Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming action thriller King tops IMDb’s list of the most anticipated Indian films of 2026, reflecting global excitement around the superstar’s return and his enduring cinematic legacy.
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IMDb has revealed its list of the most anticipated Indian films of 2026, with Shah Rukh Khan-starrer action thriller King securing the number one position, based on global user engagement from the platform’s worldwide audience, according to Variety.
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The rankings were determined by actual page views from IMDb’s 250 million monthly visitors, reflecting sustained interest and anticipation among global audiences.
The list features 20 films across five Indian languages, including 10 Hindi films, five Telugu, three Tamil, and one each in Malayalam and Kannada. The rankings highlight the growing international interest in India’s diverse cinematic landscape.
‘King’ marks Shah Rukh Khan’s reunion with Pathaan director Siddharth Anand and will be the superstar’s first theatrical release in nearly three years. Its top ranking underscores the strong anticipation surrounding Khan’s return to the big screen.
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Other highly anticipated films include Nitesh Tiwari’s mythological epic Ramayana Part 1, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Yash; H. Vinoth’s Tamil political drama Jana Nayagan, believed to be actor-turned-politician Vijay’s final film; Prabhas’ Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga; and Geetu Mohandas’ Toxic, featuring Yash.
Several actors appear multiple times on the list. Nayanthara features in Toxic and Patriot, the latter headlined by Mammootty and Mohanlal.
Yash appears in Ramayana Part 1 and Toxic, while Sunny Deol features in Ramayana Part 1 and Border 2.
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Prabhas headlines Spirit and Fauzi, Ranbir Kapoor appears in Ramayana Part 1 and Love & War, and Alia Bhatt features in Love & War and Alpha, part of the Yash Raj Films Spy Universe.
The list also includes major franchise expansions such as Dhurandhar 2, Alpha (YRF Spy Universe), Benz (Lokesh Cinematic Universe), and Shakti Shalini (Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe).
Often referred to as the “King of Bollywood,” Shah Rukh Khan enjoys unparalleled global popularity due to his consistent box office success, charismatic screen presence, and emotional connect with audiences across generations. With a career spanning over three decades, Khan has built a massive international fan base, particularly in regions such as the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
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His films regularly draw attention beyond India, contributing significantly to Bollywood’s global reach and cultural impact.
Some of Shah Rukh Khan’s most successful films include Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, My Name Is Khan, Chennai Express, Pathaan, and Jawan.
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In recent years, Pathaan and Jawan emerged as massive global blockbusters, reaffirming his box office dominance and star power.
Shah Rukh Khan has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including 14 Filmfare Awards and several international honours. He has been awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India and France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his contribution to cinema.
In 2023, he became one of the highest-grossing actors worldwide, with multiple films crossing the ₹1,000-crore mark globally.
Rounding out the list are Salman Khan’s Battle of Galwan, Pradeep Ranganathan’s LIK: Love Insurance Kompany, Nani’s The Paradise, Ram Charan’s Peddi, NTR Jr’s Dragon, and Akshay Kumar’s Bhooth Bangla.
IMDb’s methodology focused on sustained user engagement, measuring which upcoming Indian films generated the most consistent interest from its global audience ahead of their 2026 theatrical releases, as reported by Variety.
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