If Tumbbad (2018) blew your mind with its haunting visuals, folklore-inspired story, and slow-burning horror, you’re not alone. Fans of Indian horror cinema often crave more movies that combine mythology, rural legends, and suspenseful storytelling.
Indian cinema has plenty of folklore-driven horror films that are more about mood, story, and human darkness than cheap jump scares. In this blog, we’ll explore Top Indian Horror Movies Like Tumbbad, including IMDb ratings, OTT platforms, release year, star cast, and why each movie is worth your time.
Bulbbul
Image : IMDb
MDb Rating : 7.4/10
Star Cast :
Triptii Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, Rahul Bose
Release Year : 2020
OTT Platform : Netflix
Bulbbul is a slow-burn horror set in 19th-century Bengal. The terror comes from atmospheric tension, folklore, and mystery, not jump scares. Prepare for a visually haunting experience rooted in Indian myths.
Why Watch :
The story of a child bride growing into a woman while mysterious deaths happen in her village is haunting and poetic. With themes of patriarchy, revenge, and folklore, it’s a perfect follow-up if you loved Tumbbad.
Stree
Image : IMDb
MDb Rating : 7.6/10
Star Cast :
Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi
Release Year : 2018
OTT Platform : Disney+ Hotstar
Stree is a horror-comedy based on the urban legend “Nale Ba.” The scares are subtle, drawn from cultural fears rather than CGI or jump scares.
Why Watch :
It’s a clever mix of comedy and suspense, exploring folklore with humor while delivering chills, making it a unique choice for fans of Tumbbad.
Pari
Image : IMDb
MDb Rating : 6.2/10
Star Cast :
Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Mansi Multani
Release Year : 2018
OTT Platform : Amazon Prime Video
Pari is dark and eerie. It’s not about loud scares; the tension comes from demonic possession, black magic, and a chilling atmosphere.
Why Watch :
Anushka Sharma delivers a haunting performance, and the story’s unique supernatural elements make it one of the most memorable Indian horror films like Tumbbad.
Bhoot: Part One – The Haunted Ship
Image : IMDb
IMDb Rating : 4.9/10
Star Cast :
Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar, Ashutosh Rana
Release Year : 2020
OTT Platform : Amazon Prime Video
The horror in Bhoot is slow, atmospheric, and suspenseful. Don’t expect cheap scares; the tension comes from a haunted ship and unfolding mystery.
Why Watch :
The movie is visually haunting, with a creepy premise and gradual tension reminiscent of Tumbbad.
13B
Image : IMDb
IMDb Rating : 7.1/10
Star Cast :
Madhavan, Neetu Chandra, Murali Sharma
Release Year : 2009
OTT Platform : Amazon Prime Video
13B is a psychological horror. It’s about suspense and mystery, not jump scares. Prepare for slow-building tension in a modern urban setting.
Why Watch :
A TV that mirrors reality creates creepy and clever horror, making it a standout folklore-infused horror film like Tumbbad.
Chhorii
Image : IMDb
IMDb Rating : 7.3/10
Star Cast :
Nushrratt Bharuccha, Mita Vashisht, Rajesh Jais
Release Year : 2021
OTT Platform : Amazon Prime Video
The film is slow, eerie, and suspenseful, relying on rural settings and cultural superstitions to generate fear.
Why Watch :
A pregnant woman facing supernatural horrors creates a gripping and intense folklore horror experience.
Bramayugam
Image : IMDb
IMDb Rating : 7.5/10
Star Cast :
Mammootty, Ananya Nagalla, Dhanush Raghumudri
Release Year : 2025
OTT Platform : Amazon Prime Video
The horror comes from family conflicts with a malevolent spirit, not typical jump scares. It’s more psychological and folklore-driven.
Why Watch :
Strong performances and haunting supernatural elements make it a must-watch for anyone who enjoyed Tumbbad.
Conclusion
Indian horror has always been more than just jump scares-it’s about atmosphere, culture, and stories that creep under your skin. Tumbbad showed us how powerful folklore-driven cinema can be, and the movies on this list continue that tradition in their own way. From the haunting poetry of Bulbbul to the raw cultural energy of Kantara and the eerie social commentary in Stree or Chhorii, these films prove that Indian horror has its own identity, far different from Western horror clichés.
For readers who want to explore more, don’t miss our guide on Upcoming Horror comedy You Must Watch and our feature on Exploring Indian Folklore Through Cinema. Together, these blogs give you a complete picture of how Indian horror has evolved-from classic psychological thrillers to modern-day supernatural sagas.