It’s Friday the 13th—the unluckiest day of the year and the perfect excuse to dive headfirst into the world of curses and the occult. Whether it’s ancient rituals that awaken unspeakable horrors or cursed books that should’ve stayed buried, these movies know how to mess with your head—and maybe your sleep schedule. Here’s a list of 13 films that guarantee goosebumps, gasps, and a side of existential dread. Watch them if you dare. 

13 Horror Movies Based on the Occult and Curses 

Exhuma  
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video 

What happens when curiosity digs a little too deep? In Exhuma, an archaeological dig takes a dark turn when uncovering a forgotten grave unleashes unspeakable horrors. Ancient secrets don’t like to stay buried, and this film is proof that some questions are better left unanswered. 

The Ninth Gate 
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video 

Rare book dealer Dean Corso is hired to track down the last two copies of a book said to summon the devil. What starts as a high-brow treasure hunt quickly turns into a hellish descent into cults, curses, and chaos.  

Hereditary  
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV 

Grief doesn’t even scratch the surface of what Annie’s family goes through after her mother’s death. As bizarre events unravel, they uncover a terrifying ancestral legacy tied to the occult. Equal parts disturbing and devastating, Hereditary is a masterclass in “you’re not ready for this.” 

Midsommar 
Where to watch: AppleTV (rent) 

Dani and Christian’s relationship drama feels almost quaint compared to what they face on a trip to a remote Swedish commune. Think flower crowns, eternal daylight, and a pagan festival that goes from quirky to absolutely unhinged. Midsommar is proof that the scariest things sometimes happen in broad daylight. 

Suspiria 
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video 

Berlin’s Markos Tanz Company is where dance meets doom. Newcomer Susie Bannion quickly realizes this isn’t your average ballet studio as sinister forces behind the scenes start to rise. A fever dream of witchcraft and power struggles, Suspiria is hypnotic horror at its finest. 

Rosemary’s Baby (1968) 
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video 

Moving into a creepy New York apartment with equally creepy neighbours is the least of Rosemary’s problems. When she gets pregnant, her paranoia spirals into full-blown terror as she suspects her baby is part of something sinister.  

Evil Dead 
Where to watch: JioCinema 

A remote cabin. A cursed book. What could go wrong? Everything, apparently. When five friends stumble upon the Necronomicon, they unwittingly unleash an ancient evil that’s not exactly neighbourly.  

Hellraiser 
Where to watch: TBA 

A puzzle box that opens a gateway to hell? Sounds fun—until it isn’t. In Hellraiser, a man’s grotesque resurrection sets off a chain of horrifying events, with Cenobites (basically nightmare demons) thrown in for good measure.  

Tumbbad 
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video 

Greed and gods make for a deadly cocktail in Tumbbad. A family’s obsession with a cursed treasure tied to the monster Hastar spirals into generational terror.  

Bulbbul  
Where to watch: Netflix 

A child bride grows into a mysterious woman haunted by her past while her village is plagued by supernatural murders. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century Bengal, Bulbbul weaves myth and mystery into a feminist horror story that’s as beautiful as it is chilling. 

Virupaksha  
Where to watch: Netflix  

A small village is rocked by gruesome deaths tied to black magic. Enter a man determined to unravel the mystery.   

Maa Oori Polimera 2 
Where to watch: aha.video  

In a village steeped in black magic, a policeman seeks justice for his brother’s untimely death. But what he uncovers is far more sinister.   

Pari 
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video 

 What starts as a kind act—a man helping a chained woman—turns into something far more sinister. As secrets about her dark lineage come to light, Pari morphs into a story of horror, heartbreak, and the unshakable grip of a curse.