Best Telugu Horror Movies 2025 -
Director: Indraganti Mohanakrishna Where to watch: Sony LIV
This is an art-house horror. Story: A struggling painter in Vizag inherits a mansion, but only on the condition that he paints a portrait of a woman who died 100 years ago. Every time he paints her, his own face appears older in the mirror.
Why it’s great: It is a meditation on obsession. The scares are subtle—a brush moving on its own, the smell of wet paint in an empty room. It’s slow cinema, but the finale is a visual feast of psychological horror.
Horror meets Action Thriller
Starring Ashwin Babu, Shivam Bhaje represents the "Masala Horror" sub-genre that remains popular in Telugu cinema.
Director: Nag Ashwin (Producer role, debut director Vivek Athreya) Cast: Dulquer Salmaan, Sai Pallavi
Perhaps the most ambitious film of 2025, Maya Bazaar Z takes the concept of a "haunted VR game." In a near-future Hyderabad, a failed game developer uploads his consciousness into an AI that resurrects the characters of Maya Bazaar—but corrupted into violent, glitching monsters. The protagonist must survive a virtual reality where Ghatotkacha is a body-horror nightmare and Shashirekha is a weeping ghost.
Why it made the list: The visual creativity is unmatched. The film employs "glitch horror," where the environment repeats, textures disappear, and characters speak in reverse. Sai Pallavi plays a dual role—the real-world love interest and a corrupted game avatar—and the CGI to make her move like a broken marionette is Oscar-worthy. It asks a profound question: If an AI produces a ghost, is it still paranormal?
Best for fans of: VIDEO PALACE, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, and Suspiria (body horror aesthetics).
| Movie | Director | Lead | Why It’s Promising | |-------|----------|------|--------------------| | Gandarva Kona | Ravi Kiran Konda | Priyadarshi | Found-footage + forest folklore; teaser got 10M+ views | | Nirmala’s Room | Swarup | Regina Cassandra | Single-location supernatural thriller; produced by Suresh Productions | | 36 Vayasulo Bhayanakam | Venky Atluri | Nivetha Pethuraj | Horror-comedy with retro 80s vibe; targeting OTT release |
If you only have time for one film from this list, make it Golconda 1687. It is the most intellectually satisfying horror film Telugu cinema has produced in a decade. However, if you want to be purely terrified and want to sleep with the lights on, watch Nijam Cheppu with headphones in a dark room.
Don't watch alone.
Have we missed your favorite Telugu horror movie of 2025? Check local listings, as several independent low-budget horrors (Mrugam, Nalugu, Burra Katha) are currently doing the festival circuit and may release on OTT by early 2026.
Stay scared, Tollywood fans.
The year 2025 has been a standout for Telugu horror, moving beyond traditional ghost stories to embrace psychological depth, high-budget supernatural spectacles, and innovative horror-comedies. Top-Rated Releases of 2025
These films have garnered positive critical reception or strong audience buzz throughout the year. Kishkindhapuri
: Released on September 12, 2025, this horror-thriller stars Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas and Anupama Parameswaran. It follows a group of enthusiasts on a ghost tour of a vintage radio station who accidentally awaken a vengeful spirit. Critics praised its chilling atmosphere and solid performances.
: A major supernatural action-horror release from November 7, 2025, starring Sudheer Babu and Sonakshi Sinha. It blends ancient Indian folklore with modern rationalism, centered around the mystery of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Ghatikachalam
: Released on May 31, 2025, this psychological horror film stars Nikhil Devadula. It depicts a medical student battling a malevolent spirit haunting his mind, offering a more internal, character-driven take on the genre.
: Produced by Samantha and released on May 9, 2025, this film mixes horror with comedy. Set in the early 2000s, it centers on a cable TV operator whose wife begins exhibiting eerie, unrecognizable behavior every night at 9 PM. Most Anticipated & Upcoming
Several high-profile projects are slated for the latter half of 2025 and early 2026.
List Of Top Telugu Horror Movies 2025, 2024, 2023 - FilmiBeat
Best Telugu Horror Movies 2025: A Thrilling List
The Telugu film industry has been churning out some fantastic horror movies over the years, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats. As we look forward to 2025, here are some of the most anticipated Telugu horror movies that are sure to send chills down your spine:
1. Aara Kasi (2025) Directed by debutant Suman Pathuri, Aara Kasi is a supernatural horror film that revolves around a group of friends who discover a mysterious entity in their neighborhood. Starring Tejaswi Madivada and Varun Sandesh, this movie promises to be a thrilling ride.
2. Goddava (2025) Srinivas Chakravarthy's Goddava is a horror-comedy film that tells the story of a group of friends who are haunted by a mischievous spirit. With a talented cast, including Ali Faza and Pooja Ramachandran, this movie is sure to provide a perfect blend of laughs and frights.
3. Prema Ki Panchaayat (2025) Rohin Venkatesan's Prema Ki Panchaayat is a romantic horror film that combines elements of love, comedy, and horror. The movie features Sumanth and Eesha Rebba in lead roles and promises to be a unique take on the horror genre. best telugu horror movies 2025
4. Bhayaki (2025) Directed by Krishna Sriram, Bhayaki is a pure horror film that revolves around a group of friends who are stalked by a mysterious killer. With a talented cast, including Aadivasi and Samrat Reddy, this movie is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
5. Demon Within (2025) Rahul Ravipudi's Demon Within is a psychological horror film that tells the story of a man who is haunted by his own demons. Starring Ravi Teja and Shamna Kasim, this movie promises to be a thought-provoking and terrifying ride.
Honorable Mentions
These are just a few of the many Telugu horror movies expected to release in 2025. With a mix of supernatural, psychological, and horror-comedy films, there's something for every kind of horror fan. Mark your calendars and get ready to experience the best of Telugu horror cinema!
is a standout supernatural mystery thriller that blends ancient Indian folklore with modern rationalism.
Plot: Set against the backdrop of the sacred Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala, the story follows Shiva (played by Sudheer Babu) as he uncovers the mystery of sealed vaults and ancient rituals like the Pisachi Bandana.
Why it’s a Must-Watch: It features a powerful antagonist, Dhanapisachini (played by Sonakshi Sinha in her Telugu debut), and themes of spiritual awakening and greed. Critics praised its action-horror blend and high production values. Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video and ZEE5. 2. Kishkindhapuri Hailed as one of the finest horror thrillers of the year, Kishkindhapuri
is a cinematically curious film directed by Koushik Pegallapati.
Plot: A ghost walking tour takes a terrifying turn when a group enters an abandoned radio station in the eerie village of Kishkindhapuri, inadvertently awakening a vengeful spirit.
Highlights: Starring Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas and Anupama Parameswaran, the film is noted for its atmosphere of dread and "old-tech" scares. Reviewers highlighted the performance of Sandy as the ghost and the effective background score. Streaming on: ZEE5. 3. A Christmas 2025 release,
takes a unique approach by combining a 1980s setting with a sci-fi/supernatural twist.
Plot: In a remote, superstitious village, a meteor fall triggers a series of inexplicable and violent deaths. A geoscientist (Aadi Saikumar) is sent to investigate, only to find himself caught between science and an ancient evil.
What Makes it Unique: It avoids routine romance or songs, focusing instead on a simple concept of good vs. evil. Its atmospheric presentation and strong musical backbone made it a favorite for big-screen viewing. Streaming on: Available on Aha and BookMyShow. 4. Promoted as one of the most terrifying entries of the year, is a classic horror-thriller that tackles village myths. Director: Indraganti Mohanakrishna Where to watch: Sony LIV
Plot: Four childhood friends challenge a long-standing village myth, only to be stranded and hunted by supernatural forces that force them to confront their own rationality.
Standout Features: Starring Adith Arun and Hebah Patel, the film is known for its intense pacing and disturbing supernatural encounters. Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video. 5. Ghatikachalam For fans of the psychological subgenre, Ghatikachalam offers a more intimate and mind-bending experience.
Plot: A medical student (Nikhil Devadula) battles both his internal mental health struggles and a malevolent spirit named Ghatikachalam that haunts his mind.
Why Watch: It’s a compelling look at the intersection of psychology and the paranormal, directed by Amar Kamepalli. Streaming on: Aha.
: This film has been widely praised for its unique narrative structure, starting as a light horror-comedy before pivoting into intense psychological dread. Reviewers on IMDb highlight its chapter-by-chapter reveals and a shocking climax that keeps audiences on edge. The Rajasaab
: Directed by Maruthi Dasari and starring Prabhas, this high-budget film blends horror with romance and comedy. It is one of the most anticipated releases of the year, expected to deliver a grand cinematic experience with significant supernatural elements. Vishwambhara
: While primarily a fantasy thriller starring Chiranjeevi, this film incorporates dark, supernatural realms and intense thriller sequences that border on horror, making it a must-watch for fans of high-stakes genre blending.
: A suspenseful thriller with significant horror undertones, this film follows an investigative path that leads into dark, atmospheric territories. It currently holds a solid audience rating for its pacing and tension. Honorable Mentions & Anticipated Titles Akhanda 2: Thaandavam
: Though categorized as an action-drama, the sequel to Akhanda is expected to lean heavily into its supernatural and occult themes, providing the visceral "mass" horror experience the franchise is known for. Diés Iraé
: While technically a Malayalam-language production by Rahul Sadasivan (director of Bramayugam), its significant crossover appeal and dubbed release have made it a major talking point in Telugu horror circles for its high-quality production and folk-horror elements.
The year 2025 has been a transformative period for Telugu horror cinema, marking a shift away from standard horror-comedy tropes toward sophisticated supernatural thrillers and psychological narratives. Leading the pack are films like Kishkindhapuri , which revitalized the genre with atmospheric dread, and
, which effectively blended science with deep-seated superstition Top Telugu Horror Movies of 2025
The following films defined the genre this year, offering a mix of theatrical spectacles and engaging OTT releases. Horror meets Action Thriller Starring Ashwin Babu, Shivam
If you are analyzing the genre this year, three distinct trends stand out: