In a significant milestone for Indian cinema, the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) has officially crossed the Rs 1500 crore mark in global box office earnings. This achievement propels it past Rohit Shetty's established Copverse, making it the second highest-grossing Indian cinematic universe. However, the path to the top is still long, as Aditya Chopra's YRF Spy Universe remains the undisputed leader with a colossal Rs 3000 crore haul.
The New Contender: Maddock's Horror Comedy Dominance
The MHCU's recent surge is powered by the success of its latest Diwali release, Thamma. Starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, this vampire comedy has conjured an impressive Rs 205 crore worldwide. The universe, curated by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik, was formally announced at the Thamma trailer launch but retrospectively began with the 2018 cult hit, Stree.
The journey of the MHCU has been marked by both challenges and phenomenal successes. Bhediya (2022) faced headwinds due to the Covid pandemic, but the franchise found its footing again with the surprise blockbuster Munjya in 2024. The momentum skyrocketed with Stree 2, which became the highest-grossing Hindi film domestically, earning nearly Rs 600 crore in India and over Rs 884 crore globally.
Established Universes: Copverse and Spy Universe
Rohit Shetty is widely credited as the architect of India's first cinematic universe. His Copverse, officially announced with Simmba in 2018, retrospectively began with Singham in 2011. Despite recent instalments like Singham Again and Sooryavanshi underperforming due to stiff competition and post-pandemic lulls, the star-studded franchise has amassed a solid Rs 1411 crore worldwide.
Meanwhile, the YRF Spy Universe stands as the titan of Indian cinematic universes. With a massive collection of over Rs 3000 crore, it boasts franchises like Pathaan, War, and Tiger, featuring megastars Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Hrithik Roshan. Despite War 2 not meeting expectations, the universe's financial dominance remains unchallenged for now.
The Road Ahead: A Five-Year Plan for Supremacy
What sets the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe apart is its clear, forward-looking strategy. While the YRF Spy Universe has its next film, Alpha, delayed to April, Maddock Films has already laid out an ambitious roadmap for the next five years. This proactive approach signals a confident challenge to the established order.
The announced slate is packed with sequels and new horrors, ensuring a steady stream of content for fans:
- 2026: Shakti Shalini
- 2027: Chamunda and Bhediya 2
- 2028: Chhoti Stree
- 2029: Stree 3, Maha Munjya, and Pehla Mahayudh
- 2030: Doosra Mahayudh
Maddock Films celebrated the Rs 1500 crore milestone on social media, stating, "Chanderi se chaand tak, Maddock Horror Comedy Universe ka yeh safar rahega yaadgaar hamesha. Here’s to 1500 crore moments of love and gratitude." The battle of the Indian cinematic universes is heating up, and the horror-comedy genre has proven it is a formidable force at the box office.
