Maddock Films has recently taken the Bollywood industry by storm with its innovative approach to creating a supernatural horror comedy universe. Known for producing unique content, Maddock has managed to carve a niche with its supernatural cinematic universe that blends horror, comedy, and Indian folklore in an engaging way. This universe, often referred to as the Maddock Supernatural Universe, is quickly becoming one of the most successful and profitable ventures in the Indian film industry.
The Beginning of Maddock’s Supernatural Universe
The Maddock Supernatural Universe began in 2018 with the release of the film Stree, starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao. Directed by Amar Kaushik, the film was inspired by urban legends and folklore, focusing on a ghostly figure, ‘Stree’, who haunted a small town. The eerie phrase “O Stree, Kal Aana” became iconic, and the movie’s blend of horror and comedy struck a chord with audiences nationwide. Despite no initial plans to create a universe, the movie’s success laid the foundation for Maddock’s supernatural world.
Stree was produced on a modest budget of ₹30 crore and turned out to be a massive hit, collecting ₹182 crore globally. The film’s success showed Maddock Films that there was a huge appetite for horror comedies in the Indian market, inspiring them to expand the concept further.
Expansion with Roohi and Bhediya
Three years after Stree, Maddock released Roohi in 2021, starring Janhvi Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, and Varun Sharma. Directed by Hardik Mehta, the film introduced a new ghost story involving a spirit that abducts brides. While it didn’t perform as well as Stree, earning ₹28.7 crore worldwide on a budget of ₹25 crore, it was still an important part of Maddock’s experiment with horror comedy.
In 2022, the universe expanded further with Bhediya, starring Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon. This film took the supernatural elements a step further, introducing a werewolf character inspired by Arunachal Pradesh folklore. Directed by Amar Kaushik, Bhediya had a slightly bigger budget of ₹60 crore but managed to generate ₹94.91 crore globally. Although it didn’t break the 100-crore mark, the film received positive reviews, solidifying Maddock’s supernatural universe.
Maddock’s Game-Changer: Stree 2
The real game-changer came in 2024 with the release of Stree 2, starring Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, and Abhishek Banerjee. As the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2024, Stree 2 not only continued the story of the original Stree but also expanded the universe by bringing in cameos from characters of Bhediya. Varun Dhawan’s brief appearance as the werewolf tied the two movies together, and surprise cameos by Akshay Kumar and Tamannaah Bhatia hinted at the growing scope of this universe.
Made on a budget of ₹50 crore, Stree 2 has been an astounding success, earning ₹737.25 crore worldwide within just 24 days of its release. The film’s India gross collection alone stands at ₹616.25 crore, with an overseas collection of ₹121 crore. This phenomenal success has not only made Stree 2 the highest-grossing film of the Maddock Supernatural Universe but also one of the top earners of the year in Bollywood.
Munjya: A Fresh Addition to the Universe
Released in June 2024, Munjya became the fourth installment of the Maddock Supernatural Universe. Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and starring Sharvari Wagh and Abhay Verma, the film explored a new supernatural creature created with CGI, inspired by Indian folklore. Unlike previous films, Munjya did not feature any crossovers with other characters from Stree or Bhediya, making it a standalone addition to the universe.
With a budget of ₹30 crore, Munjya performed exceptionally well, grossing ₹125 crore worldwide, including ₹120 crore from India. The film’s success further cemented Maddock’s hold on the horror comedy genre.
Maddock’s Road to 1000 Crore Mark
Maddock Films has already released five films under its supernatural horror comedy universe, including Stree, Roohi, Bhediya, Munjya, and Stree 2. With a combined budget of ₹270 crore, these films have collectively earned over ₹1,192 crore worldwide, making this universe an extremely profitable venture for Maddock.
The immense popularity and financial success of these movies have not only boosted Maddock’s reputation but also made it a trendsetter in Bollywood’s growing fascination with cinematic universes, akin to YRF’s Spy Universe and Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe.
Upcoming Projects: What’s Next for Maddock Supernatural Universe?
Maddock Films has no intention of slowing down. Currently, three major films from the supernatural universe are in the pipeline:
- Stree 3: The next chapter in the Stree series will see Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao reprising their roles. Given the massive success of the previous installments, expectations are sky-high for this sequel.
- Bhediya 2: Varun Dhawan is set to return as the werewolf in this highly anticipated sequel. With the positive response to the first film, Maddock is keen to explore this character further and expand the supernatural lore.
- Thamba: A new film titled Thamba, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, will introduce vampires to the universe. The storyline is set to explore new supernatural themes, adding another layer to the Maddock Universe.
Maddock’s 2024 Success Beyond the Supernatural Universe
Aside from its supernatural universe, Maddock Films has also seen success with other projects in 2024. Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, starring Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon, was made on a budget of ₹70 crore and has grossed ₹139 crore worldwide. This, along with Munjya and Stree 2, has brought Maddock’s total box office earnings in 2024 to over ₹1000 crore.
Maddock’s success has been driven not only by its ability to produce engaging horror comedies but also by its clever expansion into a shared universe that keeps audiences coming back for more. The blend of humor, supernatural elements, and a growing ensemble of beloved characters has created a winning formula that’s set to continue dominating the box office.
With more films on the horizon, Maddock Films is poised to redefine Bollywood’s approach to cinematic universes, proving that with the right mix of storytelling, creativity, and strategic planning, even horror comedies can become box office gold.
