Key Takeaways
1. This guide ranks India’s best horror by IMDb rating and votes.
2. The no 1 indian horror movie here is the top scorer on IMDb.
3. You also get bonus lists for Bollywood, Hindi, and South films.
4. All ratings and votes are snapshots from February 4, 2026.
Horror in India is big and bold. However, picking the right film feels hard. So, this guide gives clear answers with real numbers.
What this topic means?
This article answers one simple question. What are the top 10 indian horror movies of all time?
It focuses on India-wide films, not one language. Also, it uses IMDb rating plus vote count.
Many people type top 10 indian horror movie as a quick search. However, the best answer needs data. So, this list is data-led.
Why it matters?
A good horror film saves your time. Also, it sets your mood fast.
Ratings help because they reflect many viewers. Therefore, you avoid weak picks.
How I ranked these movies?
Here is the step-by-step method.
- First, I took the IMDb rating (out of 10).
- Next, I used vote count to break close ties.
- Then, I checked if the movie is clearly horror or horror-thriller.
- Finally, I wrote quick “best for” tips for each pick.
The ranked list
| Rank | Movie | Year | Language | Sub-genre | IMDb rating | Votes | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manichitrathazhu | 1993 | Malayalam | Psychological horror | 8.7 | 14K | 157 min |
| 2 | Tumbbad | 2018 | Hindi/Marathi | Folk horror | 8.2 | 73K | 108 min |
| 3 | Pizza | 2012 | Tamil | Horror thriller | 7.9 | 9.6K | 128 min |
| 4 | Bramayugam | 2024 | Malayalam | Folk horror thriller | 7.7 | 17K | 139 min |
| 5 | Eeram | 2009 | Tamil | Horror thriller | 7.6 | 2K | 164 min |
| 6 | Stree | 2018 | Hindi | Horror comedy | 7.5 | 47K | 128 min |
| 7 | Bhool Bhulaiyaa | 2007 | Hindi | Psychological horror comedy | 7.5 | 38K | 154 min |
| 8 | 13B | 2009 | Hindi/Tamil | Supernatural thriller | 7.4 | 11K | 142 min (Hindi) |
| 9 | Bhoothakaalam | 2022 | Malayalam | Psychological horror | 7.4 | 5.6K | 105 min |
| 10 | Arundhati | 2009 | Telugu | Horror fantasy | 7.4 | 4K | 131 min |
Movie-by-movie answers (why each one earns its spot)
1) Manichitrathazhu (1993)
Answer: It is the no 1 indian horror movie on this list by IMDb rating.
Best for: slow dread and mind games.
Key numbers:
- IMDb: 8.7/10 with about 14K votes.
- Runtime: 157 minutes.
- Legacy: It ran for about 300 days in many theatres.
- Impact: It got remade into multiple languages.
2) Tumbbad (2018)
Answer: It is the top Hindi folk horror by rating and votes.
Best for: dark myths and rich visuals.
Key numbers:
- IMDb: 8.2/10 with about 73K votes.
- Runtime: 108 minutes.
- Budget: ₹15 crore.
- Gross: ₹15.46 crore in the initial run, and ₹38 crore in re-release.
- Rough return: up to ~2.5x vs budget (using re-release gross).
3) Pizza (2012)
Answer: It is one of the cleanest horror-thrillers in Tamil cinema.
Best for: fast twists and tight suspense.
Key numbers:
- IMDb: 7.9/10 with about 9.6K votes.
- Runtime: 128 minutes.
- Budget: ₹1.5 crore.
- Gross: ₹8 crore.
- Rough return: ~5.3x vs budget.
4) Bramayugam (2024)
Answer: It is a modern folk-horror hit with strong audience scores.
Best for: eerie folklore and black-and-white mood.
Key numbers:
- IMDb: 7.7/10 with about 17K votes.
- Runtime: 139 minutes.
- Gross: over ₹85 crore (reported).
- Awards note: It earned major recognition in Kerala awards reporting.
5) Eeram (2009)
Answer: It blends emotion with dread in a smart way.
Best for: a horror thriller that feels different.
Key numbers:
- IMDb: 7.6/10 with about 2K votes.
- Runtime: 164 minutes.
- Release reach: it released in about 120 screens worldwide (reported).
- Status: it became a sleeper hit and later a cult favorite.
6) Stree (2018)
Answer: It proves horror comedy can still feel scary.
Best for: laughs, jumps, and crowd viewing.
Key numbers:
- IMDb: 7.5/10 with about 47K votes.
- Runtime: 128 minutes.
- Budget: ₹23–25 crore.
- Gross: ₹180.76 crore.
- Rough return: ~7x to ~8x vs budget.
7) Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007)
Answer: It is a top mainstream pick with a strong horror core.
Best for: family watch with chills.
Key numbers:
- IMDb: 7.5/10 with about 38K votes.
- Runtime: 154 minutes.
- Budget: ₹32 crore.
- Gross: ₹82.84 crore.
- Rough return: ~2.6x vs budget.
8) 13B (2009)
Answer: It is a smart “TV turned evil” supernatural thriller.
Best for: modern apartment horror.
Key numbers:
- IMDb: 7.4/10 with about 11K votes.
- Runtime: 142 minutes (Hindi).
- Budget: ₹12 crore.
- Box office: ₹23 crore.
- Rough return: ~1.9x vs budget.
9) Bhoothakaalam (2022)
Answer: It is pure atmosphere and anxiety.
Best for: quiet, realistic psychological horror.
Key numbers:
- IMDb: 7.4/10 with about 5.6K votes.
- Runtime: 105 minutes.
- Awards note: the lead performance won a Kerala State Film Award (reported).
10) Arundhati (2009)
Answer: It is a big-scale horror fantasy with strong visuals.
Best for: high drama plus supernatural action.
Key numbers:
- IMDb: 7.4/10 with about 4K votes.
- Runtime: 131 minutes.
- Gross: over ₹70 crore.
- Satellite rights: ₹7 crore (reported).
Quick checks for popular search phrases
If you searched top 10 indian horror movies, this list matches that intent.
If you wanted highest rated indian horror movies, the table shows ratings first.
If you want india’s top 10 horror movies across languages, this is it.
Also, if you only watch Hindi, use the bonus Hindi section below.
Bonus: top 10 bollywood horror movies imdb (Hindi-only)
This is a data-first top 10 bollywood horror movies list, based on IMDb snapshots.
It is also a helpful top 10 hindi horror movies of all time guide for Hindi viewers.
| Rank | Hindi movie | Year | IMDb rating | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tumbbad | 2018 | 8.2 | 73K |
| 2 | Stree | 2018 | 7.5 | 47K |
| 3 | Bhool Bhulaiyaa | 2007 | 7.5 | 38K |
| 4 | 13B | 2009 | 7.4 | 11K |
| 5 | Raat | 1992 | 7.0 | 1.5K |
| 6 | Raaz | 2002 | 6.6 | 5.1K |
| 7 | Pari | 2018 | 6.6 | (varies) |
| 8 | 1920 | 2008 | 6.5 | 4.7K |
| 9 | Bhoot | 2003 | 6.4 | 4.5K |
| 10 | Darna Mana Hai | 2003 | 6.3 | 4.8K |
This section supports searches like top 10 bollywood horror movies and top 10 hindi horror movies of all time.
However, the main list above is stronger for pan-India picks.
Bonus: top 10 hindi horror movies on hotstar (watchlist ideas)
Availability changes often. So, treat this as a starting list on JioHotstar.
Suggested picks:
- Stree
- Bhool Bhulaiyaa
- Laxmii
- Bhediya
- Bhoot Police
- Bhoothnath
- Bhoothnath Returns
- 1920: Horrors of the Heart
- Tantra
- Kali Kitaab
Bonus: Top 10 South Indian Horror Thriller Movies
If you searched top 10 south indian horror thriller movies, start here.
These are South-language horror or horror-thrillers with strong IMDb ratings.
- Manichitrathazhu (8.7)
- Pizza (7.9)
- Bramayugam (7.7)
- Eeram (7.6)
- Romancham (7.5)
- Pisasu (7.5)
- Arundhati (7.4)
- Bhoothakaalam (7.4)
- Maya (7.4)
- Demonte Colony (7.1)
Benefits and tips (pick the right horror fast)
- If you want “smart horror,” choose Manichitrathazhu or Bhoothakaalam.
- If you want “fast thrills,” choose Pizza or 13B.
- If you want “myth and lore,” choose Tumbbad or Bramayugam.
- If you want “fun fear,” choose Stree or Bhool Bhulaiyaa.
- Also, use vote count as a trust check. More votes often means wider testing.
Did You Know?
Manichitrathazhu ran for about 300 days in many theatres.
Also, it was remade into several languages, including a Hindi version.
Meanwhile, Tumbbad’s re-release gross is reported at ₹38 crore.
Conclusion
This guide answers the big question with numbers.
So, you get the top 10 best indian horror movies in one place.
Also, you now have Bollywood, Hotstar, and South picks too.
Finally, start with the top three if you want the safest choices.
FAQs
What is the no 1 indian horror movie in this ranking?
Manichitrathazhu is #1 here by IMDb rating and strong legacy.
Are these the highest rated indian horror movies?
Yes, this list starts from IMDb rating first. Then it uses votes for ties.
Is this the same as a top 10 bollywood horror movies list?
Not exactly. The main list is pan-India. However, the bonus Hindi table is Bollywood-focused.
Which movie is best for beginners?
Start with Stree or Bhool Bhulaiyaa. They balance fear and fun.
Which movie is the scariest with the least comedy?
Try Bhoothakaalam. It stays serious and tense.
Where can I find top 10 hindi horror movies on hotstar today?
Use the JioHotstar search and the “horror” category. Then check the watchlist ideas above.
