Housefull 5 Advance Booking Report: Cold Response Continues Despite Franchise Backing

Despite being the fifth installment in one of Bollywood's most commercially successful comedy franchises, Housefull 5 has so far failed to generate the kind of pre-release buzz or advance ticket sales expected from a multi-starrer frontlined by Akshay Kumar.

Housefull 5 Pre-Sales Report

As of Wednesday 9:30 PM, the film has sold only around 31,000 tickets across national chains (PVR-INOX and Cinepolis). For context, this is significantly lower than recent releases like Fighter (which crossed 70K tickets sold in the same timeframe) or even Dunki, which was at 1.25 lakh by this point and opened to ₹27 Cr nett. The poor response is particularly alarming given that Housefull 5 is releasing during a major holiday period (Eid) and is part of an established comedy brand.

Domestic Box Office Outlook: Bleak Opening Predicted

With just a day left for release, Housefull 5 is tracking to open somewhere in the ₹18–22 Cr range, which would be the lowest opening for a major Eid release in recent memory. Considering the heavy reliance on mass circuits and family audiences, the slow start in national chains suggests that the film may struggle to gain momentum even with spot bookings.

What’s more surprising is the lack of response even with discounts and offers across ticketing platforms. Previous films in the franchise thrived on mass appeal and comic timing, but the underwhelming trailer and confused narrative structure (with Version A & Version B show splits) have left audiences cold.

Overseas Performance: Better Than India — But Not Good Enoug

Overseas, the film is performing slightly better — Australia alone has contributed A$45K in pre-sales, surpassing some of Akshay’s recent solo ventures. The Middle East, a stronghold for Eid releases, had potential but suffered due to poor show listing and confusion around multiple versions.

Yet, even internationally, Housefull 5 is tracking well below the threshold needed to be a break-even venture. With a theatrical recovery target of ₹350 Cr worldwide, and rights (OTT + Satellite + Music) already monetized at ₹135 Cr, the film still needs a miraculous run at the box office to avoid being a loss-making affair.

Verdict: A Cold Response for a Once-Hot Franchise

Akshay Kumar's post-pandemic box office track record continues to be a concern, and Housefull 5 seems no exception. While the music has found some traction, the lack of excitement in advance bookings points to a deeper disconnect between the film’s content and the expectations of today’s audience.

Unless word-of-mouth proves overwhelmingly positive, Housefull 5 may end up being another underperformer in what was once one of Bollywood’s most bankable franchises

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