Audiences returning to the big screen in the OTT era:Multiplex business grew by 21% in six months, audience increased by up to 12%

The allure of the big screen for films is growing again in the country. According to the latest figures from the Multiplex Association of India, the country’s multiplex box office collection registered a 21% increase during January-June 2026 compared to last year. Meanwhile, according to industry reports, the total box office business also saw an increase of about 16-17%, while the footfall of audiences in cinemas increased by 10-12%. The biggest reason for this was a strong lineup of films. Films like ‘Dhurandhar 2’ and ‘Border 2’ in Hindi revitalized the box office, while Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films also performed brilliantly. This clearly indicated that audiences are now prioritizing good stories and cinematic experiences, not language. Sequels and Franchises became the new formula The biggest lesson of 2026 was that audiences want to see familiar characters and established franchises on the big screen. ‘Dhurandhar 2’, ‘Border 2’, ‘Drishyam 3’, ‘Vazha 2 ‘, and other sequel films did excellent business.
However, not only big-budget films, but also the number of mid-budget films earning 100-200 crore rupees increased, which is a positive sign for the industry. Speed expected to increase Kamal Gianchandani, President of the Multiplex Association, says that a balanced mix of blockbuster franchises, original stories, regional cinema, and international films has restored audience confidence.
Meanwhile, Devang Sampat, Managing Director of Cinepolis India, believes that if a strong release calendar continues in the second half of the year, the theatre industry could set a new revenue record. Indian box office collection in 2026
1. January – 1,327
2. February – 427
3. March – 1,690
4. April – 787
5. May – 1,138 (*in Crores INR)
Source: Ormax Media
According to trade analysts, the release of 30 Hindi films in the first half of 2026 generated a box office business of ₹2,352 crore. This is an increase of about 15% from last year.