Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood: When Big Dreams Met Bigger Disasters

Discover the Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood—big-budget films that failed at the box office but left lessons for stars, filmmakers, and fans.

Bollywood is famous for its grand sets, emotional stories, and star power. Yet, not every film becomes a blockbuster. Many high-budget productions, despite having top stars, end up as massive disappointments. These are what we call the Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood — films that had sky-high expectations but crashed at the box office.

These movies remind us that success in Bollywood isn’t guaranteed, no matter how big the names or budgets are. The Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood represent stories that failed to connect with the audience — proving that creativity and emotion matter more than money or marketing.

2. What Defines a “Flop” Movie in Bollywood?

Before listing the Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood, it’s important to understand what makes a film a flop.

A Bollywood movie is generally considered a flop when:

  • It fails to recover its production and marketing costs.

  • It gets poor audience response or critical reviews.

  • It has a short theatrical run due to lack of interest.

Even with massive star casts, big banners, and high budgets, several films have fallen flat. Let’s explore these cinematic disasters that made it to the Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood list.

3. List of Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood

1. Laal Singh Chaddha (2022)

Aamir Khan’s dream project, an adaptation of Forrest Gump, was expected to break records. However, despite its emotional depth, it couldn’t attract the masses.

🎬 Director: Advait Chandan
💰 Budget: ₹180 crore | Collection: ₹130 crore
📉 Reason for Failure: Slow pacing and audience disconnect.
Why it’s in the Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood: A big-budget remake that failed to resonate with Indian sensibilities.

Laal Singh Chaddha (2022) Flop

2. Zero (2018)

Shah Rukh Khan played a dwarf in this ambitious project. Despite innovative VFX and a star-studded cast, the story lost direction.

🎬 Director: Aanand L. Rai
💰 Budget: ₹200 crore | Collection: ₹90 crore
📉 Reason for Failure: Weak screenplay and confused tone.
Why it’s here: A bold experiment gone wrong.

Zero (2018) flop

3. Thugs of Hindostan (2018)

Featuring Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, this period action film had everything—except a good story.

🎬 Director: Vijay Krishna Acharya
💰 Budget: ₹300 crore | Collection: ₹150 crore
📉 Reason for Failure: Weak script and overuse of CGI.
Why it’s in Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood: Massive hype, massive disappointment.

Thugs of Hindostan (2018) Flop

4. Tubelight (2017)

Salman Khan’s emotional war drama failed to strike a chord with his fan base.

🎬 Director: Kabir Khan
💰 Budget: ₹135 crore | Collection: ₹120 crore
📉 Reason for Failure: Slow narrative and emotional mismatch.
Why it flopped: Fans expected an action entertainer, not a sentimental tale.

Tubelight (2017) Flop

5. Bombay Velvet (2015)

Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma’s period drama was one of the most expensive disasters in Bollywood history.

🎬 Director: Anurag Kashyap
💰 Budget: ₹120 crore | Collection: ₹30 crore
📉 Reason for Failure: Complex storyline and poor marketing.
Why it’s remembered: Stylish but soulless – a textbook flop.

Bombay Velvet (2015) Flop

6. Shaandaar (2015)

Alia Bhatt and Shahid Kapoor’s fairy-tale wedding comedy looked promising but ended up being forgettable.

🎬 Director: Vikas Bahl
💰 Budget: ₹75 crore | Collection: ₹43 crore
📉 Reason for Failure: Weak plot, over-the-top humor.
Why it’s in the Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood: High hopes, low returns.

Shaandaar (2015) Flop

7. Race 3 (2018)

Despite Salman Khan’s presence and the franchise’s success, Race 3 was heavily criticized for its poor writing.

🎬 Director: Remo D’Souza
💰 Budget: ₹150 crore | Collection: ₹170 crore (Declared Average due to high costs)
📉 Reason for Failure: Weak script, meme-worthy dialogues.
Why it’s here: Proof that star power alone can’t save a film.

Race 3 (2018) Flop

8. Kalank (2019)

A multi-starrer romantic drama that looked grand but failed to emotionally connect with the audience.

🎬 Director: Abhishek Varman
💰 Budget: ₹150 crore | Collection: ₹80 crore
📉 Reason for Failure: Slow pace and lack of depth.
Why it’s in the Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood: Style without substance.

Kalank (2019) Flop

9. Samrat Prithviraj (2022)

Akshay Kumar’s historical epic was meant to celebrate a brave warrior but was criticized for poor storytelling and lack of authenticity.

🎬 Director: Chandraprakash Dwivedi
💰 Budget: ₹200 crore | Collection: ₹90 crore
📉 Reason for Failure: Weak screenplay and miscasting.
Why it’s here: A big miss despite good intentions.

Samrat Prithviraj (2022) Flop

10. Heropanti 2 (2022)

Tiger Shroff’s sequel to his debut film had stylish action but lacked a coherent plot.

🎬 Director: Ahmed Khan
💰 Budget: ₹100 crore | Collection: ₹35 crore
📉 Reason for Failure: Poor writing and excessive action.
Why it’s part of Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood: Overconfidence in franchise value.

Heropanti 2 (2022) Flop

4. Why Even Big Stars Deliver Flops

It might surprise many, but even the biggest Bollywood stars have faced multiple flops. The Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood teach us that success depends on several factors — not just popularity.

  • Changing Audience Taste: Viewers now seek originality and content-driven films.

  • Weak Screenplays: Even a superstar can’t save a weak story.

  • Overhype: When marketing raises expectations too high, disappointment often follows.

5. Lessons from the Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood

Every failure brings lessons:

  • Content is king. Big budgets mean nothing without a strong story.

  • Don’t underestimate the audience. Viewers appreciate logic and depth.

  • Innovate, but wisely. Experimentation works only when supported by solid writing.

The Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood remind filmmakers to balance creativity with audience emotions.

6. How Audience Taste Has Changed

Today’s viewers are exposed to global cinema through OTT platforms. They expect better visuals, tighter storytelling, and realism.

Films like Gully Boy, Article 15, and Drishyam 2 succeeded because they offered substance over style — something missing from most of the Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood.

7. Can Flop Movies Still Gain Cult Status?

Interestingly, some flops later become cult favorites. For instance:

  • Andaz Apna Apna (1994) bombed initially but is now a comedy classic.

  • Tumbbad (2018) had a modest run but became a cult masterpiece.

So, even among the Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood, a few might gain appreciation years later.

Andaz Apna Apna (1994) Flop

8. Conclusion: What Bollywood Can Learn from Its Failures

The journey of the Top 10 Flop Movies in Bollywood proves one thing — no formula guarantees success.

Bollywood must:

  • Focus on authentic storytelling,

  • Encourage new directors and writers, and

  • Respect the evolving taste of the audience.

Failures are not the end; they are stepping stones toward better cinema. As the industry evolves, future flops may teach even greater lessons.

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What is the biggest flop movie in Bollywood history?
Thugs of Hindostan (2018) is often considered one of the biggest Bollywood flops due to its ₹300 crore budget and poor audience response.

Q2. Do flop movies always lose money?
Mostly yes. However, some recover costs through OTT or satellite rights later.

Q3. Which superstar has given the most flops?
Every major actor — from Shah Rukh Khan to Salman Khan — has faced failures in their career.

Q4. Can flop movies become hits later?
Yes. With time, certain flops gain cult status due to unique storytelling or re-evaluation by critics.

Q5. What lesson do filmmakers learn from flops?
That storytelling and emotion matter more than visual effects or budgets.

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