The Tamil action-comedy Good Bad Ugly, starring Ajith Kumar and Trisha Krishnan, concluded its theatrical run in early May 2025, emerging as the highest-grossing Tamil film of the year. Directed by Adhik Ravichandran and produced by Mythri Movie Makers, the film delivered a robust performance at the global box office, cementing Ajith Kumar’s star power despite mixed critical reviews.
A Thunderous Opening and Record-Breaking Run
Released on April 10, 2025, during the Tamil New Year weekend, Good Bad Ugly opened to unprecedented fanfare, grossing ₹52.15 crore worldwide on its first day driven primarily by the Tamil version (₹28.75 crore), with the Telugu dubbed version contributing ₹1.15 crore. This marked Ajith Kumar’s biggest single-day collection, surpassing his previous films like Thunivu and Vidaa Muyarchi.
The film’s opening weekend was equally impressive, crossing ₹150 crore globally, making it the largest first weekend for a Tamil film in 2025. By the end of its first week, Good Bad Ugly had collected ₹136 crore gross in India, with Tamil Nadu leading the charge.
The film’s second week saw expected weekday dips, but it maintained momentum, particularly during the Good Friday holiday on day nine. The film’s third and fourth weeks saw a gradual decline, but it continued to draw crowds, especially in Tamil Nadu, ending its run with an worldwide gross of ₹248.51 crore.
The film’s domestic success was driven by Ajith’s loyal fanbase, and positive audience reviews and strategic holiday releases. The ensemble cast, including Trisha Krishnan, Arjun Das, Jackie Shroff, and Yogi Babu, added commercial appeal, while Adhik Ravichandran’s stylized direction resonated with Ajith’s core audience.
Overseas Performance of Good Bad Ugly
Good Bad Ugly resonated strongly with international audiences, particularly in markets with significant Tamil diaspora populations, but the film struggled to resonate in non-Tamil-speaking regions.
The film grossed ₹66.8 crore overseas by the end of its run, with standout performances in the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and the UAE.
Competitive Landscape and Industry Impact
Good Bad Ugly dominated the Tamil box office in 2025, surpassing Dragon (₹151.71 crore lifetime gross) to become the year’s highest-grossing Tamil film within five days. It also outperformed Ram Charan’s Game Changer (₹192.35 crore) by day eight.
The film faced minimal competition in Tamil Nadu during its initial weeks, with no major Tamil releases until Gangers (April 24) and Retro (May 1). However, it contended with Malayalam films like Bazooka and Alappuzha Gymkhana, which impacted its share in Kerala. Despite this, Good Bad Ugly’s strong word-of-mouth and Ajith’s fan-driven campaign ensured a robust theatrical run.
Comparison with Other 2025 Releases
Good Bad Ugly’s performance can be contextualized by comparing it with other 2025 releases:
- Vidaamuyarchi: Ajith’s previous film grossed ₹140.21 crore worldwide but was deemed a flop due to its budget. Good Bad Ugly outperformed it in four days, with a final gross nearly double, though it faced similar profitability issues.
- Dragon: Dragon, the previous top Tamil grosser of 2025, earned ₹151.71 crore lifetime. Good Bad Ugly surpassed it by Day 5, showcasing Ajith’s superior box office pull.
- Game Changer: Ram Charan’s Game Changer grossed ₹192.35 crore lifetime. Good Bad Ugly overtook it by Day 8, becoming the third highest-grossing Indian film of 2025.
Factors Behind Tamil Nadu’s Dominance
1. Ajith Kumar’s Star Power
Ajith’s mass appeal was the single biggest driver in Tamil Nadu. Known as “Thala,” his fanbase turned GBU into a cultural event, with fan clubs organizing first-day-first-show celebrations. His triple role and high-energy action sequences catered directly to fans, ensuring repeat viewership.
2. Festive Release Timing
The April 10 release coincided with Tamil New Year and a long weekend, including Ambedkar Jayanti and Good Friday. This timing maximized footfalls, particularly in rural Tamil Nadu, where single screens saw record crowds.
3. Strong Regional Marketing
Mythri Movie Makers and local distributors saturated Tamil Nadu with aggressive promotions, including trailer launches, fan meets, and theater decorations. Ajith’s personal appeal, amplified by his no-social-media stance, fueled organic buzz on X.
4. Loyal Fanbase
Tamil Nadu’s fans exhibited unmatched loyalty, sustaining collections through weekdays and ensuring GBU’s longevity. The film’s nostalgic nods to Ajith’s 2000s hits like Dheena and Citizen struck a chord, driving emotional investment.
5. High Occupancy and Premium Pricing
Tamil Nadu’s theaters maintained high occupancies, with premium ticket prices at multiplexes boosting revenue. Single screens in Tier-2 cities offered affordable pricing, ensuring accessibility.
6. Overseas Appeal
Strong performances in the UK, Malaysia, and UAE underscored Ajith’s growing international fanbase, though North America’s shortfall limited the film’s global potential.
Final Box Office Collection
| Region | Gross |
| Tamil Nadu | ₹153.71 Cr |
| Karnataka | ₹14.45 Cr |
| Andhra/TG | ₹6.33 Cr |
| Kerala | ₹5.27 Cr |
| Rest of India | ₹1.95 Cr |
| Overseas | ₹66.80 Cr |
| Total | ₹248.51 Cr |
Good Bad Ugly’s closing box office collections of ₹248.51 crore worldwide reflect its status as a monumental success for Ajith Kumar and Tamil cinema in 2025. The film’s post-theatrical streaming rights were acquired by Netflix for ₹95 crore, and it began streaming on May 8, 2025, in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam.
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