From Akshay Kumar’s Housefull to SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali, these are the highest-grossing Indian movie franchises of all time.
Standalone movies evolving into franchises isn’t a new phenomenon for Indian audiences. However, it has gained significant popularity and mainstream appeal over the last decade. Sometimes, the narrative requires multiple parts to be told, while other times, characters become so beloved that creators choose to capitalize on their success by green-lighting sequels, prequels, or spin-offs. Here, we present the 7 highest-grossing Indian movie series of all time that have made a tremendous impact at the global box office.
7 Highest-Grossing Indian Movie Franchises of All Time at the Worldwide Box Office
- Baahubali Movie Series
Directed by SS Rajamouli, the two-part Baahubali franchise tops the list of highest-grossing Indian movie series, amassing a worldwide gross of Rs 2329 crore. The franchise comprises Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017). Starring Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah Bhatia, and others, the series is a period action-drama that narrates an epic revenge saga. It set a new standard in Indian cinema and popularized the term “Pan-India.” The first film earned Rs 581 crore globally, while the sequel achieved an astounding Rs 1748 crore, making it the highest-grossing Indian movie franchise of all time.
- KGF Movie Series
Produced by Hombale Films, the KGF franchise, starring Yash, holds the second position with a cumulative worldwide gross of Rs 1378 crore. The series includes KGF Chapter 1 (2018) and KGF Chapter 2 (2022). Yash’s portrayal of Rocky Bhai garnered him widespread fame and established him as a major star in Indian cinema. While there is speculation about a third installment, official confirmation from the makers is pending.
- Tiger Movie Series
Salman Khan’s Tiger franchise, a key part of the YRF Spy Universe, is in third place. The series consists of Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), and Tiger 3 (2023). The first film grossed Rs 308 crore, the second Rs 565 crore, and the third Rs 449 crore, totaling an impressive Rs 1322 crore worldwide. The franchise is the highest-grossing among Bollywood series but ranks third overall when considering Pan-India releases.
- Enthiran Movie Series
Superstar Rajinikanth stars in the Enthiran franchise, directed by Shankar, which includes Enthiran (2010) and its sequel, 2.0 (2018). This sci-fi action series grossed Rs 943 crore worldwide, placing it fourth among the highest-grossing Indian movie series. While the first installment was a hit, the sequel underperformed due to its high production costs.
- Ponniyin Selvan Movie Series
Mani Ratnam’s epic period drama Ponniyin Selvan consists of two parts. The first installment was a success, grossing Rs 496 crore worldwide, while the second part earned Rs 350 crore, bringing the total to Rs 846 crore. This makes it the fifth highest-grossing Indian movie series. The cast includes Chiyaan Vikram, Jayam Ravi, Aishwarya Rai, Karthi, Trisha Krishnan, and Sobhita Dhulipala.
- Gadar Movie Series
The Gadar franchise, directed by Anil Sharma and starring Sunny Deol, is an iconic series set against the backdrop of India-Pakistan relations. It includes Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001) and Gadar: The Katha Continues (2023). The franchise has a combined worldwide gross of Rs 820 crore, making it one of the most successful series in Indian cinema. The team is planning a third installment following the success of Gadar 2.
- Housefull Movie Series
The Housefull franchise, produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, is a popular comedy series in Indian cinema. It includes four installments: Housefull (2010), Housefull 2 (2012), Housefull 3 (2016), and Housefull 4 (2019). With a cumulative gross of Rs 792 crore globally, the series ranks seventh among the highest-grossing Indian movie series. A fifth installment is already in the works.
Summary of the 7 Highest-Grossing Indian Movie Franchises at the Worldwide Box Office:
| Rank | Movie Series | Worldwide Gross Collections |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baahubali | Rs 2329 crores |
| 2 | KGF | Rs 1378 crores |
| 3 | Tiger | Rs 1322 crores |
| 4 | Enthiran | Rs 943 crores |
| 5 | Ponniyin Selvan | Rs 846 crores |
| 6 | Gadar | Rs 820 crores |
| 7 | Housefull | Rs 792 crores |
Conclusion Besides these top-grossing franchises, other notable Indian movie series include Dhoom, Golmaal, Dabangg, Krrish, and more. In recent years, there has been a growing trend toward developing cinematic universes in Indian cinema.
Disclaimer: The box office figures are compiled from various sources and our research. While these numbers are approximate, they adequately reflect the box-office performance of the films.
