Most Popular Indian Movies of 2024 (So Far)

With a staggering budget, a star-studded cast, impressive action sequences, and a compelling story that combines the old and the new, Nag Ashwin's ambitious Kalki 2898 - AD is now the highest-grossing Indian movie of 2024. Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani came together in what will now be the first part of the Kalki Cinematic Universe, as Ashwin plans for a bigger and better sequel. With the intricate world-building that fans were treated to in the movie, it's no surprise that we haven't seen the last of post-apocalyptic Kashi, or the many delightful guest stars who make up its residents.

How far are you willing to go for a friend? Few among us have had to deal with a real-life crisis where the answer to that question would be: 900 feet deep. Based on an incredible true story of a group of friends who call themselves Manjummel Boys and find one of their own fighting for his life in a hole in the ground, this Malayalam movie resonated with fans and won over critics with its technical prowess and gripping story. Director Chidambaram's second outing, the survival thriller was also dubbed in Telugu.

Anil Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, and Deepika Padukone play Indian Air Force officers in this Siddharth Anand directorial. They fight the enemy, romance each other, and dance the night away, all while keeping their shining Aviators intact. This is Anand's third collaboration with Roshan after Bang Bang and War, and the two have the formula for an entertainer down pat. Fighter also brought Roshan back on the dance floor, and that's always a treat for fans.

A Telugu-language superhero movie, Hanu Man is the first installment of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU). Like Kalki 2898 - AD, it's a mix of sci-fi, mythology, and fantasy, with Teja Sajja in the title role. Despite some delays, Hanu Man's comedy, VFX, and music were particularly praised by fans and critics, and a sequel is already in the works. It was also released in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi, making it the second highest-grossing Indian movie of 2024.

A remake of the 2023 Gujarati film Vash, Shaitaan stars Maddy as the scary bad guy, Ajay Devgn as the dad in whom you can trust, Jyotika in a Hindi movie for the first time since Doli Saja Ke Rakhna in 1998, and an excellent Janki Bodiwala reprising her role from the original. It's one of two horror movies on this list, and is proof that fans are loving some spooky entertainment this year.

Two newlywed brides get exchanged on the train and all hell breaks loose when they don't reach their destinations. A classic comedy of errors, Laapataa Ladies was elevated by the direction of Kiran Rao and the performances of Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, and Ravi Kishan. It managed to make the audience laugh, cry, and think about what we teach our girls and how we nurture (or don't) their dreams. Set in 2001, the 'retro' setting added a charm to the story that is sweet but also a painful reminder of how we're (shockingly) in 2024.

Political thriller Article 370 is based on the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir carried out in 2019. Starring Yami Gautam Dhar and Priyamani, this is the directorial debut of Aditya Suhas Jambhale. Yami's standout performance won her several accolades, and this was her second collaboration with her husband Aditya Dhar, who directed and wrote Uri: The Surgical Strike and co-wrote Article 370.

Girish A.D.'s Malayalam romantic comedy Premalu charmed audiences with its warmth and simplicity. Though the love-at-first-sight story is as old as time, the fresh chemistry between lead actors Naslen and Mamitha Baiju carried the film. Equally delightful is the camaraderie between Naslen's character and his friend, played by Sangeeth Prathap. Premalu's success has already prompted the development of a sequel, slated to release in 2025.

Jithu Madhavan's Malayalam action comedy Aavesham features a standout performance from leading man Fahadh Faasil, whose handlebar mustache and all-white outfit spawned a thousand memes. There's no way you haven't seen him dance while scrolling through reels. The story of how a local gangster in Bengaluru unexpectedly befriends three engineering students, Aavesham's winning blend of action, comedy, and earnest performances from the supporting cast made it an instant success.

Director Aditya Sarpotdar's Munjya is a worthy addition to the growing horror comedy genre of Indian cinema. Starring Sharvari, Abhay Verma, Mona Singh, and Sathyaraj, the film brings to life the legend of 'munjya' from Indian folklore. It masterfully navigates the balance between scaring its audience and making them laugh, a tightrope that production house Maddock Films appears to be steadily perfecting.