Kantara was a big hit, blending supernatural elements with rural traditions. Though not a horror film, its use of bhoota kola and magical realism creates strong emotions.
Vikram Vedha is a Tamil neo-noir thriller about a cop and a gangster, based on the Vikram-Vetaal legend. Directed by Pushkar-Gaythri, it also got a Hindi remake with Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan.
Kothanodi, based on Burhi Aair Sadhu, adapts four unsettling folk tales. It reveals dark secrets and bizarre rituals, depicting a world where child sacrifice and serpent marriages are normal.
This Lijo Jose Pellissery thriller follows a monk's quest for an evil spirit, exploring morality, aliens, and time-loops, blending international and regional elements.
Tumbbad stands out in Indian cinema with its cosmic horror and a unique myth about greed, depicting a family's dark quest for wealth.
Stree, featuring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor, is a horror comedy about a town haunted by a chudail and Rao's quest for romance amid fear.
Starring Dhanush, Karnan parallels the Mahabharata and is loosely inspired by the 1995 Kodiyankulam caste violence. Directed by Mari Selvaraj, it combines epic themes with real-life events.
Bulbbul delves into the chudail legend with a dreamy, musical style. Tripti Dimri’s praised performance masterfully balances innocence and vengeance in this memorable Indian horror film.
India's entry for Best International Feature at the 93rd Academy Awards, Jallikattu is a psychological horror that explores communal chaos over a missing buffalo, immersing viewers in rural life and madness.