Malayalam cinema boasts of some fine horror movies that are perfect for stormy nights — or whenever you like to watch scary cinema. Here, we are including the best of the best, so no matter which title you pick up, you are guaranteed a nicely creepy couple of hours. Here are the top 10 Malayalam horror movies on streaming platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video, and more for your pleasure.
This list features films like Devadoothan (2000), in which the great Mohanlal plays a musician with a mysterious past. And then there’s Bhoothakaalam (2022), made beautifully and yet criminally underseen, and which deals not just with the supernatural but also, in many ways, with mental illness.
Another film in the list is Bramayugam (2023). With another Mollywood legend, Mammootty, the film unravels a dark and disturbing tale of ancient curses and the horrors that lurk in the shadows of history.
These titles — and their scares — are waiting for you on streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video. So dim the lights, grab your bravest buddy (or a pillow to scream into), and get ready for a cinematic scare-fest you won’t forget anytime soon.
Also go through our list of finest Malayalam suspense thrillers to watch.
10 best Malayalam horror movies that will haunt your dreams
IMDb rating: 8.7
Directed by: Fazil
Cast: Mohanlal, Shobana, Suresh Gopi
Synopsis: Manichitrathazhu served as an inspiration for its Priyadarshan-directed and Akshay Kumar-led Hindi remake Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) and also remakes in Kannada, Tamil, and Bengali languages. The story follows a young woman called Ganga Nakulan (Shobana) who spends a summer at her husband Nakulan’s (Gopi) ancestral village. Despite warnings, they stay at the place and then things, as they say, begin to go bump in the night.
IMDb rating: 7.8
Directed by: Rahul Sadasivan
Cast: Mammootty, Arjun Ashokan, Sidharth Bharathan
Synopsis: Bramayugam is a horror movie that is all about ancient curses and the terrifying effects of buried secrets that come out all of a sudden. Mammootty delivers a strong performance in the movie, though go into the movie without knowing who his character really is. The film bears some striking similarities to Tumbbad (2018), especially when it comes to greed and the destructive consequences of cursed inheritances. And of course, there is a folk horror aspect in both movies. They are both also stunning-looking movies that will charm you with their visuals
IMDb rating: 7.7
Directed by: Sibi Malayil
Cast: Mohanlal, Jaya Prada, Janardanan
Synopsis: This is a hauntingly poetic film that brings Mohanlal playing the role of the renowned musician, Vishal Krishnamoorthy, invited to his former college to give a concert. Upon entering, strange events and eerie whispers propel him toward discovering a sad tale hidden within the institution’s history. Along with this quest, he confronts the ghost of a young woman whose life was met with mystery and betrayal. Devadoothan creates an experience that’s deeply emotional but eerie.
IMDb rating: 7.5
Directed by: Jithu Madhavan
Cast: Soubin Shahir, Arjun Ashokan, Chemban Vinod Jose
Synopsis: A horror-comedy film, Romancham is about a group of friends who, feeling bored, decide to play with a Ouija board — as you do. Their light-hearted attempts to call spirits soon go out of hand as an actual ghostly entity starts haunting them. Filled with witty dialogues, sharp humour, and most importantly, genuinely creepy moments, Romancham balances comedy and horror to perfection.
IMDb rating: 7.5
Directed by: Rahul Sadasivan
Cast: Shane Nigam, Revathi, Saiju Kurup
Synopsis: Bhoothakaalam is a gripping psychological horror which explores the contours of grief and trauma and traverses the border between reality and the supernatural. The film is based on the tale of a young man, Vinu (Nigam), who shift to an isolated house with his mother, Asha (Revathi). As things go usually in haunted house horror movies, inexplicable incidents start to unfurl their fragile world. But Bhoothakaalam is not your typical horror movie. Instead, it is an exploration of the psychological toll that loss and trauma can take.
IMDb rating: 7.3
Directed by: Santosh Sivan
Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kavya Madhavan, Manoj K. Jayan
Synopsis: A solid film with elements of supernatural nature as well as mythology, Anandabhadram is also rather pretty to look at. It chiefly follows a young man called Anandan (Sukumaran), who is a young NRI man. In the movie, he returns to India to fulfil the wishes of his recently-deceased mother to light lamps at a specific temple. He stays and comes to realise that the fantastical stories that his mother told him about his lineage of powerful magicians were not just stories. He becomes embroiled in a terrifying battle between forces of good and evil.
IMDb rating: 7
Directed by: Lijo Jose Pellissery
Cast: Chemban Vinod Jose, Vinay Forrt, Joju George
Synopsis: Churuli is a mind-bending, atmospheric horror film, defying genres. It’s the story of two policemen, who, while chasing a fugitive, reach a strange village where a series of uncanny events and an otherworldly atmosphere separate reality from illusion. Much like David Lynch’s works, Churuli creates a surreal experience that plays around time and perception. This haunting vision and the depth of the psyche of the movie made it a spine-chilling experience.
IMDb rating: 6.6
Directed by: Jay.k
Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Priya Anand, Tovino Thomas
Synopsis: This supernatural thriller centres around Ranjan (Sukumaran) and Priya (Anand), a couple who shift into an old house in Kochi, where they are haunted by a malevolent spirit tied to a mysterious Jewish box. The story unfolds with the dark history of the box leading them into a battle against time and the supernatural.
9
/10
Aakasha Ganga (1999)
IMDb rating: 6.3
Directed by: Vinayan
Cast: Divyaa Unni, Mayoori, Riyaz Pathanapuram
Synopsis: Akasha Ganga is a supernatural horror movie where eerie suspense has been mingled with a tragic family story. The film deals with the life of a young woman named Ganga (Unni) who has been cursed by an ancient spirit. The reason behind this curse lies in her family’s past violence, the betrayal of her father, and the wrath of the vengeful spirit. When Ganga becomes an adult, she inherits the same curse, and strange things start to happen in front of her eyes.
IMDb rating: 6
Directed by: Jofin T. Chacko
Cast: Mammootty, Nikhila Vimal, Manju Warrier
Synopsis: A priest called Father Carmen Benedict (Mammootty) is a man who has a knack for solving mysteries of supernatural nature. In the latest mystery he is recruited to solve, there has been a series of suicides. He takes the job and invites the ire of dark forces. The film features a superb Mammootty performance. There is a compellingly dark atmosphere and the visuals capture the fear we all have about dark and unknown.
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Manichitrathazhu (1993) is often considered the best Malayalam horror movie, thanks to its perfect blend of supernatural elements and psychological drama.
The “No. 1” horror movie can vary based on personal preferences, but Manichitrathazhu is widely regarded as a top contender in the Malayalam horror genre.
Bhoothakaalam (2022) is considered one of the scariest Malayalam horror films, blending psychological horror with supernatural elements in a deeply unsettling narrative.
Bhargavi Nilayam (1964) is often credited with being one of the first Malayalam films to have elements of horror.
