Speculation surrounding the release of Shah Rukh Khan‘s much-awaited action entertainer ‘King’ can finally be put to rest. Despite recent reports suggesting the film could be pushed to 2027, the project remains firmly on course for its previously announced December 24, 2026 theatrical release. The superstar, who has been away from the big screen for three years, is gearing up for one of the biggest releases of the year.According to Bollywood Hungama, the film’s release date was officially unveiled through a special announcement video in January, and reports indicate there has been no change to those plans.
Christmas weekend to witness massive box office battle
The festive season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive windows in recent years. ‘King’ will arrive just days after the release of three high-profile Hollywood titles, including ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, ‘Dune: Part Three’ and ‘Jumanji: Open World’.Among them, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is expected to pose the biggest challenge, especially considering the Marvel franchise’s strong fan base in India. The impressive response to ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ has further demonstrated the appetite for superhero films among Indian audiences.Meanwhile, although ‘Dune: Part Three’ caters to a relatively niche audience, the growing popularity of the franchise and its expected IMAX release could strengthen its box office prospects. ‘Jumanji: Open World’ also enters the race backed by the success of its previous instalments, which performed well in the Indian market.
Shah Rukh Khan expected to have home advantage
Trade experts believe ‘King’ enjoys a significant edge in India because of Shah Rukh Khan’s immense popularity and the film’s Hindi-language appeal.A trade source said, “In India, ‘King’ will have an edge as it is a Hindi film starring Shah Rukh Khan and several other prominent actors. Among the Hollywood releases, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ will pose the strongest competition, as the franchise is now one of the biggest in India. Internationally, however, all three Hollywood films are major releases with blockbuster potential. This is where ‘King’ could face some challenges in securing an adequate number of screens.“
Overseas strategy could work in film’s favour
The same report believes the film is well-positioned internationally because of Shah Rukh Khan’s global popularity and the support of its overseas distributor.“However, only a film of ‘King’s calibre can take on such Hollywood giants. Shah Rukh Khan is the biggest Indian star overseas. Moreover, Yash Raj Films is distributing ‘King’ in international markets. They will surely leverage their years of experience and goodwill to secure the best possible screens and show timings.”
Why postponing the film may not have helped
According to industry insiders, shifting ‘King’ to 2027 would have created an equally challenging release scenario due to a packed release calendar.An insider explained, “Many were hoping that ‘King’ would release in 2027. However, that would probably have meant waiting until after April or May. ‘Love & War’ is scheduled to release on January 21, while the holy month of Ramzan begins in the first week of February. This will be followed by major releases such as ‘Spirit’ on March 5 and ‘Varanasi’ on April 7. By arriving during Christmas, ‘King’ may initially face some screen-sharing issues. On the positive side, however, it won’t face any fresh competition until Republic Day. If the word of mouth is as strong as expected, the sky is the limit for the film.”
Single-screen exhibitors remain cautious
While exhibitors expect the Christmas season to generate significant footfalls, some single-screen theatre owners are concerned about the intense competition for screens.One theatre owner, requesting anonymity, said, “It will undoubtedly be a beneficial period for the box office. We only hope that distributors and studios do not arm-twist us or force us to screen just one film.”
