Shah Rukh Khan’s next film King, has an official release date. The action thriller will hit Indian cinemas on December 24, 2026, marking the actor’s first theatrical outing since Dunki in 2023.
The date was confirmed by Khan himself after weeks of speculation that the film could be pushed due to a crowded Christmas box office. Here is everything known about King so far, including its cast, crew, story and the competition it faces on release week.
King Release Date Confirmed For December 24, 2026
Red Chillies Entertainment first announced the date through a title reveal video that carried the line “This Christmas, fear wears the crown.” Shah Rukh Khan later shared the announcement on his social media, writing that King is “ready to roar” in cinemas on 24.12.2026.
On September 15, 2026, Khan addressed rumours that the film might get delayed because of a Hollywood clash. He confirmed the date stands and revealed that the shoot had faced disruptions after he suffered a few injuries during filming, though he has since recovered and the film is nearly complete.
King Cast And Characters
King brings together a large ensemble cast led by Shah Rukh Khan. The film also marks the theatrical debut of his daughter Suhana Khan, who previously appeared in The Archies. The full cast includes:
- Shah Rukh Khan
- Suhana Khan
- Deepika Padukone
- Abhishek Bachchan
- Anil Kapoor
- Jackie Shroff
- Jaideep Ahlawat
- Raghav Juyal
- Rani Mukerji
- Arshad Warsi
- Saurabh Shukla
King also reunites Khan with Deepika Padukone on screen, a pairing fans have followed closely since a leaked clip from the Cape Town schedule showed the two shooting a beach sequence.
Director And Production Team
King is directed by Siddharth Anand, who previously worked with Shah Rukh Khan on Pathaan in 2023. The screenplay is credited to Anand along with Sujoy Ghosh, Suresh Nair and Sagar Pandya, with dialogues written by Abbas Tyrewala. Sujoy Ghosh is credited with the original story.
The film is produced by Gauri Khan, Siddharth Anand and Mamta Anand under Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures. Music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander and Sachin-Jigar, with Anirudh also handling the background score. Satchith Paulose is the cinematographer and Ruben has edited the film.
Distribution rights are held by Pen Marudhar for India and Yash Raj Films for overseas markets. King has been mounted on a reported budget of Rs 450 crore, making it one of the most expensive Hindi films to date.
Story And Shoot Details
King is being billed as a mass action spectacle. Going by the voice-over in the title reveal, Khan plays a mercenary who has lost count of the people he has killed and does not know how many were on the right side of the law. The tagline “Sau deshon mein badnaam, duniya ne diya sirf ek hi naam” translates to a man infamous across a hundred countries, known to the world by a single name, King.
Principal photography began in May 2025 across multiple international locations, including Mumbai, Warsaw, Gdansk and Cape Town. The shoot ran into delays after Khan sustained injuries during filming, forcing production to pause more than once, though the actor has confirmed he has fully recovered.
King Faces A Crowded Christmas Box Office
King’s December 24 release places it in the middle of one of the busiest weeks of the year at the box office. Avengers: Doomsday and Dune 3, two of the year’s biggest Hollywood releases, are both scheduled for December 18, just six days before King arrives in cinemas.
Despite the clash, Khan has stood by the date, and King remains one of the most anticipated Indian films of 2026 according to IMDb rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is King releasing?
King is releasing in theatres on December 24, 2026.
Who is directing King?
King is directed by Siddharth Anand, who previously directed Shah Rukh Khan in Pathaan.
Who is in the cast of King?
King stars Shah Rukh Khan, Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Jaideep Ahlawat, Raghav Juyal, Rani Mukerji and Arshad Warsi.
Is King facing competition at the box office?
Yes. Avengers: Doomsday and Dune 3 are both releasing on December 18, 2026, just before King arrives on December 24.