Nearly ten months into 2026, the Indian film industry has witnessed several major releases across theatres and streaming platforms. While some movies have attracted audiences and performed well commercially, others have reportedly struggled to meet expectations.
From films featuring established Bollywood stars to projects introducing fresh on-screen pairings, several releases have faced challenges at the box office. Star power, promotional campaigns and audience curiosity do not always translate into commercial success. A compelling storyline, engaging performances and positive word of mouth also play important roles in a film’s performance.
Here is a look at nine movies featured in the 2026 underperforming films list, along with their reported collections and audience responses. The figures mentioned below are based on the information provided and should be independently verified before publication.
1. Haiwaan
Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan’s crime thriller Haiwaan attracted attention because of its prominent cast. The film generated expectations among viewers who were interested in seeing the two actors together in a thriller.
However, the reported box office performance did not match those expectations. According to the Sacnilk figures cited in the source material, the film collected approximately ₹9.74 crore during its first seven days of release.
While Saif Ali Khan’s performance reportedly received appreciation from some viewers, the film struggled to achieve the expected commercial impact. Its reported opening-week collection placed it among the titles discussed in connection with disappointing box office performances in 2026.
2. Ek Din
Ek Din, featuring Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi, brought a fresh pairing to the screen. The film attracted attention because audiences were interested in seeing the actors together in a romantic story.
Despite the curiosity surrounding the cast, the movie reportedly struggled to generate strong box office numbers.
According to the Sacnilk figures provided, Ek Din recorded a worldwide collection of approximately ₹5.50 crore, including around ₹4.30 crore in India.
The reported figures suggest that the film did not achieve the commercial momentum expected from its release. As with any movie, its overall performance needs to be assessed alongside its budget, marketing expenses and distribution costs.
3. Bandar
Bobby Deol’s Bandar also features in the list of movies reported to have struggled commercially in 2026. The film presented the actor in a different style, attracting interest from viewers familiar with his previous performances.
However, the film reportedly failed to draw a large audience to cinemas.
According to the Sacnilk figures cited in the source material, Bandar collected approximately ₹4.97 crore worldwide, with an India net collection of around ₹4.20 crore.
The reported figures indicate a limited theatrical performance. The film’s reception also highlights how an actor’s popularity alone may not guarantee strong ticket sales. Storytelling, audience interest, reviews and competition from other releases can all influence a movie’s performance.
4. Happy Patel
Happy Patel is another title included in the list of films that reportedly underperformed at the box office in 2026.
The film’s storytelling and presentation did not appear to generate the level of audience interest needed for a stronger theatrical run, according to the source material.
The reported Sacnilk figures place its worldwide collection at approximately ₹7.36 crore, while its India net collection stood at around ₹6.21 crore.
Comedy films often depend on engaging characters, effective dialogue and humour that connects with viewers. When these elements do not create sufficient word of mouth, attracting audiences beyond the initial release period can become difficult.
The reported collection figures suggest that Happy Patel faced challenges in achieving a stronger commercial performance.
5. Toaster
Starring Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra, Toaster was released on Netflix rather than following a conventional theatrical release.
The film attracted attention because of its cast, with viewers expecting an engaging story and strong performances. However, the source material describes audience and critical reactions as mixed.
Unlike theatrical releases, streaming titles cannot be accurately labelled box office flops simply because they do not have theatrical collection figures. Their performance depends on different factors, including viewership, viewing time, audience retention and the streaming platform’s commercial arrangements.
Without reliable viewership and performance data, it would be premature to classify Toaster as a commercial failure. Its inclusion here should therefore be understood as a reference to its reported mixed reception rather than a verified box office result.
6. Tu Ya Main
Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor’s survival thriller Tu Ya Main aimed to offer audiences a suspense-driven cinematic experience.
The film’s genre and cast generated interest, but the reported box office numbers suggest that its theatrical performance remained limited.
According to the Sacnilk figures cited in the source material, Tu Ya Main collected approximately ₹8.47 crore worldwide, with an India net collection of around ₹7.31 crore.
Survival thrillers often depend on tension, believable characters and a story that keeps audiences engaged. A film’s commercial performance, however, can also be affected by its release timing, marketing strategy and competition from other movies.
The reported figures place Tu Ya Main among the films whose box office performance reportedly fell short of expectations.
7. Rahu Ketu
Featuring Varun Sharma, Rahu Ketu entered cinemas with expectations surrounding its comedy and entertainment value. The actor is known for his comic timing, making the film an interesting prospect for audiences who enjoy comedy-driven stories.
However, the movie reportedly failed to achieve a strong box office performance.
According to the Sacnilk figures provided, Rahu Ketu recorded a worldwide collection of approximately ₹7.60 crore and an India net collection of around ₹6.42 crore.
Audience reactions were reportedly mixed, with some viewers expressing reservations about the humour and storyline.
Comedy films depend on more than individual comic performances. The screenplay, dialogue, pacing and chemistry between characters all contribute to the overall experience and can influence audience recommendations.
8. Aakhri Sawal
Sanjay Dutt’s Aakhri Sawal is another film featured in reports discussing underperforming Bollywood releases of 2026.
Despite the presence of an established actor, the movie reportedly struggled to attract audiences in sufficient numbers to generate a substantial theatrical collection.
According to the Sacnilk figures cited in the source material, the film collected approximately ₹3.54 crore worldwide, while its India net collection was around ₹2.94 crore.
These figures suggest a limited theatrical performance. However, determining whether a movie is commercially successful or unsuccessful requires more than box office totals. Production budgets, marketing expenses, distributor revenue and other income sources must also be considered.
The film’s reported collection nevertheless places it among the titles discussed in connection with disappointing theatrical results.
9. Ginny Weds Sunny 2
Starring Avinash Tiwary and Medha Shankar, Ginny Weds Sunny 2 brought a new on-screen pairing to audiences. Expectations surrounding the actors generated interest ahead of the film’s release.
However, the movie reportedly struggled to convert that interest into strong ticket sales.
According to the Sacnilk figures cited in the source material, the film recorded a worldwide gross collection of approximately ₹1.85 crore and an India net collection of around ₹1.58 crore.
Medha Shankar gained wider recognition following 12th Fail, which contributed to audience interest in her subsequent projects. Nevertheless, the performance of an individual film does not determine an actor’s long-term prospects.
The reported collection figures suggest that Ginny Weds Sunny 2 had a limited theatrical run, although its final commercial status should be assessed against verified financial data.
Why Do Some Bollywood Movies Underperform?
The performance of films released in 2026 highlights several factors that can influence box office results.
1. Storyline and screenplay: A compelling narrative can help a film generate positive word of mouth and sustain audience interest beyond its opening weekend.
2. Audience expectations: Popular actors may attract initial attention, but viewers ultimately evaluate the movie’s overall entertainment value.
3. Marketing and promotion: Effective promotion can improve awareness, although promotional campaigns alone cannot guarantee ticket sales.
4. Release competition: Films released alongside highly anticipated titles may face difficulties attracting audiences, particularly when they target similar demographics.
5. Reviews and word of mouth: Audience recommendations and critical responses can influence a film’s performance after its initial release.
6. Streaming availability: Digital releases require a different evaluation framework. Viewership, completion rates and platform performance are more relevant than theatrical box office collections.
Conclusion
The 2026 Bollywood flop movies list highlights an important aspect of the film industry: a recognised cast and an extensive promotional campaign do not automatically guarantee commercial success.
Films such as Haiwaan, Ek Din, Bandar, Happy Patel, Tu Ya Main, Rahu Ketu, Aakhri Sawal and Ginny Weds Sunny 2 have been associated with disappointing box office figures in the source material. Meanwhile, the performance of Toaster, released on Netflix, needs to be evaluated using streaming-specific data rather than theatrical collections.
Ultimately, a movie’s success depends on a combination of storytelling, performances, audience preferences, marketing, competition and financial factors.
