Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s highly-anticipated action entertainer War 2 is making waves at the global box office. Despite clashing with Rajinikanth’s Coolie, the sixth installment of the YRF Spy Universe has shown strong numbers in its first weekend and is now officially among the five highest-grossing Indian films of 2025.
Released on August 14, War 2 collected Rs 74.75 crore net (Rs 88.25 crore gross) in India within four days of release, according to trade tracker Sacnilk. On Sunday, the film earned Rs 22.15 crore, only a slight dip of 3.31% from Saturday’s Rs 23.25 crore. Overseas collections added another Rs 80 crore gross, taking its worldwide tally to Rs 168.25 crore in just four days.
This strong run has helped the film cross the lifetime earnings of several major releases. Mohanlal’s L2: Empuraan finished at Rs 165.5 crore, Ajay Devgn and Riteish Deshmukh’s Raid 2 earned Rs 137 crore, Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par made Rs 167.5 crore, and animated spectacle Mahavatar Narsimha stood at Rs 167 crore. War 2 has now overtaken all of them and is inching closer to surpassing Akshay Kumar’s Housefull 5 (Rs 188.58 crore worldwide).
With this, the film has climbed into the 2025 top-grossers list. Leading the chart is Chhaava starring Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna and Rashmika Mandanna, which has raked in Rs 300 crore worldwide. At No. 2 is Saiyaara, followed by Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie at third with Rs 285 crore, Housefull 5 at fourth, and now War 2 securing the fifth spot.
Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film is part of Yash Raj Films’ ambitious Spy Universe that began with Ek Tha Tiger and includes blockbusters like Tiger Zinda Hai, War, Pathaan, and Tiger 3. Apart from Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, War 2 also stars Kiara Advani and Ashutosh Rana. The film promised high-octane action, massive set-pieces, and cross-border espionage drama, making it one of the biggest releases of the year.
However, the audience reception has been mixed. While the film’s star power and action sequences are drawing crowds, critics have pointed out weak writing, overdone VFX, and a stretched second half. Rajvir Shahir, assistant director of War and Pathaan, openly criticized the movie on Instagram, calling it “the weakest film of the YRF Spy Universe.” He described his viewing experience as “a heartbreaking disappointment” and said the film failed to deliver emotionally despite high expectations.
Even with the criticism, the film’s commercial momentum remains strong, boosted by holiday footfalls and overseas demand. Trade analysts predict that War 2 could soon cross the Rs 200 crore worldwide mark, provided it maintains steady collections in the coming weekdays.
