MovieWeb Picks: 15 Best South Indian Horror Movies to Watch (Updated Jan 29, 2026)

MovieWeb published an updated list on Jan. 29, 2026 — written by reporter and editor Adam Symchuk — rounding up 15 best South Indian horror movies to watch, noting the regional industries’ idiosyncratic take on the genre. The list highlights films such as Pisaasu (2014), directed by Mysskin and starring Naga as Siddharth, a violinist who witnesses a violent accident and then experiences strange events at home.

It also includes Kumari (2022), starring Aishwarya Lekshmi as a woman married into a family haunted by an otherworldly debt and an unborn child in danger, a film the article describes as blending Indian mythologies with Lovecraftian horror and a strong, atmospheric approach. Other entries emphasize traditional supernatural and psychological scares: Arundhati (2009) starring Anushka Shetty centers on reincarnation and an occultist spirit tied to an ancient royal clan; Chaarulatha (2012) features Priyamani in dual roles as conjoined twins and is adapted from the Thai film Alone; and the Kannada thriller U Turn (2016) follows intern reporter Rachana (Shraddha Srinath) as she investigates fatal accidents linked to illegal U-turns.

Symchuk’s roundup also covers horror-comedy and popular franchises: Aranmanai (2014) launched a haunted-mansion series, while Kanchana (2011) is cited as one of the most popular South Indian horror-comedy franchises that uses possession to reveal tragic backstories.

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