10 Best Indian Horror Movies Of All Time, Ranked

The horror genre transcends borders and languages. Each distinct society throughout the world has its own mythologies and horror stories, many of which often revolve around their respective belief systems and culture. While America and the United Kingdom have created some of the greatest horror movies ever made, India also has a strong pedigree of horror titles that can stand toe-to-toe with anything found in the Western canon.

India knows how to craft a solid horror film, and there are many great ones out there for movie buffs willing to find them. These are the best of the best.

10 Pari (2018)

A great directorial debut from Kolkata-born Prosit Roy, Pari is a fun supernatural horror movie about a strange woman named Rukhsana, who may not be of this world. Containing elements of demonic horror, Pari concerns a satanic cult that sexually assaults and impregnates kidnapped women with the offspring of an Islamic mythological demon named Ifrit.

It’s certainly a bizarre and troubling storyline, but a unique one in the horror genre and the movie also features an excellent lead performance from Anushka Sharma as Rukhsana. It’s worth watching for anyone looking for a good demon-based horror movie.

9 9 (2019)

A fun mix of science fiction and horror, 9 also contains some touching elements regarding father-son relationships. The “9” title refers to the number of days that a passing comet will disrupt all forms of modern technology, including electricity and phone service.

The movie is well shot and filled with some good visual effects work, but the real heart of the story lies in the father-son relationship between Dr. Albert Lewis and the eight-year-old Adam. It’s an inventive sci-fi horror movie with some affecting personal drama that is well-acted by leads Prithviraj Sukumaran and Master Alok.

8 1920 (2008)

Some of the best period horror movies include haunted houses, and 1920 belongs to this subgenre. Released back in 2008, the movie concerns a married couple who live inside a haunted house.

The movie runs at an extravagant 140 minutes, which is enough time to squeeze in a lot of great supernatural-based scares and some interesting character dynamics revolving around marriage. The movie was a huge success in its native India and spawned a franchise that now encompasses four movies, speaking to its palatability as a mainstream horror film.

7 The House Next Door (2017)

The House Next Door is a paranormal horror film with many effective scares that have the ability to both startle and unsettle. The story follows Krish and Lakshmi, a brain surgeon and his wife, who grow troubled once a rebellious teenager and her stepmother move in next door.

A series of disturbing paranormal events accost the teenager, resulting in a battle between good and evil as Krish and Lakshmi attempt to rid their house of the spirits. It’s an engrossing old-fashioned ghost story, and it’s sure to thrill anyone who enjoys good paranormal-based horror.

6 Kothanodi (2015)

2015’s Kothanodi is based on Grand Mother’s Tales, a very popular piece of Assamese literature that has been enjoyed since its publication in 1911. The book is a collection of folklore stories written by Assamese poet, Lakshminath Bezbaroa.

It would have proved quite difficult to adapt the book, given its legendary status in Assam. But through some good filmmaking and inventive re-imaginings of the classic stories, Kothanodi proves an enticing watch. While not a straightforward horror film, Kothanodi nevertheless contains some very difficult subject matter that is sure to disturb and unsettle.

5 Aamis (Ravening) (2019)

Aamis, English title: Ravening, debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019, garnering some very strong reviews. The story follows a content pediatrician named Nirmali, who meets a Ph.D. student studying Indian eating habits. The two quickly form a bond and soon begin experimenting with different types of meat. Before long, Nirmali develops an obsession with trying human meat.

It’s a grotesque storyline that will satiate even the most critical horror fan, drawing inspiration from the extreme movies of the ’80s that were banned for their violence and depraved content matter.

4 Mahal (1949)

Often credited as Bollywood’s first horror movie, Mahal is worth watching simply for its historical importance. Released back in 1949, the movie stars Ashok Kumar as Hari Shankar, a man who experiences visions and bizarre occurrences inside his new, abandoned palace.

The movie draws on themes of reincarnation while presenting a tantalizing mystery that is filled with both scares and tempting questions. The movie was enormously popular in its native India, turning gothic horror into a popular genre and making Madhubala a Hindi cinema icon.

3 Bhoot (2003)

Taking enormous influence from The Exorcist, Bhoot is a worthwhile addition to the malevolent demonic possession subgenre. This one concerns married couple Vishal and Swati, who move into a haunted apartment and begin to experience severe repercussions in the form of Swati’s possession.

The movie contains some solid possession-based scares and is led by a great performance from Urmila Matondkar (playing Swati), who won a Bollywood Movie Award for Best Actress. Her unnerving performance is bound to give any viewer chills.

2 13B: Fear Has A New Address (2009)

Aside from the rather silly name, 13B: Fear Has a New Address is a fun little low-budget Indian film. The film looks fantastic despite its obvious lack of money, working wonders with inventive camera angles and beautiful framing.

Madhavan also proves a capable leading actor, portraying a man who watches the future of his family through a telenovela that is playing exclusively on his television set. It mixes elements of J-horror with a unique storyline, resulting in an original horror film that is both horrifying and intellectually challenging.

1 Tumbbad (2018)

Tumbbad received its premiere at the 75th Venice International Film Festival, making it the first Indian movie to show at the festival. It speaks not only to the quality of the film, but also the emergence of Indian horror as a popular genre of film outside the continent.

The mythical story concerns the residents of Tumbbad, Maharashtra, who go against the orders of the Goddess of Prosperity and suffer a devastating curse. It’s a great Indian film with its roots in the country’s tradition that shows off some truly exceptional cinematography and bone-chilling scares, and it’s one of the country’s greatest horror exports.

About The Author

Nathan Sharp
(852 Articles Published)

Nathan Sharp is a writer from outside Toronto, Ontario. He has a love of movies and television, having enjoyed them for more than twenty years. His preferences include drama, action, and horror, with the former being a particular point of interest and fascination.

He also has a love of video games, particularly those of Rockstar.

Whether it be about film, television, or video games, Nathan loves a good discussion and has written hundreds of articles for Screen Rant.

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