The "found footage" style segments and the eerie depiction of the ghost Chandramukhi . 5. Prema Katha Chitram (2013) – Horror Comedy Done Right It is impossible to ignore the South Indian horror comedy genre, and this film is the best of the lot. Directed by J. Prabhakar, this is an official adaptation of the Tamil hit Yaamirukka Bayamey .
It isn't afraid to use modern VFX and loud sound design for jump scares, but it grounds the story in a tragic love story. The sequel, Rajugari Gadhi 2 , starring Nagarjuna, further expanded the universe, but the original remains the freshest. top 5 horror movies in telugu
The film pits her against the terrifying Pasupathi (Sonu Sood), a sadistic feudal lord who returns as a vengeful spirit. With its grand sets, haunting background score, and a climax involving a Yantra (mystical diagram), Arundhati set the gold standard for Telugu horror. It is terrifying, majestic, and unforgettable. The "found footage" style segments and the eerie
The raw, menacing portrayal of Pasupathi and the film’s atmospheric dread. 2. Maya (2015) – Psychological Slow-Burn From the director of Ghazi (Sankalp Reddy), Maya stars Nayanthara and Aari. Unlike typical jump-scare fests, Maya is a sophisticated psychological horror-thriller. The story follows a woman trapped in a bungalow with a mysterious little girl and a series of time-loops. Directed by J
Since Telugu cinema (Tollywood) has historically been dominated by action, drama, and romance, pure horror is a relatively niche but growing genre. This list focuses on films that genuinely tried to scare, thrill, or unsettle the audience, rather than those relying solely on comedy or CGI spectacle. When you think of Telugu cinema, you likely imagine high-octane hero entries, larger-than-life fight sequences, and vibrant song-and-dance routines. Horror, however, has often been treated as a side dish—usually a comic track featuring a bumbling ghost.
It feels like it could happen to your next-door neighbor. 4. Rajugari Gadhi (2015) – The Trendsetter for Modern Horror While Arundhati was a grand spectacle, Rajugari Gadhi (and its franchise) popularized low-budget, high-impact horror for the multiplex generation. Directed by Ohmkar, this film mixes a reality TV show setup with a genuine haunted palace legend.