How Horror comedies continue to enjoy a strong Run at the Indian box office

Time of India

4 hours ago

Picture Credit: Facebook
Horror comedy films are popular, a genre that has spine-chilling thrills with rib-tickling humour. Once considered a niche or lowbrow genre, horror comedies have emerged as box office juggernauts nowadays.
Films like 'Stree 2', 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and 3' and 'Subham,' have raked in impressive earnings.
A box office bonanza
The year 2024 had some impressive Indian horror comedies, with films like 'Stree 2' and 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' shattering box office records. According to a report by trade analyst Sacnilk, 'Stree 2', directed by Amar Kaushik, grossed over Rs 857 crore worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Hindi-language film of 2024 and the ninth-highest-grossing Hindi film of all time.
The film's success, including a staggering Rs 200-crore collection in just four days, shows how the genre has found its newfound dominance.
Similarly, 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3', directed by Anees Bazmee, earned Rs 371–423.85 crore globally, securing its place as the second-highest-grossing Hindi film of 2024, despite competing with Rohit Shetty's 'Singham Again' during the Diwali season.
Even the smaller flicks, take 'Subham,' for example, produced by
Samantha Ruth Prabhu
, made her production debut, and found favour with audiences.
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Viewers have actually been raving about it online, calling it a solid horror comedy. The film has been praised by viewers as a good horror comedy with a crisp runtime and a message conveyed in a better way.
Now, flip to the other side, there's also anticipation for 'The Raja Saab', a Telugu horror comedy featuring superstar Prabhas. There has been a 41,256 square feet of haunted mansion set built, and the cast includes names like Nidhhi Agerwal and Malavika Mohanan.
The movie's dropping December 5, 2025.
Why horror comedy resonates with Indian audiences
Man, horror comedies have really hit a sweet spot with Indian audiences lately. Maybe a horror movie can be too much, too intense, but you toss in some laughs with some humour, and it sort of works like magic. As per a Times of India report, 'Stree 2' and 'Munjya' writer Niren Bhatt explains, "Horror has always been associated with disturbing your mind… But our films are family films, even five-year-old kids enjoy Munjya and Stree 2, and their success is the victory of good storytelling.
" These movies aren't just about jump scares; they're about good old-fashioned storytelling, which is why families keep flocking to theatres.
These movies don't just slap ghosts on the screen and call it a day. They dig into legends and urban myths. Take 'Stree 2' for example, straight outta Karnataka's "Nale Ba" legend, but with a modern twist and that whole "O Stree Kal Aana" vibe. 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' does its own thing too, pulling in Bengali folklore, with its haunted castle and mischievous priests.
Director Anees Bazmee, in an interview with the BBC, emphasised his vision: "I wanted them to be on the edge of their seats but never truly scared, like a roller-coaster ride—happy on the ascent, with a thrill of fear on the descent.
"
The genre's community-viewing appeal further enhances its success. Actor Abhishek Banerjee, who starred in both 'Stree' and 'Stree 2', told The Times of India, "Horror comedies are the best community viewing experience… It has fantasy, which is the in-thing after 'Baahubali,' and by adding horror and comedy, that's three genres in one film."
This trifecta of fantasy, horror, and comedy, combined with relatable small-town settings, has made these films a cultural phenomenon.
From 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' to 'Stree'
One can trace that back to 2007 when 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' hit the screens. Yeah, that one, Priyadarshan's take on the Malayalam original, 'Manichitrathazhu'. The film had some goofy laughs and horror moments, which got Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan to absolutely own their roles, becoming an instant classic.
As 'Munjya' director Aditya Sarpotdar noted, as per a BBC report, "Bhool Bhulaiyaa was our first horror-comedy success that established a successful formula." However, it was 'Stree' in 2018 that truly refreshed the genre. Its Rs 129.90 crore box office haul proved that horror comedies could be both critically and commercially successful.
The success of Stree made the way for the Maddock Supernatural Universe, which now includes 'Bhediya', 'Munjya,' and 'Stree 2', with upcoming films like 'Stree 3' and 'Thama' in the pipeline. 'Stree 2' features cameos from Bhediya's
Varun Dhawan
.
Producer Dinesh Vijan confirmed that 'Stree 3', featuring Akshay Kumar as the antagonist Sarkata, is already in development.
The upcoming 'The Raja Saab', directed by Maruthi, marks a significant departure for Prabhas, known for action epics like 'Baahubali' and 'Kalki 2898 AD'. Described as a "glamorous, entertaining, and colorful" horror comedy, the film will have supernatural elements, romance, and humour. The movie is all set to release at the end of the year.
Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor-Starrer Stree 2 Continues To Impress At The Box-Office