Shah Rukh Khan’s next film King is still scheduled to release in cinemas on December 24, 2026, according to a report by Bollywood Hungama. The film had earlier announced the date through a special promo in January, but recent speculation suggested that it could move to 2027.
The latest report says there is no plan to postpone the film. If the date holds, King will bring Shah Rukh Khan back to the big screen after a three-year gap and place the film in one of the most crowded release windows of the year.
King to face a packed Christmas box office
The December period will include several major Hollywood titles. Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three are both scheduled for December 18, just a few days before King. Jumanji: Open World is also part of the same holiday season line-up.
Among these releases, Avengers: Doomsday is expected to be the strongest competitor in India. Marvel films have a wide audience in the country, and the source report notes that the box office response to Spider-Man: Brand New Day has again shown the demand for such films among Indian viewers.
Dune: Part Three is likely to target a more specific audience compared with the Avengers franchise, but it cannot be ignored. Dune: Part Two, released in 2024, collected Rs. 27.86 crore in India. The new film’s IMAX release is also expected to help its prospects, especially in premium theatres.
Jumanji: Open World brings a different kind of competition. The previous two films in the franchise earned more than Rs. 50 crores each at the Indian box office. The new film features Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan, giving it clear appeal for family and action-comedy audiences.
Why the India market may still favour King
A trade source quoted in the report said King would have an advantage in India because it is a Hindi film led by Shah Rukh Khan and also features other prominent actors. The source also said Avengers: Doomsday would be the most serious Hollywood challenge in the Indian market.
The bigger concern may be outside India. All three Hollywood films are large international releases, and that could make screen allocation more difficult for King in overseas markets. However, the report adds that Yash Raj Films is distributing King internationally. The trade source said YRF’s experience and goodwill could help the film secure suitable screens and show timings abroad.
Why a 2027 shift was not simple
The report also explains why moving King to 2027 may not have been an easy option. An industry insider said that if the film had skipped Christmas, it may have had to wait until after April or May.
The early 2027 calendar already has several major releases and events. Love & War is scheduled for January 21. The holy month of Ramzan begins in the first week of February. After that, Spirit is scheduled for March 5 and Varanasi for April 7.
By choosing Christmas 2026, King may have to share screens in the first week with Hollywood films. The advantage, according to the same insider, is that it is not expected to face fresh competition until Republic Day. If audience response is strong, that gap could help the film hold well after its opening period.
Single-screen owners remain cautious
The report also points to concern among some single-screen theatre owners. With several big films arriving close together, exhibitors may benefit from higher footfalls, but they also have to manage pressure from distributors and studios.
One theatre owner, speaking anonymously to the publication, said the period would be good for the box office but hoped exhibitors would not be forced to play only one film. The comment reflects a practical issue for single-screen cinemas, where choosing one title often means leaving out another major release.
For now, the key update is clear: King remains dated for December 24, 2026. Its release will come in a crowded holiday window, but the film’s Hindi market strength, Shah Rukh Khan’s overseas following and YRF’s international distribution will be central to how it performs against the Hollywood line-up.
Source: Bollywood Hungama.