*Conqueror 2* Is Taking North America by Storm! $14 Million Sets a New Record

It blew up! It really blew up!

This week’s North American box office chart felt a bit like the scene right before a team fight breaks out. Conqueror 2 charged straight into third place. It opened in 987 theaters. Including preview screenings. It pulled in $14 million in its first week right out of the gate. What does that mean? It’s the best North American opening ever for a Bollywood film. The previous record holder was Pathaan in 2023, with $9.5 million in its opening week. Now, Conqueror 2 has kicked that bar even higher.

Here’s the key point. This film runs close to 4 hours. And it still managed to post an opening like this. Screen allocation, audience patience, word-of-mouth momentum—it all had to hold up. The distributor even said: "For a film that is four hours long, this is an unbelievable opening debut." And honestly, that’s not even an exaggeration.

But— A box office explosion doesn’t mean the reviews were all praise. Critics came in swinging, too. A lot of voices think Conqueror 2 moves too fast, like a pure action spectacle rushed out the door. The character and relationship groundwork laid in the first film has been heavily compressed this time, and the gripping gangster tension that once gave it bite has been replaced by a more blunt, direct expression of nationalism. Put simply, it feels more like a massive spectacle made specifically for die-hard fans.

Still, Ranveer Singh absolutely delivered this time. He continues playing the undercover agent. And the rare point of consensus in the reviews was basically all directed at him. Some even said outright that the film’s “only truly commendable aspect is Singh’s acting, as his performance reaches an entirely new level.” It’s like being in a chaotic team fight where everyone else is getting picked off, and only the carry is still mowing people down.

Now look at the overall market. Conqueror 2 wasn’t the champion. That spot went to Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling. The film debuted at No. 1 in North America with $80.50 million in its first week, setting the biggest opening in North America so far this year. It also pulled in another $60.40 million from 82 overseas markets, bringing its global total to $141 million. Amazon MGM really went big on this one, especially considering the film had a $200 million budget, plus an additional $3 million spent just to secure the adaptation rights.

What’s even more interesting is the trend. On one side, Conqueror 2 proves that the money-making power of Indian blockbusters in North America is still climbing. On the other, Project Hail Mary shows that the major studios haven’t backed off from pouring huge sums into theatrical tentpoles. Next up, Amazon is still holding the trump card that is 007, and it has already confirmed Denis Villeneuve to direct the new film—though the actor playing Bond and the release date still haven’t been announced.

My take is pretty straightforward. Conqueror 2 is like an emotionally maxed-out livestream. There’ll be a ton of comments flying by. And plenty of controversy, too. If you’re into action, star performances, and those “the whole crowd rises to its feet” kind of adrenaline-charged moments, this movie will probably be a blast for you. But if you care more about character arcs and tightly constructed storytelling, then you’ll want to lower your expectations first.

It’s crushing it at the box office. But it didn’t coast to an easy win on word of mouth. And that’s exactly what makes it such a hot topic right now.