SRK’s King Seeks More Screens Than Avengers, Dune and Jumanji
Pen Marudhar wants Shah Rukh Khan’s Christmas release King to take more screens than Avengers, Dune and Jumanji combined, while Disney locks in shows.
Christmas 2026 is turning into a screen battle before it becomes a box-office battle. At the centre is Shah Rukh Khan’s King, which opens on December 24, 2026 — his first big-screen release in three years. A week earlier, on December 17, Disney’s Avengers: Doomsday arrives in India.
Trade sources quoted by Bollywood Hungama say both distributors have started securing their holiday showcases. The difference is the size of the ask.
Pen Marudhar’s big screen ask
Distributor Pen Marudhar has reportedly reached out to exhibitors to secure the widest possible release for King. The strategy is sharp: prioritise the Shah Rukh Khan film “over Avengers, Dune and Jumanji combined,” with the tagline King Akela Hi Kaafi Hai.
“The idea is to showcase the film on every possible screen,” a source told the publication. That is a bold ask for a Bollywood opener standing up to a Hollywood franchise.
Disney’s counter-move
Disney has already begun booking screens for Avengers: Doomsday. A source says the studio is pushing for a strict contract that promises a specific number of shows for the superhero film on Christmas Day. Exhibitors are also described as bullish on the film and are working out how to give it a fair showcasing during the holiday period.
Why this matters
This is not just about two big films sharing a weekend. It is a test of how an Indian event movie can hold its space against franchise Hollywood.
- King — opens December 24, 2026, with Shah Rukh Khan back after three years.
- Avengers: Doomsday — opens December 17, 2026, with Disney locking shows early.
- The screen fight — Pen Marudhar wants King prioritised over three Hollywood tentpoles combined.
For audiences, the screen split decides how many showtimes are available at a convenient time. For the trade, it shapes opening-day collections and the first weekend narrative. A bigger share can give King a strong start; a tighter split can cap the Hollywood title’s holiday run.
What to watch
Exhibitors are likely to spend the next few weeks negotiating with Disney and Pen Marudhar. The final show-sharing plan will show up in advance bookings and screen counts. Keep an eye on the trade updates — because on paper, this is already a war of distributors.
Source: Bollywood Hungama
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