It is true that people love to watch rom-coms, mystery, thrillers, action movies, and series but the genre of horror has a separate fan base. It is not about the language it’s about the quality and brilliance that the plot and storyline of a horror movie hold and portrays. The Tollywood industry is growing day by day with a huge fan following not just from India but around the globe as well. We have made the top Telugu horror movies list for you to watch.
What is Telugu cinema?
Telugu cinema, often referred to as Tollywood, is the film industry dedicated to producing movies in the Telugu language. The Telugu language is primarily spoken in states of India, namely Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
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Telugu cinema marked its commencement with the release of a silent film called Bhishma Pratigna in 1921. In 1931, the first Telugu talkie film Bhakta Prahlada was released which marked the official commencement of Telugu sound cinema.
Over the years, Telugu cinema has gained widespread popularity not just in India but in many parts of the world. Telugu cinema adds to the nation’s overall film production with a diverse range of genres, including horror.
The rise of horror in Telugu cinema
Telugu cinema which is part of the larger South Indian film industry has carved a niche for itself in the horror genre. Earlier there were very few Telugu horror movies. However, with its eventual success, the numbers have grown tremendously.
Telugu horror movies include a blend of all, from traditional ghost stories to more complex narratives. With innovative storytelling, cutting-edge technology, and unique cultural elements it is safe to say that, Telugu horror movies very well feed the the audience’s growing appetite for supernatural thrillers.
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5 reasons to watch Telugu horror movies
- Unique cultural blend
Telugu horror movies perfectly show a unique cultural blend that is uncommon. It often showcases elements like local folklore, traditions, and mythologies. - Innovative storytelling
Telugu horror movies explore diverse and creative narratives such as psychological thrillers, supernatural elements, and village hauntings that keep viewers engaged. - Horror-comedy fusion
Horror-comedy is a genre that is loved by current cinephiles and with films like Anando Brahma and Geethanjali, Telugu cinema offers the perfect scares with a dose of humor. - Stunning visual and sound effects
Modern Telugu horror films use the perfect VFX and sound effects that give a spine-tingling experience thereby elevating the fear factor. - Accessible through streaming
Platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime offer the majority of Telugu horror movies which helps and provides easy accessibility to global audiences.
So here is a list of the best Telugu horror movies that you should not miss out on:
1. Zombie Reddy (2021)
This is a perfectly well-crafted and amazingly fabricated film to hit the theatres. With something different than the usual cliche horror movies this crazy movie based on zombies is way too thrilling. The twists and turns, the screenplay, music, cinematography, and storyline are top-notch. A must-watch movie and one of the best Telugu horror movies in 2021.
IMDb rating: 6.6
Starring: Teja Sajja, Anandhi, Daksha Nagarkar, RJ Hemanth
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Director: Prasanth Varma
Where to watch: Jio Cinema
Box office collection: ₹12 croresÂ
2. Bhaagamathie (2018)
This sure is another amazing work of actress Anushka Shetty. With her amazing performance in the blockbuster and world-famous movie, Bahubali fans have equally loved her acting in this masterpiece as well. Each and every other character has also done pure justice to the movie. It is not just a horror movie but it also amazingly portrays the emotion of love and sympathy with great twists and suspense! Do watch.
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IMDb rating: 7.0
Starring: Anushka Shetty, Jayaram, Asha Sarath, Unni Mukundan
Director: G. Ashok
Where to watch: ZEE5
Box office collection: ₹36 crore worldwide
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3. Heza (2019)
This movie named Heza is one of the best and most straightforward movies you’ll ever see. It is about a musician and his wife who are haunted by an evil eye. With the genre of both horror and music, this movie sure will keep you interested till the end. You can watch this musical Telugu horror movie on amazon prime.
IMDb rating: 6.9
Starring: Munna Kasi, Mumait Khan, Nutan Naidu
Director: Munna Kasi
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Where to watch: YouTube
4. Deyyam (1996)
This movie sure belongs to the 90s but it still is very frightening and at the same time fun to watch. A family moves into the farmhouse and eventually, their son makes quite a bunch of friends. Fun fact are they really human? It sure is a must-watch and is among the best Telugu horror movies in amazon prime.
IMDb rating: 8.5
Starring: Â J.D. Chakravarthi, Jayasudha, Maheshwari, Jagan
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Director: Ram Gopal Varma
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
5. Jessie (2019)
This is definitely a 10/10 movie. The screenplay is very new and the storyline is never heard before. The journey of the professional ghost hunters and their paranormal investigation is way too thrilling. It sure will keep you glued to the seat till the very end.
IMDb rating: 6.7
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Starring: Ashima Narwal, Sritha Chandana, Atul Kulkarni, Kabir Duhan Singh
Director: Aswani KumarÂ
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
6. Prema Katha Chitram (2013)
This is another crazy horror movie with such an ‘out of the box’ plot. In this film, 4 friends decide to commit suicide together in a farmhouse because they cannot live with all their failures. But a ghost possesses one of them and disrupts their plan.
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IMDb rating: 7.1
Starring: Sumanth Ashwin, Nandita Shwetha, Siddhi Idnani, Anil
Director: J. Prabhakar Reddy
Where to watch: Disney + Hotstar
Box office collection: ₹20 crores
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7. Arundhati (2019)
Starring actress Anushka Shetty this is another gem of the Telugu film industry. The story revolves around Arundhati who really that she not just looks like her great-great-grandmother but also has taken a rebirth, being her. The story turns interesting when an evil magician tries to kill her and she fights him saving and bringing peace to her entire family.
IMDb rating: 7.3
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Starring: Anushka Shetty, Kaikala Satyanarayana, Sonu SoodÂ
Director: Kodi Ramakrishna
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Where to watch: Disney + Hotstar
Box office collection: ₹70 crore
8. Swayamvadha (2019)
Swayamvadha is a romantic horror film which is directed by Vivek Varma. It portrays the companionship in a relationship between a man and a woman in a beautiful way. The supernatural element in Swayamvadha makes this romantic horror movie amazingly thrilling. It is the best Telugu movie in 2019.
IMDb rating: 8.9
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Starring: Anita Rao, Aditya Alluri, Posani Krishna Murali, and Dhanraj
Director: Vivek Varma
Where to watch: YouTube
9. Mantra (2007)
If you want to watch a perfect pulsating movie then this can be your best bet. The central plot revolves around how nobody is willing to buy a bungalow for an orphan, which his father left behind. This film sure deals with the horror element in a big way! Do try the best Telugu horror movies in amazon prime.
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IMDb rating: 7.0
Starring: Charmy Kaur and Sivaji
Director: Osho Tulasi Ram
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Box office collection: ₹10 crores
10. Raju Gari Gadhi 2 (2017)
A perfect horror-comedy movie it is. It is about how three friends decide to buy off a resort so to run a business but they eventually realize some sort of paranormal activity does take place here. This film is very impactful and thought-provoking. It is one of the best rated Telugu horror movies.
IMDb rating: 5.3
Starring: Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Vennela Kishore, Rao Ramesh
Director: Omkar
Where to watch: ZEE5
Box office collection: ₹20.71 crores worldwideÂ
11. Vaishali (2011)
Vaishali was a huge hit back then when it was released in the year 2011. This movie is the dubbed version of a Tamil film named Eeram. The plot revolves around a police officer who investigates the suicide of his ex-partner. He believes that she could not possibly kill herself thus he seeks and unravel the mystery behind her death meanwhile also encountering thrilling events.
Starring: Sindhu Menon, Saranya Mohan, Aadhi
Director: Arivazhagan
Where to watch: SunNxt
12. Intlo Deyyam Nakem Bhayam (2016)
This film has such a fun storyline which definitely will leave you with moments where you’d laugh like crazy and at the same time it’d be very thrilling and scary. A man fakes being tantric and saves an orphan who lives with his love interest by fleeing the ghost. What is surprising is the ghost later starts following the tantric. Do give it a try!
IMDb rating: 4.5
Starring: Allari Naresh, Kruthika JayakumarÂ
Director: G. Nageswara Reddy
Where to watch: Disney + HotstarÂ
Box office collection: ₹5-6 crores
13. Avunu (2012)
Directed by Ravi Babu, Avunu is another hilarious gem of the Tollywood industry. It is all about a newlywed couple who moves into a haunted house. At first, nothing seems unusual but by the time some eerie activities start taking place eventually exposing a scary spirit of an evil serial rapist existing in the house. This one is super thrilling and a must-see from the Telugu movies horror list!
IMDb rating: 6.2
Starring: Harshvardhan Rane, Shamna Kasim
Director: Ravi Babu
Where to watch: Disney + Hotstar
Box office collection: ₹10-12 crores
14. Abhinetri (2016)
This is a very warming movie that brings Prabhu Deva with Sonu Sood after a long time and fans cannot stop gushing over it. This movie revolves around a man who wishes to marry a woman who is beautiful to look at and is also a celebrity. But his family marries him off to a simple village girl. But it’s the post-wedding realization that hits Krishna which makes him realize that his wife is actually possessed by a spirit who is an actress. A perfect comedy horror movie it is. Do watch.
IMDb rating: 6.0
Starring: Tamannaah Bhatia, Prabhu Deva, Amy Jackson, Ravi Khanna
Director: A. L. Vijay
Where to watch: ZEE5
Box office collection: ₹25-30 crores
15. Rahasmay (2019)
With a unique plotline and amazing acting, you definitely need to check out this underrated gem. Rahasmay is all about a keen filmmaker named Ravi who seeks to make a horror film. To get a first-hand idea about spirits and ghosts he makes a visit to a godman but things take an interesting turn when a ghost haunts him so that he could cast her in the movie. It is one of the best horror movies in Telugu list.
IMDb rating: 7.4
Starring: Akkineni Nageswara Rao, B. Saroja Devi
Director: Sagar SaileshÂ
Where to watch: YouTube
16. Anando Brahma
The story of Anando Brahma revolves around a group of people who stay in a haunted house and their comical encounters with supernatural elements. To say that it is fun and refreshing would be a sheer understatement.
IMDb rating: 8/10
Starring: Taapsee Pannu, Srinivasa Reddy, Thagubothu Ramesh
Director: Mahi V Raghav
Where to watch: ZEE5, Amazon Prime Video
Box office collection: ₹15 crores
To sum it all up, Telugu horror movies have evolved significantly, embracing diverse narratives, innovative storytelling, and engaging visual effects. Go watch these amazing Telugu horror films now!
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