Housefull 5 is the fifth film in Bollywood’s long-running slapstick comedy franchise, and it adds a cruise-ship murder mystery to the formula. It opened on June 6, 2025, with Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan as three men who each claim to be the same dead tycoon’s heir, and it shipped in two versions with different killers. It has been streaming on Amazon Prime Video since August 1, 2025.
The film arrived with enormous hype and left critics divided: most reviews were negative, while the box office was big but not a clear win. So is it worth the excitement? This guide covers the story, cast, the two endings, box office, critical reception, our detailed review, pros and cons, a scorecard, where to watch and FAQs, with no major spoilers.
Quick facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Release date | June 6, 2025 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | Comedy murder mystery |
| Director | Tarun Mansukhani |
| Writers | Farhad Samji and Tarun Mansukhani, with story and screenplay credit to Sajid Nadiadwala |
| Producers | Sajid Nadiadwala, Warda Nadiadwala, Firuzi Khan (Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment) |
| Runtime | 165 minutes |
| Versions | Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B, with different climaxes and culprits |
| Budget | 225 crore |
| Streaming | Amazon Prime Video, from August 1, 2025 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 13% positive from 15 reviews |
Source: Wikipedia for the production details, runtime and reception, and India TV for the streaming date.
Story and core concept
The film upgrades the traditional Housefull formula with a murder-mystery twist. A tycoon dies during his birthday celebration on a luxury cruise, and three men, all named Jolly, each claim to be his heir. A DNA test meant to settle the matter turns into chaos and another murder. Two hapless cops, played by Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff, are left to investigate.
How the formula changes
- Identity confusion. The franchise’s trademark mix-ups and mistaken identities now sit inside a whodunit, so every gag is also a possible clue.
- A closed setting. The cruise ship traps everyone together, which suits slapstick and suspicion.
- Three Jollys. Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan play the rival claimants, according to The Hollywood Reporter India.
- A murder to solve. The comedy of the first half gives way to a hunt for the killer, and the last act changes depending on which version you watch.
Spoiler note: this section covers only the setup. We do not reveal the killer or either ending.
Cast and crew
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Akshay Kumar | Julius (Jolly 3) |
| Riteish Deshmukh | Jalabuddin (Jolly 1) |
| Abhishek Bachchan | Jalbhushan (Jolly 2) |
| Jacqueline Fernandez | Sasikala |
| Sonam Bajwa | Zara Akhtar |
| Nargis Fakhri | Kaanchi |
| Chitrangda Singh | Maya |
| Soundarya Sharma | Advocate Lucy |
| Sanjay Dutt | Chief Inspector Bhidu |
| Jackie Shroff | Chief Inspector Baba |
| Nana Patekar | Superintendent Dhagdu Hulgund |
| Johnny Lever | Batuk Patel |
| Fardeen Khan | Dev Dobriyal |
| Chunky Panday | Aakhri Pasta |
| Shreyas Talpade | Shiraz Shabuddin Siliguriwale |
| Dino Morea | Bedi |
| Bobby Deol | Jalal Dobriyal (cameo) |
Cast list per Wikipedia.
Crew
- Director: Tarun Mansukhani
- Producer: Sajid Nadiadwala, with Warda Nadiadwala and Firuzi Khan, under Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment
- Writers: Farhad Samji and Tarun Mansukhani, with story and screenplay credit to Sajid Nadiadwala
- Music: Yo Yo Honey Singh, White Noise Collectives, Tanishk Bagchi, Kratex, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Sajid-Wajid, with the background score by Julius Packiam
- Distributor: Pen Marudhar
Housefull 5A vs 5B: the two endings
The film was released in two cuts, Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B. Each reveals a different killer in the final act, according to Wikipedia.
| 5A | 5B | |
|---|---|---|
| First two hours | Same as 5B | Same as 5A |
| Final stretch | One resolution and culprit | A different resolution and culprit |
| Where it streams | Prime Video | Prime Video |
According to Business Today, only the final 20 minutes or so differ, and the strategy was framed as a bid to encourage repeat viewing and make the theatre experience hard to replicate at home.
What viewers debate
- Which ending is better. Social media filled with memes and arguments about both versions.
- Whether it is a gimmick. The Hollywood Reporter India called the idea innovative, while Khaleej Times mocked it as having no logic.
- Which to watch first. Because most of the film is identical, the choice is mainly about which surprise you want first. Watching one and then reading about the other is a perfectly good plan.
Both versions are on Prime Video, so you do not need to pick a theatre showing.
Box office and social buzz
The numbers
The film opened to a big weekend and became one of 2025’s highest-grossing Bollywood films, but it did not recover its budget by every account. Per Koimoi’s closing report (July 2025):
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| India net | 198.41 crore |
| India gross | 234.12 crore |
| Overseas gross | 70 crore |
| Worldwide gross | 304.12 crore |
| Budget | 225 crore |
| Budget recovery | 88.18% |
Koimoi calls it a “losing affair” despite those totals, and says it was the second-highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2025 behind Chhaava, the only Housefull film to cross 300 crore worldwide, and Akshay Kumar’s fourth-highest grosser. Wikipedia lists a lower worldwide figure of about 242.8 crore as of July 7, 2025 and says Box Office India rated it an average performer. Figures and verdicts vary by source and by date.
So the fair summary is: a huge opening and big numbers, driven by the cast, the franchise name and heavy marketing, but not a clear hit against a 225 crore budget.
Social media buzz
- Memes and jokes filled social media after release.
- Ending debates about 5A and 5B kept the conversation going.
- Nostalgia for earlier Housefull films and their actors drove a lot of the interest.
Critical reception
Reviews were mostly negative. On Rotten Tomatoes, 13% of 15 critics were positive, with an average rating of 4/10, per Wikipedia. Critics frequently faulted the humour, the treatment of female characters and the dual-ending format. Praise went mainly to Akshay Kumar’s comic timing and the veteran cast.
| Outlet | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bollywood Hungama | 3.5 / 5 |
| Hindustan Times | 3 / 5 |
| Free Press Journal | 2.5 / 5, “an average watch” |
| Firstpost, Times of India, Filmfare, India TV | 2.5 / 5 |
| India Today | 2 / 5 |
| NDTV | 1.5 / 5 |
| The Indian Express | 1 / 5 |
| Khaleej Times | 1 / 5 |
| The Hindu, The Hollywood Reporter India | Negative, no star rating |
What critics agreed on
- Funny in bits. The Free Press Journal found the first half very funny and the second half weak.
- Long. At 165 minutes, several reviewers said it drags, and The Hollywood Reporter India said the mystery loses momentum.
- The police duo. Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff were singled out as memorable by The Hollywood Reporter India and the Free Press Journal, though Khaleej Times disagreed.
- The leads. Riteish Deshmukh and Akshay Kumar got the most credit, while Abhishek Bachchan was said to struggle with the comic tone.
- The music. The Free Press Journal said only “Laal Pari” stood out.
Our review
Housefull 5 is loud, crowded and eager to please. It takes a proven formula, adds a murder-mystery frame and two endings, and counts on star power and nostalgia to carry the rest. For fans of the franchise it delivers familiar territory. For everyone else it shows diminishing returns.
The concept
The upgrade is a good idea on paper. A tycoon’s death on a cruise, three rival heirs all called Jolly and a pair of clueless cops is a strong setup for farce, and a murder mystery gives the film a spine the earlier sequels lacked. The two-version gimmick adds a reason to talk about the film afterward.
The problem is execution. Reviewers said the mystery element is thin and the new twist cannot cover up tired humour and messy execution. The Hollywood Reporter India put it plainly: the execution falls short of the concept.
The humour
This is the make-or-break part. The franchise runs on slapstick, wordplay and mistaken identity, and the film has real laughs, mostly early. The Free Press Journal found the first half very funny and the second half a sharp drop-off. Others found the jokes repetitive or forced, and the treatment of the female characters drew repeated criticism. Expect a mix of hits and misses rather than steady laughter.
Performances
- Akshay Kumar (Julius). The biggest role and the biggest source of laughs, with exaggerated expressions and comic timing that critics credited even when they disliked the film.
- Riteish Deshmukh (Jalabuddin). One of the most consistently praised, with natural comic energy.
- Abhishek Bachchan (Jalbhushan). Reviews said he struggles to fit the film’s loud comic world.
- Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff. The cop duo gets some of the film’s best scenes, according to the Free Press Journal.
- The women. Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Chitrangda Singh and Soundarya Sharma have comic moments early but are largely decorative later, according to several critics.
- The veterans. Johnny Lever, Nana Patekar, Chunky Panday and others get a few good scenes, and some are underused.
Pacing and length
At 165 minutes, it is long for a comedy. The first half moves quickly, but the second half and the climax lose energy, and the mystery loses momentum.
Music and look
The songs, from several composers including Yo Yo Honey Singh and Tanishk Bagchi, are not a highlight. “Laal Pari” is the one that stands out. The cruise-ship setting gives the film a glossy backdrop, though Khaleej Times singled out the CGI ship and animals as a weak spot.
The two endings
The 5A and 5B idea is fun and gets people talking, but it only changes the last stretch, so it is not a reason to see the film twice unless you love the franchise.
Does it live up to the hype?
Not fully. It is easy to enjoy in a group with low expectations, a snack and some nostalgia. If you want smart comedy, fresh jokes or a tightly written story, you will likely be disappointed.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Star-studded ensemble | Uneven, often tired humour |
| Fun murder-mystery-on-a-cruise premise | Thin mystery and messy execution |
| Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh land laughs | Long at 165 minutes |
| Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff as the cops | Second half loses energy |
| Nostalgia for the franchise | Female characters get little to do |
| Two endings keep people talking | Forgettable music apart from one song |
Pros in detail
- A big comic ensemble. Three Jollys, a cop duo and a long list of veterans make for a lively cast.
- A fresh frame for an old formula. The murder mystery gives the farce a structure and a reason to keep watching.
- Strong comic moments from the leads. Akshay Kumar’s expressions and Riteish Deshmukh’s energy earn laughs.
- A memorable police duo. Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff have some of the best scenes.
- Nostalgia. Callbacks to earlier films work well for fans.
- A talking point. The 5A and 5B endings give viewers something to compare and argue about.
Cons in detail
- Tired jokes. Several critics found the humour repetitive or forced.
- A mystery that does not satisfy. The twist does not cover up the messy plotting, and the climax neither surprises nor gets laughs, per the Free Press Journal.
- Length. At 165 minutes it drags, especially in the second half.
- Wasted talent. The women and many veteran actors have little to do.
- Weak soundtrack. Only “Laal Pari” was singled out.
- A costly gamble. With a 225 crore budget, even big collections left it short of recovering costs by Koimoi’s count.
Our rating: 2.5 out of 5
| Category | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Concept and story | 3 / 5 | A fun frame, thin follow-through |
| Humour | 2.5 / 5 | Real laughs early, tired jokes later |
| Performances | 3 / 5 | Akshay, Riteish and the cop duo carry it |
| Direction and pacing | 2 / 5 | Too long, second half sags |
| Music | 2 / 5 | One standout song |
| Rewatch value | 2.5 / 5 | The two endings help only for fans |
| Overall | 2.5 / 5 | Fun for fans in a group, forgettable otherwise |
For comparison, major outlets rated it from 1 to 3.5 out of 5, and Rotten Tomatoes shows 13% positive.
Is it worth the hype?
Yes, if you want:
- nostalgia, ensemble chaos and classic Bollywood slapstick
- a group watch with friends or family and low expectations
- Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and the Housefull brand of silliness
- a comedy you do not need to follow closely
No, if you want:
- smart comedy, fresh jokes or a tightly scripted story
- a mystery that holds together on close inspection
- a short film, since it runs 165 minutes
In short, Housefull 5 delivers familiar territory with diminishing returns. The new plot twist cannot cover up tired humour and messy execution.
Tip: watch it on Prime Video where you can pause and skip. Both 5A and 5B are available, so you can sample the second ending without paying for a second ticket.
Where to watch Housefull 5
The film is on Amazon Prime Video, where it premiered on August 1, 2025, about eight weeks after its theatrical release, according to India TV. Both Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B are available. The same report says it was earlier available to rent and is now included with a Prime Video subscription.
Good to know
- It runs 165 minutes, so plan for a long evening.
- Availability and pricing can change and differ by country, so confirm in your own Prime Video catalogue.
- Watch one version, then the other, or read about the second ending afterward.
Final verdict
Housefull 5 is a big, noisy, star-packed comedy that does what the franchise always does, with a murder mystery and two endings on top. It earns some laughs, especially early and from Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and the cop duo, but it runs long and the new twist cannot hide the tired jokes and messy execution. At 2.5 out of 5, it is fun for fans watching with friends and forgettable for everyone else.
Did you watch 5A or 5B, and which ending did you prefer? Tell us in the comments, along with your favourite Jolly.
FAQs
When was Housefull 5 released? June 6, 2025, in theatres.
Where can I watch it? On Amazon Prime Video since August 1, 2025. Check your region for current availability.
What is Housefull 5 about? A tycoon dies during a cruise celebration, three men all named Jolly claim to be his heir, and a murder investigation follows with two bumbling cops.
Who is in the cast? Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan as the three Jollys, with Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Chitrangda Singh, Soundarya Sharma, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, Johnny Lever and more.
Who directed it? Tarun Mansukhani. Sajid Nadiadwala produced it.
What is the difference between Housefull 5A and 5B? The first part of the film is the same, but the final stretch reveals a different killer and resolution in each version.
Do I need to watch both versions? No. Watch either one. Both are on Prime Video if you are curious about the other ending.
Do I need to see the earlier Housefull films? No, but fans will catch more callbacks and nostalgia.
How long is it? 165 minutes.
Was it a box office hit? It grossed about 304 crore worldwide per Koimoi against a 225 crore budget, but Koimoi called it a losing affair and Box Office India rated it average. Other sources list lower totals.
What did critics say? Reviews were mostly negative. Ratings range from 1 to 3.5 out of 5, and Rotten Tomatoes shows 13% positive from 15 critics.
Is it suitable for kids? It received a U/A certificate after CBFC edits, but it contains adult-style comedy, so check content notes for younger viewers.
Will there be a Housefull 6? No sequel is mentioned in the sources we checked.
Needed to put you that very small word to be able to thank you so much once again relating to the nice information you’ve shared in this case. This is simply unbelievably open-handed of people like you to convey publicly precisely what many of us could have distributed for an ebook to make some money on their own, most importantly considering the fact that you could have tried it in case you considered necessary. Those suggestions likewise served to be a fantastic way to fully grasp that other people have the identical passion just as my very own to realize somewhat more with regards to this matter. I know there are many more enjoyable sessions up front for individuals who read through your blog post.
My husband and i were really glad that Jordan could round up his research through the precious recommendations he came across from your web page. It is now and again perplexing to just be giving out methods some others may have been making money from. So we consider we need the website owner to thank because of that. The explanations you’ve made, the simple blog menu, the relationships your site help to create – it is all awesome, and it’s letting our son in addition to our family reckon that this article is cool, and that’s unbelievably fundamental. Thank you for all!
you are actually a good webmaster. The website loading pace is amazing. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you have performed a magnificent activity in this topic!