As Bollywood crosses the halfway mark in 2025, the overseas box office offers a compelling narrative of how Indian cinema continues to find resonance far beyond domestic borders. Leading the charge is Vicky Kaushal’s historical epic Chhaava, which has asserted its dominance with a powerful overseas haul, while Sikandar, starring Salman Khan, has turned heads with its strong global showing despite mixed reviews at home. What emerges from the Top 10 list is not just star power, but a shifting landscape where content, nostalgia, and mass appeal are being received differently across international markets.
Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava leads the overseas box office with a formidable USD 10.25 million, cementing its place not just as a domestic giant but as a worldwide performer. The film’s themes of legacy, sacrifice, and cultural pride have clearly struck a chord with the Indian diaspora, particularly in North America, the Middle East, and the UK. Compared to the rest of the films on the list, Chhaava stands almost 62% ahead of the second-ranked film, underlining the global appetite for sweeping period dramas when executed with scale and heart.
Salman Khan’s Sikandar takes the second spot with USD 6.316 million, a performance that underscores Salman’s enduring popularity overseas, even when the film’s domestic collection wasn’t at its peak. What worked in its favour was the wide release strategy across Gulf countries and Canada, where Salman continues to enjoy a massive fan base. While not a blockbuster by his own towering standards, Sikandar still delivered one of the year’s most bankable international runs.
Housefull 5, the latest chapter in the hit comedy franchise, claims the third position with USD 5.45 million. The film’s overseas numbers indicate that its slapstick humour and ensemble appeal continue to travel well, especially in the UK and Australia where the franchise has always enjoyed loyal followings. While the film couldn’t match the franchise’s previous instalment in domestic numbers, it outpaced several action films overseas, proving that big-screen comedy still has its place when nostalgia meets accessibility.
Close behind is Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par, which grossed USD 5.15 million. The film, rooted in emotional storytelling and family values, saw a strong run in North America and New Zealand. Though it narrowly missed surpassing Housefull 5, it performed exceptionally well for a non-franchise film and showcased Aamir’s global draw with audiences that favour substance over spectacle.
Kesari Chapter 2, Akshay Kumar’s sequel to the 2019 war drama, pulled in USD 3.90 million overseas. Though it didn’t scale the highs of Kesari, which had performed better in overseas markets, the sequel still proved Akshay’s patriotic narratives have consistent pull abroad, particularly in regions with large Sikh populations like Canada and the UK.
Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2 follows with USD 3.40 million. Unlike Raid, which had a relatively modest overseas run, the sequel benefited from Devgn’s growing credibility in intense, realistic dramas. While not a top-tier overseas performer, it found its audience, especially in UAE and Singapore.
Top 6 highest overseas grossers of 2025 at a glance:
Chhaava – USD 10.25 mil.
Sikandar – USD 6.316 mil.
Housefull 5 – USD 5.45 mil.
Sitaare Zameen Par – USD 5.15 mil.
Kesari Chapter 2 – USD 3.90 mil.
Raid 2 – USD 3.40 mil.