The performance of Telugu films at the US box office in 2025 has been significantly stronger than in previous years, reflecting a clear shift in business strategy and risk management.
With many producers opting for self-releases or commission-based models, losses were largely contained and profit margins remained protected.
As a result, the overall market appeared healthier, with far less distributor damage compared to earlier years.
Among the standout successes, Sankranthiki Vasthunam and OG emerged as major profits despite being released directly by distributers, while Kuberaa ended up as a clear hit, earning substantial profits.
Several other films released on commission-based models generated strong profits for producers, including The Court, Little Hearts, Mirai, Single, Mahavathar Narasimha and Dragon, all of which delivered very good results. Shubham also proved to be a profitable venture.
Films such as Girl Friend and Raju Weds Rambai comfortably achieved hit status, reinforcing the consistency of big-scale, mid-range, and content-driven releases. K-Ramp and The Great Pre Wedding Shoot further added to the profit list, contributing to the overall optimism.
Re-releases played a surprisingly significant role in 2025, with Khaleja creating records by collecting $125,000 in the US.
Alongside it, Shiva 2025 and Athadu once again demonstrated their evergreen appeal by performing strongly at the box office, proving that nostalgia-driven releases can still deliver meaningful returns overseas.
On the loss side, a few films struggled despite high expectations.
Big-ticket projects such as Akhanda 2 faced major setbacks, while films including Game Changer, Thandel, Hari Hara Veera Mallu, Andhra King Taluka, and 8 Vasanthalu ended up as heavy loss ventures, highlighting the risks associated with the traditional distributor-buy model.
Overall, the growing reliance on self-releases and commission-based deals played a crucial role in minimizing losses and maintaining profitability across the board.
If Tollywood continues to follow this balanced and cautious approach, the outlook for the US box office in 2026 appears promising and sustainable.
