Creeping dread and dark secrets: Supernatural thrillers you can’t look away from

Supernatural thrillers work best when fear creeps in quietly. Instead of relying on loud jump scares, these films build tension through atmosphere, grief, silence, and the unsettling feeling that something unseen is always watching. 

Ordinary people find themselves trapped in extraordinary situations, where curiosity opens doors better left closed. From Indian horror gems to internationally acclaimed classics, here are some supernatural thrillers that promise a nail-biting experience—starting with Indian films that master slow-burn fear.

Also Read: 7 psychological horror thrillers that disturb the mind long after the movie ends

13B: Fear Has a New Address

Platform: YouTube

13B: Fear Has a New Address follows Manohar (R Madhavan), a middle-class man who moves into apartment 13B with his family. Life appears normal until they begin watching a TV serial called Yavarum Nalam. Manohar soon realises the show is mirroring events inside his own home—before they actually happen.

As each episode predicts something terrifying, fear slowly seeps into everyday family life. What begins as curiosity turns into a desperate attempt to uncover the building’s dark past. The film excels at turning familiar domestic spaces into sources of dread, building tension steadily toward a chilling climax.

Pizza (2012) 

Platform: JioHotstar

In Pizza, Michael Karthikeyan (Vijay Sethupathi) is a pizza delivery boy who doesn’t believe in ghosts, unlike his girlfriend Anu, who is fascinated by the paranormal. One night, Michael is sent to deliver an order to an isolated bungalow.

What should have been a routine delivery becomes a terrifying ordeal as strange events trap him inside the house. The film cleverly plays with perception, constantly shifting between the supernatural and logical explanations. Packed with twists, Pizza keeps viewers guessing until its final moments.

Talk to Me

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

Talk to Me centres on Mia (Sophie Wilde), a teenager struggling with grief after her mother’s death. She and her friends discover an embalmed hand that allows them to communicate with spirits by holding it and saying, “Talk to me.”

What begins as a party thrill quickly turns dangerous when Mia believes she has contacted her mother’s spirit. As possessions grow violent and rules are broken, the line between the living and the dead blurs. The film uses short, intense scenes to show how grief and curiosity can invite forces that refuse to leave.

The Sixth Sense

Platform: DailyMotion

A landmark in supernatural storytelling, The Sixth Sense follows child psychologist Dr Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) as he tries to help eight-year-old Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment). Cole has a terrifying secret—he can see and talk to dead people who don’t know they are gone.

The spirits appear suddenly, often damaged and frightening, leaving Cole constantly anxious. The film relies on silence, subtle fear, and emotional depth rather than loud scares. Each encounter builds toward one of the most unforgettable twists in cinema history.

Hereditary

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

Hereditary is a deeply disturbing exploration of grief and inherited trauma. Annie Graham (Toni Collette) is mourning her mother’s death when strange occurrences begin haunting her family.

After a sudden tragedy, Annie uncovers unsettling truths about her mother’s past and a powerful force manipulating their lives. The horror unfolds slowly, feeding on emotional pain rather than immediate scares. Its relentless tension and shocking moments make it one of the most unsettling horror films of recent times.

Annabelle

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

Set in 1967, Annabelle follows John Form (Ward Horton), who gifts his pregnant wife Mia (Annabelle Wallis) a vintage doll. Soon after, violent and disturbing events erupt in their home.

Even after relocating, the doll seems to attract a dark presence tied to a deadly cult. As their newborn’s life comes under threat, the couple realises the doll is a conduit for demonic forces. Part of The Conjuring Universe, the film expands its mythology while delivering sustained supernatural dread.

Also Read: From Paatal Lok 2 to Mandala Murders: Best Indian thriller shows of 2025 on OTT

Thirteen Ghosts

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

In Thirteen Ghosts, widower Arthur Kriticos (Tony Shalhoub) inherits a mysterious glass house from his uncle. The house is actually a prison for twelve dangerous ghosts, each bound by ancient spells.

As the seals begin to fail, the spirits are released one by one, turning the house into a deadly maze. With the help of a psychic and a ghost hunter, Arthur learns that a thirteenth ghost is needed to complete a dark ritual. Fast-paced and visually striking, the film delivers constant supernatural chaos.