Rajinikanth mania is literally setting box office in North America on fire. According to Sun Pictures, the film’s premiere on August 13 set the stage for what would become a historic opening, earning a jaw-dropping $3.04 million on its premiere day.
This makes Coolie the highest-grossing Tamil film for premiere day earnings in North America, surpassing the previous record held by ‘Kabali’ ($1.92 million) by a massive margin.
‘Coolie’s box office collection in the US
The film has now registered the 4th highest collection for any Indian film in North America on premiere day, surpassing Devara’s $2.85 million and securing its place just behind ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, ‘RRR’, and ‘Pushpa 2‘ in the rankings.
The ‘Thalaivar’ starrer became the fastest Tamil film to hit the $3 million mark in the US, and its global advance bookings had crossed ₹100 crore well before its release. This success also tells us about Rajinikanth’s unmatched star power and the narrative that director Lokesh Kanagaraj tries to build.
Coolie not only broke the 8-year-old record set by Kabali but also became the first Tamil film to cross both the $2 million and $3 million marks in premiere earnings.
With sold-out showings in major North American cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Houston, the movie’s premiere took place on August 14, 2025.
Who are the actors in ‘Coolie?’
Driven by a potent combination of promotions, the nostalgic reunion of Rajinikanth and the legendary actor Sathyaraj (their first collaboration since Mr. Bharath in 1986), and Kanagaraj’s dynamic direction, fans and movie buffs alike came out in full force.
Beyond its box office success, Coolie provides a rich cinematic experience that combines action, passion, and fan service to tell a singular story and has received mixed reviews among Indian audiences.
Despite being a part of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), Coolie is a stand-alone movie that focuses on Rajinikanth’s magnetic mass appeal.
The movie’s star power is further increased by the ensemble cast, which includes Nagarjuna, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, and Soubin Shahir. Aamir Khan and Pooja Hegde also make cameos.