- Genre: Crime Thriller, Dark Drama
- Director: Bejoy Nambiar
- Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Radhika Apte, Gulshan Devaiah
A gritty, intense, and hard-hitting crime thriller, Shaitaan explores the dark underbelly of society. Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, known for his unique storytelling style, the film delves into the psyche of its flawed characters. Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s chilling portrayal of the antagonist left audiences mesmerized, while Radhika Apte delivered a stellar performance as a journalist investigating a high-profile crime.
With its raw realism, intense narrative, and haunting background score, Shaitaan became a favorite among critics and cinephiles. While it wasn’t a “mass entertainer,” it still managed to pull in ₹211.06 crore worldwide, earning praise for its gripping storyline and powerful performances.
Special Mentions
While the top 5 films stole the spotlight, several other Bollywood releases in 2024 also made headlines. Tiger 3, which released late in 2023, continued its box office run into 2024. Other notable films include Metro…In Dino, Chhota Bheem, and The Crew, which impressed critics and audiences alike.
Box Office Report for 2024
- Stree 2 – ₹874.58 crore (Worldwide)
- Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 – ₹417.51 crore (Worldwide)
- Singham Again – ₹389.64 crore (Worldwide)
- Fighter – ₹344.46 crore (Worldwide)
- Shaitaan – ₹211.06 crore (Worldwide)
Conclusion
The year 2024 has been a landmark year for Bollywood, offering a mix of horror-comedies, thrillers, action spectacles, and crime dramas. Stree 2, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Singham Again, Fighter, and Shaitaan were undoubtedly the biggest cinematic highlights of the year.
These films not only excelled at the box office but also pushed the boundaries of Bollywood storytelling. From Hrithik Roshan soaring in fighter jets to Ajay Devgn’s gripping fight against corruption, each of these movies contributed to Bollywood’s evolving cinematic landscape.
As we bid farewell to 2024, one thing is clear — Bollywood’s commitment to entertaining audiences with fresh stories, powerful characters, and innovative action sequences is stronger than ever. With several big releases lined up for 2025, the future of Bollywood looks brighter than ever.
