7 Malayalam Horror Films That Turned Into Box Office Giants

Pranav Mohanlal’s Dies Irae is smashing records at the box office. Directed by Rahul Sadasivan, the horror thriller opened to a phenomenal response, earning over Rs 10 crore worldwide on its first day, including paid previews on October 30. This marks a historic debut for a film in this genre and sets a new record for the biggest opening for an A-rated Malayalam film, surpassing the previous benchmark held by Unni Mukundan’s Marco.

Reports suggest Sumathi Valavu earned Rs 20.25 crore worldwide in just 10 days. Directed by Vishnu Sasi Shankar, the horror-comedy stars Arjun Ashokan, Malavika Manoj, Balu Varghese, Sidharth Bharathan, and Saiju Kurup.

Shaji Kailas’ Hunt is a successful horror drama starring Bhavana, Renji Panicker, Chandhunadh, Dain Davis, Anu Mohan, and Ajmal Ameer. The film follows a forensic student who becomes drawn into the chilling mystery of a woman’s disappearance and murder with unexpected help from supernatural forces.

Mammootty and Rahul Sadasivan’s period horror film crossed the ₹60 crore mark in just 20 days, becoming the third highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2024. Presented in a striking black-and-white format, it even surpassed the worldwide collections of Jayaram’s investigative thriller Abraham Ozler.

The horror-comedy Romancham became one of the biggest Malayalam hits of 2023, earning around ₹39 crore worldwide against a modest Rs 1.75 crore budget. Written and directed by debutant Jithu Madhavan, the film stars Soubin Shahir, Arjun Ashokan, Chemban Vinod Jose, and more, with music by Sushin Shyam and cinematography by Sanu Thahir.

Bhoothakalam is a critically acclaimed Malayalam horror drama that blends psychological tension with supernatural elements. Starring Revathy and Shane Nigam, the film explores grief, trauma, and eerie occurrences inside a haunted home. Directed by Rahul Sadasivan, it stands out for its atmospheric storytelling, minimal jump scares, and emotional depth.

Vishnu Bharathan’s Phoenix is a gripping horror thriller about a man who moves his family to a remote island village, hoping for a fresh start. Instead, they soon find themselves haunted by unsettling paranormal events that threaten their peace and safety. With mounting fear and mysterious forces closing in, the family is forced to confront a past they can no longer escape.