Cinema VinesShah Rukh Khan’s highly‑anticipated film King is set to hit Indian screens on December 24, 2026, sparking a fierce battle for holiday showings with Disney’s upcoming superhero blockbuster, Avengers: Doomsday, which opens a week earlier on December 17. According to sources, exhibitors are already preparing for a clash of titans as they negotiate screen allocations for the Christmas season.
Disney has reportedly begun booking screens for the epic crossover, aiming to secure a strict contract that guarantees a specified number of shows on Christmas Day. The studio’s strategy is to prioritize its superhero saga over other major releases, including Dune and Jumanji. In contrast, Pen Marudhar, the distributor behind King, is working to ensure the film receives a wide release on the holiday, with a focus on out‑shining the Hollywood blockbusters in terms of screen count.
Sources told Bollywood Hungama that exhibitors are bullish on King and are actively seeking a fair showcasing strategy that places the Shah Rukh Khan film above the combined screen share of Avengers, Dune, and Jumanji. The phrase “King Akela Hi Kaafi Hai” (King Alone Is Enough) has become the rallying cry for the film’s campaign, reflecting the confidence that the star’s return after a three‑year hiatus will draw massive audiences.
The competition is expected to intensify as both Disney and Pen Marudhar push for the widest possible reach. Exhibitors are reportedly prepared to negotiate aggressively, with the goal of securing the most screens for each distributor. The outcome of these negotiations will determine the holiday box‑office landscape and could set a new standard for showsharing during peak periods.
With the release dates firmly set—King on December 24 and Avengers: Doomsday on December 17—cinema owners and audiences alike are bracing for a blockbuster showdown. The drama will unfold over the next few weeks as distributors, exhibitors, and fans await the final screen allocations that could shape the holiday movie experience in India.
