As Bollywood enters 2025, the industry is witnessing a fascinating trend that is dominating its storytelling landscape: sequels and franchises. Filmmakers are increasingly turning to established narratives, beloved characters and fan-favorite worlds to draw audiences to theaters. The upcoming slate for 2025 is especially noteworthy, featuring a lineup packed with blockbuster sequels and ambitious franchises that promise to deliver plenty of adventure, comedy, action, and drama.
Talking about the success and credibility of the sequel, trade expert Atul Mohan says, “As seen recently, films like OMG 2, Gadar 2, Stree 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 performed tremendously at the box office. Is. With successful films, a brand has been established, and audiences know what to expect. Many actors have tried different things – some worked, and some didn’t – but today, the situation has changed. Actors now want to stick to what has worked, as they want to maintain the graph and momentum of their career.
Here is a look at some of the most anticipated Bollywood sequels and franchise films releasing on the silver screen in 2025.
raid 2
2018 crime thriller Raid, starring Ajay DevganA box-office success, it was praised for its entertaining story based on real-life income tax raids in the 1980s. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, the film not only enthralled the audience with its intense screenplay but also exposed systemic corruption and the courage of tax officials.
Now, in 2025, Ajay Devgn returns with Raid 2, a sequel that delves deeper into the country’s corrupt structure. This time Devgan’s character will fight with Saurabh Shukla who is returning from the first part. Ritesh Deshmukh Joining the cast as a new antagonist.
jolly llb 3
After two highly successful courtroom dramas, Jolly LLB returns with its third instalment. Arshad Warsi was seen in previous films Akshay Kumar In the role of Dalit lawyers. With its brilliant blend of satire, humor and sharp commentary on India’s judicial system, Jolly LLB became a beloved franchise.
Both Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi are returning for Jolly LLB 3. The film is expected to tackle a more complex case, dealing with issues relevant to India’s contemporary legal landscape.
housefull 5
The Housefull series is known for its slapstick comedy, larger-than-life characters and stellar cast. Since its inception, the popularity of the franchise has grown, offering comedic entertainment and generating massive returns at the box office. Now, with the release of Housefull 5 in 2025, the stakes have increased even more, as the film returns with an even bigger cast. Akshay Kumar, Abhishek BachchanRiteish Deshmukh, Dino Morea, Jacqueline Fernandez, Fardeen Khan, Boman Irani and Chunky Pandey among others are set to appear.
war 2 And Alpha
2019 film War, starring Hrithik Roshan and tiger shroffIt was one of the biggest Bollywood action hits of the year. With jaw-dropping stunts, jaw-dropping visuals and a thrilling showdown between two of Bollywood’s biggest action stars, War redefined the action genre in Indian cinema. In the second part, the stakes are even higher, as Jr. NTR has been chosen as the antagonist. After the success of Brahmastra, Ayan Mukherjee has been given the responsibility of directing the film. A glimpse of War 2 was teased in the post-credit scene of Tiger 3.
Additionally, Alpha features Alia Bhatt and Sharvari as female spies leading the universe, marking the first time that women will play lead roles in this spy franchise.
welcome to the jungle
The Welcome franchise has always been known for its anarchic, over-the-top comedy, featuring a large cast in hilarious situations. Set in 2025, Welcome to the Jungle marks the return of this beloved series with expectations sky high. Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal and other big names are part of the cast, which promises the same fiery entertainment that has defined the franchise.
Sardar’s Son 2
The original Son of Sardaar was a high-energy comedy-action film starring Ajay Devgan, Sanjay Dutt and -Sonakshi SinhaThe film’s blend of Punjabi culture, colorful visuals and intense action sequences made it a box office success.
Ajay Devgan has once again worked with Sanjay Dutt in Son of Sardar 2 and this time he is with Mrunal Thakur. The film promises to be another exciting mix of action, comedy and heart.
give give love 2
The romantic comedy De De Pyaar De starring Ajay Devgan, Rakul Preet Singh and Tabu won the hearts of the audience with its unique take on relationships and age difference. The humor and heart-touching moments of the film made it a hit, and now, with De De Pyaar De 2 set to release in 2025, fans can look forward to another joyous ride. The sequel will take the story forward from the first part, with R. Madhavan will be involved as Rakul’s father. It is rumored that Kartik Aryan will play an important cameo in the film.
Rise of the Bollywood franchise
2025 is shaping up to be an important year for Bollywood franchises, signaling a change in the industry’s approach to storytelling. Filmmakers are relying on sequels and franchises to introduce new elements to maintain excitement while providing audiences the comfort of familiar characters. This trend mirrors the Hollywood model, where franchises dominate the box office, but Bollywood adds its own cultural flavor to the mix.
As fans eagerly await these sequels, it is clear that the franchise era of Bollywood is here to stay, offering a diverse mix of action, comedy, romance and drama. With beloved stars reprising their roles and new stories emerging, 2025 promises to be a year of cinematic extravaganza that will delight film lovers across the country.
