Forget the YRF Spy Universe or Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe; it is Maddock Films’ bhoot-pret universe that is endearing itself to audiences these days. Following the surprise success of Munjya earlier in 2024, the Maddock Supernatural Universe, as it likes to call itself, has produced another major blockbuster in Stree 2. Already the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2024, this film is breaking records left, right, and centre, effortlessly outpacing its box office competitors – Vedaa and Khel Khel Mein. The race is completely dominated by Stree 2, and the question remains whether it can reach the INR 500 crore mark—a milestone that would be a much-needed boost for Bollywood in 2024, with most films struggling at the box office. ‘Stree 2’ Box Office Collection Day 6: Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao’s Film Nears INR 270 Crore Mark in India.
However, if you’ve been following my writing, you’ll know that I have always insisted that the box office is never a benchmark for the quality of a film. If it were, then Laapataa Ladies and Kill would have been record-breakers. Just because Munjya surprised trade pundits with its box office performance or because Stree 2 hit the bull’s eye and shattered records, that doesn’t mean they’ve done everything right. It doesn’t even say they are the best in the franchise.
In this feature, we rank all four horror-comedies in the Maddock Supernatural Universe from worst to best, not according to their box office performance, but on the quality of these films.
4. Munjya
A Still From Munjya
Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, Munjya is a fun movie with the most mischievous antagonist in the franchise. Abhay Verma and Sharvari Wagh are also incredible in the lead roles, and the influences of Konkani folklore and locales add a distinct charm to the proceedings. However, Munjya falters in its weak second half with elements borrowed from Stree, following a predictable pattern and offering no surprises or even good laughs (save for that post-credit scene). The stakes feel quite low, and at best, Munjya comes across as a decent watch with the potential to be much better. Munjya Movie Review: Humour and Horror Come in Half-Measures in Abhay Verma and Sharvari Wagh’s Supernatural Comedy.
3. Stree 2
A Still From Stree 2
Directed by Amar Kaushik, Stree 2 is possibly funnier than its predecessor, with higher stakes and a broader scope. It has a very entertaining first half, and the male gang of Rajkummar Rao, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee, and Pankaj Tripathi—particularly Rao, who is in stellar form here—shines. However, like Munjya, Stree 2 has a weaker second half that doesn’t fully utilise the strength of the group dynamics. While fun, the cameos feel more like fan service and can even be distracting, such as Varun’s in the climax. Also, Shraddha Kapoor, who looks ethereal, has a kickass fight scene, and dances like a dream, gets less screen time than the others. ‘Stree 2’ Movie Review: A Stellar Rajkummar Rao and a ‘Massy’ Shraddha Kapoor Are Electrifying Together in This ‘Laughs & Spooks’-Packed Sequel.
2. Bhediya
A Still From Bhediya
Directed by Amar Kaushik, this werewolf film had been the black sheep of the franchise, and it deserved much more love than it received at the box office. Slightly more serious than the other movies on this list, Bhediya still boasts the funniest gag of the franchise—the ‘Himesh Reshammiya’ howl. The VFX here is the best in the series, and the movie beautifully captures the Northeastern locales while delivering a strong message on land encroachment and corporatisation. While Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon are quite good in the movie and the ending is surprisingly poignant, Bhediya‘s biggest ace is its use of Abhishek Banerjee’s comic capabilities to the fullest while cleverly hiding his connection to the Stree Universe—until that surprise mid-credit scene. Bhediya Movie Review: Varun Dhawan-Kriti Sanon’s Film Gets Its Furry Kicks From Competent VFX, Scene-Stealing Abhishek Banerjee and the Funniest Himesh Reshammiya Joke.
1. Stree
A Still From Stree
When the first Stree movie came out in 2018, it had no universe-building ambitions. It felt contained and low-key, which worked like a magic trick for this horror-comedy, which skilfully blended its spooks and gags with feminist themes. The screenplay flowed more smoothly, the actors were impeccable in their comic timing, and nearly every major cast member had sufficient screen time. Stree 2 might have grossed multiple times more than Stree, but the first movie is still the better film of the two. Stree Movie Review: Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor’s Horror Comedy Delivers Big Time on Laughs and Frights.
PS: Haven’t considered the 2021 film Roohi in this list, despite being produced by Maddock Films. If the universe wants to forget this movie exists, why should we remind them?
(The opinions expressed in the above article are of the author and do not reflect the stand or position of Today News 24.)
(The above story first appeared on Today News 24 on Aug 21, 2024 12:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website todaynews24.top).