Top 10 Horror Movies In Telugu Exclusive May 2026
A recent gem, Shapitam (The Curse) uses horror as a device for a time-travel mystery. A family returns to their ancestral home, only to find that every night, a 200-year-old curse replays a violent murder. The film is notable for its high production value, lack of clichéd songs, and a twist that redefines the villain as a victim. It represents the mature, experimental phase of contemporary Telugu horror.
Telugu cinema, affectionately known as Tollywood, is globally celebrated for its grandiose spectacles, rhythmic song-and-dance sequences, and larger-than-life heroes. Yet, beneath this vibrant surface lies a chilling undercurrent: a rich, though often overlooked, tradition of horror cinema. Unlike the gore-saturated splatter of the West or the J-horror style of psychological dread, Telugu horror is uniquely rooted in its cultural landscape—steeped in folklore, karma , vengeful spirits ( Pisachi ), and the ever-present Deyyam (demon). While the genre has often been relegated to low-budget B-movies, a select few have transcended their limitations to become classics. Here is a curated list of the top 10 horror movies that have genuinely haunted the Telugu psyche.
A remake of the Tamil hit Maya , Gruham (The House) is a masterclass in minimalist horror. A father and his ailing daughter move into a peculiar house that seems to shift its geometry at night. The film cleverly uses the viewer’s perception, revealing that the horror is not supernatural but rooted in a tragic, time-looping dimension. Its non-linear storytelling and eerie silence make it a unique, cerebral entry. top 10 horror movies in telugu
Horror and comedy are a notoriously difficult mix, but Ohmkar’s Raju Gari Gadhi cracked the code. The plot involves a spirit trapped in a villa, seeking revenge against a reality TV show crew. What makes it work is its balance: genuinely creepy moments (the ghost’s backstory is tragic and terrifying) juxtaposed with sharp, situational humor. It revitalized the genre for modern audiences and spawned a successful franchise.
Before The Exorcist became a global benchmark, Kodi Ramakrishna crafted Mayuri , a film about a classical dancer whose body is taken over by the ghost of a jealous rival. The film’s power lies not in special effects but in the raw, physical performance of its lead. The unsettling transformation of a graceful artist into a snarling, possessed entity, combined with the eerie use of carnatic music, makes this a timeless nightmare. A recent gem, Shapitam (The Curse) uses horror
Long before Arundhati , Kodi Ramakrishna created this folkloric epic. Ammoru pits a benevolent village goddess against a sorcerer who conjures black magic and a terrifying Brahmarakshasu (a demonic spirit). The film is a visual feast of kumkum , fire, and ritualistic chanting. It is less about scares and more about the cultural fear of the occult, establishing the archetype of the “mother goddess” as the ultimate antidote to evil.
Mantra shifted the genre’s focus from external monsters to internal trauma. A young couple moves into a flat plagued by a malevolent spirit that feeds on domestic strife. Directed by Chandra Sekhar Yeleti, the film relies on suffocating atmosphere, brilliant sound design, and a slow-burn narrative. It stands as a testament to how Telugu horror can be intelligent, subtle, and deeply unsettling without relying on cheap jump scares. It represents the mature, experimental phase of contemporary
Before Mantra , there was Deyyam . Starring the legendary sound designer and actor, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, this film follows a man who begins to see spirits after a family tragedy. The genius of Deyyam is that it keeps the audience guessing whether the horror is real or a figment of the protagonist’s guilt-ridden mind. Its melancholic tone and tragic ending are unforgettable.