Shah Rukh Khan’s King is set to open in cinemas on 24 December 2026, and the makers have held that date despite a crowded Christmas calendar. Here is what is confirmed about the release, the cast and the films it will face.
King release date
The release date of 24 December was announced in January 2026. After postponement rumours, Khan reconfirmed it during an Ask Me Anything session on X in September, and Red Chillies Entertainment posted the date again afterwards. Reports said the shoot was delayed after Khan was injured during filming.
Cast and director
Siddharth Anand directs, reuniting with Khan after Pathaan. Deepika Padukone and Abhishek Bachchan are listed in the cast, and Suhana Khan makes her big-screen debut. The film marks Khan’s first theatrical release in three years.
A crowded December
King arrives a week after Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three, which both open on 18 December. Bollywood Hungama also lists Jumanji: Open World among the Hollywood releases it will follow. Our Dune vs Avengers guide covers the IMAX split and runtimes for the 18 December pair.
There is competition at home too. Nagarjuna’s King100 has locked 24 December, according to Bollywood Hungama. Maddock Films’ Shakti Shalini was also announced for the same date earlier this year, so check whether that date still holds.
What is still unknown
- The runtime and censor certificate have not been confirmed in the reports we checked.
- Khan has teased a trailer update, but we could not confirm a trailer date.
- Advance booking dates and screen counts have not been announced.
What it means for Christmas
The Christmas weekend is traditionally one of the strongest for Indian cinemas, so screens will be contested. The Hollywood films will already have had a week by the time King arrives. How the screen split works out will only be clear once cinemas publish their schedules.
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Sources: Pinkvilla, Outlook India, Bollywood Hungama, Hollywood Reporter India, India TV, Free Press Journal, LatestLY.