Within a day of its release, Kantara Chapter 1 has won hearts and dominated the box office. Rishab Shetty’s film, a prequel to the 2022 release Kantara, grossed ₹60 crore on its opening day, beating films like Saiyaara and Chhaava. With positive reviews pouring in, this folklore-based movie is already a massive hit with audiences. If you’ve watched it and can’t shake off the mythological trance it leaves you in, here are some of the best Indian folklore movies you should watch next.

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1. Pari

Anushka Sharma turned heads with Pari, a supernatural horror that doesn’t rely on jump scares but on an eerie blend of myth, bloodlines, and cultish practices. Drawing on Islamic folklore surrounding the demon Ifrit, the film reimagines the old tales in a modern, unsettling manner. It’s not your typical Bollywood horror; it lingers with you.

Where to watch: Prime Video

2. Kothanodi

Hailing from Assam, Kothanodi is based on folktales from the state’s famous Burhi Aair Sadhu (Grandma’s Tales). The film stitches together four stories that are both fascinating and grotesque, from a mother marrying her daughter to a python, to tales of strange fruits and supernatural births. This is regional cinema at its finest, unafraid to go deep into the dark corners of folklore.

Where to watch: SonyLIV

3. Tumbbad

A cult classic now, Tumbbad is a chilling fable about greed, set against the backdrop of a village cursed by the goddess of prosperity. With its gothic visuals and haunting creature design, the film creates an atmosphere that’s eerie and scary. If Kantara explored the divine and the spiritual, Tumbbad explores the darker side, exploring mankind’s insatiable hunger.

Where to watch: Prime Video

4. Odiyan

Set in Kerala, Odiyan draws on local legends of shapeshifters called “odiyans,” believed to transform into animals to terrify their enemies. Starring Mohanlal, the film mixes action with myth, delving into the fading world of these mysterious figures as modernity creeps in. This film shows folklore clashing with progress, and it makes for an intriguing watch.

Where to watch: Zee5

5. Bulbbul

Produced by Anushka Sharma, Bulbbul is a period drama drenched in folklore and feminist subtext. The story borrows from the figure of the chudail but reinvents her not as a monster, but as an avenger of injustice. With its crimson skies and Triptii Dimri’s brilliant performance, the film feels like a dark fairytale that flips patriarchal myths on their head.

Where to watch: Netflix

6. Jallikattu

While Jallikattu might not scream folklore at first glance, the film feels like a primal myth in motion. Rooted in Tamil Nadu’s tradition of bull-taming, it spirals into a wild allegory about mankind’s animalistic instincts. When a buffalo escapes from a butcher, the entire village gets together to capture it. But in this process, their own beastly instincts start to surface. Jallikattu was India’s official entry to the Oscars in 2021.

Where to watch: Prime Video

7. Paheli

On the lighter, more whimsical side of folklore lies Paheli. Shah Rukh Khan plays both a man and a ghost who falls in love with Rani Mukerji. Based on a Rajasthani folktale, it’s a colourful, magical film that plays with the idea of love, longing, and spirits. Unlike the darker entries in this list, Paheli treats folklore with a playful, almost fairytale-like charm.

Where to watch: Netflix

So, if you’re in the mood to lose yourself in myths, gods, ghosts, and legends, these are some of the best Indian folklore movies to watch.

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