War 2 Overtakes Ek Tha Tiger in Spy Universe Box Office Rankings

The high-octane espionage thriller War 2 has narrowly avoided a dubious box office distinction. After a rollercoaster run in cinemas, the Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR-starrer has officially surpassed the lifetime collection of Ek Tha Tiger, ensuring it will not conclude its theatrical journey as the lowest-grossing entry in the prestigious YRF Spy Universe. This development offers a silver lining for a film that has experienced significant volatility since its release.

Industry reports from August 24, 2025, indicate that the film witnessed a crucial 55% surge in its domestic box office earnings on its second Saturday. This jump provided the necessary momentum to cross a key milestone. The domestic net collection now stands at an estimated ₹214.50 crore, translating to a gross of approximately ₹256 crore within India. When combined with its international earnings, which are reported to be under $9 million (around ₹74 crore), the film’s global gross has reached an estimated ₹330 crore, finally edging past the ₹321-crore benchmark set by the Salman Khan-starrer Ek Tha Tiger.

How is War 2 Performing at the Box Office?

The performance of War 2 has been a case study in extremes. The film opened to massive anticipation but saw its collections dip sharply after the initial weekend. A strong revival occurred on Independence Day, fueled by the national holiday, only to be followed by another steep decline. The most dramatic fall was a 70% crash on its first Monday, which immediately raised concerns about its long-term viability and potential to become the Spy Universe’s first commercial disappointment. While the second-weekend jump is a positive sign, analysts caution that the overall pace has slowed considerably, making a major recovery unlikely at this stage.

What Does This Mean for the YRF Spy Universe?

While surpassing Ek Tha Tiger saves face, the box office narrative for War 2 remains complex. In terms of raw footfalls—the actual number of tickets sold—the film is understood to still trail behind every other film in the franchise, including the other lower-performing entries. This indicates that higher ticket prices, especially for premium formats, have contributed significantly to its final collection figures. The film’s performance is being closely watched to gauge the enduring strength of the Spy Universe brand, which includes blockbusters like War and Pathaan. The mixed audience and critical reception to Ayan Mukerji’s directorial venture suggests that even established cinematic universes are not immune to content-driven outcomes.

Despite a rocky theatrical journey, War 2 has secured its place ahead of Ek Tha Tiger in the YRF Spy Universe rankings, proving that brand power can provide a crucial lifeline. However, its performance underscores a new reality for mega-budget films: ultimate success is dictated not just by initial hype but by consistent audience approval. For fans of high-stakes action, the film is still playing in select theaters worldwide.