Rajinikanth’s Last 5 Movies: Box Office Recap + How Coolie Dominated the Charts

Coolie (2025): Rajinikanth’s Mass Comeback & The Battle of the Box Office

When Rajinikanth arrives, the box office doesn’t just open—it erupts. With Coolie (2025), Thalaivar has staged one of the most powerful comebacks in Indian cinema, rewriting records that seemed unshakable. But how does it stand against his last five films? Let’s dive into the battle of the box office.

⚔️ Round 1: The Pre-Coolie Struggle

Rajinikanth’s last five theatrical outings were a mixed bag—some delivering on mass appeal, others failing despite gigantic budgets.

• Petta (2019) – Stylish but couldn’t match its ₹160 crore spend, collecting ₹134.6 crore net.

• Darbar (2020) – High-octane action, yet ended as a loss with ₹149.6 crore net.

• Annaatthe (2021) – Emotional family drama but only managed ₹107 crore net.

• Jailer (2023) – A game-changer. With ₹345 crore net and ₹605 crore worldwide, it reminded fans of Thalaivar’s unmatched magic.

• Vettaiyan (2024) – Big canvas, but ₹148.3 crore net made it another underperformer.

For years, Rajini’s aura faced the question: Is star power enough in the era of content-driven cinema?

🕶️ Round 2: The Coolie Tsunami

Enter Coolie. Right from Day 1, it was clear this wasn’t just another Rajini film—it was a festival.

• Opening Day Worldwide Gross – ₹150+ crore

• India Net in 2 Days – ₹97.28 crore

• Fan Frenzy – Housefull shows, midnight screenings, and whistles echoing louder than ever.

In just 24 hours, Coolie nearly matched the average net collection of Rajini’s last five films combined (~₹177 crore). That’s not just a comeback—it’s dominance.

⚡ Round 3: Clash of the Giants

To understand the scale, let’s compare:

• Jailer needed weeks to cross ₹300 crore net.

• Coolie is pacing to reach that milestone in record time.

• Films like Petta, Darbar, and Annaatthe couldn’t recover their massive budgets—but Coolie looks unstoppable, with break-even almost secured in its opening weekend.

It’s a reminder of why the title Superstar isn’t just a label—it’s a phenomenon.

🏆 The Verdict: Coolie Reigns Supreme

With Coolie, Rajinikanth hasn’t just scored a hit; he has reclaimed the throne. Against the backdrop of previous disappointments, this film feels like a roaring declaration:

“Thalaivar is back, and the box office belongs to him.”

While Jailer proved Rajini could still shatter modern-day cinema, Coolie is proving he can outdo himself—and silence every doubt.

✨ Final Word: The battle of Rajinikanth’s last five films vs Coolie ends with one clear victor. Coolie is not just a film—it’s a box office storm, a reminder that when Thalaivar steps on screen, cinema becomes a celebration.