Aamir Khan's Dangal beats RRR, Baahubali and Dhurandhar to remain India’s biggest blockbuster

Aamir Khan’s Dangal still stands as India’s biggest blockbuster despite strong competition from recent hits. The sports drama continues to hold the top spot at the Indian box office, even as Dhurandhar, RRR, and Baahubali bring in massive crowds and big money. Dangal has proved hard to topple, thanks largely to its global performance and especially its success in China.

Released in India during Christmas 2016, Dangal became a cultural event. Its blend of real-life story, powerful performances, and social themes drew audiences far beyond the usual reach of Bollywood films. Over time, it rolled out to markets around the world, but China was where it made huge waves, becoming one of the most watched foreign films there.

According to trade data, Dangal has racked up more than Rs 2000 crore globally in box office sales. The film continues to top lists of the biggest Indian releases of all time. This figure includes more than Rs 1000 crore from China alone, a remarkable turnaround for a film that initially relied on word-of-mouth in its overseas runs.

Even in India, Dangal earned strong numbers. The domestic collection sits around Rs 387 crore, a total that feels modest compared with its global haul, but for its era it was substantial. With this mix of domestic and international earnings, it still outpaces other hits that have come and gone since 2016.

Among the runners-up are films like RRR and Baahubali, both of which were huge on their own merits. RRR won international acclaim and an Oscar, bringing in significant revenue. Baahubali left a lasting mark on Indian cinema with its scale and ambition. Yet neither could surpass Dangal’s overall tally.

In more recent years, Dhurandhar has become a major player in Indian cinema’s box office story. Released in December 2025, the Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna starrer quickly crossed Rs 1000 crore worldwide, a rare achievement that puts it among the biggest grossers.

Dhurandhar did not just make waves globally. It also rewrote some box office records domestically. The film became the fastest Hindi release to cross Rs 500 crore in India, a feat reached in just 15 days. That helped push it into elite territory alongside other 2025 hits.

The movie’s success hasn’t been limited to India. In North America, Dhurandhar climbed into the top ranks of Indian films at the overseas box office. It has now surpassed big titles like Animal in the region, making it one of the more successful Indian films internationally.

Still, even with these strong results, Dangal’s overall numbers remain higher. Its worldwide total stands at more than Rs 2000 crore, placing it firmly at the top of the all-time list. This makes Dangal a rare example of a film that not only succeeded domestically but also crossed cultural and language barriers abroad.

Industry analysts point out that Dangal’s global clout is a big reason it remains the biggest blockbuster India has ever produced. The film’s themes of perseverance, family bonds, and gender equality resonated with diverse audiences. That universal appeal helped it grow steadily long after its initial release.

While newer films continue to chase records and break individual milestones, Dangal’s place at the top feels secure for now. Its long-standing success is a rare achievement in an industry where trends shift fast and new stars rise quickly. If future releases like sequels, pan-India hits, or even China openings catch fire, the landscape could change again. For now, Dangal remains the benchmark by which others are measured.