The Telugu film industry witnessed a dynamic box office year in 2025, marked by big-ticket releases, surprise performers, and a few high-profile disappointments.
From mass entertainers to ambitious pan-India projects, the year’s top 10 highest-grossing Telugu films showcased the evolving tastes of audiences and the growing importance of overseas markets.
Topping the list is They Call Him OG, which emerged as the highest-grossing Telugu film of 2025 in terms of India Telugu net collections. The film earned an impressive ₹189.26 crore in Telugu-speaking markets, contributing to a worldwide gross of ₹295.22 crore. Strong domestic traction and a solid overseas haul of ₹65.25 crore helped the film dominate the yearly charts, even though an official verdict is yet to be declared, as per the Sacnilk data.
Close on its heels is Sankranthiki Vasthunam, which proved to be the year’s biggest commercial success. With ₹186.97 crore in India Telugu net collections and a worldwide total of ₹255.48 crore, the film comfortably earned the blockbuster verdict.
Made on a relatively modest budget of ₹50 crore, it stood out as one of the most profitable ventures of the year.
At third place is Daaku Maharaaj, which collected ₹90.75 crore in Telugu net and ₹126.11 crore worldwide. Despite decent box office numbers, the film’s high ₹100 crore budget appears to have impacted its final assessment, with no verdict announced so far.
One of the most notable entries on the list is Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1. While it ranks fourth in terms of Telugu net collection at ₹89.94 crore, the film is by far the biggest grosser of the year worldwide, amassing a staggering ₹852.24 crore. Massive contributions from non-Telugu Indian markets and overseas territories (₹111 crore) underlined its pan-India appeal.
Game Changer secured the fifth spot with ₹89.37 crore in Telugu net collections and ₹186.28 crore worldwide. However, despite its strong opening, the film ended up with a disaster verdict, highlighting the gap between expectations and theatrical performance.
Another high-budget film, Hari Hara Veera Mallu, ranked sixth with ₹86.53 crore in Telugu net and ₹116.88 crore worldwide. Made on a massive ₹300 crore budget, the film struggled to recover costs and was also labelled a disaster.
Among the clear success stories of the year are Mirai and HIT: The Third Case, both of which earned super hit verdicts. Mirai collected ₹76.17 crore in Telugu net and ₹144.21 crore worldwide, while HIT: The Third Case followed closely with ₹73.52 crore Telugu net and ₹119.48 crore worldwide, reinforcing the franchise’s consistent box office appeal.
Ninth on the list is Kuberaa, which grossed ₹67.68 crore in Telugu net and ₹138.10 crore worldwide, earning a hit verdict thanks to steady collections across domestic and overseas markets.
Rounding off the top 10 is Thandel, with ₹64.96 crore in Telugu net collections and a worldwide total of ₹88.89 crore. While it found a place among the year’s biggest Telugu earners, its final verdict is yet to be specified.
| Rank | Movie | Worldwide Collection (₹ Cr) | India Telugu Net (₹ Cr) | Overseas Collection (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | They Call Him OG | 295.22 | 189.26 | 65.25 |
| 2 | Sankranthiki Vasthunam | 255.48 | 186.97 | 35.40 |
| 3 | Daaku Maharaaj | 126.11 | 90.75 | 18.10 |
| 4 | Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1 | 852.24 | 89.94 | 111.00 |
| 5 | Game Changer | 186.28 | 89.37 | 30.25 |
| 6 | Hari Hara Veera Mallu | 116.88 | 86.53 | 14.50 |
| 7 | Mirai | 144.21 | 76.17 | 32.80 |
| 8 | HIT: The Third Case | 119.48 | 73.52 | 25.00 |
| 9 | Kuberaa | 138.10 | 67.68 | 31.60 |
| 10 | Thandel | 88.89 | 64.96 | 11.50 |
Overall, 2025 proved to be a year of contrasts for Tollywood – where moderate-budget films delivered strong returns, pan-India projects redefined scale, and big-budget ventures faced increasing scrutiny over profitability.