Top 26 Thai Horror Movies: From Cult Classics to New Hits of Folklore, Ghosts & Gore

When it comes to Asian cinema, Thai horror movies stand in a league of their own. Known for a terrifying blend of ancient folklore, black magic (Kuman Thong), and the law of Karma, they offer a chill that lingers long after the credits roll. Whether you are a seasoned thrill-seeker or a curious newcomer, this curated list explores the dark corners of Thailand’s most terrifying exports. We’re diving deep into the films that defined a generation and the fresh, blood-chilling releases that are currently taking the world by storm.

🎬Must-Watch Thai Horror Movies: New Hits & All-Time Classics

1.The New Wave: Recent Hits (2020 – 2025)

In recent years, Thai horror has evolved. The focus has shifted toward "Folk Horror" and found-footage realism, exploring regional superstitions with modern cinematography.

Note: Inhuman Kiss was released in 2019 but remains popular into the new decade, often covered in recent horror lists and recommended for modern viewers

2.The Hall of Fame: All-Time High-Rated Classics (Pre-2020)

These are the masterpieces that defined the genre. If you haven't seen these, you haven't truly experienced Thai horror.

💻10 Must-Watch Classic Thai Horror Movies: High-Rated & Widely Loved

Thai horror is renowned for its unique blend of vengeful spirits, karmic retribution, and visceral body horror. If you’re looking for the absolute essentials that defined the genre during the "Thai New Wave" and beyond, these ten films are the perfect starting point.

1.Shutter (2004) - Rating: 7.0 (IMDb)/7.7 (Douban)

Lead Actors: Ananda Everingham, Natthaweeranuch Thongmee

Genre / Theme: Supernatural / Twist

Where to Stream：Netflix (select regions), Amazon Prime Video (Rent/Buy), Tubi (Free/Ad-supported).

Shutter (2004) is a classic Thai horror film about photographer Tun and his girlfriend Jane, who, after accidentally hitting and fleeing a young woman, begin seeing ghostly figures in Tun's photos, leading them to uncover a dark secret involving Tun's past relationship with the vengeful spirit of his former college classmate, Natre, who committed suicide due to his cruelty, culminating in a shocking reveal that the spirit has been attached to Tun all along

Plot Summary:

• The Accident: Tun (photographer) and Jane (girlfriend) leave a party and accidentally strike a woman with their car, fleeing the scene.

• Haunted Photos: Strange, shadowy figures appear in Tun's photos, escalating to creepy faces and bodies in the background.

• Investigation: Jane researches the girl, discovering she was Natre, a shy girl from Tun's college days who loved him deeply.

• Escalating Horror: Tun suffers severe neck pain and weight gain, while his friends, also connected to Natre, face hauntings and commit suicide, revealing a pattern of torment.

• The Shocking Truth: The ghost isn't just haunting them; she's physically present, with a horrifying reveal showing Natre's skeletal body sitting on Tun's back in a photo, a secret Tun kept hidden.

• The Climax: Natre's spirit, driven by jealousy and betrayal, was the true source of their suffering, ultimately showing she was with Tun all along, a truth he tried to hide by abandoning her and denying their past. 

2.4BIA (2008) - Rating: 6.7 (IMDb)/7.6 (Douban)

Lead Actors: Laila Boonyasak, Apinya Sakuljaroensuk, Maneerat Kham-uan

Genre / Theme: Anthology Horror

Where to Stream：Usually included alongside other Thai horror titles on collections or regional streaming; sometimes on Netflix

4BIA (2008) on IMDb is a famous Thai horror anthology film featuring four chilling tales: "Happiness" (lonely girl texts a stranger with a ghostly secret), "Tit For Tat" (bullied teen uses black magic for revenge), "In The Middle" (friends' camping trip turns deadly after a kayaking accident), and "Last Fright" (flight attendant escorts a dead princess's body on a terrifying solo flight). Each segment explores different fears, from isolation and revenge to supernatural encounters, building dread through supernatural elements and psychological tension. 

• Happiness: A lonely girl, Pin, connects with a mysterious stranger via text messages. She discovers the stranger is a ghost, the son of a princess, who was buried with a phone and is now seeking connection, leading to a tragic end for Pin.

• Tit For Tat: A bullied student, Ngid, uses a cursed book from a funeral home to get revenge on his tormentors, with each gang member facing a horrific death after looking at the book.

• In The Middle: After a kayaking accident during a camping trip, friends argue about who sleeps in the middle of the tent; a curse is made, and strange occurrences plague them as they fear the drowned friend returning.

• Last Fright: A flight attendant, Pim, is assigned to fly with the body of a princess who died on her watch. The journey becomes a nightmare as the princess's corpse begins to move, haunting Pim during the flight. 

3.Laddaland (2011) - Rating: 6.2 (IMDb)/6.3 (Douban)

Lead Actors: Saharat Sangkapreecha, Piyathida Woramusik

Genre / Theme:Family / Haunted House

Where to Stream：May be found on Netflix / international DVD collections

Laddaland (2011) is a Thai horror film about the middle-class "dream" of suburban life turning into a nightmare when the Thee family moves to an upscale housing estate, Laddaland, in Chiang Mai, only to experience escalating paranormal events, including ghostly sightings after a neighbor's murder-suicide, revealing deep-seated family issues like debt, marital strain, and teenage resentment that make them targets for vengeful spirits, blurring the lines between economic stress and supernatural horror as the community empties out and the family unravels. 

Plot Summary:

• The Move: Marketing worker Thee moves his family (wife Parn, rebellious teen daughter Nan, young son Nat) from Bangkok to Laddaland, a beautiful but costly housing development, hoping for a better life and to fix family tensions.

• Early Signs: Soon after moving in, strange things happen, starting with grisly deaths in the neighborhood and escalating ghostly encounters, especially for Nan, who sees spirits but isn't believed by her parents.

• Family Breakdown: Thee loses his job, increasing financial stress, while Nan's resentment grows as she feels alienated from her parents and home.

• Supernatural Escalation: The family realizes they've been interacting with ghosts (like the murderous neighbor and his family) and the haunting intensifies, targeting family members and adding to their psychological torment.

• Descent into Chaos: As Laddaland empties out due to the hauntings, Thee clings to his property dream, but the ghosts, fueled by the family's internal conflicts and the community's tragic history, drive them to madness and violence, culminating in tragic, violent events that destroy the family unit. 

4.Pee Mak (2013) - Rating: 7.2 (IMDb)/7.1 (Douban)

Lead Actors: Mario Maurer, Davika Hoorne

Genre / Theme: Horror / Comedy

Where to Stream：Frequently on Netflix in many countries

Pee Mak (2013) is a Thai horror-comedy based on the legend of Mae Nak Phra Khanong, following soldier Mak returning from war to his loving, pregnant wife Nak, only for his friends to realize Nak and their baby died in childbirth, and Mak is now living with a vengeful ghost, leading to hilarious and terrifying attempts to reveal the truth while trying to keep Mak safe from his ghostly bride. 

Plot Summary:

• War & Separation: Mak (Mario Maurer) is conscripted to war, leaving his pregnant wife Nak (Davika Hoorne) in their village of Phra Khanong.

• The Ghostly Return: Mak is badly wounded but survives, meeting four loyal friends in a medical camp. After the war, he brings his friends home, where they meet the beautiful Nak and their new baby, but things feel off.

• Friends' Discovery: The friends notice strange occurrences: villagers avoid them, Nak seems to appear and disappear, and locals whisper she died giving birth. They suspect Mak is living with a ghost but struggle to convince him.

• Horror & Comedy: The friends' desperate, often comical, attempts to prove Nak is a ghost clash with Mak's blissful ignorance and Nak's supernatural powers, all while staying true to the classic Mae Nak legend of a devoted, yet dangerous, spirit. 

5.Art of the Devil 2 - Rating: 7.2 (IMDb)/7.4 (Douban）

Lead Actors: Napakpapha Nakprasitte, Hataiwan Ngamsukonpusit

Genre / Theme: Gore / Black Magic

Where to Stream: Often released on physical media or digital rental platforms (availability varies)

Plot Summary:

• The Reunion: Six friends, including Ta, gather in their old village for a funeral, staying at Ta's home.

• The Past Crime: Flashbacks reveal they orchestrated a curse on their gym teacher, Aajaan Panor, who was having an affair with Ta's father.

• Panor's Revenge: Panor, driven insane by other curses and betrayal, uses black magic to exact bloody revenge on the friends, turning their reunion into a nightmare.

• Supernatural Torture: The friends suffer horrific, imaginative deaths (e.g., fishhooks emerging from skin) as Panor's curse unfolds.

• The Truth & Karma: The film reveals layers of deceit, lust, and other spells, showing how everyone's actions, including the friends', brought them to this fate, culminating in a tragic, karmic conclusion

6.The Medium (2021) - 6.5(IMDb)/7.8(Douban）

Lead Actors: Narilya Gulmongkolpech, Sawanee Utoomma

Genre / Theme: Horror / Thriller

Where to Stream: You can watch the  "The Medium" on AMC+,, Tubi (free), Netflix or Philo, or rent/buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

Plot Summary:

• The Setting & Premise: A documentary crew follows Nim, a charismatic shaman in Thailand's Isan region, who serves Ba Yan, a spirit that blesses female mediums in her family.

• The Inheritance: Nim's sister, Noi, rejected the calling, but her daughter Mink starts exhibiting disturbing behavior, leading the family to believe she's the next host for Ba Yan.

• The Turn: Mink's symptoms (violent outbursts, erratic actions, sexual aggression) become too dark for the benevolent goddess, and Nim realizes a malevolent force is at play, possibly Mink's deceased, suicidal ex-boyfriend.

• Failed Rituals: Attempts to cure Mink through rituals fail, escalating her condition and bringing terrifying spiritual attacks, suicides, and possessions upon the family and villagers.

• The Horrifying Climax: A massive exorcism in a warehouse descends into utter chaos, revealing the deep-seated evil that has corrupted the family line, culminating in shocking, gruesome terror. 

7.Alone (2007) - Rating: 6.4 (IMDb)/6.5 (Douban）

Lead Actors: Marsha Wattanapanich, Vittaya Wasukraipaisan

Genre / Theme: Psychological Thriller/ Twin Mystery

Where to Stream: Bundled in Thai horror collections on DVD/Blu-ray; digital rentals may vary

Plot Summary:

• The Premise: Pim (the surviving twin) and Ploy were conjoined at the stomach and shared a bittersweet, but ultimately jealous, relationship, especially over a boy named Wee.

• The Separation: After Ploy's jealousy over Wee led to a violent outburst, Pim insisted on separation surgery, which resulted in Ploy's death, leaving Pim burdened with guilt.

• The Haunting: Years later, living in Korea with her husband Wee, Pim returns to Thailand and experiences terrifying visions, believing Ploy's ghost wants to rejoin her or take revenge.

• The Twist: The core twist reveals that Ploy, the seemingly sweet twin, was actually the jealous one who strangled Pim (the sister) to death before the surgery, then took her place and lived as Pim, marrying Wee.

• The Real Haunting: The "ghost" Pim sees is actually Ploy's guilt and fear as Pim's real spirit tries to expose her murderer. 

8.Dorm (2006) - Rating: 6.8 (IMDb)/7.5 (Douban）

Lead Actors: Charlie Trairat, Sirachuch Chienthaworn

Genre / Theme:Supernatural / School Horror

Where to Stream：Often available in Thai horror collections on Blu-ray / DVD and digital rental platforms

Dorm (2006) is a Thai coming-of-age horror film about lonely Ton, sent to a strict boarding school where he befriends the ghost of Vichien, a boy who drowned in the school's pool, using their supernatural connection to explore themes of guilt, friendship, and adolescent loneliness while uncovering the truth behind Vichien's death and helping him find peace. It blends supernatural scares with poignant drama, focusing on atmosphere and character over jump scares. 

Plot Summary:

• Arrival & Isolation: 12-year-old Ton is sent to a rigid boarding school by his father, struggling to fit in and feeling isolated.

• Ghostly Rumors: His peers share scary stories about a drowned boy in the pool and a girl who committed suicide, increasing his fear.

• Friendship with a Ghost: Ton befriends the quiet, lonely Vichien, only to discover Vichien is the spirit of the drowned boy, whose death replays nightly.

• Uncovering the Past: Ton helps Vichien, trying to understand his past and ultimately find a way for him to move on, which involves confronting guilt and secrets, including his father's affair.

• Themes: The film uses the haunted setting to explore adolescence, loneliness, empathy, and the pain of growing up, making it more than a typical ghost story. 

9.Coming Soon (2008) - Rating: 6.0 (IMDb)/7.0 (Douban）

Lead Actors: Chantavit Dhanasevi, Sarunyu Wongkrachang

Genre / Theme: Meta / Haunted Film Horror

Where to Stream：Available on physical media and occasionally on Netflixin select regions

Plot Summary:

• The Setup: Shane works at a Bangkok cinema and agrees to bootleg a new horror film, Vengeful Spirit, for pirates to earn money.

• The Curse Begins: After watching the disturbing film about a vengeful woman named Chaba, Shane and his friend Som experience strange occurrences, realizing the movie is haunted.

• The Truth: They discover the movie is based on a real, tragic event; Chaba was hanged after being accused of kidnapping children, but the actress playing her, Ingchan, actually died during filming when her safety sling snapped during the hanging scene.

• The Haunting: The ghost of Chaba (and Ingchan) now traps and kills viewers within the film itself, with Shane realizing his friend and others are appearing in the bootleg tape.

• The Race Against Time: Shane and Som frantically try to understand the curse and stop the film from being seen, as Chaba's spirit seeks vengeance through the screen, blurring reality and cinema. 

10.Nang Nak (1999) - Rating: 6.5 (IMDb)/7.8 (Douban）

Lead Actors: Intira Jaroenpura, Winai Kraibutr

Genre / Theme: Ghost Romance / Folklore

Where to Stream：Often appears on Netflix in some regions; also available on physical media/DVD / Blu-ray depending on region

Plot Summary:

• Separation: Mak is conscripted for war, leaving his heavily pregnant wife, Nak, alone in their home by the Phra Khanong canal.

• Tragedy: While Mak is away fighting and getting wounded, Nak dies in childbirth, as does their baby.

• Reunion: Mak miraculously recovers and returns home, finding Nak and their baby seemingly healthy and happy to see him.

• The Deception: The villagers, knowing Nak is dead, are terrified and try to warn Mak, but Nak's powerful spirit prevents them, even killing those who get too close.

• The Revelation: Mak's best friend eventually reveals the horrifying truth: he's living with a ghost. Mak discovers this himself when he sees Nak's arm unnaturally stretch to retrieve something, confirming she's not real.

• The Farewell: After realizing the truth, Mak and Nak have a poignant, melodramatic farewell as her spirit must finally leave the world of the living, cementing their legend as a story of eternal love

📝How to Choose the Right Thai Horror Movies?

Choosing the best and right Thai horror movie for yourself depends heavily on your "scare threshold" and what you enjoy in the genre. Thai cinema is unique because it blends deep-rooted Buddhist karma, traditional folklore, and modern urban legends. To help you choose, I’ve broken down the best movies by Subgenre and Vibe.

1.Identify the Type of Horror You Prefer

Thai horror isn't just one thing. Decide which "flavor" of fear you're in the mood for. The table below outlines four common viewer preferences and the best types of films to start with.

4.Look for the "Golden Era" (1999–2011)

If you want the "best" in terms of critical acclaim, look for films produced during the Thai New Wave. Most of the all-time classics (like Nang Nak, Shutter, and 4BIA) were released in this window. These films usually have better pacing and more iconic "twists" than very low-budget modern releases.

5.Consider the Director and Creative Team

Some Thai horror directors are known for consistent quality.

• Directors of Shutter, Phobia, and The Medium often deliver reliable scares

• Collaboration with Korean or international filmmakers often means higher production quality

• Studios specializing in horror usually focus more on atmosphere and sound design

6.Check Subtitles, Versions & Streaming Availability

Before choosing, make sure the movie is easy to watch.

• Look for official English subtitles

• Avoid poorly translated or heavily censored versions

• Confirm regional availability on platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, or VOD services

A great horror film loses impact if subtitles are bad or scenes are missing.

7.Match the Movie to Your Viewing Mood

Ask yourself:

• Do I want pure fear or emotional storytelling?

• Am I watching alone or with friends?

• Do I prefer fast-paced scares or slow psychological tension?

Your mood matters just as much as the rating.

💡Quick Recommendation Guide:

• If you loved The Conjuring: Watch Laddaland. It's a high-quality haunted house story with a family focus.

• If you loved The Blair Witch Project: Watch The Medium. It's a "mockumentary" style film about a shaman's niece being possessed.

• If you want a twist that will ruin your day: Watch Shutter. Do not look up any spoilers!

🔎Thai Horror FAQs: Finding & Watching High-Quality Films

In the world of international cinema, Thai horror stands out for its unique blend of Buddhist karma, folklore, and visceral scares. When viewers search for high-quality Thai horror, they often run into common hurdles regarding cultural context, "scare" intensity, and where to find authentic versions.

The following FAQ table is designed to help you navigate these questions like a pro.

💡 Pro-Tips for the Best Experience:

• Watch in the Original Language: Always choose Original Thai Audio with English Subtitles. The vocal performances in Thai horror—especially the screams and incantations—lose their "soul" when dubbed.

• Understand 'Karma': Most Thai horror revolves around the Buddhist concept of Karma. If a character is being haunted, pay attention to their past actions; the "scare" is usually a form of spiritual debt collection.