Archive · 13 Nov 2025
India's Single-Screen Theatres Struggle Amid Blockbuster Drought, Urban Films Dominate
Imagine movie theaters are like restaurants.
Some restaurants in big cities are doing great, serving fancy meals that rich people like.
But the smaller, older restaurants in towns, which used to serve yummy food for everyone, are struggling.
This is because the new hit movies are like fancy meals that only a few people enjoy, not the big, fun movies that everyone used to love.
These small theaters have a lot of seats to fill, and when only a few people come, it's hard to make money.
They are hoping that new big movies coming out next year will be like delicious food that everyone will want to eat, helping them make a comeback.
Single-screen theatres across India are experiencing a significant drop in business due to a lack of mass-appeal blockbuster films.
Recent hits like 'F1: The Movie' and 'Saiyaara' have catered primarily to urban audiences and performed well in multiplexes with premium formats.
The period drama 'Chhaava' is noted as the only true pan-India blockbuster this year, with others like 'Mahavatar Narsimha' also providing some relief.
Operational costs are mounting for independent theatres, leading to annual earnings being 20-30% lower compared to the previous year.
Exhibitors are looking towards mass-market sequels and big-star films scheduled for release in 2025 and early 2026, such as 'Border 2', to revive footfall.
- Who
- Single-screen theatre owners and independent film distributors across India
- What
- Struggling with reduced footfall and box office earnings due to a lack of mass-market blockbuster films, while multiplexes in big cities thrive on urban-centric hits.
- When
- Much of the current year, with hopes pinned on releases in early 2026.
- Where
- Across India, particularly impacting smaller towns and independent theatres outside of major urban centers.
- Why
- A perceived drought of 'mass entertainers' that appeal to a wide, grassroots audience, with films increasingly geared towards niche, urban tastes.
- Annual box office earnings for single-screen cinemas
- 20-30% lower this year compared to 2024
- Recent blockbuster hits appealing to urban audiences
- F1: The Movie, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Saiyaara
- Notable pan-India blockbuster
- Chhaava (grossed ₹600 crore)
- Upcoming mass-market sequels
- Border 2, War 2, Son of Sardaar 2
- Multiplex share of box office for urban films
- Up to 80%
- Multiplex share of box office for mass-appeal films
- 40-50%