1. Tumbbad
Language: Hindi
Year: 2018
Director: Rahi Anil Barve
Starring: Sohum Shah, Mohammad Samad, Anita Date
It is difficult to make a list of the best Indian horror films without putting Tumbbad at the top.
The film takes inspiration from Indian folklore and mythology but creates a world of its own. At the centre is Vinayak, a man obsessed with the hidden treasure of Tumbbad and the terrifying entity associated with it.
What makes the film special is that the horror isn't just about a monster. Greed is the real monster. The film uses its supernatural mythology to explore how the desire for wealth can consume a person completely.
The rain-soaked locations, production design, sound and creature work create an atmosphere that feels unlike almost anything else in Indian cinema. The Indian Express praised it as a visually stunning and intriguing morality tale, while highlighting its themes of greed and human desire.
Why watch it: Incredible atmosphere, original mythology and one of the strongest horror worlds created in Indian cinema.
2. Bhool Bhulaiyaa
Language: Hindi
Year: 2007
Director: Priyadarshan
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Shiney Ahuja
Before the franchise became known primarily as a horror-comedy series, Bhool Bhulaiyaa delivered a surprisingly effective combination of comedy, psychological drama and supernatural horror.
Akshay Kumar plays a psychiatrist who becomes involved with a family convinced that their ancestral mansion is haunted. But the film gradually makes you question whether what appears to be a supernatural problem actually has a psychological explanation.
The movie works because it doesn't depend entirely on jump scares. Vidya Balan's performance as Manjulika is the centrepiece, while Akshay Kumar, Rajpal Yadav and Paresh Rawal keep the lighter portions entertaining.
The original film remains popular with audiences even today, with Times of India giving it 3/5 at the time of release and praising its combination of comedy and suspense.
Why watch it: Vidya Balan's unforgettable performance and an entertaining mix of horror, mystery and comedy.
3. 1920
Language: Hindi
Year: 2008
Director: Vikram Bhatt
Starring: Rajneesh Duggal, Adah Sharma
If you're looking for old-school Bollywood supernatural horror, 1920 is one of the films to check out.
Set during the British Raj, the story follows a newly married couple who move into a mysterious mansion. Things take a terrifying turn when the wife begins experiencing increasingly disturbing supernatural incidents.
The movie does have some melodramatic elements, but once the possession begins, it becomes much more frightening. Adah Sharma is particularly effective in the possessed portions, while Vikram Bhatt creates several memorable horror images.
Times of India praised the film's chilling second half and aesthetics, while criticising some of its weaker writing and climax.
Why watch it: Creepy atmosphere, possession horror and one of the more memorable supernatural performances in Hindi cinema.
4. Stree
Language: Hindi
Year: 2018
Director: Amar Kaushik
Starring: Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi
Stree proved that a horror movie could be genuinely funny while still having something meaningful to say.
Inspired by the Indian folk belief surrounding Nale Ba, the film is set in the fictional town of Chanderi, where a mysterious woman is believed to abduct men at night.
The horror becomes the starting point for a much bigger conversation about misogyny, fear and the way society treats women. At the same time, the film is packed with memorable comic performances from Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurrana and Abhishek Banerjee.
The Indian Express called it enjoyable for much of its runtime and specifically praised the dialogue writing and supporting cast, even while pointing out some unevenness in the second half.
Why watch it: Clever horror-comedy, fantastic supporting performances and a surprisingly sharp social message.
5. Haunted
Language: Hindi
Year: 2011
Director: Vikram Bhatt
Starring: Mahaakshay Chakraborty, Tia Bajpai
Haunted – 3D is for viewers who simply want a classic scary-house experience.
The film follows a man who travels to a mysterious property in Ooty and discovers that something horrific happened there in the past. What follows is a mix of possession, murder, revenge and supernatural scares.
Despite being marketed heavily around its 3D presentation, the interesting thing about the film is that several critics felt the horror worked even without the gimmick. The New Indian Express described it as taking the Indian horror genre “the extra mile” and praised its ability to create a genuinely eerie experience.
Why watch it: Straightforward supernatural horror with plenty of creepy sequences.
6. 13B
Language: Hindi/Tamil
Year: 2009
Director: Vikram K Kumar
Starring: R. Madhavan, Neetu Chandra
One of the smartest concepts in Indian horror belongs to 13B.
A family moves into a new apartment, but the strange things happening inside the building become increasingly difficult to explain. The real nightmare begins when the family discovers that a television serial seems to be showing events from their own lives — before they actually happen.
That's a fantastic premise, and the film uses it effectively.
Rather than depending on constant ghosts jumping out of cupboards, 13B builds dread through anticipation. You know something terrible is coming, but you don't know how or when.
Times of India gave the film 3.5/5, praising its ability to maintain suspense and its unusual approach to paranormal storytelling.
Why watch it: An original premise, strong suspense and horror that comes from the idea rather than just the jump scare.
7. Pizza
Language: Tamil
Year: 2012
Director: Karthik Subbaraj
Starring: Vijay Sethupathi, Remya Nambeesan
Before becoming one of Tamil cinema's most exciting filmmakers, Karthik Subbaraj made his feature debut with Pizza.
The setup is simple. Michael, a pizza delivery worker who doesn't believe in ghosts, finds himself trapped inside a mysterious house while making a delivery. What follows is a tense series of supernatural events that keeps changing the viewer's understanding of what's happening.
The film's biggest strength is its screenplay. It repeatedly makes you think you've figured things out before pulling the rug out from underneath you.
The New Indian Express praised its tight screenplay, performances and ability to move audiences through fear and relief, while calling it different and riveting. Times of India gave it 4/5.
Why watch it: Smart twists, clever storytelling and one of the best horror screenplays in modern Tamil cinema.
8. Pari
Language: Hindi
Year: 2018
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay
Pari isn't a conventional Bollywood horror movie, and that's exactly why it deserves a spot here.
Anushka Sharma plays Rukhsana, a mysterious woman who has spent much of her life isolated from society. The film gradually reveals the dark circumstances surrounding her existence.
The movie has plenty of disturbing imagery and gore, but its real strength is the emotional connection between Rukhsana and Arnab, played by Parambrata Chattopadhyay.
The critical response was mixed. India Today praised Anushka's performance and the film's willingness to experiment with horror, while also pointing out problems with the writing and ending.
Why watch it: Dark atmosphere, unusual mythology and a very committed Anushka Sharma performance.
9. Bulbbul
Language: Hindi
Year: 2020
Director: Anvita Dutt
Starring: Triptii Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, Rahul Bose
Bulbbul is less interested in making you scream and more interested in making you uncomfortable.
Set in colonial-era Bengal, the film follows a woman whose life is shaped by violence, patriarchy and the restrictions placed on her by the men around her. The supernatural element gradually transforms her story into something closer to a dark feminist fairy tale.
The film is visually gorgeous, with its striking red-and-blue colour palette and dreamlike imagery. But underneath the beauty is a story about power, abuse and revenge.
The Indian Express praised it as a powerful revisionist tale of a woman wronged, highlighting its precision, style and emotional impact.
Why watch it: Beautiful visuals, feminist themes and a completely different approach to Indian horror.
10. Raaz
Language: Hindi
Year: 2002
Director: Vikram Bhatt
Starring: Bipasha Basu, Dino Morea, Malini Sharma
For an entire generation of Bollywood audiences, Raaz remains one of the defining Indian horror movies.
The story follows a troubled married couple who travel to Ooty hoping to save their relationship. Instead, Sanjana begins experiencing supernatural events that reveal dark secrets connected to her husband and his past.
The film combines romance, mystery and horror, with Malini Sharma's ghostly presence becoming one of its most memorable elements. Its eerie atmosphere, songs and old-school supernatural storytelling helped make it a major success.
Times of India described it as a supernatural thriller built around a ghost story and romance, while the film remains widely regarded as a landmark in Hindi horror.
Why watch it: Classic Bollywood horror atmosphere, memorable music and nostalgia.
Which Indian Horror Movie Should You Watch First?
If you want serious atmospheric horror, start with Tumbbad.
For horror mixed with comedy, go for Bhool Bhulaiyaa or Stree.
For pure supernatural scares, 1920 and Haunted are good choices.
For clever, twist-heavy horror, 13B and Pizza are the ones to pick.
And for something darker and more unconventional, Pari and Bulbbul offer very different experiences.