We have already established that South Indian movies are just as entertaining as Bollywood movies. While Bollywood hasn’t been able to deliver to our horror genre needs lately, the South Indian film industry seems to have perfected the art of making horror movies that will send chills down your spine. The most famous among them are Tamil Horror movies. The Tamil film industry, also known as Kollywood, has given us some of the best horror movies that even Bollywood has adapted into its versions. Let’s take a look at the 15 best Tamil horror movies that you should watch!
1. Maaya
Maaya, starring Nayanthara and Aari aarjunana, is a 2015 Tamil horror movie. The movie tells the story of a woman who gets haunted by a ghost that causes the death of people known to her. While the plot might not sound very scary, it’s the direction and the screenplay of the movie that make it 10 times scarier. The audience loved the movie for the subtle nuances that the director introduced in the movie. The actors too have done a brilliant job!
2. Pizza
The movie Pizza stars Vijay Sethupati and Remya Nambeesan in the lead roles and is a 2012 Tamil horror flick. It is the directorial debut of Karthik Subbaraj and we must say that he set standards high with this movie. Pizza revolves around the story of a pizza delivery guy who experiences bizarre occurrences at a house he goes to deliver pizza to. This sounds normal, right? Well, you need to wait for the ending. The movie has the most unthinkable, climactic ending ever and it is worth a watch!
3. Pisasu
Who says horror movies cannot have an emotional plot? This movie is a directorial masterpiece of the famous director Mysskin. The movie, while giving you terrifying chills, will also make your heart ache emotionally. A girl, who dies in an accident haunts the person who tried to save her to help him avenge her death. The blend of such contrasting elements with such perfection by the director has made it one of the best Tamil horror movies of all time.
4. Yaavaru naalam (13B)
All horror movie junkies would know this movie very well, and if you don’t, this is your sign to go watch the movie ASAP! The movie is the story of a family that movies into a new apartment. Soon their joy turns into worry when weird occurrences happen that try to tell them something. The movie is a completely captivating psychological thriller that you cannot and should not miss.
Demonte Colony is by far the most critically acclaimed and the best Tamil horror movie. It follows the story of 4 drunk friends who make the stupid decision of exploring a haunted bungalow. All hell breaks loose (literally) when one of them steals a diamond necklace from the bungalow. The movie is well made and the narration adds to the creepiness of the movie. The director has taken cliches to his advantage and made good use of them in the movie.
6. Eeram
Here is another emotional yet thrilling horror movie filled with suspense. The movie stars Aadhi and Sindhu Menon in the lead roles and narrates an emotional story with petrifying twists that will keep you on the edge of your seats. The technical aspects of the making of the movie are so well executed that the movie, despite having a seemingly usual plot will leave you intrigued. The director of the movie truly has magic in his hands for creating this piece of art.
7. Pillai nila
Pillai nila is a 1985 reincarnation-based Tamil horror flick. This movie was considered to be one of the most terrifying horror movies of its time. It delves into the story of Dolly who commits suicide when she is rejected by the married man she is in love with and gets reincarnated as the man’s daughter. Dolly then through the child tries her best to woo the man which leads all of them to be in a strange circumstance.
8. Kanchana
Kanchana is a Tamil horror comedy that also throws light on a very important social issue. The movie revolves around the possession of a young man by three ghosts who lead the man and his family to uncover a dark truth. The movie sends a valuable message and gives a platform to the issues of the transgender community. The movie was liked by the audience for its narration and screenplay and its ability to express such a vital message through an unusual medium. The movie was also remade in Hindi and named Laxmii Bomb.
9. Chandramukhi
Chandramukhi is the original movie from which Bollywood’s most beloved horror movie Bhool Bhulaiyya was made. You can only imagine how successful Chandramukhi would have been. The movie stars Rajnikanth, Prabhu and Nayanthara among others and is considered to be a Tamil classic. the story of the movie is well narrated and the developments in the movie are smooth and seem almost effortless. If you have watched Bhool Bhullaiyya, you should definitely check this movie out too.
10. Diya
Starring Sai Pallavi in the lead role, Diya is a heart-touching horror story of a woman who is forced to abort her child that was conceived before marriage. The movie takes a daunting turn when the ghost of the unborn child avenges her mother’s trauma. the movie was well-received by the audience for its strong plot and emotional content. The thrill and horror too are well-maintained throughout the movie making it a must-watch.
11. Orr Iravu
Orr Iravu is a horror documentary of sorts making it the first horror movie in India to adopt a different approach to the horror genre. It involves a paranormal investigator who inspects a haunted house to investigate the murder of a young man. The movie is a nail-biting thriller that will give you goosebumps.
12. Psycho
Psycho is a Tamil psychological thriller starring Udhhayanidhi Stalin, Nithya Emnen and Aditi Rao Hydari. Directed by Mysskin, the movie is not for the faint-hearted. It involves many grotesque scenes of blood and violence that are haunting and will not let you sleep. The movie is a visual treat and expresses human conflict in a very metaphorical way.
13. Thuneri
Set in the village Thuneri, this movie has everything that makes a movie a perfect horror flick. With the best jumpscares and eerie background music that will give you goosebumps, Thuneri is a must-watch that deals with a village ghost on a murder spree. It also contains some other ghastly subplots which will keep you engaged throughout the movie.
14. Andhagaaram
Andhagaaram is the directorial debut of Vignarajan who has exhibited excellent craftsmanship in the movie. The movie brilliantly handles the three subplots which unfold beautifully as the movie goes on. The jumpscares and the creepy music are usual, but the supernatural plot of the movie makes it an engrossing watch.
Well, this was our list of the best Tamil horror movies of all time! Horror movies are a genre where a director can showcase his true talent because these types of movies rely more on the direction than on the storyline. The directors of the above movies have done exactly that and have succeeded in making some of the most chilling horror movies out there!
Also read: 19 Best Bollywood Horror Movies That’ll Live Up To Your Expectations!