Will 'Housefull 5' be a HIT or FLOP?

The 'Housefull' gang is back - louder, crazier and bigger than ever! It’s been 15 years of laugh riots, over-the-top characters and plotlines as twisty as a jalebi and now, 'Housefull 5' is charging into cinemas on 6 June.

With Akshay Kumar at the helm and more stars than a Diwali sky, the film’s already making waves with record-breaking advance bookings and a never-seen-before twist: two different endings! But will the madness still work, or is the joke starting to wear thin?With a sky-high budget and soaring expectations, this fifth instalment could be a franchise high... or a high-risk gamble. Let’s rewind and look at the franchise's box office journey so far to figure out what lies ahead. (All the box office collection numbers are according to Sacnilk)

The 'Housefull' journey: Laughter, madness and money

'Housefull' (2010)The film that started it all, 'Housefull', hit cinemas in 2010 and introduced viewers to a madcap world of mistaken identities, loud laughs, and over-the-top characters. Directed by Sajid Khan, it starred Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Lara Dutta, Deepika Padukone, and Arjun Rampal.

Though critics weren’t too kind, audiences lapped it up. The film earned Rs 75.65 crore at the Indian box office and grossed Rs 119 crore worldwide, making it a certified hit.'Housefull 2' (2012)Bigger, louder and more chaotic, 'Housefull 2' brought in more characters, more confusion, and more laughter. The cast expanded to include John Abraham, Jacqueline Fernandez, Asin, and Shreyas Talpade. The sequel performed even better, with an Indian net of Rs 112 crore and a global gross of Rs 188.4 crore.

Once again, a hit.'Housefull 3' (2016)By now, the franchise had established its formula: star-studded cast, slapstick comedy, and sheer madness. 'Housefull 3', directed by Sajid-Farhad, featured Akshay, Riteish, Abhishek Bachchan, Nargis Fakhri, Lisa Haydon and Jacqueline Fernandez. It collected Rs 110.2 crore in India and Rs 185.7 crore worldwide. Another successful outing.'Housefull 4' (2019)Taking things to a whole new level, 'Housefull 4' played with the concept of reincarnation, spanning two different timelines.

It boasted an even bigger cast with Kriti Sanon, Kriti Kharbanda, Pooja Hegde and Bobby Deol joining the mix. The film struck gold, earning Rs 210.3 crore domestically and a whopping Rs 296 crore globally. Labelled a "Super Hit", it became the highest-grossing film of the franchise.

The big question: Will 'Housefull 5' follow suit?

The buzz around 'Housefull 5' is undeniable. With Akshay Kumar leading the charge once again and a jaw-dropping cast of over 20 stars, the film is aiming to be the grandest instalment yet.Etimes spoke to Film Trade Analyst Girish Wankhede, “The 'Housefull' franchise has consistently proven to be a powerhouse in the realm of Indian cinema, captivating audiences with its unique blend of star-studded comedy, bold storytelling, and a knack for entertaining even in the face of critical scrutiny. Despite often receiving lukewarm reviews from critics, the franchise has managed to carve out a significant niche for itself.

”He adds that its signature over-the-top comedic style has become a trademark that fans eagerly look forward to.Housefull 5’s advance booking buzz‘Housefull 5’ is already making waves. As per Sacnilk, the film has raked in an impressive Rs 1.53 crore gross from advance bookings alone for its opening day, with 45612 tickets sold across 8516 shows. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.What really sets this release apart is the staggering block bookings tallying up to Rs 4.79 crore, pushing the total advance collection to a remarkable Rs 6.32 crore. Adding to the excitement is the franchise’s bold experiment of releasing the film with two different climaxes — a first in Bollywood history. So far, around 28,367 tickets have been snapped up for version 5A, while version 5B has attracted roughly 17,245 bookings. With three days still to go before the big release, these numbers are expected to soar even higher. This unprecedented advance booking frenzy not only reflects the strong fan loyalty but also hints that ‘Housefull 5’ might just pull off the biggest opening day in the franchise’s history.

Star power and multiple endings: A recipe for success?

Wankhede believes the film’s vast ensemble cast of over 20 stars, including Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Shreyas Talpade, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, and Chitrangada Singh, among others, will work in its favour:Girish says, “With 'Housefull 5', the excitement surrounding the franchise is palpable, fuelled by an impressive ensemble cast that boasts over 20 prominent stars.

This extensive star power not only draws in fans from diverse demographics but also amplifies the film’s visibility on a global scale.”But what’s truly unique this time around is the introduction of dual endings. Audiences will have the choice to book for either version 5A or 5B. “The anticipation is further heightened by the innovative concept of dual endings, a bold narrative choice that introduces an element of suspense and intrigue,” says Wankhede.This bold move could either be a genius marketing ploy or a gimmick. But if it works, it may bring audiences back for repeat viewings. “Sajid Nadiadwala’s decision to incorporate an alternate ending is particularly noteworthy, as it reflects a willingness to push boundaries and experiment with storytelling formats in mainstream cinema,” he explains. “If executed well, this could serve as a benchmark for future films.

”High stakes and higher expectationsThe budget for 'Housefull 5' is estimated between Rs 300 to Rs 400 crore, making it one of the most expensive Indian comedies ever made. With this kind of investment, expectations are sky-high.

The first weekend will be crucial. “Achieving this milestone requires a strong opening weekend, ideally exceeding Rs 150 crores. A box office opening in the range of Rs 25 to Rs 30 crores would be necessary to establish a solid foundation for the film’s overall performance,” he adds.Can lightning strike five times?'Housefull 5' has everything going for it: a proven lead actor in Akshay Kumar, a massive star cast, creative marketing, and the goodwill of a decade-long successful franchise. But Bollywood is in a phase where audience tastes are evolving rapidly. Viewers are no longer swayed by star power alone; content is king.

Final verdict: Hit or Miss?So, will 'Housefull 5' be another feather in the cap of this laugh-riot franchise, or could it be the first to stumble? While past performance suggests success, the high budget and high expectations mean the margin for error is thin. The film industry, like comedy itself, is unpredictable. All eyes are now on 6 June.