7 Bollywood Hits That Became Epic Franchises

Sometimes, a single movie just isn't enough to satisfy the audience. Over the years, the Hindi film industry has transformed numerous standalone blockbusters into sprawling cinematic franchises, allowing fans to stay connected to their favorite worlds and characters. From side-splitting comedies to gripping thrillers, these movies proved so popular that they kept audiences coming back for more.

Here are seven fan-favorite Bollywood films that sparked wildly successful franchises:

1. Dhamaal The hilarity kicked off in 2007 with this comedy about four slackers on a chaotic quest for hidden treasure. Thanks to its slapstick humor and the brilliant comic timing of its cast, it became an instant classic. The original’s success led to Double Dhamaal and Total Dhamaal. Now, fans are eagerly awaiting Dhamaal 4, slated for release on July 10, 2026. Directed by Indra Kumar, the upcoming installment will see the return of the beloved Adi-Manav duo (Arshad Warsi and Jaaved Jaaferi), alongside Riteish Deshmukh and Ajay Devgn.

2. Bhool Bhulaiyaa Priyadarshan’s original horror-comedy was a masterclass in blending chills and chuckles, starring Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Shiney Ahuja, and Ameesha Patel. The film resonated so deeply with audiences that it birthed Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. With Kartik Aaryan taking over the reins, the sequels introduced new characters while successfully maintaining the spooky, humorous essence of the beloved original.

3. Dhoom When Sanjay Gadhvi’s Dhoom raced into theaters in 2004, it completely revamped Bollywood action with its sleek bike chases, stylish execution, and cool antagonists. Starring John Abraham, Abhishek Bachchan, and Uday Chopra, the movie launched an adrenaline-fueled franchise that dominated the box office with its larger-than-life sequels, Dhoom 2 and Dhoom 3.

4. Golmaal Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal: Fun Unlimited brought together Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, and Sharman Joshi for a chaotic comedy centered around friendship and hilarious misunderstandings. The phenomenal chemistry between the leads instantly won over audiences, spawning a string of hit sequels. With Golmaal 5 currently in development, it remains one of Bollywood's premier comedy franchises.

5. Singham Rohit Shetty struck gold again with Singham, featuring Ajay Devgn as a fierce, fiercely just police officer. The character struck a massive chord with the masses. What started as a standalone action film quickly grew into Singham Returns and Singham Again, ultimately laying the groundwork for Shetty's expansive "Cop Universe," which now includes blockbusters like Simmba and Sooryavanshi.

6. Housefull Released in 2010, Housefull delivered endless chaos, situational comedy, and an ensemble cast featuring Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta, and Jiah Khan. The film’s massive box office run cemented its status as a crowd-pleaser and paved the way for one of Hindi cinema’s longest-running comedy series.

7. Drishyam Directed by Nishikant Kamat, this edge-of-your-seat thriller starring Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, and Ishita Dutta kept viewers hooked from start to finish. Thanks to its brilliant twists and powerhouse performances, it became a standout hit. This success continued with Abhishek Pathak's Drishyam 2, and excitement is now peaking for Drishyam 3, which is scheduled to hit theaters on October 2, solidifying its legacy as one of Bollywood's greatest thriller franchises.