Housefull 5 on OTT: The ₹300 Crore Hit You Can Finally Watch

Well, the wait is finally over! If you missed the chaos in theaters or are just ready for a re-watch, the much-talked-about, polarizing, and ridiculously successful Housefull 5 has officially landed on OTT. The fifth installment of the massive comedy franchise is now available to stream on Prime Video, bringing its unique brand of madness right into our living rooms. After a huge theatrical run that saw it rake in some serious cash, this comedy-mystery is ready for its next chapter.

Key Highlights

• ✓ Housefull 5 is now officially streaming on Prime Video following its theatrical run.
• ✓ The film was a massive commercial success, earning over ₹300 crore at the global box office.
• ✓ It features a unique two-part structure (Housefull 5 A and 5 B) with the same story but different endings.
• ✓ The movie boasts a massive star-studded ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, and Riteish Deshmukh.
• ✓ Despite its box office performance, the film was polarizing and received heavy criticism for its humor and depiction of women.

A Cruise Ship, a Dead Billionaire, and Triple the Trouble

So, what’s the story this time around? The franchise is known for its over-the-top plots, and this one is no different. The entire fiasco is set aboard a luxurious cruise ship during the extravagant 100th birthday party of a billionaire named Mr. Dobriyal, played by the veteran actor Ranjeet. But, as you can probably guess, the celebration comes to a screeching halt when the billionaire suddenly and mysteriously dies right after naming his heir—a long-lost son named Jolly.

Here’s where the classic Housefull confusion kicks in. Not one, but three different men show up, each claiming to be the real Jolly. This trio, played by franchise regulars Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, and Riteish Deshmukh, starts a wild and chaotic race to claim the massive fortune. What follows is a whirlwind of slapstick comedy, mistaken identities, love triangles, and a completely bonkers investigation as everyone tries to figure out who the real heir is.

And believe me when I say the cast is absolutely stacked. It's a true "house full" of Bollywood stars. Alongside the main trio, the film features Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, and Nargis Fakhri as their girlfriends. But that's just the start! The ensemble includes heavyweights like Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Fardeen Khan, Shreyas Talpade, Nana Patekar, Dino Morea, Chitrangada Singh, Chunky Pandey, Johnny Lever, and even more familiar faces. It's the kind of cast list that just keeps on going.

💡 What's Interesting: To announce the OTT release, the star cast shared a hilarious video on their Instagram accounts, playfully promoting the film's digital debut. Prime Video's own post had the perfect caption: "A housefull of people have something to say."

The ₹300 Crore Juggernaut That Divided Audiences

Let's talk numbers, because they are seriously impressive. The film, produced under Sajid Nadiadwala's banner Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, was a powerhouse at the box office. Released in theaters worldwide on June 6, 2025, it went on to earn over ₹300 crore globally. Domestically, it comfortably crossed the ₹200 crore mark, proving that the franchise's appeal is still incredibly strong with the masses.

What's more, it even managed to win the box office battle against the much-hyped Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan collaboration, Thug Life. That’s no small feat. However, commercial success doesn't always mean critical acclaim, and that’s where the story of Housefull 5 gets complicated. The film was described as "polarising" and opened to very mixed reviews from both critics and the general audience.

The criticism was pointed. Many viewers complained that, for a supposed family film, it had a definitive "male gaze" and overtly sexualised its female characters. The humor also came under fire, with many calling out some of the jokes as "unsavoury" and even "racist." It seems the film's attempt at unapologetic comedy didn't sit well with a significant portion of the audience, leading to a huge divide between its box office numbers and its reception.

A Cinematic First: The Two-Ending Twist

Here's one of the most fascinating things about this movie, something that really sets it apart. The makers tried a bold cinematic experiment by releasing it in two parts: Housefull 5 A and Housefull 5 B. Now, these aren't sequels; they are two versions of the same film. Both parts have the exact same beginning and middle, but they feature completely different endings, revealing a different killer in each climax.

During the film's promotions, the makers revealed that this was a concept they had wanted to try for many years. It's a risky move, for sure, and one that adds a whole new layer to the murder-mystery element of the plot. It encourages repeat viewings and gives audiences a choice in how they want the story to conclude, which is pretty unheard of for a mainstream Bollywood comedy.

How Did the Critics Feel About It All?

As mentioned, the reviews were a mixed bag. The Hindu's review, for instance, didn't pull any punches. It noted that the director, Tarun Mansukhani, who comes from the "Dharma school" of filmmaking, "falters in carrying forward the unapologetic tone set by Sajid Khan" in the earlier films. The critique suggested that his approach was too "heavy-handed," which resulted in "diminishing returns" on the comedy front.

The review went on to use a powerful analogy, stating, "It is like descending into the gutter with the confidence that the clothes will remain unspoiled." It did, however, concede that the "strand of suspense thriller is more potent," but ultimately felt that the comedic elements didn't blend effectively with the mystery. This sentiment captures the overall feeling of many critics: the film had some interesting ideas, but the execution, particularly in balancing its genres and tones, left a lot to be desired.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. Housefull 5 is a film of contrasts. On one hand, it's an undeniable box office behemoth with a gigantic cast and a wildly ambitious two-part structure that smashed records. On the other, it’s a film that sparked debate and faced significant criticism for its content and comedic style. Now that it’s streaming on Prime Video, you can be the judge. It’s a wild, chaotic, and undoubtedly memorable entry in the franchise, for better or for worse.