Looking for scary movies to watch this weekend? Well, look no further. Horror movies are often best enjoyed when watched alone, but in the case of the movies listed below, be cautious. The eerie setups could be more than you can handle. Mammootty has clinched the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his impactful performance in ‘Bramayugam’, a folklore horror thriller. If you are looking for more Malayalam movies that could deliver a similar chill, look no further. If Kodumon Potti’s eerie laughs still echo in your head, brace yourself for these five spine-chilling classics and modern gems. Watch at your own risk—and yes, keep the holy water within arm’s reach!
‘Bhoothakaalam’
If ‘Bramayugam’ haunted you for hours, wait until you watch ‘Bhoothakaalam’. From the same director, Rahul Sadasivan, ‘Bhoothakaalam’ revolves around a grieving mother and her troubled son. What begins as a home mourning a death soon spirals into chaos, where the line between reality and sanity blurs. Actors Revathy and Shane Nigam power this scary movie, which has equal emotional depth, making the eerie tone even more intense. ‘Bhoothakaalam’ will leave you questioning every shadow, so think twice before you watch it alone.
‘Winter’
Directed by Deepu Karunakaran, ‘Winter’, released in 2009, is a chilling horror thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The film follows Dr. Ramdas and his family as they relocate to a new house that is said to be haunted. Jayaram and Bhavana Menon play key roles in the film. Though the script has its shortcomings, ‘Winter’ will surely leave you wondering when the ghost will show up. The house and its surroundings set the perfect eerie tone.
‘Bhargavi Nilayam ’
Considered Malayalam’s first horror movie, ‘Bhargavi Nilayam’ is an adaptation of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s short story ‘Neelavelicham’. Directed by A. Vincent, the film features Madhu, Prem Nazir, and Vijaya Nirmala in the lead roles. The story revolves around a haunted bungalow called Bhargavi Nilayam. A novelist arrives at the bungalow to complete his next work and ends up researching the story of Bhargavi, the woman who haunts the mansion. Expect horror and thrills all at once.
‘Yakshi’
Helmed by veteran K. S. Sethumadhavan, ‘Yakshi’ is based on Malayattoor Ramakrishnan’s 1967 novel of the same name. The film revolves around a college lecturer who is researching Yakshis. A chilling psychological thriller with strong horror elements, the film stars Sarada and Sathyan in the lead roles. A piece of advice? Watch this movie at night!
‘Lisa’
Directed by Baby, ‘Lisa’, released in 1978, is one of the best horror thrillers in Malayalam cinema. The film features Prem Nazir, Bhavani, Seema, Jayan, Radha, and Vidhubala in the lead roles. From possession to exorcism, this film is guaranteed to give you the chills. ‘Lisa’ lingers long after the credits roll, and that’s exactly what makes it one of the finest horror films.
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