The year 2025 marked a historic turning point for Pakistani cinema, as local productions delivered record-breaking box-office performances and crossed multi-billion-rupee milestones.
From glossy romantic blockbusters to genre-defining horror films, Lollywood demonstrated a clear shift from a domestically focused industry to an emerging global contender.
Love Guru
It emerged as the biggest success of the year, dominating the global box office with Rs 8.2 billion in earnings. The film surpassed even the iconic Maula Jatt in its opening week, setting a new benchmark for Pakistani cinema. Driven by the star pairing of Humayun Saeed and Mahira Khan, the romantic comedy maintained an impressive 8.1/10 audience rating and successfully revived the rom-com genre through high production values and a storyline that appealed across age groups.
Deemak
Breaking new ground in genre cinema, Deemak became the first Pakistani horror film to cross the Rs2.1 billion mark. The film received critical acclaim for its psychological depth and focus on family disintegration rather than conventional jump scares, earning a 7.5/10 rating. Its successful release in the US and UK further highlighted the growing international appetite for Pakistani films beyond traditional genres.
Neelofar
The highly anticipated reunion of Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan in Neelofar translated into strong box-office numbers, with the film earning Rs1.5 billion domestically within its first week. With a 7.9/10 rating, Neelofar resonated particularly well with urban audiences in Karachi and Lahore, who appreciated its slow-burn narrative. Co-produced by Fawad Khan, the film reinforced the commercial potential of content-driven, non-formulaic cinema.
Welcome to Punjab
Welcome to Punjab delivered a mixed commercial outcome but proved successful on the international stage. Despite limited domestic earnings of Rs150 million, the film won the Best Audience Award at the Baku Film Festival, strengthening Pakistan’s cultural footprint abroad. Rooted in folklore and tradition, the film maintained a respectable 7.0/10 local rating and stood out as a win for cultural representation.
Not all releases fared well at the box office. The Martial Artist and Qulfi struggled amid a crowded Eid release schedule, collecting Rs45 million and Rs30 million, respectively.
While The Martial Artist received praise for its action sequences, Qulfi underperformed due to a weak narrative, reflected in its 4.5/10 rating. Their performance underscored a key industry reality that star power alone cannot compensate for weak storytelling in an era shaped by streaming platforms and informed audiences.
Overall, 2025 stands as a defining year for Pakistani cinema, marked by record revenues, genre experimentation, and growing global recognition.
The year signaled a new chapter for Lollywood, one driven by ambition, quality storytelling, and international relevance.
